My mechanic is advising against replacing my front bumper with a heavy-duty after-market bumper like ARB/HLC/Technical Rovers.

He says they are too heavy, and will actually lead to more damage to the vehcile if you hit something.

I did not mention specific manufacturers when talking to him, but is there any merit to what he is saying?

 

"Several years ago my 1995 FZJ80 was on the way to preschool with my wife, and 5 year old son. While coming down a side street, a Lincoln Marquis ran a stop sign directly in front of the Cruiser, leaving no time to stop. i carry disposable cameras in the glove box of all my
vehicles, for just such events, and the results are documented here. My wife was shaken up, but no one was hurt. The Lincoln was totaled,
my 80 suffered a bent tie rod, some scratches on the nose and bumper, and the ARB emblem was punched out the back of the bumper. I drove it to the shop, replaced the tie rod, had the bull bar powder coated again, and the paint fixed on the nose, and of course got a new
emblem for my bumper. Side benefit...my wife no longer wants a BMW!"

 

Your mechanic is far far wrong it is not even funny.
Do you have a lift, are you wanting a winch and what sort of wheeling do you do?

 

bwahahahahaha great story thanks ylo...i hope he shares that with his "mechanic".

 

Thanks - it didn't sound right to me.

To answer your questions:

Moderate wheeling - no lift yet. Want to be able to add winch, but at this point it would be cosmetic if I were to be perfectly honest about the extent of off-road-ing.

 

The only downside is reduced MPG, but not by much.
The airdam on the OEM bumper actually does increase MPG.

 

I would advise you look at the lift first based on the weight of the bumper and winch, then add the tires.
If you want any help with this send me your number and I'll call you.

 

Thanks Mike - just had to replace CRA sensor and the three amigos have also reared their head so the bumper now must wait.

Also had a clicking sound coming from the heat/ac that just turned clunky. Shut the air off, but got a little burning smell after - worried I have burned out a fan or something....

Gotta love your Disco or you'll kill it....