Wavy rear bumper on your Vantage?

[EBruce]

Hi,

I have noticed (as have several others) that my rear bumper has a couple of waves or dents in it above the rear plate. It almost looks like the car has been in a small accident but the bumper is new!

I know that others have seen this in their cars to varying degrees but I am hopeful someone on PH has seen a fix for it.

My service manager is searching long and hard too.....it is preventing me from getting the carbon fiber rear diffuser as I do not want to draw attention to that area!!

Thanks

[Richales]

Hmm, I've got a small bump in my bumper too. It's about the size of a penny and it's not something that I have done - I put it down to someone doing it whilst the car was unattended. There's no scratches on or near it though and it's such a uniform shape that I was wondering if it was a manufacturing blemish.

Is this something that other people have experienced? I think the only way to repair would be a new rear bumper - unless you can fix plastic bumpers these days?

[Soul Reaver]

yeh mine is the same. Looks like there is a dint in it above the reg plate. Can be seen more easily in sunlight.

Mark

Carbon Diffuser? Do tell aLL?

[EBruce]

Unfortunatly I have 3 dents above the plate....they each are almost big enough to look like someone hit the car. Dealer says many come off the showroom that way but I have heard they have made them better. Hopeful someone has looked into it!

Regarding the carbon fiber diffuser, check out The Vantage Collection CF rear diffuser V2.....gives the car the look of a DBS from the rear and looks much more purposefull.

[SabreN400]

I have a similar indentation. As I was the second owner, I had assumed that it was done by the previous keeper, but seems like it might be a bumper defect?

I think being black, it shows up more as it bends the light reflecting from the bumper more than lighter colours.

Dark colours are great for accentuating compound curves, not so desirable when they are not supposed to be there.

[rick-derby-]

I can not remember a car I have not seen it on,

[sjr-997]

my builder was passing my car last week in the driveway and made a similar comment about dents in the back of my new car...I'm struggling to see what he means, but I guess this is a common 'fault'

[Richales]

Rick,

You say you've seen it on almost every car... does this include even recent cars fresh from the factory?

It does sound like a common fault. I'm getting some warranty work done next week - wonder if it's worth mentioning at the time. I wasn't going to bother as it does look like a dent, which I had assumed done by previous owner... If it's not though, and is a fault, surely warranty should cover?

[rick-derby-]

I serviced a 59 plate V8V roadster yesterday and on the bodywork checkover it was minor but evident, having a wander around the workshop the DBS is ok but there are minor undulations on 9 other cars,

[EBruce]

Rick-
The service manager in Dallas mentioned that lots come off the floor with this issue. I have heard that they have corrected this somewhat by adjusting the tension on the bumper. Have you attempted this? If not, does it make sense? They also mentioned there is no support between the bumper casing (that looks dented) and the underlying bumper guard/frame.

I have heard that AM will replace on new vehicles if the owner makes a stink, but you are out of luck on warranty.

Thanks

Edited by EBruce on Thursday 15th April 03:49

[rick-derby-]

It is more of a characteristic of the design, than an actual fault and some colours or lighting such as fluorescent tubes will show it up more, the bumpers are quite flexible and some adjustment is possible but limited, also plastics carry a memory effect, so it will be easier on a new bumper than one that has been on for a few years, If it has been quite noticeable we have had some luck with warming the area with a heat gun (great care needs to be taken) also we would remove the bumper and tease into shape before refitting, and being honest in most cases it is not until it is pointed out that people become aware of it, It may be possible to manufacture an extra padding for the area that would support the bumper to help keep a smooth appearance I will look at the practicalities and costs of this,

[EBruce]

Thanks Rick-this is very obvious on my bumper and can be seen in all light by simply moving your head while looking at it.

The service manager mentioned heating it, but there is great risk. Please let me know what you find out with a fitment behind it and costs associated as I would be most interested.

Thanks

[rick-derby-]

I will look into this then, as for great risk we have had a lot of practise on the front lower valance after speed bumps etc bend the under tray and deforms the front lower bumper, after straightening the under tray we have to warm and manipulate the lower front bumper edge back into shape, yes care does have to be taken but honestly not once have we damaged a car using this technique, simple rule too hot to touch too hot for the paint, it is one of those jobs where taking your time is the key,

[Soul Reaver]

Carbon + Aston = That will be 1 million pounds please mark

[EBruce]

Thanks Rick-I look forward to hearing what you uncover! Heating or a placing something behind the bumper seem to be the only fixes....I was hoping adjusting the tension may help.

[lady topaz]

Any chance of some pictures of this defect. Mine appears fine but perhaps I am not looking in the right place!

Di

[r1chardh]

have it too (07) - always assumed it had been hit when parked. don't know if i should be pleased or annoyed!

[EBruce]

Di-I will attempt to take a picture of it in upcoming days, but it is very obvious especially while movind your head. I notice if light is on the bumper or not as have friends who spent time looking the car over.

[SabreN400]

Here's a couple of shots of mine, they are quite hard to protograph, but you can see an area of distortion in the reflection in each picture.

[EBruce]

Sabre-That indent is exactly like the indents on mine. I have 3 of them The dealer is still looking into potential fixes but no responses as of yet.

Have you or can you see what your service dept suggests as a fix?

Thanks

Edited by EBruce on Tuesday 20th April 05:21