[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by pvms

i met service manager at my dealer, and he called SOA
here is what i got reply from dealer

Chuck, our service mgr., spoke with SOA and they said they would email you. You can come in and pick out splash guards
and we will install them. You pay us for the job and then you send SOA a copy of the bill and they will reimburse you.

This seems fine, but subaru doesnt make splash guards yet, right?

[ssauer2004]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

This seems fine, but subaru doesnt make splash guards yet, right?

Not for the 08 STi. That's a b.s line from the dealer. The dealer should put the splash guards on free of charge, and whack Subaru for the bill. What a joke.

[TarmacST1]

i just drove through some road dust on the high way, now my front looks like it has sugar frosting. i was only going 60mph... i feel like telling subaru i am getting a new paint job from real professionals and they have to pay.

[andyu]

I'm not sure if this has been covered yet, but is anyone reading this that has over 500 miles NOT have issues? I mean the serious sandblasting like issues, not the one chip here and there issue.

[TarmacST1]

i had free time so i bought some touch up paint and i decided to count the ones i touched up. on the hood I had 9 very noticeble chips and the front bumper had 24 front fenders left and right 7 and rear door added up 17 the door got chiped even with splash guards. wow....

[Brand]

I'm at 4000 miles now and definitely getting some wear - and 90% of my miles are highway! I'm gonna post some pics and inform SOA... not sure when though, I'm busy as hell for a while

[TarmacST1]

41k 08 rust machine. at least it drives great. lol... My lower portion of the bumper is down to plastic. Oh and I also realized. even the head lights are very weak just like everything else. So i was wondering where did all my money go? lol

[waktasz]

So am I if you paid 41k for yours!

[Wronks]

I now have 3250 miles on my 08 STI DGM. I just got splash guards put on last week. They seem to help from rock/dirt/mud kicking up from the front tires. I have not had any serious rock damage done from driving and I reside in Canada. I do, however, have some rock chips here and there, but nothing major. This is to be expected. Some of the pictures that I have seen, like the ones of new 08's looking like they just came front sand blasting, that is not good and may be a factory defect. But as for paint chipping, yes it happens, but is not noticable until you look very closely. My only concern is whether or not this will eventually become a BIG problem in terms of paint longevity/rust problems for the future.
I like many new owners, am constantly checking for new paint chips after a long drive, but get used to it, this is a natural phenomenon. Because our vehicles are new, they are prone to being over inspected by the new owners and any minor defect from the brand new look does not go unnoticed.

My advice:
Purchase splash guards.
Buy touch up paint from your dealer.
Get the 3M guard put on the front hood and rear fenders (Something in which I plan to do).

For those that have more serious damage, I would definately address this concern with your dealer, or check out:

2008 STI Paint Chipping Thread

[TarmacST1]

Hey any of you guys from west coast get your fix yet from SOA? friend of mine told me west coast is already working on a fix?

[hef]

i am sitting here feeling like someone just stole my money. this is insane. i sincerely want to take the car back because i don't want to have to haggle with a dealer to paint my car twice a year. i am not putting mud flaps on my car, so i hope that isn't the "fix". this is def something that the PA lemon law will cover. my only problem is what do i get? i have already fallen in love with the sti.


edit
bollocks it all, i bought some flaps from rally armor.

[Emissary]

Originally Posted by TarmacST1

Hey any of you guys from west coast get your fix yet from SOA? friend of mine told me west coast is already working on a fix?

I can't really see what "fix" they're going to be able to put in. I put 3M clearguard on the full rear fenders, and the rock chips go right through it. I just installed the RallyArmor mudflaps yesterday. I figure between the clearguard and the mudflaps, I've done the best I can, and now I'm just going to drive it...what will be, will be...or...something...

[DGMSTIenroute]

Originally Posted by GilMikalian

No problems here.

Gil, can I ask when you took delivery on your car? Also, obviously not much snow/mush in LA. But you've probably put it through some paces on a variety of turf. Still clean on the trouble spots as should be expected?

[GilMikalian]

Check me out. I send a short email (included at the end of this post) to SOA through their website and I get this response....

================================================== ============================================

Dear Ms.[edit:Ms? How many female Gil's out there???] Mikalian:

Thank you for contacting our website. I am sorry your email was prompted by paint concern in the wheel well area of your vehicle. It is true that without the factory installed mud flaps, paint chips may occur on your vehicle from road debris.

Therefore, after reviewing your request, we would like to offer you reimbursement on the parts and installation of the splash guards at an authorized Subaru dealership.

You can mail or fax your paid receipt to 1-856-488-3016, attention the case number below and I will then reimburse you for the accessory.

This is a one time goodwill gesture made entirely in the interest of customer satisfaction.

If you have any additional questions, please email or call our Customer/Dealer Service Department at 1-800-782-2783. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to address this matter.

Best wishes,

Patricia Bryant
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Dealer Services Department
Case 1103823
-----------------------------------------------------------
YOUR ORIGINAL MAIL:

I have a very big problem with the paint chipping near the wheel wells and lower doors as a result of debris being kicked up from the tires. While I do not go off-road or even drive on dirt roads, I do experience the occasional street gravel and loose asphalt here in the streets of Los Angeles. I was wondering if SOA would be willing to pay for aftermarket splash guards since these items are necessary given the extremely delicate nature of the paint. The only splash guard currently made for my car is by Rally Armor and they sell for about $150.00. I would like SOA to reimburse me for these flaps if I purchase. This alternative is much more economical, for both of us, instead of having the car repainted. Can you please advise?

================================================== ============================================

So my question is this...what accessory are they talking about? Of course when I tried to call back, they were closed...so now I have to wait all weekend to find out what the heck they're talking about. Perhaps they think I have a non-STI Impreza?? The nerve!

[GilMikalian]

Well, I'm actually getting some issues with the trouble spots so seems don't necessarily have to live in snow areas for this problem to creep up. My only issue is where the tires kick up crud into the car. Seems like a design issue. At any rate, I've been in touch with SOA and they offered to pay for flaps and labor...only problem is that SOA thinks that I either have a non-STI Impreza or that Subaru makes flaps for my car...which they don't. I'm just going to try to get SOA to pay for the RA flaps and be done with it. I don't feel like pursuing the whole paint issue.

As for talk of lemon law, I know states will vary but my understanding is that the issue needs to affect the basic operation/safety of the vehicle. Not sure if crap paint would be covered but I guess that's what a lemon law attorney is for. I can provide a reference to a California lemon law attorney in the L.A. area is someone needs it.