"R. Mark Clayton" > wrote in message
...
>
> "dizzy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "R. Mark Clayton" > wrote:
>>
>>>The main electronics in the bumper is the park distance control (also
>>>undamaged in my case, but very vulnerable in an impact), but replacing
>>>this
>>>could easily double the cost above.
>>>
>>>So IME the cost sounds reasonable.
>>
>> Am I the only person thinking that's a stupid design, to make the
>> bumper so fragile and expensive to repair?
>
> The bumpers aren't fragile - the mountings are designed to deform and
> absorb the energy of an impact.
>
> It is a lot cheaper to replace the bumper mounting than to beat out a bent
> boot etc.
>

The idea is that the bumper actually absorbs the forces of an impact instead
of transmit those forces into the passenger compartment, where the occupants
then absorb the forces.

Nobody cares about the cost of sheet metal and plastic, they care about the
occupants.