Panel gap issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 877
Likes: 274
Panel gap issues
I saw this new video on Youtube, no idea who this person is... only 5k followers so not an 'influencer'... but this C8 has some truly awful issues on the passenger side between the fender, bumper, and headlight.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
Last edited by jriley9922; Apr 13, 2020 at 04:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,648
Likes: 7,719
From: NJ
If you're new to corvettes? Then get used to it. Each gen (for the most part) get better in this area. But the material they use to make up this car lends it to issues like he points out. The fender fascia deal has been around since at least C6.. there is no real escaping it other than having the shop make the adjustments where it can.
There are also certain panels that just snap together and however they lineup they lineup. Can they be tweaked? Certainly but in the end does it really make a difference?
I used to be this way with my corvettes and then I went to Spring Mountain and attended the Corvette owners 2 day school. When I got back? I didn't care about brake dust or panel fitment any longer I just learned to appreciate and use the car hopefully you will attend that school it will change your whole outlook and give you a new found respect for what these cars are capable of. Amazing.
There are also certain panels that just snap together and however they lineup they lineup. Can they be tweaked? Certainly but in the end does it really make a difference?
I used to be this way with my corvettes and then I went to Spring Mountain and attended the Corvette owners 2 day school. When I got back? I didn't care about brake dust or panel fitment any longer I just learned to appreciate and use the car hopefully you will attend that school it will change your whole outlook and give you a new found respect for what these cars are capable of. Amazing.
Last edited by 24/Eray; Apr 13, 2020 at 04:42 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I saw this new video on Youtube, no idea who this person is... only 5k followers so not an 'influencer'... but this C8 has some truly awful issues on the passenger side between the fender, bumper, and headlight.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
C8 Panel Gap issues
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
C8 Panel Gap issues
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,118
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,648
Likes: 7,719
From: NJ
paint has been better since they started in the new paint facility late 2017 for mod year 18s up. I've had both. The Orange peel is night and day difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,244
Likes: 850
From: Hamilton Square NJ, Ocean City N. J. Key Biscayne Fla.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 1,306
From: Midwest
Over that last 3 generations GM has had numerous panel fit issues. Its obvious the same panel/paint rubbing issues are going to also happen on the C8 as it did on c7. You would think engineering would have learned there lesson. I think I'm right waiting until 2022 to buy this car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 877
Likes: 274
Perhaps I was unclear.... this was not necessarily surprising as I've seen many people note/complain about this over the years.... my question was more around what you can expect as the customer taking delivery of a brand new C8.
Do I have the right to refuse the car if it's as bad as the video? Will the dealer fix the car in their repair/paint shop? What if a new fender is needed but one isn't actually available?
Do I have the right to refuse the car if it's as bad as the video? Will the dealer fix the car in their repair/paint shop? What if a new fender is needed but one isn't actually available?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 907
From: Annville, PA
I saw this new video on Youtube, no idea who this person is... only 5k followers so not an 'influencer'... but this C8 has some truly awful issues on the passenger side between the fender, bumper, and headlight.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
C8 Panel Gap issues
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
*skip ahead to about 50 seconds in*
C8 Panel Gap issues
I don't think the trunk gap is a big deal... but the front fender/headlight is for sure.
Is this something to look for when the C8 is delivered... before you accept delivery? How does it even leave the factory like that.... and what can you do as a buyer? Can you tell the dealership you won't accept it? Or will the dealership just try to get a new fender and fix it?
Just curious what is common practice... I would be livid if my C8 showed up like that. I don't expect absolute perfection, but that's pretty terrible.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 214
Likes: 18
From: Long Island
I think that bumper took a hit after it left the factory ... or after he took delivery
with my C7 i bottomed out at a low speed and it knocked my bumper out of alignment like that car
i didnt notice it the day it happend but when i uncovered it to clean it out to trade it in for my C8
my body shop fixed it a bracket under the was bent
my C8 all the body lines look great
with my C7 i bottomed out at a low speed and it knocked my bumper out of alignment like that car
i didnt notice it the day it happend but when i uncovered it to clean it out to trade it in for my C8
my body shop fixed it a bracket under the was bent
my C8 all the body lines look great
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 92
It’s a 60,000 dollar Chevy. If you want perfect gaps and amazing quality control spend 150,000 on a Porsche. Everyone on the forum seems to want a dirt cheap super car and then are shocked to find it doesn’t match the quality of the competition at twice the price. There is no free lunch!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 877
Likes: 274
It’s a 60,000 dollar Chevy. If you want perfect gaps and amazing quality control spend 150,000 on a Porsche. Everyone on the forum seems to want a dirt cheap super car and then are shocked to find it doesn’t match the quality of the competition at twice the price. There is no free lunch!
Even Porsches have panel gap issues on occasion.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 244
Likes: 91
From: Batavia ILL
Bumper alignment
I don't know if it left the factory that way or had minor damage during transport. If it bothers you, find a high quality ,reputable body shop to align it for you. Sure Chevy should be on the hook for it but think you'd get better results if you were not limited to someone in the Chevy network (service dept. or dealer bodyshop).