[goofyboots81]

So the dealership drilled two massive holes and accidentally drilled two small holes in the front of my bumper to put the dump front license plate on.

I bought bumper plugs but I just realized they require you to make the holes even bigger to install them. I don't really want to do this in case I need to put the front plate back on later for whatever reason, and I don't really want a vanity plate. So my question is this:

How much do you think it would cost do fix the four holes and paint over them or would I just have to buy a whole new front fender?

[miringrains]

Why don't you put the plugs, then buy a tow hitch plate holder if needed

[Game]

I was in the same situation and hated the plugs. Pushed me to get a new bumper.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by Game

I was in the same situation and hated the plugs. Pushed me to get a new bumper.

Did you ever get a quote on just getting it fixed? Also, do you think it would look good with just a new front bumper (m sport style) or would I have to get a rear and skirts too?

[Game]

Originally Posted by goofyboots81

Did you ever get a quote on just getting it fixed? Also, do you think it would look good with just a new front bumper (m sport style) or would I have to get a rear and skirts too?

No I never got a quote. It'd look just fine if you just got a new bumper.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by Game

No I never got a quote. It'd look just fine if you just got a new bumper.

If I get a new bumper it wont be a new stock bumper. What kind did you end up getting?

[Game]

Originally Posted by goofyboots81

If I get a new bumper it wont be a new stock bumper. What kind did you end up getting?

I went M3. There's that option or Mtech.

[wdeerfield]

just run the plate or drill the holes larger. or.. shave down the bumper plugs to fit the original holes. are you really going to drop almost $800 for a bumper and paint all because of four little holes?

[Delusive]

If your car color isn't one of those sparkly ones then maybe you can bondo the holes sand it down and paint it the same color.

[Game]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

just run the plate or drill the holes larger. or.. shave down the bumper plugs to fit the original holes. are you really going to drop almost $800 for a bumper and paint all because of four little holes?

I did.

Then again I picked up my M3 bumper for $200 locally.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

just run the plate or drill the holes larger. or.. shave down the bumper plugs to fit the original holes. are you really going to drop almost $800 for a bumper and paint all because of four little holes?

I would hate to have to do that because I've got a lot of other things I'd rather do with the money. The two holes are large enough to piss me off every time I see the front end.

[ChasVS]

You don't want to use bondo on the bumper. Bondo doesn't flex like the bumper material does. There's a special filler for that kind of material. A good indie shop will charge you around $200 to fill and paint a stock bumper. Little less/more depending on where you live and quality of work.

[rattmobbins]

I was a little nervous about drilling bigger holes in my bumper, but I'm glad I did. Bumper plugs look soooooooo much better than the holes left by the front plate I didn't need. Almost look like PDC sensors to the untrained eye.

[Shinzi]

Originally Posted by rattmobbins

I was a little nervous about drilling bigger holes in my bumper, but I'm glad I did. Bumper plugs look soooooooo much better than the holes left by the front plate I didn't need. Almost look like PDC sensors to the untrained eye.

All that stress over nothing. I too have the holes, my MTech bumper should be here Tuesday.

[ATX328i]

This sounds familiar. I was in your shoes. I did not like the bumper plugs so I had them filled and painted. After awhile, you can see where they filled the holes. I ended up buying a new bumper.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by ATX328i

This sounds familiar. I was in your shoes. I did not like the bumper plugs so I had them filled and painted. After awhile, you can see where they filled the holes. I ended up buying a new bumper.

Stock or mtech or other?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Just ask your local body shop how much. I would expect to pay about $350 for a quality job, maybe even a little more.

Be aware about price shopping and looking for the best deal, you will be really upset a few months later when your paint starts chipping away randomly.

I can't tell you how many times I see this.

Insist on a quality paint work and most of all prep.

[6MT_Addict]

There is a good DIY on here for filling and painting the holes. But yeah it will be pretty pricy, a local shop here quoted me 300. It's so expensive because the paint and blend the bumper

[goofyboots81]

I haven't decided what to do yet, but I'm living with the holes for now. I'll probably end up buying a new bumper.