Thanks; makes sense. I guess the rationale behind the bar being a DOT requirement doesn't hold much water then.

Dave

 

I see what you mean, it does look like there is something there.

BUT I can't find any mention of this part in the parts list.

There is something that looks similar, but it's listed as a "license plate reinforcement" and the drawing of it doesn't quite match the picture above, it doesn't seem to cover the tow-hook point on the right hand side. And they list two different versions, USA and EU...

EDIT

I looked at it again, no that's not it, it looks like it's mounted at the bottom of the grill opening to fit a license plate. Totally different item.

 

I think the plastic bar is a result of pedestrian safety regs that came to the U.S. from Europe, in 2013. My wife's 2012 Miata has a plastic egg crate grill, with a beam behind the grill. The 2013 has a smooth plastic bar, in front of the grill.

Here's a quote from a 2012 article about the coming changes: "On front-end bumpers, designers have lowered them, and have used softer materials, such as foams and crushable plastics to reduce the severity of impact on legs."

I looked at a P-7, and I think the aluminum beam is wrapped in a dark color foam, which is the same thing I see behind the plastic bar on my car. The plastic bar will just provide a little leg protection to a pedestrian, but not much else.

 

Well...whatever is behind the grille, the P7 surround is the exact size and shape of all the rest minus the bumper notches.

 

Awesome! that's great.



Cheers,
Dave

 

confirmed from my dimensions I presume...?

Can't wait to get my order initiated.

 

The
problem with the dimensions is that the surround flexes enough that you can get to those dimensions with a gently applied force. I set the P7 surround up against my existing one and it's a perfect match. Feeling around a bit, the screw holes are in the same spots as well.

 

I may have missed this, but what about the parking sensors in the old bar?

 

They'll need to be custom mounted or deleted. P7s don't get the Vision Pack. In fact, none of the P7 VINs I've found have any options associated with them. It seems all you get is interior/exterior color choices and nothing else. Zach might be able to shed some light.

 

I will look at custom mounting the sensors into the grill when I have it apart but if it looks like a PITA, I'm fine to disconnect them. ....anyone know if it's as simple as unplugging them or is that likely to cause a problem?

Cheers,
Dave

 

Unplugging the sensors will give an error tone (long beep).

It might be possible to just close the circuit of each unplugged sensor, could need some resistors to trick the system.

Shouldn't be too hard to do though.

 

You could keep one plugged in while you use a cheap potentiometer to dial out the tone on the other connector. Once that is done, you can measure the resistance across that potentiometer to determine what size resistor is needed to short out each of the sensor connectors. However, the P7 mesh is plenty coarse (almost 60% bigger honeycomb cell than regular F-Type) to mount the sensors through.

 

It would be my preference to disconnect/bypass the two middle sensors and deploy a front facing Camera instead. I have found these sensors to be pretty unreliable in giving any consistent distance warning for these buggers...

 

Thanks guys; sounds like I'm better off custom mounting the sensors then as my electrical skills are dismal. Lucky my fab skills are much better!

....thinking of an adjustable mount attached to the crossbar and having the sensors simply poke through rather than attach to the grill. I'll have to see what it looks like when I have it apart.

Dave

 

Well, I just got a message back that I won't be getting the parts from supplier #2; "Backorder for both parts". :-(

Dave

 

Interesting and disappointing development...
Wonder if this is an issue specific to the particular parts supplier, or if Jaguar has already determined they should be cross-checking VIN numbers with shipping destination.

 

Not sure; I'll let you know when/if I learn more. I'm really disappointed.

Dave

 

It's looking more like I should hold off installing until we can get someone to scan these parts.

 

....yeah, I was thinking the same thing

Dave

 

Might e-lance that and see if you can't find some college kid/art student to mold it. Even a composites guy. I know I found a few in Southern California way back. I'm sure you wouldn't have any trouble with a gofundme or the like to pay for it, I'd contribute.
Assuming I keep the car long enough to justify it... Seriously having doubts. I have a hard time paying $72K to be treated like an idiot by Jaguar and their dealers.