[Jamie100]

Dear Oh Deer!

Yes, you guessed it; I met Bambi's suicidal brother a few weeks back.

I was driving to work down a country road in Sunny Cornwall at about 60, and he jumped clean over a hedge RIGHT in front of me, I'd hit him before I even got to brake.

After checking the deer wasn't suffering, I inspected the front of my '03 plate 75 and was amazed at the amount of damage inflicted...

...There virtually wasn't any!

In fact all it needed to get through it's first MOT two days later was an indicator bulb and a new front numberplate (plus some silver tape to cover the cracks in the bumper).

The lights are fine, the bodywork isn't even marked, all it needs is a new bumper and some of the lower grille sections.

My question is: Anyone got any tips as to where to buy the bumper, how easy a DIY repair might be, cost of respray etc.

My insurance excess is rather steep, so I'd rather find a cheap solution.

ANY advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[sportingfiat]

I reckon you best bet would be trying some breakers, worth waiting to see if parts the right colour can be found saves a fortune

not sure if parts gateway would be able to find some

worth a google though mate

 

[David3807]

Seen a few front bumpers on e bay - think there are a couple there now.

 

[Ian]

I hit a fox in my Rover 75 a few years ago, and the only damage was that the indicator had popped out of its mounting.

About 3 years ago, I hit a small cat in my Ford Focus ST170 and it wrote the car off. It obliterated the front bumper and took the hoses off the car, and ended up cooking the engine.

The Rover 75 / MG ZT is one sturdy car

 

[aries9456]

Who is the old deer insured with? Stick in a claim. !!!!

 

[barnsleybill]

Look on the bright side - with a tourer you could take him home to make some Bambi burgers!!

 

[Moonstone]

My question is: Anyone got any tips as to where to buy the bumper, how easy a DIY repair might be, cost of respray etc.

Rimmer Bros was listing new front bumpers a while ago at around £200 ex-VAT. Your local parts dealer might be about the same. You'll need the VIN as there are several types.

Don't know about re-spray, but should be easy to get an estimate.

 

[220coupe]

Who is the old deer insured with? Stick in a claim. !!!!

i think that deer are property of the crown. Therefore given that the Prince of Wales owns most of Devon & Cornwall, it may be worth getting in touch with him.


:tumbleweed:

 

[Mike-MGR]

I hit a fox in my Rover 75 a few years ago, and the only damage was that the indicator had popped out of its mounting.

About 3 years ago, I hit a small cat in my Ford Focus ST170 and it wrote the car off. It obliterated the front bumper and took the hoses off the car, and ended up cooking the engine.

The Rover 75 / MG ZT is one sturdy car

Blimey you should come with a government health warning, any wildlife in a mile radius should be notified you are in the area so they can dive for cover! lol

 

[Mike-MGR]

The lights are fine, the bodywork isn't even marked, all it needs is a new bumper and some of the lower grille sections.

My question is: Anyone got any tips as to where to buy the bumper, how easy a DIY repair might be, cost of respray etc.


Point 1. you say lower grill sections, is it the premium bumper? If so you may have a problem these are extremely rare!

Point 2. I had my bumper sprayed for £100, ask if they will do it for cash, they do not have to declare it and will give you a great deal!

 

[Jamie100]

Firstly, sorry for not replying sooner, I've been trying to log on for ages but kept getting an error message - is this something anyone else experiences or is it just my system? (No offence meant to those who work hard to run this site!)

Thanks to all who replied with suggestions, I've seen a few items on ebay, and might end up taking that route.

And no, I didn't pick up the deer; I'm sure it wold have fitted in the boot just fine, I just didn't fancy the inside of the car looking like it'd been used in a Tarantino film!

MikeMGR:- Point 1; I don't THINK the bumper is a "premium", as the car is only mid-spec (2003 Tourer, 1.8t, Club SE, Auto) and it doesn't look any different to most 75's I've seen.

Any ways of recognising a premium bumper or any tips with the removal and re-fitting process?

Thanks again, Jamie

 

[Obiwanwasabe]

Dear Oh Deer!

Yes, you guessed it; I met Bambi's suicidal brother a few weeks back.

I was driving to work down a country road in Sunny Cornwall at about 60, and he jumped clean over a hedge RIGHT in front of me, I'd hit him before I even got to brake.

After checking the deer wasn't suffering, I inspected the front of my '03 plate 75 and was amazed at the amount of damage inflicted...

...There virtually wasn't any!

In fact all it needed to get through it's first MOT two days later was an indicator bulb and a new front numberplate (plus some silver tape to cover the cracks in the bumper).

The lights are fine, the bodywork isn't even marked, all it needs is a new bumper and some of the lower grille sections.

My question is: Anyone got any tips as to where to buy the bumper, how easy a DIY repair might be, cost of respray etc.

My insurance excess is rather steep, so I'd rather find a cheap solution.

ANY advice appreciated.

Thanks

Hiya Jamie,
There is apparently a place in or near Camelford that "plastic welds" bumpers, maybe that would be cheaper.
Nick

 

[Cirian75]

Look on the bright side - with a tourer you could take him home to make some Bambi burgers!!

I was just thinking that

Good hear the cars not badly hurt.

 

[1260 pete]

What a bugger mate kin animals me and a mate were blasting down the Horse shoe pass a few years ago ( saturday morning hangover cure) both on gsxr 1100s and a bloody sheep was in the road on a bit of a brow, my mate was infront and swerved but just clipped it taking its bloo dy face off and he went sliding down the road at about 90mph luckily i was about 80 yds behind and had plenty of time to stop

 

[morris-mg]

What a bugger mate kin animals me and a mate were blasting down the Horse shoe pass a few years ago ( saturday morning hangover cure) both on gsxr 1100s and a bloody sheep was in the road on a bit of a brow, my mate was infront and swerved but just clipped it taking its bloo dy face off and he went sliding down the road at about 90mph luckily i was about 80 yds behind and had plenty of time to stop

Thats absolutely disgusting. Going at that speed when you know that there will be animals around as there are signs saying so. And a hangover cure??!

 

[Dave Goody]

Dear Oh Deer!

Yes, you guessed it; I met Bambi's suicidal brother a few weeks back.

I was driving to work down a country road in Sunny Cornwall at about 60, and he jumped clean over a hedge RIGHT in front of me, I'd hit him before I even got to brake.

After checking the deer wasn't suffering, I inspected the front of my '03 plate 75 and was amazed at the amount of damage inflicted...

...There virtually wasn't any!

In fact all it needed to get through it's first MOT two days later was an indicator bulb and a new front numberplate (plus some silver tape to cover the cracks in the bumper).

The lights are fine, the bodywork isn't even marked, all it needs is a new bumper and some of the lower grille sections.

My question is: Anyone got any tips as to where to buy the bumper, how easy a DIY repair might be, cost of respray etc.

My insurance excess is rather steep, so I'd rather find a cheap solution.

ANY advice appreciated.

Thanks

Dont think there is a cheap solution, there may be a Deer solution

Dave

 

[Ian]

Oh deer Dave, you are getting worse :rofl:

 

[1260 pete]

Thats absolutely disgusting. Going at that speed when you know that there will be animals around as there are signs saying so. And a hangover cure??!

Just the things thigs you do when you're young i suppose, or was it just me ????