[Digitalfiend]

Gil, I moved your post here. The other thread is not for discussion. Thanks for the info though...very interesting.

[pvms]

I got an email from my dealer.

We received a notice today from SOA concerning the paint chipping on STI’s. It looks like they are going to help those owners who have damage in the coverage areas. You will need to bring your car in for an evaluation.

SOA starting to fix this problems.

[Spaceman]

Do you guys think SOA would be willing to cover the price of mud flaps and/or 3M film to help prevent the paint chipping issue?

It looks like this is probably an issue with all the STi's and sooner or later the paint will chip on all of them.

Just wondering...

[Brand]

Originally Posted by pvms

I got an email from my dealer.

We received a notice today from SOA concerning the paint chipping on STI’s. It looks like they are going to help those owners who have damage in the coverage areas. You will need to bring your car in for an evaluation.

SOA starting to fix this problems.

This is what I heard from my dealer as well. I will be arranging to take the car in, but they believed that because other folks were reporting the issue that it should indeed be a warranty fix.

[Stedenko]

I picked up my '08 DGM yesterday. There are a lot of rocks on the roads here in Calgary because they lay them down quite thick for traction on the ice. I carefully inspected the entire car before driving it, and I looked at it again when I got home (about a 30 minute drive).

I have a small, but very obvious to me, paint chip on the driver's side rear fender. It's really not bad, and since the paint is metallic anyway it's not noticable, but holy crap.

I got the rear fenders and hood covered today with 3M. I didn't touch up the paint first because that would take more time, and I can't bear to drive the car without plastic. So I'm going to live with that little chip.

I can imagine what you guys are finding with 500 miles on the car.

My flaps are with Canadian customs so I'll put those on asap.

[scoopman]

I bought and drove home my 08 today and the dealers have received notice of the upcoming availability of the additional rear door clear panel to augment the small one already there. My salesguy showed me on the Subie intranet the pictures they released to the dealers for this piece.

My salesguy said that they would have no prob ordering this and putting it on for me for free -- but it does not look like it offers enough coverage still for me. Also, it's not available yet (and who knows how many rock chips I'll get before it is).

ClearBra installers go far higher on the fender than the Subie patch goes, so even though I'm paying an extra $95, I'm going to get more protection.

Now if I can only not drive it much till the ClearBra is applied

[stopkidding]

does anyone one have information about where I can buy and install the rally amour mud flaps in Portland OR

[twigg107]

Urethane Mud Flaps

I'll be installing mine this sunday if I dont goto the Oregon Trail Rally.

[stopkidding]

do any of the local dealers stock it? Or should I just get them from RA and install them myself?

[GilMikalian]

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Do you guys think SOA would be willing to cover the price of mud flaps and/or 3M film to help prevent the paint chipping issue?

It looks like this is probably an issue with all the STi's and sooner or later the paint will chip on all of them.

Just wondering...

No only willing, but they DID. I got my check earlier this week. SOA covered the entire cost of the RA urethane splash guards (don't have much mud around these parts ). I installed them myself so not sure if they're pay an install fee but I enjoy doing whatever I can myself so I know if was done carefully and exactly as it should.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that SOA recognizes a problem and will step up to the plate to help correct it. All we have to do is speak up.

BTW, I'm new to Subaru but if this type of customer service is par for the course, this will not be my last Subaru.

[cky3396]

Are Silver owners having the same paint issues as black and dark metallic?

thanks

[stopkidding]

Originally Posted by GilMikalian

No only willing, but they DID. I got my check earlier this week. SOA covered the entire cost of the RA urethane splash guards (don't have much mud around these parts ). I installed them myself so not sure if they're pay an install fee but I enjoy doing whatever I can myself so I know if was done carefully and exactly as it should.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that SOA recognizes a problem and will step up to the plate to help correct it. All we have to do is speak up.

BTW, I'm new to Subaru but if this type of customer service is par for the course, this will not be my last Subaru.

Whats the best way to contact SOA? By email? Phone? and What do you tell them?

[wraven23]

I learned my lesson on my 2002 WRX WR Blue Sedan: When I traded it in for my '08 STI, it looked like a great speckled egg with all of the sand hits on the front and sides.

I had the dealership install a new 3M clear bra on my car before I took delivery. A week after I brought it home, there was a pool of cattle truck offal on the roadway I couldn't avoid, on an approach to a bridge. When I went through it, I had cow sh*t and pee all along both sides of the car.
Before the day was out, I installed some aftermarket mud flaps (for midsized cars and trucks) on the front. I test ran through some sprinkler overspray to see if they work, and they do! Have not had one chip in the paint since she was new, and I drive a short gravel road every day on the way to work. I've heard rocks hitting the flaps, and bouncing under the car, but no paint chips yet.
Found: at Autozone
Brand: RoadSport Premier Fit Splash Guards, Size C, comes with mounting screws and mounting instructions.
Installation: had to remove the wheels to drill a few holes in the wells.
Looks: Unobtrusive, black, guaranteed not to break.
Cost: approx $19 per pair.
That is all.