Front Lic Tag holes

[LandShark]

I have read all the discussion about front tag vs not front tag, however, this is the situation I find myself.

Bought a Min Grey 03 from a dealer in VA (which requires front plates) and I live in eastern Tennessee (which doesnt require the front plate). The dealer had predrilled and mounted the front plate bracket, so I decided to just accept it and put some type of vanity plate on the mount.

After getting the car home, I was mounting the vanity "Cobra" mirrored plate when I found that the holes were not level. The left side is lower than the right by 1/2".

Dealer has offered to patch holes with bondo and repaint or put plastic tabs in the holes and paint MG. I have asked the price of a front bumper, and they quickly said it was extremely expensive. Should I press for a new bumper painted at the factory?

Looking for any words of wisdom on this screwup.

Thanks

[clldreese]

THEY REALLY JACKED YOUR CAR. I MADE THEM PUT ON THE BUY ORDER NOT TO INSTALL FRONT PLATE HOLDER. DID YOU DO THIS?
I WOULD MAKE THEM REPLACE THE SKIN IF IT WAS THEIR FAULT.:bash:

[XFIRECHIEF]

What a shame. I too had them put "NO FRONT BRACKET" on the order form. But that doesn't help u. If its the dealers fault get a new bumper, painted from the factory.
Otherwise I would fill the holes, paint with touch-up & put on a vanity plate.
GOOD LUCK

:bash:

[Mongoose]

Bumper cover unpainted, $399

[BlkCobra03]

Thats unbeleivable, I don't know how far I would take this but I would certainly let the dealer know, they should be ashamed of that kind of work.

[BSKINNER]

MAKE THEM PUT A NEW FRONT BUMPER ON THE CAR AND IF THEY GIVE YOU ANY TROUBLE TELL THE SERVICE MANAGER YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THE REGIONAL FORD REP.

[Waltman]

They screwed up! They have to fix it. On top of that they should fire the "tech" who drilled the holes. :bash:

Plastic tabs will portrude and is going to look ugly (even painted, besides being crooked. That bumper needs to be flushed to align the plastic license holder onto which you will attach the vanity frame you want. You don't want to attach the metal vanity plate on the bumper, it may get scratched over time.

Here in California, even though is mandatory to display the front plate, no holes were drilled in mine, now I know why:cool:

[LandShark]

The dealership just called back with their answer to my demand for a new front fascia. No, not until they attempt the repair with filler and repaint. :fryem: Have not decided whether to let them try or not. Not my idea of good customer service. I will update you with the dealership name after the negotiations over this thing have finished.

[rachrse]

I think I would have them sign something that says they return it to new condition, and that the work has to be accepted by you, or they replace the front bumper. If you paid over the MSRP they would be putting a new bumper on the car. Rachrse