does anyone have a detailed thread or even know how to remove the frontbar....does it involve removing the guards as well?

If you are talking about a new Beetle, then yes, the bar and guards come off as one unit.

Have a look on the NewBeetle forum-I was reading some really good stories last night about it.One bloke reckons that just the panel around the fog lights can come out by itself.Good stories and some good pics.

yeah the panel around the fogs can come out alone but i need the whole front bar...from the headlights down. i ran up the back of a 4x4 with towbar so its all scratched above the numberplate. i already posted on nb forum but they told me to get another bar from a junkyard, bahaha. i just need the bar to come off so greg can fix it at his work(panelbeater)

sorry to hear about the accident... but can't help you out as i have not had to remove any panels from the car yet... *crossing fingers*