Has anyone had to replace their rear bumper ?

[djsoftware]

Unfortunately as my estate was parked on a hill today a VW touran which was a few metres behind rolled into the back of my Passat. Initially it did not look like much damage I thought that I just need to 'pop' the two bumper sections back but having a closer look tonight the body coloured part of the bumper has raised itself by a few mms where the tailgate opens and would not budge. Has anyone had to replace a bumper ? If so what was the approximate cost including respray. It was a shame my tow bar did not save the car never mind. Thanks for any help.

[Chipped2]

My son's Passat Estate B5 was hit at traffic lights while stationary by a 'lady' in a Beetle who had her head in the glovebox looking for something. She admitted liability in writing at the scene. The Estate had a towbar which presumably took some of the impact but the cost was about £1500 for the bumper complete with respray and backing plate plus the new towbar. Tailgate/lights remained undamaged. The spare wheel-well had a 'soft' dent which we asked to be left as it was hardly noticeable even inside.

Cost at a VW Bodyshop included 'free' hire car. All paid for by her insurance.

[1.8Tpassatman]

My passat B5 was hit by a fiat punto doing around 20 mph, the punto was a write off and my bumper,in fairness didn't look too bad considering the punto's bonnet,radiator and bumper was smashed, the insurance payed out almost straight away, i got 2 quotes, the first was £826 something, the second was £775.75, i spoke to the 3rd parties insurance, and they decided to pay me out cash, so i could get it done when it suited me, and so that i never had a company car, which would have been more expense to them, so i then thought, i can do this myself, so i looked on ebay, found a passat estate with the same paint code as mine (paint code located near the spare wheel in the boot) i then drove to aldershot to collect the bumper, and make sure it was in good condition, it took me around an hour to fit it, there are around 10 bolts holding it on, hope this helpsff,new one back on, tighten the bolts up, job done. Even a complete novice can do it, and with the diagram i found on the internet, it even shows you where the bolts are, so basically, a few quid banked, and a virtually new looking bumper, i was pleased anyway. hope this helps

[snapdragon]

Similar thing happened to me with a BMW, I didn't go through my insurance at all, just sent two inflated quotes (from BMW approved bodyshops for a 9 year old car) to the third party's insurer. It took 9 months to get the money, but I was able to bend the lower front panel back by hand in the meantime and polish out the scuff got a used bumper. I just spend the money at Comet.

[djsoftware]

Thanks for the replies. Drove around to a couple of body shops at lunchtime and the quotes for a new rear bumper are coming in around £600. I think this may put the people off the cash option and I'm sure it will be over to the insurers so I will have to wait and see.

[djsoftware]

First quote has been emailed and its now upto £849 for a new bumper etc (keeping the bottom part that includes the reverse sensors etc).