I picked up my Countryman S yesterday at the dealer. Two problems: First, they took the liberty of installing a gaudy looking license plate, bracket and frame to the front bumper of the car with the dealerships name and logo in bright chrome. I immediately removed said license plate, as I'd prefer not to be a billboard for anybody, only to find it had been put on with sheet metal screws! So now I've got 2 jagged holes in my bumper, the paint surrounding them is ragged and there are scratches from the bracket. I called my sales person only to be told "oh, we do that to all of our cars. We can't fix it, but we'll be happy to replace the license plate". Great, thanks When I said that was unacceptable, she said that I'd need to speak to the dealership's owner. I'm still waiting on the contact info.

They also detailed my car with what appears to be a dirty rag, because there are lot's of swirl marks and scratches in the paint. I will buff those out myself, because I'd prefer not to let them "detail" it again, but still.... Maybe I'm just spoiled, because I've mostly driven nicer cars in the past, and would have never expected a dealership experience like this, but I am really upset.

Here's the bumper, sorry about the crappy cell phone pic:

 

OK, just got an email from the salesperson (who had nothing to do with the installation of the license plate, and has actually been quite pleasant to deal with) and her response was: "I spoke with my manager regarding your thoughts on the plate. We also spoke with our guys who come touch up paint. They will be here next Wednesday at 8:30am, usually till early afternoon. They said they could take a shot at repairing it for you, but you may still see where the holes were. Is this something you would like to do? I think once it's filled, and the clear bra on…it should look great."

Not so thrilled about the part that says "you may still see where the holes were". I suppose I could let them do it and see how it looks and take it from there. Thoughts?

 

Better pissed off than pissed on. Unless you're into that.

Lesson for all - assume the worse and make sure you give specific instructions. Unless they were told "Don't!", ain't much you can do but stew. Try talking nice and see if you can get somewhere.

Good luck!

 

Sorry to hear about this. I would be upset also. That's just a load of crap. They should NOT have put that on without asking you. My dealer by default does not put it on. Only if you ask for it and our state even requires it but they don't do it by default. This really gets to me as it would be just as easy for any of us to be in this situation and I know I would feel just as sick to my stomach as you do. Hang in there.

 

I'd be pissed too, try to get them to have a body shop repair the holes and paint to match.

 

when i told my MA that i probably would not need front brackets... he said to pass VA inspection, it might be necessary. but he will try and see what he can do about it.

personally i think front tags are a wasteful... but i am leaning towards a gominigo no holes front tag holder... just wondering how much does it stick out before i go get it.

 

My MA even mentioned the side mount brackets on the market.

The OEM bumper does have dimples where the screws go, so I really don't get going without the center plate and leaving the dimples, that looks cheesy too.

We run the plate center (installed myself), and yes the OEM MINI design is simply sheet metal screws into the thin plastic bumper. Seems to be holding but seems hoaky to me. But I think a MINI looks just fine with the center mount front plate....





Now the Mazda 3 with a center plate looks kinda buck tooth like.....

 

Hate to say it but I simply would not have taken delivery of the car with a front license plate holder screwed on if the state does not require one.

I hate the dealer advertising

 

[quote=MCS Fever;3220883]My MA even mentioned the side mount brackets on the market.

The OEM bumper does have dimples where the screws go, so I really don't get going without the center plate and leaving the dimples, that looks cheesy too.

We run the plate center (installed myself), and yes the OEM MINI design is simply sheet metal screws into the thin plastic bumper. Seems to be holding but seems hoaky to me. But I think a MINI looks just fine with the center mount front plate....



Ok so how many saw the license plate holder first in this pic, not me

 

Um, where's the car and the license plate you keep talking about?

 

jklotz: I would be mad too . . . maybe you could get a euro plate for the front if you cannot get the bumper repaired to your satisfaction . . .

 

@rsbell

my thoughts exactly

 

jklotz i would pissed of too man, I agree with okiedokie about having teh body shop fix it the guys that put that stuff and clean the cars aren't going to beable to fix something like that they can even clean your car right in the first place, you should take some good pics of the paint that looks bad if you haven't buffed it yourself yet and show them how crappy they did a job on that as well, it doesn't hurt to tell or ask and agree with sealy "assume the worse and make sure you give specific instructions". Good Luck buddy

 

Heck, I bat for the other team and I spotted the inverted dimples on that front end.


(And no mention of the advert here. )

 

"inverted dimples" .... hilarious

 

Good one!

 

MCS, I think that is the only favorable picture of a front plate I've ever seen! Maybe because my eyes just couldn't get past the headlights

As it turns out, the dealer is going to have the retouch guy work on it first thing next Wed. They asked if I could bring it by before 8pm on Tue and they'd put me in a loaner, and have it ready by Wed. While I am pissed they put it there to begin with, at least they are taking proactive steps to get it fixed, which, at this point, is about all I can ask for.

If they really feel bad about it, they could always give me that black JCW coupe, or maybe the M3 convertible sitting in the lot as a loner

 

[QUOTE=Mavryk03;3220930]Thank you very nice!!!!
Um what was I saying again......O lost my train of thought, I feel your pain when I picked up my Countryman who ever detailed it put a billion swirl marks in the paint. I accepted delivery in the evening and didn't see it until the next day, during the snow storm. Took it back two days later had them do it over. A little hassle but it got done, I hope your holes get filled in and they match the paint up.

 

After buying my first MINI in 2002, I realized that you had to ask specifically to have it not installed. However, I had to tell the sales person that I was going to install it myself because of the law.

 

Do they have a choice in states that require a front plate? I guess it depends on the state? Some might require it leave the dealership with a bracket - although I'm sure there's no law about it having to have a cheesy dealer advert on the front when it leaves the dealership.

Now that I think about it - my buddy lives in Mo, which requires a front plate and he asked them not to install the bracket - they honored his wish. He's been driving MINIs since 2003 with no front plate and hasn't had a problem (touch wood) with the LEOs....

 

That picture put me in mind of a listing I saw on E-Bay while searching for AMC/Ramblers. This attachment definitively defines the difference between an AMX Muscle Car Man and a Countryman Man. Can't see mid front bumper, but I don't think it has a plate. Strangely, the AMX did not sell.

 

That is terrible. GA doesn't require fronts if I am correct! I was reading the JCW forum and they just did that to a guys car and they ended up ordering him a new bumper and I think the state he was in a front plate was required, but they didn't listen to his request.

Just to advertise their dealership is terrible.

Regarding swirls: check out OLD81's post: regarding Prima products and I think he refers you to Detailing101 forum.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-photos-9.html

Keep us posted how it turns out. Sorry to hear about the experience going wrong!

 

I got it in writing """NO FRONT PLATE HOLDER"" & "NO DEALER STICKERS " to be placed on my car.

My JCW was on the dealers floor when I bought it. I asked that no front plate holder and no stickers please. I picked it up after they installed the sport stripes and floor mats. and Guess what????????????????????????????

**************no stickers and no plate holder*****************

My JCW looked great and still does.

 

me too.. i ordered mine and told them.. if it gets here... with a front license plate on... deal is off... being in SOCAL.. they made me sign something that it was illegal to not have the front license plate and said the dealer wasn't responsible because i think the law in CALI is that when the car leaves the lot, it has to be legal...

 

If I was in a state that had to have a front plate I would order a tow hook plate mount and take it to the dealers just in case they would not release the car until the front plate is installed.