Dealer drilled holes in my new car!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
Dealer drilled holes in my new car!!!
Just received my new C63 purchased out of state from a CA dealer and was pissed to find out the dealer mounted a front plate holder leaving 4 drilled holes in my brand new car's bumper!
In Vegas a front plate is not required so I don't want this ugly black plastic holder hanging there in the front.
What's the best way to fix these holes? I know of bumperplugs.com but 4 holes filled with plugs might look kind of crappy too. I am afraid to find out what a body shop would charge a C63 owner to fill and repaint these holes since they'd probably say the entire bumper needs to be repainted to match the paint. Anyone ever go this route? Is it an easier repair than I think it is?
The only other option I can think of is to get a Euro-style front plate with a Euro vanity license just for the imported look. It would probably be cheaper than a repair job.
In Vegas a front plate is not required so I don't want this ugly black plastic holder hanging there in the front.
What's the best way to fix these holes? I know of bumperplugs.com but 4 holes filled with plugs might look kind of crappy too. I am afraid to find out what a body shop would charge a C63 owner to fill and repaint these holes since they'd probably say the entire bumper needs to be repainted to match the paint. Anyone ever go this route? Is it an easier repair than I think it is?
The only other option I can think of is to get a Euro-style front plate with a Euro vanity license just for the imported look. It would probably be cheaper than a repair job.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
You and I bought from the same dealer. Ugh...I called them before I went down and they said they drill every single car because of a CA requirement. If you are going to take it to a shop to fix, you might as well have them fill in the side marker hole also. I am afraid such a job will probably cost about $500.
BTW-Congrats!
BTW-Congrats!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
I know your pain and frustration, guys. 
I bought from a VA dealer and I'm in FL where they only require the rear plate as well. There are 3 options for us...
1. The color matched bumper caps (which I currently have in now and they're not bad...see pic).
2. Get a front Euro plate to go over them.
3. Get them patched and repainted (which is of course, the most expensive option).
Right now, I'm satisfied with option #1, and I actually went to a local car enthusiast specialty shop (The Driver's Seat) and the guy gave me 2 sets for free. He said "try these, and if you don't like them, then come back and order a unique Euro plate for $40." I figured if I don't like the caps or I get sick of looking at them, then I'll do just that...option #2.
I bought from a VA dealer and I'm in FL where they only require the rear plate as well. There are 3 options for us...1. The color matched bumper caps (which I currently have in now and they're not bad...see pic).
2. Get a front Euro plate to go over them.
3. Get them patched and repainted (which is of course, the most expensive option).
Right now, I'm satisfied with option #1, and I actually went to a local car enthusiast specialty shop (The Driver's Seat) and the guy gave me 2 sets for free. He said "try these, and if you don't like them, then come back and order a unique Euro plate for $40." I figured if I don't like the caps or I get sick of looking at them, then I'll do just that...option #2.
Last edited by sflgator; Aug 2, 2009 at 08:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
Sflgator, the plugs look pretty good. Do you know id they're from bumperplugs.com?
The Euro plate idea sounds like it might work nicely as well. Anyone know where you can get these?
I also wonder if a bodyshop could just make plugs that would be flush with the holes and painted to match the car without having to repaint the whole bumper?
The Euro plate idea sounds like it might work nicely as well. Anyone know where you can get these?
I also wonder if a bodyshop could just make plugs that would be flush with the holes and painted to match the car without having to repaint the whole bumper?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
Sflgator, the plugs look pretty good. Do you know id they're from bumperplugs.com?
The Euro plate idea sounds like it might work nicely as well. Anyone know where you can get these?
I also wonder if a bodyshop could just make plugs that would be flush with the holes and painted to match the car without having to repaint the whole bumper?
The Euro plate idea sounds like it might work nicely as well. Anyone know where you can get these?
I also wonder if a bodyshop could just make plugs that would be flush with the holes and painted to match the car without having to repaint the whole bumper?
) said he can order a Euro plate with anything spelled out (your choice) for $40, so I figured that might be my second option.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 295
Likes: 3
From: Brentwood,CA
2009 C300 Sport Palladium Silver & 2012 GLK350 4matic Black
Europlatws
My dealership in Bay Area, CA asked if I want the front plate installed or not and they had me sign a form declining the plate being installed.
Somebody posted this link a while back.
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
My dealership in Bay Area, CA asked if I want the front plate installed or not and they had me sign a form declining the plate being installed.
Somebody posted this link a while back.
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
Somebody posted this link a while back.
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 3
From: San Diego
G63 AMG, SL65 AMG, CLS550, S550, Tesla Model S Performance, Challenger SRT8
My car was drilled in the front to. Needless to say I was pissed off. Never in 15 years have I had a front license plate - nor been pulled over for it. I'm living with it but I will probably buy the bumper plugs.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
C63AMG
Which Dealer
got our C63 from Fresno Dealer on flatbed, tonto say no, drill em no holes in front bumper, hi oh silver ware, and they didn't...
but someone did put a rotary buffer all over our pearly paint job, time for the clay and swirl remover
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
My dealership in Bay Area, CA asked if I want the front plate installed or not and they had me sign a form declining the plate being installed.
Somebody posted this link a while back.
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
Somebody posted this link a while back.
http://www.europlates.com/eec.html
Thanks for the Euro plates link. I'm wondering that since the C63's front bumper isn't flat but kind of angular if these flat Euro style frames and mounts will fit flush on the bumper? It seems like you might have to bend them a bit? I'm sure real European plate mounts probably provided by MB to European customers are molded to fit the front bumper like the US ones do.
Last edited by desmo996; Aug 2, 2009 at 10:08 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
If I'm going to spend that for the bumper, I might just get a custom Euro Plate for $40 then...idk now.
Last edited by sflgator; Aug 2, 2009 at 10:32 PM.
Thats why i specificaly asked for the deal to not touch the front bumper before they got the car...I live in NY and front plate is required here as well, but have not had any issues yet. Front end is so nice on this car I can live with a few tickets.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2011 GLK350, 2010 ML350, 2008 C63 AMG
I would have refused the car since the AMG doesn't come with holes already drilled into the front bumper from the factory. If you live in a state that requires a front license plate, the decision should be up to the owner. I told my dealer not to put on a front plate and they didn't do it at all. It is required also in MD.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 162
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
I would've refused to accept delivery if I requested no front plate as well. I live in CA, bought from a dealer in CA... My sales rep actually asked me if I wanted a front plate or not. Said no, they didn't touch it, luckily. It sucks for those whose dealers actually obey the law. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 2
W204
Quad if you get another Merc will you get a new user name?
haha
anyways they are not suppose to drill holes unless you asked them to... seriously
i got a new bumper after an accident from MB and this time no drills
I taped my front plate on instead with 3M tape
haha
anyways they are not suppose to drill holes unless you asked them to... seriously
i got a new bumper after an accident from MB and this time no drills
I taped my front plate on instead with 3M tape
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
2008 CLK63 AMG Black Series, 2022 BMW X3 M40i
I would've refused to accept delivery if I requested no front plate as well. I live in CA, bought from a dealer in CA... My sales rep actually asked me if I wanted a front plate or not. Said no, they didn't touch it, luckily. It sucks for those whose dealers actually obey the law.
The Euro plate is nice, but unfortunately you can still get a fix it ticket since it is not a standard CA plate. This happened to one of my friends. It does look better though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
Well I just ordered a Euro plate online and hopefully this will take care of the eye soar. I just hope it installs easily on the curved front bumper.....
Last edited by desmo996; Aug 2, 2009 at 11:48 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
C63
It's California, what do you expect? LOL
Kidding aside that's just to protect the dealership just in case the driver gets pulled over for no front plates he decided to blame the dealership for the ticket. The waiver guarantees that this is not going to happen.
Kidding aside that's just to protect the dealership just in case the driver gets pulled over for no front plates he decided to blame the dealership for the ticket. The waiver guarantees that this is not going to happen.
