[1LE_Rudy]

So after waiting 5 months I finally received my car I had ordered. I looked at the car before officially buying it and it looked great. I get the car home and the very first thing I notice is that the rear license plate is quite crooked. So I took it off for a second to see how bad it was and they had drilled 3 holes and it was still quite crooked. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar situation. I was thinking best case, I can get the bumper replaced, or worse case, I just drill another hole to make it level. What are your opinions? Also I probably should have known better than let the dealer drill into the bumper because another dealer had installed my front plate on my Civic crooked before. Is it worth trying to get the bumper replaced? Or should I just suck it up? Thanks.

[Trochoidal]

We all make mistakes, right? Sure we do and you know what we do our best to fix and learn from our mistakes. This is no different. I’d ask for a new bumper and also ask the dealer to make sure the person that mounted this crooked be told and trained. If not, how many more crooked tags get installed on the dealership’s dime? Plus you get it the way you want.

Also, if you keep drilling holes, what’s to say down the road some overzealous dealer doesn’t ding you on trade-in with a Swiss cheese bumper? (Of course they would have to see it before the trade/deal was complete).

[arpad_m]

The funny thing is the rear bumper has several pre-indented tag alignment "dimples", I have no idea how someone can't see those and drills elsewhere...

That said, I'd examine the situation, if the holes aren't visible with the plate straightened out, I'd just make it level with a new hole, add a silicone plate frame and call it a day. A new bumper will be way overkill in terms of parts and labor.

[Jus Cruisin]

Tags have slop with holes bigger than the screw. You should be able to adjust the tag some by loosening the screws, straighten and then retighten.

[1LE_Rudy]

So I went to the dealership today, and I have an appointment on Monday for them to replace the rear bumper. I guess they already knew about it. Still wish they told me they planned on replacing the bumper.

[nancygrl]

How many wouldn't notice it. You found it and called them out on it and good that they're replacing it.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by 1LE_Rudy

So I went to the dealership today, and I have an appointment on Monday for them to replace the rear bumper. I guess they already knew about it. Still wish they told me they planned on replacing the bumper.

There are many ways to mess up the rear bumper (I did pull mine off for a diffuser upgrade), I'm a bit surprised that you are trusting the same people that effed up a trivial license plate install with this markedly more complex part replacement... at least make sure they assign the job to a more experienced tech and/or allow you to watch him or her doing it.

[SATINSTEEL1LE]

New rear bumper will be fine, but its not painted from the factory. They will need to send out the car to have it paint matched and blended into your deck lid and rear fenders. This is a nightmare scenario actually to expect they are going to make sure its done right. There is no way i'd allow this. I would take the car back and unravel the deal, or it would be lawsuit time. They are going to break into the factory clear coat in several places to blend in the clear on the new bumper. No way you should deal with that on a brand new car. I wont even let a dealer wash my new car let alone put on the tag. If there is a way to screw up the car, they will hone in on it and it will happen.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by SATINSTEEL1LE

New rear bumper will be fine, but its not painted from the factory. They will need to send out the car to have it paint matched and blended into your deck lid and rear fenders. This is a nightmare scenario actually to expect they are going to make sure its done right. There is no way i'd allow this. I would take the car back and unravel the deal, or it would be lawsuit time. They are going to break into the factory clear coat in several places to blend in the clear on the new bumper. No way you should deal with that on a brand new car. I wont even let a dealer wash my new car let alone put on the tag. If there is a way to screw up the car, they will hone in on it and it will happen.

Um, I don’t know about that. Bumpers are sprayed off the body based on the the need for paint flex adder. I had my ZL1 bumper resprayed after discovering a small scratch from shipping. The bumper color was spot on when the work was complete. The color was actually a better match than the factory.

I had the same situation with an Infiniti, 100% perfect and got a couple bucks off the car.

[clyde]

I wouldn't be concerned about anything re: paint or clear on the rest of the car since that won't be touched. Removing/installing the rear fascia is pretty quick and easy for anyone that's ever removed or installed one on any other modern car.

I wouldn't worry too much about paint matching when the work is done since it's easy to just have them do it again (and again, and again if necessary) until it does. The question is whether the paint is going to fade the same way as the rest of the car (front fascia especially), but even then I wouldn't worry about it too much (given past experience with GM cars that have never had any paintwork lol).

We don't know how crooked the plate holes are or whether it's "fixable" by someone that's at least a little handy. If you are, it's probably a lot easier and quicker to take care of yourself than getting the fascia replaced. It sounds like the guy is making three trips to the dealer...already made one for them to look at it, plus drop off, and then pick up. OTOH, if it's outside your skillset, what else are you going to do?

In the end, so long as the guy is happy with the result...