Front grille dilemma- Please read!

[kcfoxie]

This is a good discussion as I need to do something about Peachez' valance too....

[gamefoo21]

Just to add...

RockAuto Auto Parts does carry the three pieces required to rebuild that particular part of the bumper. I ordered all three and it looks rather complete, just need the plastic pop rivets.

Some women and their need to park ontop of the parking barriers/sidewalks/curbs... :|

[kellyyysayss]

It's been a while since I logged on, apologies. My brother sliced off the side of his finger while we were working on the Mustang, and I've been going through the whole process of ER's and hand surgeons with him. :\

Regardless, I found the part online for about $25. The only thing is that the front spoiler (that's what it's called! :P) is labeled as 'over sized' when it's really not...and shipping would be a whopping $119 because of coming on an 18-wheeler. I ordered the mesh (about the same size) and got $5 shipping. Some people aren't so bright...

The only problem with the junk yard-searching thing is the shipping costs and how to pay them. Most of them expect cash. I've been calling around.

Hopefully before September I'll have the body worked out and the A/C compressor in...

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

It's been a while since I logged on, apologies. My brother sliced off the side of his finger while we were working on the Mustang, and I've been going through the whole process of ER's and hand surgeons with him. :\

Regardless, I found the part online for about $25. The only thing is that the front spoiler (that's what it's called! :P) is labeled as 'over sized' when it's really not...and shipping would be a whopping $119 because of coming on an 18-wheeler. I ordered the mesh (about the same size) and got $5 shipping. Some people aren't so bright...

The only problem with the junk yard-searching thing is the shipping costs and how to pay them. Most of them expect cash. I've been calling around.

Hopefully before September I'll have the body worked out and the A/C compressor in...

Been there done that, and I'm not referring to the NB parts, either... Piranha blade, table saw, I think you can get it from there.

Anyway, when part monies are available the wife and I plan weekend junk yard trips, because when I pay cash I like to see first hand what I'm paying for.

[Druber13]

Mine was broke similar to that when I bought it, the other owner had ran screws in it. I was searching for parts when my lady hit a eight inch curb. So for 500 (deductible) I have a new front end. I bought her a jeep grand Cherokee and took the bug back. I was having problems trying to locate the parts needed also, before she hit the curb. I ended up with new tranny motor mount control arms wheels and new fender wells, they weren't hurt but got replaced anyway. It was a lot more than I wanted to spend, but I am very happy with her now.

[BaySideIsaCult]

is this the part you are looking for? has free shipping, just not painted NEW 2 PC LOWER SPOILER & GRILLE 98-00 VW BEETLE W/ FOG: eBay Motors (item 310243989129 end time Sep-22-10 10:37:48 PDT)

[HoustonNBTdi]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

Thanks Mig, I'll try to contact them tomorrow.

@SMG- That doesn't fit directly inside the bumper. That, the fog light piece, and the mesh are the only parts I can find. The casing is not manufactured in OEM parts aftersale. The pictures are never accurate. Due to this, I'm now being fee'd for return shipping.

@Melissa- I considered doing the whole front bumper ordeal but it simply is not necessary or within my price range (for something uneccesary).

Thanks all! More posts/ideas appreciated.

I say eBay it. I was able to find all 3 of those pieces for mine...it looks like the center piece ( fog light and center trim piece) looks good...
Here are a couple listings I found on bay

01-05 04 03 02 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE BUMPER GRILLE & TRIM: eBay Motors (item 120492088149 end time Sep-07-10 23:27:21 PDT)

01-05 04 03 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FRONT LO VALANCE W/HO: eBay Motors (item 120492088346 end time Sep-07-10 23:28:49 PDT)

You would need both of those pieces, and I don't know what shipping would run...
Good luck, hope this helps

[kellyyysayss]

Mine's a 2000. Playing it on the safe side. I only need the moulding/front spoiler piece. The company just has to respond to one of my 10 messages I left them...

[Zendrumdude]

Kelly,

I'm going to echo some other posts here... EBAY. You already found out they call it a front spoiler, also called a valance some places. They're ALL OVER eBay ($40-$50 USD) but need to be painted (most come primed). I just went through this myself (previous owner must have whacked a parking barricade- cracked like yours, same place, but not all the way through), but I ended up just replacing the grille itself for now. The snap-in grille really helps to hold the valance in place. I may replace the whole valance if anything gets worse.

The good news is, as I am sure you know, the fog light surround is its own piece. The fog lights are probably going to pose a problem for you: they are a BITCH to get out (pardon my language) and the manual says you need to take off the front bumper cover and BOTH fenders! LOL. You may luck out; I was told that 2000 was the year they switched over to a fog light mounting system that can be done from below... check yours and see. If you run into trouble with this part let me know, as I just did this literally days ago (also a 2000, but before the mounting fix). I was bleeding and swearing by the time I was done, but it looks awesome now, and my aftermarket "halo" fogs look killer! And, I installed them with hex-head bolts rather than phillips screws, which means NEXT time I can get them out far more easily by slipping a wrench up over the inside of the front bumper cover (because of course a screwdriver won't fit).

Jer

[kellyyysayss]

Jer,

I'm really uneasy about eBay regardless of what others are saying. I've had two bad experiences when purchasing said pieces, which weren't what they were supposed to be.

If you can give me a link to a seller you KNOW has the right part I need, I'll follow through. I have paint and my set up is ready to go.

As for fog lights, mine are the newer assembly, although I'd like to replace them for halos or something nice (along with my headlights). A bulb has been out for a while but it could be a broken fog light (considering the crack is right next to it).

Regardless, I really appreciate your post. Please get back to me as soon as possible, since I'm phasing back into "caring for the ladybug" from "holy **** college".

[KNEWBUG]

The piece with the mesh grill snaps into the front facia, is the front facia in good condition?? Will a new spoiler snap into the front facia??? That part cost me $100.00 in June of 2009 after my trip to Roswell, that where it was damaged east of Flagstaff AZ on highway 40.

[kellyyysayss]

Yes, those are the pieces I need. I appreciate the detailed pictures! Since I have yet to take mine apart...
$100 is a good deal.

[KNEWBUG]

The piece that is broken is called a spoiler, it does not come painted. To have it painted black cost me $123.00. They are two different spoilers, one for the hardtop and one for convertibles, two different part numbers. Mine was for the convertible. I also had to replace the right foglight.

[kellyyysayss]

I know all of this....I just need to get them. I have the paint tools

[MichelleRoze]

Ask this guy about the condition of the front spoiler and fogs. Might be able to get the whole thing fairly inexpensive....Just a thought...

2000 VW Beetle Parts.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by MichelleRoze

Ask this guy about the condition of the front spoiler and fogs. Might be able to get the whole thing fairly inexpensive....Just a thought...

2000 VW Beetle Parts.

Thanks! I did just before reading your reply.

[D2Beetle]

Well a few days ago I hit something and now I need a valance and the black mesh; however I was able to come up with a temporary fix.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by SMG

Why not link to all of these awesome aftermarket grille setups that are going to save her a bunch of money...

Take it from someone who owns two older NB's. Her car definitely has bigger problems than a few well-placed zipties. If that seems weird to you you obviously haven't been part of the VW scene for very long.

So, yeah. How about those links, guys?

(By the way, my car has no issues other than body work at this point....I took care of all of that stuff already. *eyeroll*)

I'm not fixing my current one. That is out of the question. I was going to buy a grille (see posted above) from a user but he already sold it....
Anyways, I had incorrect parts shipped to me from eBay sellers, their own problem with advertising. They refunded me but I was stuck with $$$ shipping.

I looked up that link/database of parts (car-part.com) and I'm gonna give a few calls tomorrow. In the meantime, I'd really like some links of sites that sell exactly what I'm looking for. This can be eBay, but you have to be positive that they have what I need. I prefer not to use database/junkyard lookups. They will not ship, and there aren't many near me.

Color doesn't matter, I prefer black or red though.

[KNEWBUG]

check out www.1stvwparts.com

[90HorseBeetle]

I just bought a very low mile but seriously beat up '00 TDi which has more than a few blemishes including this (which I think I just attached)::

I think the Fog trim is OK, so I just need the Valance and Mesh Grill(e), which it looks like I can get from a place in TX for $75 primed. I will let you know how it goes.