Dealer drilled 6 Freakin holes into my bumper
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 26
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M4
Dealer drilled 6 Freakin holes into my bumper
Basically, I bought my new 2016 C300 back in Sept. of 2015. Maryland requires front tags so the dealer installed the front tag bracket.
Fast forward 6 months later. I was in the process of removing the dealer license plate frame and I noticed that the Front license plate bracket was off center about 3 inches to the left. Basically, whoever installed the front tag bracket, drilled 2 hole into my bumper off center. So I made an appointment with the dealer this morning. I told the SA about the front tag being off center. He states that they will fix it. I specifically told him 2 times that "DO NOT DRILL ANYMORE HOLES TO THE BUMPER." I told him if you have to drill more holes, leave it alone. 30 Minutes later, SA comes back and states "its all fix." I take a look at it and it looks centered. I ask him again about drilling more holes. He replies no additional hole were drilled. So I go home to inspect it and remove the front bracket. HOLY SH***T, they drilled 4 additional holes to the bumper making it 6 total holes. Now the dealer is acting like , all the holes are behind the bracket and you cant see it so what's the big deal. Finally, SA advises me that they will plug all the holes and touch it up.
In this situation, what should I do? Do I ask for new bumper? or have them fix it? or leave it as it is and have them compensate for the damages?
Fast forward 6 months later. I was in the process of removing the dealer license plate frame and I noticed that the Front license plate bracket was off center about 3 inches to the left. Basically, whoever installed the front tag bracket, drilled 2 hole into my bumper off center. So I made an appointment with the dealer this morning. I told the SA about the front tag being off center. He states that they will fix it. I specifically told him 2 times that "DO NOT DRILL ANYMORE HOLES TO THE BUMPER." I told him if you have to drill more holes, leave it alone. 30 Minutes later, SA comes back and states "its all fix." I take a look at it and it looks centered. I ask him again about drilling more holes. He replies no additional hole were drilled. So I go home to inspect it and remove the front bracket. HOLY SH***T, they drilled 4 additional holes to the bumper making it 6 total holes. Now the dealer is acting like , all the holes are behind the bracket and you cant see it so what's the big deal. Finally, SA advises me that they will plug all the holes and touch it up.
In this situation, what should I do? Do I ask for new bumper? or have them fix it? or leave it as it is and have them compensate for the damages?
Last edited by Gvan199i; Mar 29, 2016 at 07:43 PM.
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From: SoCal
2018 AMG GTR, 2017 GLS63, 2019 C63s
Tell them you're moving to Cali and you're going to take it off. Get an independent estimate as touch up will not cut it. It would have to be properly repaired and repainted. Settle for an equal value credit in future service and keep your plate on and forget it. You told them not to drill. Any justification they come up with is besides the point.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
Time to find another Mercedes dealership...
How do you NOT notice the front license plate bracket is off by 3 inches when you picked up your new car? I for sure would have notice that during my walk around before taking delivery, and I wouldn't have signed the papers until it was fixed to my satisfaction.
Well look at it this way, you're get a new bumper at least after your first front-end fender bender...
How do you NOT notice the front license plate bracket is off by 3 inches when you picked up your new car? I for sure would have notice that during my walk around before taking delivery, and I wouldn't have signed the papers until it was fixed to my satisfaction.
Well look at it this way, you're get a new bumper at least after your first front-end fender bender...
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 217
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From: New Jersey
2016 C300
That sucks, sorry to hear. Do the police actually enforce it in Maryland? It's required in NJ as well but on my last two MB I didn't put on front plates and have never been stopped in 4 years.
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From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
In Texas, front plate required. Some jurisdictions enforce it. Some don't. I live in an area that the police love to pull over cars without front plates. The city has a ticket quota. Everyone in my area went out and got their cars drilled when enforcement started. In past, I used to drive without the front plate. I would just put the plate holder back on and forget about it.
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2016 C300
Um, if they removed a 6" square from the bumper cover but the area was still covered by the front plate would that be okay because the plate holder covered it up?
A shop can fill and spot refinish that cover. It'll have to come off the car for the clearcoat though. Probably under $500.
I had a similar issue with a dealers body shop. First I gave the dealer a chance to fix it. They tried three times and it made no difference. Then I took it to an independent shop, had the shop fix it right and sent the dealer's GM an $800 invoice with a letter explaining what had happened and requesting reimbursement.
I got my $800 check along with a handwritten note from the dealer's body shop manager telling me to never bring my (brand new) car to him ever again. I sent him a reply advising that given the quality of the workmanship there was zero chance of that happening anyway, but thanks for the $800.
So, ask them to repair the cover. If they decline, pay for the repairs yourself and send them the bill with a nice (not pissed off) letter and before/after pics requesting reimbursement. Dealership GMs have a lot of latitude when it comes to goodwill money for small stuff.
If they refuse, the next step is small claims but I doubt it would come to that. Good luck!
A shop can fill and spot refinish that cover. It'll have to come off the car for the clearcoat though. Probably under $500.
I had a similar issue with a dealers body shop. First I gave the dealer a chance to fix it. They tried three times and it made no difference. Then I took it to an independent shop, had the shop fix it right and sent the dealer's GM an $800 invoice with a letter explaining what had happened and requesting reimbursement.
I got my $800 check along with a handwritten note from the dealer's body shop manager telling me to never bring my (brand new) car to him ever again. I sent him a reply advising that given the quality of the workmanship there was zero chance of that happening anyway, but thanks for the $800.
So, ask them to repair the cover. If they decline, pay for the repairs yourself and send them the bill with a nice (not pissed off) letter and before/after pics requesting reimbursement. Dealership GMs have a lot of latitude when it comes to goodwill money for small stuff.
If they refuse, the next step is small claims but I doubt it would come to that. Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2017
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c400
Tell them you're moving to Cali and you're going to take it off. Get an independent estimate as touch up will not cut it. It would have to be properly repaired and repainted. Settle for an equal value credit in future service and keep your plate on and forget it. You told them not to drill. Any justification they come up with is besides the point.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
I picked up a new Porsche in 2013. I gave them specific instruction not to drill the front bumper for the plate bracket. When I picked it up, the bumper had been drilled and the bracket installed.
They offered to fill the holes and repaint the bumper, or give me a $600 service credit. Since I eventually would have had to do a front plate anyway, I accepted the $600 credit.
In your case, you might ask for some sort of service credit. The plate will have to go on anyway, but the dealer may be willing to offer some form of compensation given the sloppy work.
They offered to fill the holes and repaint the bumper, or give me a $600 service credit. Since I eventually would have had to do a front plate anyway, I accepted the $600 credit.
In your case, you might ask for some sort of service credit. The plate will have to go on anyway, but the dealer may be willing to offer some form of compensation given the sloppy work.
Tell them you're moving to Cali and you're going to take it off. Get an independent estimate as touch up will not cut it. It would have to be properly repaired and repainted. Settle for an equal value credit in future service and keep your plate on and forget it. You told them not to drill. Any justification they come up with is besides the point.
Choose a different state.. like Florida.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 57
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From: New Albany, OH
2018 C300 Sport 4matic
Same thing happened to me. Sales guy did ask first to apply front bracket but I was in with finance when they put the bracket on. The car was close to the garage door so the guy did have a center line of sight on the car. Didn’t really notice until I got my plates that he was 3 inches off center!! I re-centered it myself. I live in Ohio and you must have a front plate. Plus this is a lease so I let it go. Still come on!! Center the bracket MAN!! How hard can it be!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Ft. Lauderdale
2015 C300, 2025 GLC300 4Matic
I feel your pain. I live in Florida, and we do not need front plates. I would like to move out of state, but I hesitate, because I absolutely despise front plates. Sometimes when you buy a new car, they just put on front brackets so they can put a dealer ad plate on. I would never accept such a car. It's amazing how many people drive around that way. I always have the dealer put in writing, when they get my car in - NO FRONT BRACKET!
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From: SLC, UT
c-fo-fiddy
I feel your pain. I live in Florida, and we do not need front plates. I would like to move out of state, but I hesitate, because I absolutely despise front plates. Sometimes when you buy a new car, they just put on front brackets so they can put a dealer ad plate on. I would never accept such a car. It's amazing how many people drive around that way. I always have the dealer put in writing, when they get my car in - NO FRONT BRACKET!
This guy won't move because he hates front plates so much
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 663
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From: Bucks Cty, PA
2015 gl450
My GL was shipped from a front plate state, I feel your pain.
Am I the only one that thinks there has to be a better way to mount a front plate then basically drywall screwing it to a $40-$100k vehicle?
Am I the only one that thinks there has to be a better way to mount a front plate then basically drywall screwing it to a $40-$100k vehicle?
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From: SLC, UT
c-fo-fiddy
My favorite are the motorized ones that come out from under the car that is controlled by a remote.
Get pulled over for no front plate. Hit the button and then watch the cop scratch his head
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From: SLC, UT
c-fo-fiddy
