Dealer drilled front bumper to put license plates
 

Hi all,

Got my Asphalt Gray FR-S last Friday, very excited but forgot to notice that the dealer installed the front license plates by drilling on the front bumper. Not only that, but when I took the plates off, I noticed they drilled 3 holes on both sides on the top. Does it really come from the factory like this? The other dealerships that I went to before said they won't drill holes on the car unless the customer specifically asks the dealer to..

It's not really a deal breaker for me, but I'm quite disappointed. I called the dealership today to address the issue and am waiting to hear back what they say.

Sounds like they owe you a new bumper!

Yeah, I believe those are the mounting instructions that come with the bracket. Someone posted a picture of them awhile back.

Some dealers have been installing them down in the grille area - mine was done this way.

NEW BUMPER

That really sucks. I had that happen on my truck a few years ago. I ended up getting compensated with some extra parts. Still pisses me off to this day everytime I look at it.

I did manage to avoid holes on the BRZ. My salesman put notes on the car saying not to do it. And kept going back to follow up.

mine was done in the down in the grill but they asked me ahead of time if i wanted it down there or the bumper. I ended up getting a relocation kit 2 months ago from perrin.

That was one thing I made very clear to my dealer when they were searching for my car. NO FRONT LICENSE PLATE. I said if they did get one with a front plate to swap out grills or bumpers from another FRS on the lot. Id say have them do what they can to correct the issue.

Yes, they did drill on the bumper (top screws) and the grill (bottom screws) =(

Since my car is a lease I figured one of the first things they would do was slap a dealer plate on the front of it. I didn't even ask them not to because I thought it would be completely up to them, but when I got it there was no plate on the bumper. It's actually still in the bag it came in in the trunk. I think since the lease is special they were probably told not to touch anything.

As for your issue, if not a new bumper, maybe they could at least patch the damage, if that's possible. If not, new bumper might be in order.

It's only thru experiences like this that you learn what details must be cleared up before the purchase. Be sure topics like this are written on paper and acknowledged.

In 1967 I bought a new Mustang GT and had it specified on the order form: No dealer tag. Back in those days they drilled two holes in the deck lid to mount their dealership name. Went to pick up the car and there was the tag. They ordered another new car.

Only way I could get my BRZ without a drilled front bumper was to remind my salesperson numerous times to not do it. Only way she said she could do it was if I install my tow hook mounting kit when I came to pick up the car and drive off the lot with it on. I'd rather spend $60 for a tow hook then buy a new bumper. Plus, if I ever need to put it on, I have the kit still. Takes a few minutes to install.

you will not get them to give you a new bumper... if you do kudos to you cause i couldnt even get corporate to do anything for me saying that it is the law in california.

i got a tilt license kit on mine which fit perfectly with the holes they drilled so lucked out there.

It's a good idea to tell them not to drill the front bumper before they receive the car. I almost forgot until a friend reminded me to tell my dealer.

There are two small dents/holes on the lower grille beam thing that are used as indicators to where the license plate bracket is intended to be placed.


I read the manual on the license plate base and I don't understand why they put a third hole at the top like you mentioned. The two holes on the grille beam is intended for hole alignment and it says that on the instructions. The top part of the license plate base is supposed to be screwed in with only two "J Nuts" (that's what they call it on the instructions). So they probably didn't read the instructions?