What to do with front license plate bracket?

elwesso · 03-07-2013, 07:20 AM

My car came from the New England area (I think VA), so the car has a front license plate. I live in Indiana, so I do not need a front license plate..

Obviously if I leave the bracket blank it looks horribly ugly... So, the way I see it I have two options, either leave the bracket on and put some sort of vanity plate on there (either BMW logo or maybe M logo), or I take the bracket off, and have a body shop fill and paint the offending areas. Obviously the latter would be more expensive.

What do you guys think?

inTgr8r · 03-07-2013, 07:23 AM

Any kind of logo plate still looks ugly IMO.
Plugs are OK but not ideal.

short of having the holes filled, Im not sure i would be satisfied with other options.

GammaZeta · 03-07-2013, 07:41 AM

Ok...

Virginia/VA is NOT IN NEW ENGLAND. It's not even close. It's hundreds of miles away.

That's like me saying, "the midwest is all the same, just corn and rednecks".

elwesso · 03-07-2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

That's like me saying, "the midwest is all the same, just corn and rednecks".

What happens if I agree with you.... would that make VA in New England?

itdnwiwbp · 03-07-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Any kind of logo plate still looks ugly IMO.
Plugs are OK but not ideal.

short of having the holes filled, Im not sure i would be satisfied with other options.

+1. Ideally, holes filled. Plugs will do though.

And VA is most certainly not in New England. :-D

silverfishZ4M · 03-07-2013, 10:43 AM

i've got the plugs, would really like to get them filled. what does it look like with an euro plate on the front?
found something- http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191670

sipman · 03-07-2013, 01:49 PM

What's wrong with putting this on there?

inTgr8r · 03-07-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverfishZ4M

i've got the plugs, would really like to get them filled. what does it look like with an euro plate on the front?
found something- http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191670

IMO any plate will never be as good as plate-less.

MFGJR · 03-07-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Ok...

Virginia/VA is NOT IN NEW ENGLAND. It's not even close. It's hundreds of miles away.

That's like me saying, "the midwest is all the same, just corn and rednecks".

I'm in Virginia, and can confirm that all the rednecks are here with me. The Midwest can rest easy now.

3point0 · 03-07-2013, 10:11 PM

+1 for plugs or go help a body shop owner pay his mortgage off

brock5ga · 03-08-2013, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverfishZ4M

i've got the plugs, would really like to get them filled. what does it look like with an euro plate on the front?
found something- http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191670

Where do you get the plugs and what do they look like installed? I, too, have a blank tag mount and have not came to a decision yet. I haven't found a tag that I would want and more than the holes, I am afraid that the tag mount will have rubbed through the paint around the area that it sits. Have been thinking about removing it and seeing if anything is damaged or if it will buff out before deciding.

itdnwiwbp · 03-08-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFGJR

I'm in Virginia, and can confirm that all the rednecks are here with me. The Midwest can rest easy now.

HAHA! The redneck situation is much more tolerable in Richmond than it is where I'm from in Bristol. But, yes, a dire situation indeed!

silverfishZ4M · 03-08-2013, 09:17 AM

i think you get them from bumperplugs.com
my car came with them. i'm guessing it would cost around $500 to fill and respray.

ruscoupe · 03-08-2013, 11:06 AM

If you have a good rapport with a service advisor at your dealership, he may just give you a couple. When I had my ///M (Z3) that's what I did. I mean, we're talking about something that costs the dealer maybe a dime, so it's the kind of thing some dealers will do as an easy good will gesture. Can't cost anything to ask (assuming you have a relationship with a dealer).

dkunde · 03-08-2013, 03:45 PM

I would go with the plugs too, fortunately mine delivered to Florida did not include the front bracket.

jrainlay · 03-08-2013, 03:48 PM

My car came with a front license plate holder. I removed it and filled the holes with plugs painted to match the car's black sapphire metallic paint. I'm very satisfied with the results.

jrainlay · 03-08-2013, 03:54 PM

BTW, I got my plugs from these guys: https://www.bumperplugs.com/ They offer a nice product.

Here's a larger image so you can see the results... Not as good as a body shop fill and respray, but a whole lot less expensive!

NYZ4 · 03-08-2013, 06:12 PM

I went with the bumper plugs also before I got the Aero bumper. They'll match your color perfectly and looks much better then having visible holes.

brock5ga · 03-08-2013, 06:34 PM

Just went to bumperplugs.com, but no listing for my Toledo Blue. I sent an inquiry. We will see what happens.

elwesso · 03-08-2013, 07:08 PM

I like that alternative with the plugs, I might look into that. Never heard of that, so I'm glad I asked. Thanks!

SD ///M4 · 03-08-2013, 07:19 PM

As far as plugs go, they're less obvious than you would think. My previous 2000 S2000 came pre-drilled for a front license plate bracket but the dealer provided plugs on request. I never even thought about them after that and actually forgot that I even had them.

When I bought my M Roadster the front bumper had apparently never had a front license plate on it. I signed the standard CA dealer release that stated something to the effect that I was aware that CA required front plates and that I was declining to have the dealer mount the front license plate holder and I couldn't hold the dealer responsible.

03-07-2013, 07:20 AM	#1
elwesso Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 299 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (1)	What to do with front license plate bracket? My car came from the New England area (I think VA), so the car has a front license plate. I live in Indiana, so I do not need a front license plate.. Obviously if I leave the bracket blank it looks horribly ugly... So, the way I see it I have two options, either leave the bracket on and put some sort of vanity plate on there (either BMW logo or maybe M logo), or I take the bracket off, and have a body shop fill and paint the offending areas. Obviously the latter would be more expensive. What do you guys think? __________________ - Wes 2007 BMW M Coupe 2016 VW GTI
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03-07-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Any kind of logo plate still looks ugly IMO. Plugs are OK but not ideal. short of having the holes filled, Im not sure i would be satisfied with other options. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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03-07-2013, 07:41 AM	#3
GammaZeta Captain 59 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Ok... Virginia/VA is NOT IN NEW ENGLAND. It's not even close. It's hundreds of miles away. That's like me saying, "the midwest is all the same, just corn and rednecks".
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03-07-2013, 10:43 AM	#6
silverfishZ4M Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: US iTrader: (0)	i've got the plugs, would really like to get them filled. what does it look like with an euro plate on the front? found something- http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191670 Last edited by silverfishZ4M; 03-07-2013 at 11:36 AM..
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03-07-2013, 01:49 PM	#7
sipman Private First Class 19 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	What's wrong with putting this on there? __________________
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03-07-2013, 10:11 PM	#10
3point0 Lieutenant 27 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2005 z4 3.0 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 Audi S4 Avant [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [5.67]	+1 for plugs or go help a body shop owner pay his mortgage off __________________ 2005 Z4 3.0 steptronic \| TiSilver on Black \| sport & premium package \| 108s \| Msport seats \| wind deflector OMP strut bar \| blacked out emblems \| de-french-fried \| sound gen \| DIY aux input \| custom speedo logos \| stubby antenna \| polished exhaust tips
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03-08-2013, 09:17 AM	#13
silverfishZ4M Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: US iTrader: (0)	i think you get them from bumperplugs.com my car came with them. i'm guessing it would cost around $500 to fill and respray.
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03-08-2013, 11:06 AM	#14
ruscoupe Private 4 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2007 z4 3.0si Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe [7.50]	If you have a good rapport with a service advisor at your dealership, he may just give you a couple. When I had my ///M (Z3) that's what I did. I mean, we're talking about something that costs the dealer maybe a dime, so it's the kind of thing some dealers will do as an easy good will gesture. Can't cost anything to ask (assuming you have a relationship with a dealer). __________________
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03-08-2013, 03:45 PM	#15
dkunde Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	I would go with the plugs too, fortunately mine delivered to Florida did not include the front bracket.
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03-08-2013, 03:48 PM	#16
jrainlay Private First Class 5 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.50]	My car came with a front license plate holder. I removed it and filled the holes with plugs painted to match the car's black sapphire metallic paint. I'm very satisfied with the results. __________________ Mods: MStache2, stubby, CF plate frame, CF spoiler, CF grills, aero skirts, reflector/lite deletes, CSLs, H&R coilovers & 12mm spacers, Rogue RSMs, RPI exhaust
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03-08-2013, 03:54 PM	#17
jrainlay Private First Class 5 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.50]	BTW, I got my plugs from these guys: https://www.bumperplugs.com/ They offer a nice product. Here's a larger image so you can see the results... Not as good as a body shop fill and respray, but a whole lot less expensive! __________________ Mods: MStache2, stubby, CF plate frame, CF spoiler, CF grills, aero skirts, reflector/lite deletes, CSLs, H&R coilovers & 12mm spacers, Rogue RSMs, RPI exhaust Last edited by jrainlay; 03-08-2013 at 05:12 PM..
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03-08-2013, 06:12 PM	#18
NYZ4 Private First Class 17 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2007 BSM BMW Z4 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I went with the bumper plugs also before I got the Aero bumper. They'll match your color perfectly and looks much better then having visible holes. __________________ 2007 BMW Z4 3.0i. Supersprint powerloop exhaust and center pipe, Aero bumper (w/ clear bra) and side skirts, Avant Garde 19 inch M310's, Koni shocks, Eibach springs, Tekarbon carbon fiber side mirrors.
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03-08-2013, 06:34 PM	#19
brock5ga Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Monroe, GA iTrader: (0)	Just went to bumperplugs.com, but no listing for my Toledo Blue. I sent an inquiry. We will see what happens.
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03-08-2013, 07:08 PM	#20
elwesso Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 299 Posts Drives: Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (1)	I like that alternative with the plugs, I might look into that. Never heard of that, so I'm glad I asked. Thanks! __________________ - Wes 2007 BMW M Coupe 2016 VW GTI
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03-08-2013, 07:19 PM	#21
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	As far as plugs go, they're less obvious than you would think. My previous 2000 S2000 came pre-drilled for a front license plate bracket but the dealer provided plugs on request. I never even thought about them after that and actually forgot that I even had them. When I bought my M Roadster the front bumper had apparently never had a front license plate on it. I signed the standard CA dealer release that stated something to the effect that I was aware that CA required front plates and that I was declining to have the dealer mount the front license plate holder and I couldn't hold the dealer responsible. __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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