Filling front plate holes on bumper?

fs454 · 10-12-2015, 12:39 PM

I need to pick up a replacement Alpine White front bumper as mine is pretty torn on the fender + underside from the past couple years of cross country driving and living in Los Angeles. I found a used one for sale but it's got front plate holes drilled for the OEM BMW front plate mount. Does anyone know if it's easy for a decent shop to fill the holes and blend the white or is it pretty extensive? What am I looking at for a ballpark cost for this type of work?

I get the whole "CA needs two plates" thing but I absolutely refuse to plonk the plate right in the middle of the bumper like that, it ruins the look. I currently don't run a front plate until I register my car in CA - and at that point I'll be mounting it offset on the tow eye.

Joe_435i · 10-21-2015, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fs454

I need to pick up a replacement Alpine White front bumper as mine is pretty torn on the fender + underside from the past couple years of cross country driving and living in Los Angeles. I found a used one for sale but it's got front plate holes drilled for the OEM BMW front plate mount. Does anyone know if it's easy for a decent shop to fill the holes and blend the white or is it pretty extensive? What am I looking at for a ballpark cost for this type of work?

I get the whole "CA needs two plates" thing but I absolutely refuse to plonk the plate right in the middle of the bumper like that, it ruins the look. I currently don't run a front plate until I register my car in CA - and at that point I'll be mounting it offset on the tow eye.

I was going to try these... http://www.**********s.com/painted-b...plugs-bmw2.htm

gap · 10-21-2015, 07:04 AM

put bumper plugs dot com plugs on my wife's alpine white 3 series and it looks good.
cheaper than filling and painting.

Bentron · 10-26-2015, 09:59 PM

I have a small hole from a screw that went through the plate holder, any one make smaller bumper plugs, or do i have to drill it out?

6MT_Addict · 10-30-2015, 12:22 AM

This topic has been beaten to death, please search.

That said, bumper plugs are widely used. Alternate options include body filler + sanding + painting. A body shop can do this for a decent price and IMO is your best option quality wise.

Others have grabbed those little plugs from Ikea furniture, the ones you put in screw heads to conceal them... glued in place and pre-painted. Cheap bumper plug DIY.

andyhurz20 · 10-30-2015, 07:37 AM

After you've spent the time to fix the front bumper and you are looking to mount your front plate.

10-12-2015, 12:39 PM	#1
fs454 Private First Class 16 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Filling front plate holes on bumper? I need to pick up a replacement Alpine White front bumper as mine is pretty torn on the fender + underside from the past couple years of cross country driving and living in Los Angeles. I found a used one for sale but it's got front plate holes drilled for the OEM BMW front plate mount. Does anyone know if it's easy for a decent shop to fill the holes and blend the white or is it pretty extensive? What am I looking at for a ballpark cost for this type of work? I get the whole "CA needs two plates" thing but I absolutely refuse to plonk the plate right in the middle of the bumper like that, it ruins the look. I currently don't run a front plate until I register my car in CA - and at that point I'll be mounting it offset on the tow eye. __________________ 2009 BMW 135i - Alpine White/Coral Red - M-Sport+Premium + 6-Speed Manual
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10-21-2015, 07:04 AM	#3
gap First Lieutenant 105 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS iTrader: (1)	put bumper plugs dot com plugs on my wife's alpine white 3 series and it looks good. cheaper than filling and painting. __________________ ER CP, Forge DV, Wagner FMIC, PE, Maddad Mid, ER Sports OC, BMS OCC, RB Check Valve, AFE intake, Cobb AP3- Stage 1+ drive, BMW SS, PS Springs, Yellow Koni external, M3 Control Arms F & R, M3 Strut Brace, M3 Sub Bushing, Rouge Toe, Dinan Camber Plate and Rear Shock Mts., E93 M3 front sway bar, Mfactory Diff, Arc 8 PSS 235/40/18-265/35/18
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10-26-2015, 09:59 PM	#4
Bentron New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2012 128i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Wichita falls, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128I [0.00]	I have a small hole from a screw that went through the plate holder, any one make smaller bumper plugs, or do i have to drill it out?
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10-30-2015, 12:22 AM	#5
6MT_Addict Captain 283 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	This topic has been beaten to death, please search. That said, bumper plugs are widely used. Alternate options include body filler + sanding + painting. A body shop can do this for a decent price and IMO is your best option quality wise. Others have grabbed those little plugs from Ikea furniture, the ones you put in screw heads to conceal them... glued in place and pre-painted. Cheap bumper plug DIY. __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles
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10-30-2015, 07:37 AM	#6
andyhurz20 Private First Class 45 Rep 122 Posts Drives: T1 V8 Touareg Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Mounting your front plate after repair. After you've spent the time to fix the front bumper and you are looking to mount your front plate.
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