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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > Front License Plate Holder - Remove or leave?



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      04-09-2012, 12:30 AM   #1
pj94z
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Front License Plate Holder - Remove or leave?

I recently bought a 2009 BMW 335i sedan and it came with a front license plate holder (not sure why, since the car has always been in GA, where no front plates are required)

I would prefer to remove it to make the car look cleaner....but when I took off the holder, I saw 2 screw holes in the bumper

So, is there any way to get rid of those holes without getting the bumper repaired?

Should I have the dealer I bought the car from fix the screw holes?

Edit: I am taking my car to the dealer Monday to repair bumper for scratches on the bottom of the bumper (basically the previous owner scrapped it a few times on a driveway or something) The dealer has agreed to fix this damage.

Will this repair require them to repaint the whole bumper? if so, maybe I can ask them to fix the holes too?

Last edited by pj94z; 04-09-2012 at 12:48 AM..
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      04-09-2012, 12:42 AM   #2
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only solution is bumper plugs. they don't look too good.

just wait until you need a repaint after someone scuffs your bumper while parking.
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      04-09-2012, 12:44 AM   #3
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bumper plugs also require you to drill the holes bigger, which makes some folks uneasy.

I popped them off to try to see if i wouldn't notice them. Didn't work. I also was fortunate to find 6 holes behind my plate. Will have to wait until someone/something hits my front bumper and then will have the whole thing filled in.
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      04-09-2012, 12:48 AM   #4
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Edit: I am taking my car to the dealer Monday to repair bumper for scratches on the bottom of the bumper (basically the previous owner scrapped it a few times on a driveway or something) The dealer has agreed to fix this damage.

Will this repair require them to repaint the whole bumper? if so, maybe I can ask them to fix the holes too?
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      04-13-2012, 12:02 PM   #5
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That would depend on what the dealer promised. If the scrapes are on the bottom I could see them take a short cut and just spray the bottom. What did they say they will do, sand prep and paint the bumper cover or just clean up the scrapes?
At the dealer where my son works they take ecery short cut possible when getting used cars ready to sell. It's all about cost and ROI.
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      04-13-2012, 12:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pj94z View Post
Edit: I am taking my car to the dealer Monday to repair bumper for scratches on the bottom of the bumper (basically the previous owner scrapped it a few times on a driveway or something) The dealer has agreed to fix this damage.

Will this repair require them to repaint the whole bumper? if so, maybe I can ask them to fix the holes too?
i wouldn't be surprised if they just throw touch up paint in the scratches
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      04-13-2012, 06:49 PM   #7
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I live in ga also and have a front plate.... Iv never even taken it off to look because I know there are holes in my bumper. Nothing to do except repaint and fill or new bumper.... Someone told me to get a euro plate if that looked better
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      04-13-2012, 06:59 PM   #8
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Just got the car back from global imports bmw in atlanta.

They had the car 5 days ( i asked them to do a lot of stuff apparently lol)

The bumper looks brand new, they must have sanded the whole thing, filled in the holes n repainted.

No more ugly license plate or holes
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      04-18-2012, 05:59 PM   #9
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I just order bumper plugs in sparkling graphite, because I too am removing the front license plate holder. I will let you know how it goes after I get them.
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      04-18-2012, 06:08 PM   #10
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I was in the same boat as you. But we have to have front plates up here, so i bought this adapter kit. Like $20. And now i can remove my plate easily with no trace it was there.
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      04-18-2012, 11:26 PM   #11
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M Sport bumper time
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      04-20-2012, 12:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
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I was in the same boat as you. But we have to have front plates up here, so i bought this adapter kit. Like $20. And now i can remove my plate easily with no trace it was there.
That looks pretty cool ... I like the placement of your plate.

However, doesn't that block some of the air from entering into your intake on that side ? Or not enough to make a difference ?
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      04-20-2012, 12:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pj94z View Post
That looks pretty cool ... I like the placement of your plate.

However, doesn't that block some of the air from entering into your intake on that side ? Or not enough to make a difference ?
Thanks! Dead easy to install and remove. Nahh not really, I guess it slightly blocks the brake cooling duct. But if I where on a track or somewhere that I needed to keep my brakes cool due to some spirited driving, I'd just pop it off
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      04-20-2012, 03:03 PM   #14
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On the 335 the oil cooler is over there. I have one, only used it to get a ticket signed off and took it off. If I get a second one I'll have to leave it on and see if I notice any increase in oil temps. Just an FYI.
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      04-22-2012, 02:38 PM   #15
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Before and After pics...I think the bumperplugs did the trick for me. I am the only one who even notices them. And from more than 10 feet away, I don't even see them. The color matches exactly with OE. Looks much better than the giant license plate holder I had on there. I do have to order another pair because unfortunately there were four holes drilled. Highly recommended in my view.
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      04-22-2012, 02:55 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clawr80 View Post
Before and After pics...I think the bumperplugs did the trick for me. I am the only one who even notices them. And from more than 10 feet away, I don't even see them. The color matches exactly with OE. Looks much better than the giant license plate holder I had on there. I do have to order another pair because unfortunately there were four holes drilled. Highly recommended in my view.
That looks great.... This is def seems the way to go!

Much cheaper than repainting and almost unnoticeable.

Where did you get these ?
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      04-22-2012, 04:34 PM   #17
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Thanks...I'm satisfied. Go to www.bumperplugs.com and they have any car's OE color to match. Very easy installation.
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      04-22-2012, 07:22 PM   #18
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That looks pretty good with just the two plugs. Removing my front plate and bracket I found I actually have four holes (better than 6, but still a mess). I'm trying to figure if I could pull off a subtle repair somehow at a trivial cost. I don't think two pairs of plugs would look too good.
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