Front bumper holes...
 

Does anyone know if the "mustache" is part of the bumper or is it a standalone part that can be easily replaced?

Part of the bumper. Mustache 4-Life. (unless you cut it with a sawzall.)

My question arises from the idiotic action took by a dealer who drilled holes in the front bumper. Will I be able to replace the mustache with a new mustache without having to mess with the entire front bumper?

couple of routes to go. you can get some hole plugs that look somewhat decent, you can fill and color, or you can replace the bumper and paint match. I'd probably go with the first option, the little plastic nubs I've seen people use to patch plate holes look decent and don't disrupt the flow of the bumper so much imo.

Hmmm, the dealer is willing to send it to a body shop to "fill it" back in. Should i take the offer and see how it looks at the end? Worst case, I can just have them drill holes back in and I can live with the front plate?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

(sigh this is killing me!!)

Thanks

I thought PA didn't require a front plate?

Did you already pick it up? Demand a new front bumper. My dealership doesn't put holes in the front bumpers anymore (also in PA) because they couldn't afford constantly giving people new front bumpers after they complained about the holes.

The Moustache; I believe, is the cover for the re-bar inside...Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes you are correct, PA does not require front plate but I am purchasing from out of state. Unfortunately, it wasn't a preorder but the dealer happens to have the exact car that I wanted.

I will be picking it up this weekend. I can't demand as it wasn't my preorder or I would've definitely demanded a new bumper.

I do have a preorder with a dealer in pittsburgh but i am completely in the dark as to my ETA and i am sick and tired of waiting. Still trying to decide if i should let the dealer have body shop take a shot at filling it back in (although I know it won't be perfect). Worst case, i suppose I can just drill it back in and live with a front plate, the only "special" dude in PA with a front plate.

Ah. That would make sense then. Good luck! :thumbsup:

How obvious/bad do the holes look without a plate mount? From the post here that gave instructions it looks like they wouldn't be too noticeable, though just knowing they're there could be annoying I suppose.

I don't know ho well a body shop can "fill them in" since that part of the bumper is A, unpainted and B, textured. They can't exactly use Bondo and sand it smooth..

I'd just get some plastic fasteners (a.k.a. Xmas trees) at your local auto parts store and press them in. You should be able to find grey plastic ones that will match pretty closely.

Demanding a bumper is good and all, but Subaru paint is difficult to match because of the metal flake they use. SWP is nigh impossible, and even WRB is a PITA. By all means, threaten to demand a bumper and let them know that owners of this car are not going to want their bumpers drilled. But don't worry too much about it and just plug the holes.

That is, unless they really botched the job. If so, get the bumper and demand $1K off the price for the lower trade-in value due to the mismatched paint.

Dealer sent me pics without the plate. There are two 1/4 inch holes that looks....disgusting. I called him today to let him know that I will be waiting for my pre order car to arrive (still in the dark). Then he immediately suggested to replace the front bumper for me at no cost. I don't think I like this option as it will no longer be the same as the ones that came straight from the factory...I guess the waiting game has to continue...

Thanks for all the inputs and possible suggestions. I think at this point, i might as well wait another month or 2.

Two only? Damn! I have four holes on each side for the stock license plate bracket. The center hole for each side is larger than a quarter.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...617_130508.jpg

OH WOW :eyebulge:. your dealer really f'ed u over. They drilled holes on the actual car panel...my dealer at least somewhat had a brain and drilled the mustache. BTW, picked mine up (no holes yay!) 2 days ago :happyanim::happyanim:

That's odd, my car has an actual bracket for the license plate, it doesn't screw directly into holes in the bumper.

Forgot to mention mine is a FRS. Different front area I think. But yea, they really were drill happy. I even installed the plate relocation kit by Grimmspeed, yet those holes made me sad, so sad that I put the stock plate kit back on to hide the holes.

I was hoping for two drill points too. Maybe I can complain to the dealer? :happy0180: to your minimal drill points!

Definitely go back and complain. Mine came with an extra bracket for the front.

The bracket is screwed into the bumper though. There were dealer instructions on how to install that bracket floating around here a while ago.

Interesting to see the differences between the bumper drills. I'll have a better idea what mine look like when I pick it up in a couple days. I'll post pics if I come up with a solution to minimize their appearance.

Literally I have complained enough, and they are getting me a new bumper. Hooray!

Oh good. I think with a new new car like this, the dealers are willing to compromise. I had to tell my dealer twice, just to be sure, that they NOT drill holes on the mustache. Just waiting for the tow-hook license plates to be released by rhoplate.com.

Have the dealer install the bracket with some thin 3M weatherstrip in place of the upper fasteners and mount the lower fasteners = no holes and secure. (Didn't like the tow hook appearance for my car.) We used black nylon fastener for the plate frame. Very satisfactory result IMO.

Ouch....It pains me to even view your picture.

I asked for no holes and got them anyways...since the car is purchased already I dont know if they will do anything. They didnt put their dealer sticker on it though...

Hahaha! Tell me about it! :cry: But I have an update for everyone! :happyanim:


Ok so heres the update!

IF you told the dealer to not install the front license plate before you actually picked it up, YOU CAN GET A NEW BUMPER! My dealer had placed both my phone calls and salesperson notifications to not install the license plate bracket, so many heads involved in the dealership food chain saw my paper trail. Therefore they had no other choice but to get me another bumper. Oh and tell them you have a plate relocation kit, and they should back off from mounting the front plate holder. The only bummer for being in Hawaii, I have to wait for the next new shipment in order to get a new front bumper.

There may also be an issue with Subaru for you CONUS folks. I have an FRS, but the Scion dealership is combined with the Subaru dealership here. So they both agreed to fix my bumper. Hope this helps guys! And I am very sorry to all if you haven't notified them before you picked up the car off the lot, and they wont fulfill your new bumper request. I know how disheartening this issue might be, so I feel for all of you!

Good deal.

When I ordered my car, I was very specific about not mounting the front license bracket. Mentioned this to both the Salesman, and the GM. The didn't have any problem with it.

However, from what they were telling me, they had to run around quite a bit to make sure it was not done. At this dealership, at least, plate installs are done by the guy doing the final PDI and/or detail. If the salesman is careless, or does not make multiple, very visible notes, then he will never receive word not to install it.

Just something to be aware of.

This might help http://www.bumperplugs.com/BPindex.html