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      07-19-2016, 01:53 PM   #1
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License Plate Holes - Front Bumper (need some advice)

Hey folks...

So my car is a lease but I'm tired of seeing these four holes in my front bumper. My car is Alp White so the four black holes are noticeable ...

What are my options and has anyone fixed something like this for cheap?

As I mentioned - it's a lease so I'd like to stay away from professionally repairing this and incurring a $400 bill only to turn the car in later on.


Any other options besides those bumper plugs? Has anyone used them on their car and have pics they can show?


I'm just running out of options and looking to see if anyone has insight that may help.
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      07-19-2016, 03:44 PM   #2
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since you are asking for advice,I would put a vanity plate on the front. Many people who transferred from 2 plate states have vanity plates on the front. You can make a statement. You do a cheap fix and the dealer will dock you for it. Otherwise,someone has to sell white plugs.
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      07-19-2016, 04:06 PM   #3
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I'd do a euro plate and call it a day, that's what we did on GF's car. You can order the OEM mount for it so it looks best. Stick with EU convention if you go that route so it would be M for Munich which is where BMW is based then numbers.
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      07-19-2016, 04:08 PM   #4
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If you want to go super ghetto, you can tape it from the other side and use touchup paint.
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      07-19-2016, 06:51 PM   #5
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IDK - it's a lease I get that but if it bothers you get it fixed. Compared to what our cars cost $400 is not a lot of coin.
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      07-19-2016, 07:42 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xantdieselx
IDK - it's a lease I get that but if it bothers you get it fixed. Compared to what our cars cost $400 is not a lot of coin.
You could get it "lease fixed." I'm sure your body shop could throw some filler on there and do some touch up spray for under $200. Won't be concours perfect but who cares.
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      07-19-2016, 07:55 PM   #7
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Go to BumperPlugs. Drill the holes to size and snap them in.

https://www.bumperplugs.com/index.ph...gory&path=1_11

On my aging Acura TL, they have covered fastener holes for the license plate threads. Caps cover the threaded nuts behind the bumper. If BMW did this $10 cost adder they would save a ton of owner complaints.
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      07-20-2016, 08:01 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
You could get it "lease fixed." I'm sure your body shop could throw some filler on there and do some touch up spray for under $200. Won't be concours perfect but who cares.
May just go this route. I'm swinging over to the body shop today to see what they can throw together really fast.

I kind of wanted to stay away from the Euro Plate.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Toolboss View Post
Go to BumperPlugs. Drill the holes to size and snap them in.
If the body shop comes back with a high quote - I'll just order these and call it a day. I need to get rid of the black holes on the bumper...and I suppose these plugs are better than nothing. Thanks!
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      07-20-2016, 08:31 AM   #9
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Had something on mom's white Volvo patched up for $50 it wasn't perfect but unless you knew to look for it, it was barely noticeable. Bumper is very prone to chips and scratches anyway, so I'm sure the rest of it wont stay pristine forever (assuming it's even perfect now) so I wouldn't sweat it too much.
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      07-20-2016, 09:07 AM   #10
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We don't have front plates in Delaware. My 228i came from Virginia where they do. I have Estoril Blue with black accents so I put a black frame with a black plate and the BMW emblem on the front. I like it. I have a black porcelain plate with white numbers on the back. In Delaware low number plates are valuable. Plate #6 sold for $675,000. I know the guy he is a multi millionaire but told him he is crazy. I could buy several nice cars with that plate. My 5 digit tag is worth $1K. Willing it to my grandson. LOL.

Last edited by Rayscott; 07-20-2016 at 09:13 AM..
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      07-20-2016, 10:21 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayscott View Post
We don't have front plates in Delaware. My 228i came from Virginia where they do. I have Estoril Blue with black accents so I put a black frame with a black plate and the BMW emblem on the front. I like it. I have a black porcelain plate with white numbers on the back. In Delaware low number plates are valuable. Plate #6 sold for $675,000. I know the guy he is a multi millionaire but told him he is crazy. I could buy several nice cars with that plate. My 5 digit tag is worth $1K. Willing it to my grandson. LOL.
You just blew my mind with this...

Why would someone pay for a license plate that says "6" on it instead of just having a random assortment of 5 or 6 digits?
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      07-20-2016, 12:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar View Post
You just blew my mind with this...

Why would someone pay for a license plate that says "6" on it instead of just having a random assortment of 5 or 6 digits?
It has six appeal....
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      07-20-2016, 09:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
It has six appeal....
I see what you did there.
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      07-21-2016, 10:03 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar View Post
You just blew my mind with this...

Why would someone pay for a license plate that says "6" on it instead of just having a random assortment of 5 or 6 digits?
He has nothing else to do with his money. He also has #9, 12, 51, and some 3 digit numbers. Must be nice. The governor has #1 but it's not for sale.
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      07-21-2016, 11:27 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayscott View Post
He has nothing else to do with his money. He also has #9, 12, 51, and some 3 digit numbers. Must be nice. The governor has #1 but it's not for sale.
I sometimes have the same problem with all of my money - totally relateable. I typically burn it in the fireplace to keep my pets warm during chilly nights...I find that to be the best option for additional cash.



Well I went to the body shop yesterday and there isn't a quick fix unfortunately.

Either bumper plugs or a Euro Plate...only options.
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      07-21-2016, 12:22 PM   #16
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At least the license plates hold value...

That sucks. IMO the EU plate is better bc it looks finished and like you made a choice to have it there. Plugs look like a bandaid.

My dad had a car w an EU plate and he had his state plate made to match. t least it all kind of ties together that way.
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      07-21-2016, 07:41 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar View Post
Hey folks...

So my car is a lease but I'm tired of seeing these four holes in my front bumper. My car is Alp White so the four black holes are noticeable ...

What are my options and has anyone fixed something like this for cheap?

As I mentioned - it's a lease so I'd like to stay away from professionally repairing this and incurring a $400 bill only to turn the car in later on.


Any other options besides those bumper plugs? Has anyone used them on their car and have pics they can show?


I'm just running out of options and looking to see if anyone has insight that may help.
Doubled-sided tape, or double-sided foam tape - about 1/8" thick.

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      07-22-2016, 02:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3.0L View Post
Doubled-sided tape, or double-sided foam tape - about 1/8" thick.


Any more info on this remedy you speak of???
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      07-22-2016, 03:05 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3.0L View Post
Doubled-sided tape, or double-sided foam tape - about 1/8" thick.


Any more info on this remedy you speak of???
I believe he was fucking with you, as in whoever installed the front plate to begin with should have used that to install the bracket unseat of screws.
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      07-22-2016, 03:31 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar View Post
Any more info on this remedy you speak of???
Seriously. If you do not want to drill holes in your bumper, simply stick your license plate on with double-side foam tape. Available at any hardware store.

I use the stuff a lot in my RC hobby and it works well, even under extreme conditions, such as vibrations and high speeds.

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