So I am still adjusting to the new size of the car (as opposed to my tiny former car) and am always really careful parking and not wanting to RUB an parking space divider with the lower edges of the car or anything - even though I should know the ride height of the car by now.... can't help being paranoid though!!

So anyway, pulling out of a parking space and thought I heard a noise backing up - so I get back to work, back into my usual spot, and drop down in push-up position (being in work clothes) to look under the nose. Just my imagination - didn't rub the concrete and plenty of clearance under there - nothing to worry about. So I run my hand underneath the bottom of the front facia to be sure (**** retentive) - and realize the black valance (sp?) that sits under the front nose of the car and whose leading edge mates up against the rearmost lip (under the car) of the front fascia, starts moving up and down when I push on it.
:shock: :scratch:

So I'm like - alright. That's weird. Did the securing bolts/nuts/whatever that hold it to the front fascia fall out??....
But I have the perfect litmus test though - get back to the house and go into the garage and check out my brother and sister-in-law's Redfire GT... drop down.... and sure enough, there are two securing 'bolts' in the center of the bottom of the fascia, and two on the outer edges.

Apparently, someone at the factory fell asleep or hit the bathroom when they should have been finishing securing the front valance of my car!!

Doy.... little ticked at the time but then was like, geeez, could have been something worse! (some story I think I read on allfordmustangs where the guy picked up his car and one end of the sway bar hadn't been secured!! )

There ARE the female side of the securings on the inside of the fasica so my brother and I are gonna check the size on their car and get some subs this weekend to lock that down.

 

Things that make you say HMMMMMMMMM

:scratch:

 

Since I have had nothing but snow and rain I have not had a chance to do a complete inspection of every inch of my car but I have checked a few things and have 5 items that the dealer needs to fix. All of which look like someone was either in a rush when doing their job or just plain lazy. Loose screws, clips missing, etc....

 

Heard a clunking around in a new '91 T-bird I had. Opened up the right rear speaker cover and discovered a soda can clanking around between the body and interior panel. Time capsule of a sort I suppose.

 

now that would pi$$ me off.

 

At least it wasn't a beer can...

 

I'm surprised it wasn't a beer can! I used to work on the line at GM. It was unbelieavable at break times. A mass exodus to the parking lot where it looked like a huge tailgate party. I'm not exagerating at all....had to be careful leaving work so you didn't get a flat from all the bottles. That was only 3 and a half years ago. I understand it used to be a lot worse. Guys were telling me of the "good old days" where someone would light a joint and leave it in the ashtray as the car went down the line so everyone could share!

 

Your car must have been made on a friday

 

dang, thats funny but messed up!

 

Not uncommon for Ford. Both my T-Birds were missing the bolts that hold the lower front valence on. They just figure you'll never notice.

They fell out of my Contour, they were just made of plastic, and the first time you park in a space with one of those concrete stops, they shear right off.

At least there are holes there. My friend's parent's S80, the black lower splitter just sticks on. Comes loose all the time, looks like crap.

 

At least it wasn't a beer can... [/b][/quote]
I have friends that worked summers in a local car plant,

They said if you peek in the garbage can you see them everywhere

hope my car is built on a wednesday

 

my '98 had the exact same problem.... I just went to the parts department at the dealer and they gave me a handful of the "christmas trees" that hold the valance on... again, that was 7 years ago, and they didn't actually use bolts.... it was just the push in plastic fasteners. I don't know what's holding the '05 air dam on, but.... yeah... see if they'll hook you up.

 

My M3 has these cheesy little snap together parts holding the front end fascia together (and brake ducts, etc.). I tapped it (literally) on a high curb, and the front end kinda fell apart. Took it to the dealer, and they repaired it. Driving home, it fell off again. They were accusing me of hitting something. "I haven't even gotten it home -- it's been 20 minutes". They reluctantly repaired it. I took a long trip, and going over the grapevine, I heard that familiar "scaaaaaaaapppppeeee" sound. So I tore off the parts that were hanging down (didn't have time to do much else). Later had to argue with the dealer about it. We had a big fiasco, but finally they got an OK from BMW and repaired it. (All under warranty). They were mad that I'd pulled it apart, but I was stuck 300 miles from home (Sacramento), and had little choice. Then the warranty ran out, and a week later it came apart again. I ripped off the parts that were hanging, and screwed the rest together with drywall screws (they go through plastic like butter). It has held ever since. But I feel dirty doing these home repairs, and still snort when I hear about BMW quality. (Selective engineering where they can't design fascia or a cup-holder to save their lives).