Buy Mercedes-Benz Metris Bumper Covers

Background Info

The bumper cover-also called the fascia, bumper skin, or valance-on a Mercedes-Benz Metris van is more than a cosmetic shell. It absorbs light impacts, shapes airflow, houses sensors, and hides safety hardware such as the steel reinforcement beam and tow hook. Made from impact-tough polypropylene plastic, it fits 2016-2023 U.S.-market Metris cargo, passenger, and Weekender models and is shaped differently front-to-rear, and for vans with or without Park-Tronic parking sensors or Blind-Spot Assist. The cover must also satisfy U.S. bumper rules and upcoming pedestrian-safety proposals while remaining light and easily repairable. (eBay, Plastics Industry Association, Car and Driver, Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, eCFR)

Fit & Years

• Fits all Mercedes-Benz Metris vans (model code W447) sold from the 2016 launch through the 2023 final model year. Short and long wheelbases share the same profile. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, Car and Driver)
• Overall body width without mirrors is 75.9 in; length is 202.4 in, so the fascia spans roughly 6 feet side-to-side.
• Rear covers differ if the van carries the optional step, trailer hitch, or corner sensors. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, Car and Driver)

Construction

• Material- Polypropylene (PP) is used because it is lightweight, resists dents, and rebounds after minor hits. (eBay, Plastics Industry Association)
• Texture- Most original covers arrive "raw" or primed for paint; textured black versions skip paint for fleet use. (eBay)
• Mold-in grids hold ultrasonic parking sensors; blanking plugs fill unused spots on sensor-delete vans. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)

Hidden Features

• Park-Tronic - Up to six sensors mount in the fascia to measure distance while parking.
• Blind-Spot Assist - Rear corner radar modules read through plastic, so metal bull bars can block them. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)
• Tow-Hook Door - A small cap on the passenger side front fascia snaps out so the factory screw-in tow eye can be installed for recovery. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)
• Rear-View Camera - Vans with hinged rear doors place the camera above the license plate; body up-fits must not obscure that view.

Safety Rules

• U.S. bumper regulation 49 CFR §581 limits damage in 2.5 mph corner and 5 mph barrier tests, influencing cover thickness and energy absorbers. (eCFR)
• A 2024 NHTSA proposal would add pedestrian-head protection zones in the front fascia area. (NHTSA)

Removal Basics

1. Disconnect the battery (prevents Park-Tronic warnings).
2. Remove wheel-arch liners and Torx screws along the valance.
3. Unclip the top edge under the grille, then pull the cover straight forward. Have a helper-covers are nearly 6 ft wide. (Metris Forum)
4. Unplug sensor and lamp harnesses before setting the skin aside on a soft mat.

Installation Tips

• Re-use foam energy absorbers if undamaged; replace bent steel reinforcement bars. (rts.i-car.com)
• Torque bumper beam bolts to values listed in the factory service manual-over-tightening can deform the PP skin. (Mercedes-Benz Vans)
• After any sensor removal, follow calibration steps in the Mercedes service menu; missed calibration can disable ADAS alerts. (rts.i-car.com)

Repair & Paint

• Light scuffs: wet-sand 600-grit, apply adhesion promoter formulated for polyolefin plastics, then refinish. (3M)
• Cracks or tab breaks: drill stop-holes, V-groove, apply two-part flexible filler on both sides, sand 180-grit, prime, paint. (3M)
• Always wipe with plastic-safe cleaner; silicone residue causes fisheyes in paint. (3M Multimedia)

Upgrades

• Steel bumper guards or grille guards bolt through factory mounting points but may block radar or sonar sensors-choose designs rated "sensor-compatible." (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)
• A skid plate can protect the lower valance when off-pavement yet must clear the tow-hook opening. (TFLTruck)

Care & Longevity

• Wash with pH-neutral soap; avoid petroleum solvents that can haze the plastic.
• Apply UV-protectant trim dressing on unpainted skins to slow fading. (Mercedes-Benz Vans)
• Inspect parking sensors after winter salt exposure; corrosion behind the cover can throw error codes.

Environmental Notes

Polypropylene bumpers are 100 % recyclable through PP-marked automotive streams, cutting vehicle weight and CO₂ compared with older steel skins. (Plastics Industry Association)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of Metris use the same bumper cover?
A: All U.S.-spec vans 2016-2023 share the same base shell; only sensor holes and trim finish vary. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, Car and Driver)

Q: Is the Metris fascia metal or plastic?
A: It is injection-molded polypropylene plastic, not metal. (eBay, Plastics Industry Association)

Q: Do I need to remove the headlights to swap the front cover?
A: No-once you unfasten the wheel-arch and top screws, the cover slides forward underneath the headlamps. (Metris Forum)

Q: Can I reuse parking sensors after a minor collision?
A: Yes, if sensor tabs are intact and the wiring is undamaged; otherwise replace and recalibrate. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store, rts.i-car.com)

Q: How much weight can the hidden tow eye pull?
A: The van's rated towing capacity is 5,000 lb, and the tow eye and bumper beam are engineered for that load on level ground. (Car and Driver, Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)

Q: Will a brush guard block Blind-Spot Assist?
A: If the guard covers the rear corner radar zones it can interfere; use sensor-compatible guards or relocate the modules. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)

Q: What primer sticks to PP plastic?
A: Use a dedicated polyolefin adhesion promoter; standard etch primers will not bond well. (3M, 3M)

Q: Are bumper covers subject to U.S. safety rules?
A: Yes, they must help the vehicle meet 49 CFR §581 low-speed impact limits. (eCFR)

Q: How long does paint need to cure before re-installing sensors?
A: Allow at least 24 hours at 70 °F so solvent fumes do not fog sensor lenses. (3M Multimedia)

Q: Does replacing the cover void my warranty?
A: No, but improper calibration of ADAS sensors afterward can disable related systems and may affect coverage. (rts.i-car.com)

Q: Can the bumper skin be recycled after an accident?
A: Yes-PP is widely accepted by automotive plastics recyclers. (Plastics Industry Association)

Q: What tools are required for removal?
A: Torx T25/T30 bits, trim-clip pliers, a 10 mm socket, and a plastic pry tool are usually enough. (Metris Forum)

Q: Is the rear cover different on vans with the step bumper?
A: Yes, the molded cut-out around the center step and hitch receiver requires a unique part number. (Mercedes-Benz Parts Store)

Q: Where is the paint code located?
A: The factory paint code is printed on the driver-side B-pillar VIN sticker inside the door frame. (Mercedes-Benz Vans)

This overview equips shoppers, DIY owners, and collision professionals with dependable, plain-language facts for choosing, installing, or repairing a Mercedes-Benz Metris bumper cover.