In a message dated 10/11/2002 8:26:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time, madm@bellatlantic.net writes:


Hello and thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my email. Myself like many others have received their new Nissan 350z have been plagued by dealers installing license plates and leaving big holes in the front bumper of our new babies. I picked up your URL from a message board and thought you guys might be the right people to ask this too. Do you make plugs for the Nissan 350z? If so, can you match paint or do we have to? I believe there will be demand from the Nissan 350z crowd based on the # of people this very same scenario. Please let me know if this is a plug that you can provide or sell. Thank you again for your time.

Response:

Yes, our plugs fit a variety of cars. The issue is hole size. Our plugs work best on 1/4" holes, so often dealer drilled holes need simply to be opened to 1/4", then our plugs pop right in, covering the dealer-induced damage. The cap is the size of a dime and is finished using the finest automotive paint system in the world (14-stage finish). Black is easy, other colors we'll have to see what comes close.

Also, we can color match any manufacturer for a price. $99 for custom colors (you get 3 pairs of custom matched plugs), or a group order of 5 pairs or more in any color at standard price ($24.95/pair).

Let me know the color and I'll see what is the closest in-stock match.

Thanks!

__________________
Eric Sklut
www.BumperPlugs.com

 

but not too bad as a group buy.

Seems like a cheap way to correct a potentially expensive problem. Maybe a group on this board who share this issue can get together.

The other hot tip is to get the dealer to acquire these on your behalf. They may be willing to take that small step to help restore your confidence (and positive dealer rating).

SuperG

 

Good idea passing the costs on to the dealer. I just highly doubt that my dealer would even consider it. Group by may be more fessible. Any one with Chrome Silver need bumper plugs and interested in doing a group buy?

 

I called my dealer and told them not to drill holes for front plate. They said they weren;t doing it on any of the Z's. We shall see.

 

I would buy some for my Redline Z.

 

That's what I was told right before they drilled the holes in mine. Now they are having to repair the holes. We'll see how that turns out.

 

I was at a body shop today (they are replacing and painting a warped rocker panel on my new Z), and the owner had a bag of these plugs. They were unpainted, and a bag of 25 cost him about $7.00. Sounds like quite markup at $25.00 per pair.

 

That's what I mean! $7 for a bag. Can you find out where your body guy got the plugs? I can get the exact KYO paint match for about $10 here. If I can get the plugs, I'll paint and clearcoat myself. Much cheaper + I get a little bottle of leftover touch up paint for future. Much better option. If not, I'll be taking the plunge and repainting the entire front bumper. -m

 

I have the same problem with the holes. I asked the dealer not to install the bracket and they did anyway. I also would be interested in the plugs and will join in on a group buy as well if the $7.00 is not available.

Edretti

 

I am a buyer on a set of plugs for my Redline. I told my dealer not to install the Bracket, they said no, we never install the brackets. I received it today from the truckline and the bracket was installed. The dealer said that the truckline installed it because when it left, there was no bracket installed.

The dealer said they would take care of me on this issue. What do you guys think is a proper resolution?

I think $1500 is good but obivously they will not fork out that kind of money since it could be replaced/repainted for $500, the problem is that the paint will not be factory if repainted. I plan on keeping this for 15 years at least and hate the thought of bumper plugs or repaint so thats why I can justify $1500.

I offered the dealer my bumper back and I would wait for another redline to come in for a swap, they declined. I told them I would be more than happy to return the Z, they said they are going to call the truckline and get back to me which was 3 hours ago.

What do you think?