Can some one explain to me why there is such a wide range on the R50 from bumper? I see them as cheap as 78 dollars to 400 dollars. Is there a big difference in the quality and fitment has any one experienced the best OEM to the inexpensive aftermarket ones?

 

I am trying to find one for my '06 R50 after I hit a deer. I've found original Cooper S bumper covers for cheaper than one for my facelift R50 (different cover to an '03), so I'm probably going down that route. The only difference in quality in the used OE bumper covers should be how bad the scratches, chips, etc, are from use. As for aftermarket, I don't know about the quality of them. I'm trying find an original MINI cover, preferably in Chili Red, because of worries about fitment on the aftermarket part, and if I have to repaint then that is what I'll do. Local body shop will charge $350 to repaint a bumper cover.

I have tried an aftermarket radiator support before when I hit something in the road, and the support broke around the fog light area. Was not impressed with the fit or quality at all, but it was about 1/3 the price of original MINI. This time it will be an OE MINI part for me, despite them being over $300.

 

Has anyone used the any aftermarket 2003 front R50 bumpers out there! As I posted there is a big range of pricing.

 

My radiator support was broken in half at the bottom,[bad tow job] had one corner at the top broken and a repair where it zip tied together with a number of holes drilled. I fixed them all with West System epoxy and F.G mat. Stronger than new and when repainted flat black hardly noticeable. took an evening or two. Did the same with the lower pan.
The bumper cover was broken right in the center as well. I wanted to eliminate the lower spoiler which looked like it was a parking lot stopper magnet. I used the mat to epoxy the broken cover back together then epoxied 2 pieces of plywood to either side where the attaching bolts go through. Never to be seen and stronger than original.

Photos on the Bargin $500 Mini build thread.

Just a thought,
robj

 

Looks like no one has an answer to this one.

 

I would guess, although I don't know for sure, that all aftermarket bumpers are made by a few facilities in China. So a bumper costing $150 from vendor "A" was probably made in the same facility as one costing $300 from vendor "B". Sellers will ask what they think they can get for the bumper cover, as with everything else. Unless you can physically compare the two bumpers side by side, "you pays your money, you takes your chance". Unless you can get input from someone who has purchased an aftermarket item.

As I mentioned before, I purchased an aftermarket radiator support for about $112 shipped. I could have paid up to $180 for a rad support that looked exactly the same as the $112 item in listings from different vendors (e-bay, Amazon, etc). So I went with the cheapest, guessing that the rad supports were probably made in the same facility.