Front Bumper Options
 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/67394/deerhit0075.jpg"></center><p>Got an estimate from a body shop today. Hood, right fender, bumper, lower spoiler with the grill will all be replaced. Just wondering what you guys think of some other than OEM options that I could have the shop do, keeping in mind that this an insurance job after a run in with bambi.
I like the OEM look and would like to keep the oem unpainted sides(don't have the money to do it now). I was wondering maybe S4 fron bumper(if at all different from A4), S4 lower spoiler with grill( do I paint it do I not, to match unpainted lower sides) or something compareable in cost to OEM that insurance would not raise questions about. Any pictures and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks

if you do any bumper other than the one you had....
 

you will want it painted and you will also want the side skirts and rear painted.... that being said you want those lower panels painted anyway and now is the time to get it done !

As i said before...

aftermarket wise... top choice would be caractere if you're planning on just swapping the front bumper...

ultra sport is nice (but requires upper and lower bumper)

What's wrong with the fron bumper? Damage appears on the fender only.

Re: What's wrong with the fron bumper? Damage appears on the fender only.
 

You can't tell from the picture, but it is cracked at the impact point, the headlight washer plate is now protruding above the bumper surface.

The crack can be easily fixed with a plastic weld.

If you don't have money to paint the lowers then you don't have money to do anything else but
 

replace everything as is with original parts.

Insurance companies cannot replace original parts with different part numbers because it's not "legal". You'll most likely have to cover the extra cost if you go the route of buying different parts. :(

Maybe you can work out a "deal" with your body shop. Or maybe you can get the money from the insurance company and then go to your own shop to repair the car the way you want to?

yeah that was the assumption i was taking for granted
 

they will value the oem parts... and he should have the right to go and replace them with anything else he chooses... however if they cost more than oem, he will pay out of pocket...

shops have all sorts of tricks for working around things though ;)

One caveat...
 

Just be aware that the Caractere front end creates a noticable gap between the hood (at the grille) and the upper bumper. I do agree, though, that it is one of the nicer aftermarket front ends.

do you have a picture of that ?
 

i have never noticed that before

Sure...
 

It still looks hot to me though (no offense intended to these members--this would still be my first choice for an aftermarket kit)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/53726/front_left.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/34835/dsc01547.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/62870/img_0240.jpg">
Of course, it could also be inconsistent fitment because it seems to look OK here
<img src="http://www.lltek.com/images/caractek/caractA4_8E_Avant_fullfront.jpg">