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      11-28-2012, 01:42 PM   #1
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Front License Plate Bracket

I was thinking about removing my front license plate bracket and filling the holes with bumper plugs. Does anyone know how many holes (2 or 4) there are off of the top of their head?
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      11-28-2012, 01:54 PM   #2
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Mine has four.
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      11-28-2012, 02:14 PM   #3
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US editions is 2, the other 2 are small hooks that are connected from the bottom
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      11-28-2012, 02:15 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZheHbKa View Post
US editions is 2, the other 2 are small hooks that are connected from the bottom
I'm not sure what you mean by that...
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      11-28-2012, 10:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
I'm not sure what you mean by that...
The plate holder has 2 hooks that go behind the bumper and 2 screws that go into the bumper.
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      11-28-2012, 11:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pigwidgin View Post
The plate holder has 2 hooks that go behind the bumper and 2 screws that go into the bumper.
Just went and took off the front license plate bracket to assess the damage. I see what you mean now. Unfortunately they screwed in all 4 holes, despite the bottom 2 not being necessary because of the hooks.

Worse, looks like they just screwed in the self tapping screws instead of pre-drilling, so the edges of the holes are slightly raised. This means just sticking bumper plugs in aren't going to sit flush. I'd have to drill out larger holes to get rid of the raised edges (which means the bracket will no longer work), or try to trim the hole edges with an exacto knife. My original idea was to DIY the bumper plugs by using plastic retainer clips from Lowe's and the touch up paint I already have. A set of 4 bumper plugs cost almost $60 If I'm just going to order them.
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Last edited by InsanePineapple; 12-02-2012 at 11:31 PM..
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      11-29-2012, 08:27 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Just went and took off the front license plate bracket to assess the damage. I see what you mean now. Unfortunately they screwed in all 4 holes, despite the bottom 2 not being necessary because of the hooks.



Worse, looks like they just screwed in the self tapping screws instead of pre-drilling, so the edges of the holes are slightly raised. This means just sticking bumper plugs in aren't going to sit flush. I'd have to drill out larger holes to get rid of the raised edges (which means the bracket will no longer work), or try to trim the hole edges with an exacto knife. My original idea was to DIY the bumper plugs by using plastic retainer clips from Lowe's and the touch up paint I already have. A set of 4 bumper plugs cost almost $60 If I'm just going to order them.

i'll take a pic for you later, but if u look on the bottom part of the bumper (right under the lower set of holes)
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      11-29-2012, 08:31 AM   #8
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take a look where red arrows point, thats where mine are
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      11-29-2012, 10:18 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZheHbKa View Post
take a look where red arrows point, thats where mine are
I did find it, just disappointed that they used all 4 holes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
Just went and took off the front license plate bracket to assess the damage. I see what you mean now. Unfortunately they screwed in all 4 holes, despite the bottom 2 not being necessary because of the hooks.
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      11-29-2012, 10:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
I did find it, just disappointed that they used all 4 holes.
yeah that sucks, try bumper plugs, thats a neat way to cover the holes without major work
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      11-29-2012, 10:58 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZheHbKa View Post
yeah that sucks, try bumper plugs, thats a neat way to cover the holes without major work
I don't like the fact that bumperplugs make you enlarge the holes so the process is not reversible. I plan to trim the raised edges and make my own plugs from Home Depot. That way if I don't like it, I can just put the bracket back on.
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      11-29-2012, 03:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx View Post
I don't like the fact that bumperplugs make you enlarge the holes so the process is not reversible. I plan to trim the raised edges and make my own plugs from Home Depot. That way if I don't like it, I can just put the bracket back on.
thats a better idea, i always prefer to try thing myself first
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      11-29-2012, 07:18 PM   #13
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I'm thinking of using the #280 3M 2 part bumper repair kit (less than $10) and then painting over it. I do not think that just touch-up paint alone will do a good enough job because to much sanding will be required after counter sinking the holes to get the ridges flattened.
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      11-29-2012, 09:42 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wparente View Post
I'm thinking of using the #280 3M 2 part bumper repair kit (less than $10) and then painting over it. I do not think that just touch-up paint alone will do a good enough job because to much sanding will be required after counter sinking the holes to get the ridges flattened.
Well, I don't plan to bondo it at all. I've seen a few bondo jobs to fill the holes and paint over it, some turned out ok, others not so much. I'm just going to try to make my own bumper plugs.
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      11-30-2012, 11:55 AM   #15
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Best way to prevent the holes is to do an ED next time

Ours still has the ED plate taped on, so no screws holes.
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      11-30-2012, 06:44 PM   #16
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morfinx - Not sure why they label the stuff bondo because it not the old body-filler. It actually flexible and can be used to fuse a split bumper back together, it's like a sandable harder rtv. I used it to mend a tear in my SLK bumper and it turned out looking good once sanded and shot with fresh coat of paint.
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      11-30-2012, 07:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdlfbio View Post
Best way to prevent the holes is to do an ED next time

Ours still has the ED plate taped on, so no screws holes.
I fail to see how Erectile Dysfunction is going to help me in this case

Quote:
Originally Posted by wparente View Post
morfinx - Not sure why they label the stuff bondo because it not the old body-filler. It actually flexible and can be used to fuse a split bumper back together, it's like a sandable harder rtv. I used it to mend a tear in my SLK bumper and it turned out looking good once sanded and shot with fresh coat of paint.
I think Bondo is actually the brand name, kind of like Kleenex. I might have attempted to go that route, but I have a clear bra on the bumper, so it's difficult to work around that and not scuff it. Anyways, I've already made the bumper plugs (two different sized sets of 4 each) and just put on the last coat of clear. Going to wet sand and polish them on Sunday and then try them on. If they look terrible then I might consider other options.
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      11-30-2012, 11:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdlfbio View Post
Best way to prevent the holes is to do an ED next time

Ours still has the ED plate taped on, so no screws holes.

I bought mine in the USA, but mine doesn't have any pre drilled holes. I told the dealer not to put on a front plate. I reminded him a couple of times before I took delivery. During car prep, my salesman wrote "no front plate" on the windshield with marker. So I took delivery of the car here in California with no front plate.
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      12-01-2012, 07:28 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morfinx
Quote:
Originally Posted by wdlfbio View Post
Best way to prevent the holes is to do an ED next time

Ours still has the ED plate taped on, so no screws holes.
I fail to see how Erectile Dysfunction is going to help me in this case
Hahahaha. I guess ED and driving a Z4 is kinda like an oxymoron. .
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      12-01-2012, 11:13 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayhem View Post
I bought mine in the USA, but mine doesn't have any pre drilled holes. I told the dealer not to put on a front plate. I reminded him a couple of times before I took delivery. During car prep, my salesman wrote "no front plate" on the windshield with marker. So I took delivery of the car here in California with no front plate.
I didn't know you can do this. I will call my dealership on Monday and request they don't drill the holes.
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      12-02-2012, 08:25 AM   #21
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Originally Posted by clo1_2000 View Post
I didn't know you can do this. I will call my dealership on Monday and request they don't drill the holes.
At the end of the day, don't buy the car if it's not to your satisfaction. If the dealer understands that, he will comply with your instructions.
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      12-02-2012, 08:19 PM   #22
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just buy the MSport/iS bumper - that is what I did and it looks awesome
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