Buy Mercedes-Benz SLK280 Bumper Covers

Snapshot

The bumper cover-also called the bumper skin, fascia, or outer shell-on a Mercedes-Benz SLK280 (R171, 2005-2008) is a lightweight plastic shield that protects underlying crash beams, carries parking sensors and lights, and shapes airflow around the roadster. It is usually molded from polypropylene (PP) or a PP-blend because the material bends without cracking, weighs little, and is cheap to paint and recycle. Replacing or repairing this cover touches many topics, from safety rules and paint chemistry to pedestrian protection and eco-friendly disposal.

Car Fit

• Works on R171 chassis built for the 2005-2008 SLK280 with the 231 PS 3.0 V6; facelift (2008-2011) covers look similar but have different grille cut-outs and lamp brackets.
• Front and rear covers are not interchangeable; front carries fog-lamp, washer-jet, and PTS sensor holes while the rear includes slots for the exhaust valance.
• Mounts with eight underside screws, two top locating bolts, and two hidden Torx screws behind each wheel-arch liner. (Mercedes Workshop Information Sheet numbers 88-6152 and 88-6153). (YouTube)

Materials

• Most SLK280 covers are PP + EPDM-TPO blends that flex in minor bumps and spring back.
• PP resists moisture and chemicals better than ABS, keeping paint from bubbling.
• Reinforcers such as talc or rubber improve stiffness and crack resistance in cold weather.

Safety Role

• The cover works with an inner aluminum or steel beam to spread low-speed impact forces and cut repair costs.
• New U.S. pedestrian-protection rules will soon rate bumper zones for leg-form impact performance. NHTSA pedestrian proposal

Styling & Aero

• Designers tune bumper curves to hit a drag coefficient of 0.32 on the R171, helping the roadster stay quiet with the top down.
• The lower grille opening feeds the oil cooler on V6 cars; blocking it raises under-hood temps.

Sensors & Tech

• Factory Parktronic sensors (PTS) clip into 18 mm round seats molded into the fascia; broken tabs can be plastic-welded.
• AMG-style front covers add a center grille large enough to house aftermarket adaptive-cruise radar modules.

Installation Tips

1. Disconnect the fog-lamp harness before fully dropping the fascia.
2. Turn front wheels outward for better access to wheel-arch screws. (YouTube)
3. Torque the two top M6 bolts to 10 Nm and the six M8 under-tray screws to 25 Nm to avoid cracking the plastic tabs.
4. Replace any missing splash-shield screws; Mercedes spec #201-990-05-36 fits PP covers. (Amazon)

Painting & Finish

• Clean raw PP with isopropyl alcohol, scuff with a gray pad, then apply a plastic adhesion promoter so color coats stick.
• Two-component urethane clear-coat contains isocyanates, so painters must use fresh-air masks per EPA guidance. EPA refinishing profile

Care & Repair

• Minor gouges can be filled with flexible polyester filler and refinished; deep splits call for nitrogen plastic-welding followed by re-texturing.
• Keep wax and sealant off radar or PTS sensor windows to avoid false alerts.

Recycling

• PP bumper skins can be re-ground and sold back to body shops as remanufactured covers, cutting landfill waste. Bumper recycling basics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What material is the SLK280 bumper cover made of?
A: It is a polypropylene-based plastic that bends on light impact and weighs less than metal.

Q: Does the pre-facelift cover fit the 2009 SLK300?
A: No. The facelift added new fog-lamp shapes and a wider grille, so mounting clips differ.

Q: Can I drive without the bumper cover?
A: It's legal in some areas but unsafe-crash beams stay exposed, and sensors, lamps, and aero parts lose protection.

Q: How much does the bare cover weigh?
A: Around 4-5 kg (9-11 lb), depending on trim pieces.

Q: Will parking sensors work after repainting?
A: Yes, if paint layers stay thin (under 125 µm) and clear-coat is non-metallic; thick paint can block ultrasound.

Q: What torque spec applies to the under-tray screws?
A: Tighten M8 screws to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) to avoid stripping plastic inserts.

Q: How do I find the correct paint code?
A: Look on the driver-side door jamb sticker-codes like 040 (Black) or 775 (Iridium Silver) match Mercedes palettes.

Q: Can cracks be glued?
A: For tiny hairline cracks, a two-part plastic adhesive works; larger breaks need plastic welding plus backing mesh.

Q: Are aftermarket "AMG-look" covers legal?
A: They're legal if they keep federal lighting height and width rules and do not block safety sensors.

Q: Is the bumper cover recyclable?
A: Yes-most body shops send damaged PP covers to specialty recyclers who refurbish or pelletize the plastic.

Bonus Keywords

Mercedes SLK280 bumper fascia, R171 bumper skin, roadster front bumper shell, rear impact cover, PP car bumper, plastic fender bumper, SLK body kit front lip, Mercedes parking sensor bumper, paintable bumper panel, replace cracked fascia.

Explore further: I-CAR plastic-repair guide • Polypropylene benefits • TPO bumper advantages