5 MPH bumper

[Mike Arman]

Personally, I like the 5 mph bumpers. They unbolt from the bumper shocks
easily, which makes changing the timing belt a little easier.


Here is my 5 mph bumper experience. I am very, very careful and picky about
my car - not that is is worth that much, but general slovenliness about
cars often results in lots of miscellaneous dings and dents and scratches
that make a car look like crap. This also makes them unappealing to drive
and lowers their resale value, so there are advantages to keeping the body
unmarked.

I am also very, very careful and picky about driving and parking my car -
far side of the parking lot, away from other cars, not next to junkers or
two-door sedans with great, big, long doors. I leave plenty of room in
front of me (don't tailgate), keep an eye open for people charging up
behind me in SUVs at posted speed limits plus 30 mph, all the usual paranoia.

A few weeks ago, I was stopped at a railroad crossing. I was behind a 97
Buick, stopped, car in neutral, foot on the brake, waiting.

I was evidently more tired that I thought, because I put my head down and
rubbed my eyes for a moment, and CLUNK! - I had rolled down a slight
incline and just bumped the rear bumper of the Buick in front of me. I was
very surprised, to say the least. The car moved so gently that I didn't
realize I was rolling! If my eyes had been open, of course I would have
seen it, but they were not.

Damage to Audi - absolutely none. Period.

Damage to Buick - baseball sized black bullseye in the precise center of
the (white) bumper cover.

The lady in the Buick was upset at first, but quickly calmed down when I
told her what had happened, that I was WELL insured, and would absolutely
take care of this for her. I also apologized, because this was entirely my
fault. (Yeah, I know that's a bad idea because now, when she discovers she
has whiplash in ten years, she'll sue me . . . ).

Anyway, the next day her husband arrived at my office (in the Buick), and I
said yes, you're in the right place, I'm the guy that bumped your wife's
car. He allowed me to take a rag and some fine rubbing compound to the
bullseye, and in about three minutes, it was completely gone.

He was happy, I was happy, no insurance, no police report, no BS. He also
said that if every accident he was ever involved in could be handled as
quickly and nicely as this one was, he'd be a happy man (me too).

So here's a case where 5 mph bumpers did exactly what they were supposed to
- a very minor tap, and no damage at all.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman







Best Regards,

Mike Arman