So I took off my front license plate this weekend..although it is illegal to have off in CA, I know plenty of people who have gotten away with it and it's just plain ugly..
But here is my question...They drilled 2 holes in my bumper And I know I can get plugs for those...But the problem is, whoever put on the plate, but it on so tight that above the 2 holes are 2 circular indents where the paint is messed up.
Do you think I should go to Lexus and have them fix it? Or is it something I'm going to have to fix myself?

 

Unless you signed a waiver for your dealer to not drill holes, then they are not responsible.

In other words, if you bought it with the plates drilled on, you're stuck with it. It would have been different if you opted not to buy the car with the holes pre-drilled, or asked for a discount prior to completing the purchase contract because of the holes.

 

Holes I understand..and those are fine..because I understand I didn not sign any waivers. But what about where they scratched the paint off? That has nothing to do with the 2 holes. It's actually quite a bit above the holes. Thanks

 

Did you buy the car with the plates attached, or did they do it after purchase? I think if they did it after purchase, you may have to talk to the Manager to see what they can do for you. I doubt that they will cover you because (a) you are supposed to have those plates anyways and must be attached securely [paint be damned] and (b) it's "normal wear and tear" after having the plates on since purchase (think of the wind causing the plates to rub on the paint and scratch it).

 

I have the same issue. The dealer is not responsible.

I'm gonna try and "smooth" the ragged holes with a dremel, then use touch up paint or a vinyl (that closely matches) then use those litle plug thingies.

God, I wish I had asked to not have that blasted plate installed!

Good Luck with it!

Greg

 

That's Exactly what i have . I got my Protective film put on and told them not to install the front plates and they told me to look at the hole on the bumper

I dont think we can do anything

 

What a bummer...and I'm too scared to try to fix it myself I didn't even THINK about the front license plate when I ordered my car
Maybe i'll have it fixed when I fix the gash in the hood..anybody that knows what I'm talking about have any clue how much it may cost to fix?
Thanks for all the help!

 

you gotta keep the front bumper in mind with a new car. I "reminded" the dealer several times that I don't want any holes. I had to sign a waver, but thankfully I have no unsightly holes. A friend of mine had the "no holes" written on the sales contract, and guess what... the car had holes. Dealer had to replace the bumper.

 

I feel sorry for you, dude. For my previous car, Acura TL, the dealer did not install the front license plate and my front bumper looked clean - no holes at all. I got away without any fix-it tickets for 6 years.

This time when I got my SGM 350, I specifically ask my salesguy not to put the front license plate on. It was no problem to him. He even mentioned that their dealership will NOT put the front license plate on by default. Customer will have to request it, free of charge of couse. I do have it installation kit in my trunk though. I am not sure if this is a Northern Cal thing or not.

I guess you will have to patch it up somehow.

 

[QUOTE=PhilipMSPT]Unless you signed a waiver for your dealer to not drill holes, then they are not responsible.

Aww that sucks, I didn't have to sign a waiver I just told the internet sales guy that I didn't want holes and he was more than willingly see that through.

 

I have (or had since I dont care anymore) the same issue. My front bumper acutally has 4 holes, I even wasted 30 bucks on those bumper plugs after finding out that my bumper was messed up. But honestly now I think the car doesnt look too bad with a front plase. I think my old G35 looked way uglier with a front plate. Im just planning to wait until my front bumper gets enough paint chips and then just fill/fix the holes and concave and repaint the bumper...although I would prefer having no front plates in the first place.

 

how did those bumper plugs work and do you have any pics? i've thought about getting them too but wasn't too sure whether they're worth it...

 

Dont be cheap and plug it with those lame caps. Take it to a body shop and have the hole filled and repaint the entire front bumper. I had my front license plate hole filled and painted for around $200.

 

for me, it's not about being cheap or not cheap. It's about convenience. If the shop tells me that they need my car for about half a day or more, I don't have any alternative mode of transportation nor do I have the time and resource to have anyone drop me off, pick me up, etc etc.

 

in NJ, you have to have to plate on at ALL times, and you could easily get pulled over without it. Its funny but noone I know (including myself), ever got mad about the holes because here they are just a nesc. evil. but i forget how many states do not require front bumper plates.

When I put my plates on two weeks ago, my dealership drilled the holes quite cleanly. Looked almost like they were done at the factory...

I do have quite a few small knicks already...minor but there.....