Dealer installed front plate?

methodz · 01-22-2015, 10:07 PM

Do they just drill right into the bumper cover or is there any reinforced threading behind the cover? I just took it off and the eye test tells me they just drill right into the bumper!

I only ask because I want to throw on my old RickS2k front bracket. But my old S2k had reinforced threading. What do you guys do to plug the hole?

Esteban · 01-22-2015, 10:41 PM

I bought bumper plugs from these guys. High quality. Already painted. Perfect match. Follow the instructions and they fit great. Don't know if they would suit your needs but they did for me.

http://www.bumperplugs.com

GarnZ · 01-23-2015, 12:03 AM

The worst part about dealers drilling the bumper is, they usually don't know how to find the centre line to centre up the plate. So, even when you fill their mistakes with nice plugs they are not symmetrical.
RegardZ.

Esteban · 01-23-2015, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnZ

The worst part about dealers drilling the bumper is, they usually don't know how to find the centre line to centre up the plate. So, even when you fill their mistakes with nice plugs they are not symmetrical.
RegardZ.

The sad thing is that I got to this car before it was available to the general public, but I was too late! The holes were already drilled.

methodz · 01-23-2015, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnZ

The worst part about dealers drilling the bumper is, they usually don't know how to find the centre line to centre up the plate. So, even when you fill their mistakes with nice plugs they are not symmetrical.
RegardZ.

So they just drill right through then? No actual threading?

It may be a bad idea then for me to use my 2 screw only front plate holder then. It probably will pull on the bumper cover with the turbulence and deforming it huh...

ultimated · 01-23-2015, 07:33 AM

I bought a front plate holder from JMK (my car had been previously registered in PA); it had little tabs that went into pre-cut slots on the underside of the bumper so there was no need to center the plate holder. It also makes for a firmer mount, and actually molds to the curve of the bumper. I still had to drill two holes in the bumper to screw it on, but it looks good. I didn't like the "floating in front of the bumper" look of the tow hook screw mounted plate holder.

3002 tii · 01-23-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimated

I bought a front plate holder from JMK (my car had been previously registered in PA); it had little tabs that went into pre-cut slots on the underside of the bumper so there was no need to center the plate holder. It also makes for a firmer mount, and actually molds to the curve of the bumper. I still had to drill two holes in the bumper to screw it on, but it looks good. I didn't like the "floating in front of the bumper" look of the tow hook screw mounted plate holder.

I've gotten 4 front plate tickets since 2008 while living in Bergen, it was worth it lol

Esteban · 01-23-2015, 02:59 PM

I've lived in the Inland Empire for more than twenty years and never had a front plate. I've never been stopped for it or got a ticket. A little luck plus I just don't think they care out here.

Andrewcoja · 01-23-2015, 04:20 PM

There are various options for attaching to the tow hook.

Esteban · 01-23-2015, 05:01 PM

This looks pretty nice. Here's where to get it if you're interested. This pic belongs to another member. I also recently posted this pic and link for a member who wanted a front plate but didn't want holes.

http://www.gominigo.com/BMW.html

LeifW · 01-23-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I bought bumper plugs from these guys. High quality. Already painted. Perfect match. Follow the instructions and they fit great. Don't know if they would suit your needs but they did for me.

http://www.bumperplugs.com

Do you have a picture of how the plugs look on your car?

Leif W.

Esteban · 01-23-2015, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeifW

Do you have a picture of how the plugs look on your car?

Leif W.

No, actually, I don't. Nothing close up, and unfortunately, the camera on my IPhone isn't working right now, but there are some good examples on their website.

http://www.bumperplugs.com

6MT_Addict · 01-24-2015, 12:29 AM

If you're really anal about it you can get a shop to fill/sand and paint (or do it yourself). If it's a black bumper it's near invisible. My last BMW was jet black, had front plates before (no front plate legislation here) and I just removed the holder. You couldn't see the holes unless you were three feet away in sunlight.

Bumper plugs are a nice cheap option, google it, there's tons of pics

heeblet · 01-25-2015, 10:02 PM

RE Front Plates - You can get 10 $50 fix it tickets (so put a tow hook one on when you get it fixed) for $500 and 1 red light camera ticket in my town is $495. So F front plates.

angler · 01-29-2015, 08:56 AM

When I order my car the first thing I tell them is no front plate! Bought tow hook to get inspected then it goes into storage for a year. Lol

01-22-2015, 10:07 PM	#1
methodz First Lieutenant 40 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '12 Le Mans 135i Vert Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (3)	Dealer installed front plate? Do they just drill right into the bumper cover or is there any reinforced threading behind the cover? I just took it off and the eye test tells me they just drill right into the bumper! I only ask because I want to throw on my old RickS2k front bracket. But my old S2k had reinforced threading. What do you guys do to plug the hole?
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01-22-2015, 10:41 PM	#2
Esteban Major General 43676 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I bought bumper plugs from these guys. High quality. Already painted. Perfect match. Follow the instructions and they fit great. Don't know if they would suit your needs but they did for me. http://www.bumperplugs.com __________________
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01-23-2015, 12:03 AM	#3
GarnZ New Member 6 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 120i E87 MY09 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	The worst part about dealers drilling the bumper is, they usually don't know how to find the centre line to centre up the plate. So, even when you fill their mistakes with nice plugs they are not symmetrical. RegardZ.
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01-23-2015, 07:33 AM	#6
ultimated Private 28 Rep 90 Posts Drives: '17 430i GC Xdr Mdnght Blue Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Philadelphia 'burbs iTrader: (0)	I bought a front plate holder from JMK (my car had been previously registered in PA); it had little tabs that went into pre-cut slots on the underside of the bumper so there was no need to center the plate holder. It also makes for a firmer mount, and actually molds to the curve of the bumper. I still had to drill two holes in the bumper to screw it on, but it looks good. I didn't like the "floating in front of the bumper" look of the tow hook screw mounted plate holder.
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01-23-2015, 02:59 PM	#8
Esteban Major General 43676 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I've lived in the Inland Empire for more than twenty years and never had a front plate. I've never been stopped for it or got a ticket. A little luck plus I just don't think they care out here. __________________
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01-23-2015, 04:20 PM	#9
Andrewcoja First Lieutenant 9 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 2011 135i MSport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	There are various options for attaching to the tow hook.
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01-23-2015, 05:01 PM	#10
Esteban Major General 43676 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	This looks pretty nice. Here's where to get it if you're interested. This pic belongs to another member. I also recently posted this pic and link for a member who wanted a front plate but didn't want holes. http://www.gominigo.com/BMW.html Attached Images __________________ Last edited by Esteban; 01-23-2015 at 05:55 PM..
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01-24-2015, 12:29 AM	#13
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]	If you're really anal about it you can get a shop to fill/sand and paint (or do it yourself). If it's a black bumper it's near invisible. My last BMW was jet black, had front plates before (no front plate legislation here) and I just removed the holder. You couldn't see the holes unless you were three feet away in sunlight. Bumper plugs are a nice cheap option, google it, there's tons of pics __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles
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01-25-2015, 10:02 PM	#14
heeblet Private First Class 26 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2014 228i xDrive F31 Join Date: May 2014 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0)	RE Front Plates - You can get 10 $50 fix it tickets (so put a tow hook one on when you get it fixed) for $500 and 1 red light camera ticket in my town is $495. So F front plates.
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01-29-2015, 08:56 AM	#15
angler love to fish! 46 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 13: SG 135i M-Sport Cabrio 6mt Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: riding in the ultimate tanning machine iTrader: (1)	When I order my car the first thing I tell them is no front plate! Bought tow hook to get inspected then it goes into storage for a year. Lol __________________ PSS\|PPK\|PE\|LUX H8 V4's\|CDV Delete\|Performance Pedals\|Motorsport Emblem\|
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