Any difference between NOS and aftermarket bumper fillers?

[t-topflyer]

Besides the price is there any difference between the GM bumper fillers and the aftermarket ones such as those by ABS? If so, what are the differences?

 

[Anthony P]

OEM was flexible. ABS is not. Neither are the fiberglass ones. In today's world, I'd get a set of OEM front fillers and aftermarket rear ones if I could not go junkyarding to find a nice set of rears. Last time I saw OEM rears they were $700 on Ebay.

 

[Bob Smith]

My son's GN was rear-ended in a parking lot at a low speed. The impact was enough to depress the bumper shocks. The accident caused one broken tail light, a bent bumper and the original bumper fillers cracked. If the fillers had been replaced with the rigid aftermarket version, I'm sure the impact would have driven the rigid fillers into the quarter panels and caused sheet metal damage.

I had planned to replace the fillers in my Limited with the aftermarket versions, but I now appreciate why the engineers designed the flexible fillers. I have since purchased the OEM fillers and recommend you do the same.
Just my $.02.

Bob

 

[gnxjames548]

My son's GN was rear-ended in a parking lot at a low speed. The impact was enough to depress the bumper shocks. The accident caused one broken tail light, a bent bumper and the original bumper fillers cracked. If the fillers had been replaced with the rigid aftermarket version, I'm sure the impact would have driven the rigid fillers into the quarter panels and caused sheet metal damage.

I had planned to replace the fillers in my Limited with the aftermarket versions, but I now appreciate why the engineers designed the flexible fillers. I have since purchased the OEM fillers and recommend you do the same.
Just my $.02.

Bob

I agree 100% with you