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?

I went through this headache with my stealership, I ended up walking away empty handed. I live in jersey and they said all cars are immediately drilled upon receipt. I wanted to call bullshit but I just took the car and never looked back.

Sorry to hear that. Hence why I specifically put in my pre-order to have NO front plate and NO dealer sticker.

The holes you are showing are only the mounts for the bottom of the plate holder, there would still be holes drilled into the main part of the bumper cover too, which is what I am guessing he is upset about.

Sorry to hear about your issue. That's one of the reasons why even though I'm technically closer to San Diego I prefer to buy in Phoenix since Arizona has no front plate at all and so most dealers are used to not putting a front bracket in or drilling holes.

I still make it a point though to tell any dealer I'm buying from that holes in the front bumper will make me walk. Ditto for dealer labels on the back. I'm okay with a plate frame since that's an easy swap but they can keep their stickers 'cause I ain't giving them free advertising on my car and at the same time ruining the clean look of it.

I'd talk to the dealer and just see what they'll say but it may be a hard fight since it is a requirement in Cali to have a front plate and you already bought the car so you're bargaining position isn't really good.

You're right it is only for the bottom :sigh:

I just read the instruction manual fairly quickly and saw that you do have to align those holes to the painted part of the bumper, but I don't understand why the OP has a third hole?

My friend's FR-S has the top of the license plate bracket drilled to the grille so I thought that's how it's supposed to be, and the cars I've seen from numerous dealerships in the Bay Area had it like that in the showroom.

Apologies for my confusion!

I'm at work right now, but I'll post some pics of the drilled bumper holes for the plate when I get home. Still waiting for a callback from the dealer.

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Just out of curiousity which dealership did you get your car from?

I bought mine from Stevens Creek Scion and requested them not to wash the car and not to put the front plate on and they delivered on both.

Make the dealer swap out the bumper covering from a new car that's the same color. This happened to my son when he bought a new GTI this summer. He wouldn't take the car till they made the swap after he told them not to drill holes.

You guys are...

In CA they are required by law to drill your front bumper since front license plates are required.

If you did not want one, you should have asked the dealer at which point he would have given you a waiver to sign, essentially saying that you take full responsibility (he is no longer liable)

Is he a bit of a-hole for not telling you? yes. But ultimately, it is your responsibility to know the procedure and the laws of your state and if you wanted it that badly, you would have checked what can be done. Simple as that.

Flame all you want, but if you really wanted it, you would have read up on what needed to be done online. The dealer will not replace your bumper now.

This!

I have had multiple contacts with possible FR-S's but have not gone any farther when they tell me the front bumper had been defiled with a plate. The current order stands as Hot Lava, MT, and no front drilling, or no sale.

Eric G

Please do not swap bumpers with another car and ruin it for the next buyer. The bumpers have a vin sticker and swapping them will cause the vin stickers not to match. I doubt any dealer would let you do that.

My bumper is also damaged but since I will always have a plate on the front its nit a huge deal. If you are in a state where no front plate is required and they mangled it i would be pissed too.

Mario is correct. I told them ahead of time and they made me signed a waiver.

This is not completely true. I bought my frs in California. I didn't even think to make any requests about what to do or not do to the front bumper. When I took delivery, I didn't see any front plate at all, no dealer plate insert, nothing. I asked and they said they never drill holes in a bumper unless requested to do so. Therefore, my California experience is just the opposite. I'm glad because I then went ahead and installed the tow hook conversion for my plate. I get a lot of positive comments about how they like it installed off to the side, etc.

Source: DMV.CA.GOV

My guess is, your dealer put that in the papers you signed before taking delivery. If he didn't, he is cool ...and an idiot. From my personal experiences and from what I've read online, your dealer is the exception, not the rule. Most just slap on the front license plate so they don't have to deal with it and be liable. So option (1) is the default that most dealers go for and (2) happens usually when it's per the owner's request.

Sorry for the late reply, was having too much fun driving the car on the weekend :D

Heard back from my dealer, and unfortunately they cannot do anything about it. I wasn't expecting much to begin with, and like some people pointed out I should have mentioned it before hand. Unfortunately I wasn't aware of it, partly because I'm a noob and a first time car buyer. Lesson learned.

Fortunately it's still a great car regardless, and I always have the option to get a new bumper. I hope for those of you still waiting to get your car, to remind the person you talked to to not put them on when it comes. I still have to take a pic of the holes just for reference for people who are interested.

My bumper got drilled, and I couldn't get the dealership to do anything about it. "It's the law in California, sir" Is all I got out of them. Oh well... 2 small holes in the bumper is still better than a big disgusting license plate.

Be grateful you didn't get one like mine...LOL
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...58&postcount=1

Oh - ^that's terrible!

I asked for it not to be drilled but they did it anyway. Fortunately they mounted the top of the bracket in the grill, so the two holes are actually in the black bar in the grill and not in the bumper itself. You don't even see them there unless you look so I didn't make a big deal about it.

I didn't request it.... I didn't even think to. Looks like I just got lucky. I do really like having the plate off to the side via the tow hook placement kit. :thumbup:

I have bought two new cars and didn't even know they autodrill the bumper. On my Mini and the FRS I was just given a waiver to sign saying I knew I needed a front plate. Hell they didn't even think my FRS came with mounting hardware until i found it in the back seat. Guess i Dublin, CA just has cool dealers.

I purchased my BRZ in VA and the bumper was drilled after I told them not to. I asked for the dealership fee back since I consider it poor customer service but they're giving me a new bumper instead. I would fight for a new bumper.

I also just recently purchased my frs from Dublin,CA. Waiting on delivery. I also signed the paper saying that I needed a front license plate, do you think they will put on the bracket before I pick it up because I signed it? Do you think I should ask if they can not put it on for me?

I'm tired of all these dealerships trying to play state cop. I feel for you guys who's bumper got shafted.

I told my stealership no drilling. They complied or I would of walked. He! He! He!

Lol

why do they drill THREE holes when 2 would do?
2 holes to mount the plate, 1 more to just to piss you off. lol

So glad we don't have front plates in Alberta. No worrys at all. I didn't even get a mount or anything with the car. I'd be going for a new bumper though for sure. It's your car it should be how you want it. And if they don't want to lose money then they should think before they act and talk to their clients about what they want. If they give you a hard time just remind them about what is said about people who assume.


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Just because the car is a lease doesn't mean the stealership can do anything they want with the plates. It's YOUR car for the duration of the lease.

Re the OP. This issue with the front plates is old news. You would think the stealerships would have a better handle on this. A good dealership would ask you prior to the mounting.