Plate or No Plate? Pics provided.

TakeshiJin · 11-04-2022, 02:53 PM

I recently PPFed my front bumper with holes already drilled into it by the dealership due to CPO jargon (aka the technician forgot to not drill them...).

So I went and painted four screws with the Tanzanite Blue touch up paint I got from the dealer to plug up the holes.

Should I keep the plate on or just remove it? Provided pictures of the car with plate and without plate below. Let me know which one you guys think is better?

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Insane435 · 11-04-2022, 03:44 PM

I vote no plate and get bumper holes filled and repainted. Both options are less than ideal.

TakeshiJin · 11-04-2022, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insane435

I vote no plate and get bumper holes filled and repainted. Both options are less than ideal.

I would but the local shops around here are charging $1000 to fill the holes and repaint the bumper

. None of them are offering just the hole filling. If I remember right, others mentioned you could get a new painted bumper online for less right? Do you by any chance know the links? I would also have to re-apply a new PPF from the shop to the new bumper lol. I wish I knew a shop around Bay Area CA that would fill and paint the holes for a decent price.

Insane435 · 11-04-2022, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeshiJin

I would but the local shops around here are charging $1000 to fill the holes and repaint the bumper

. None of them are offering just the hole filling. If I remember right, others mentioned you could get a new painted bumper online for less right? Do you by any chance know the links? I would also have to re-apply a new PPF from the shop to the new bumper lol. I wish I knew a shop around Bay Area CA that would fill and paint the holes for a decent price.

$1000 for that job seems reasonable. You may be able to get it done for a bit less if you shop around.

DickieJ · 11-06-2022, 04:01 PM

Get that fixed. The screws look awful.

TakeshiJin · 11-14-2022, 07:59 PM

Would get the holes fixed if I could find something for $500 or below otherwise it's just not worth filling in the holes, sanding down the extra uneven secondary screw ruptures ( 8 screws total from bracket) and then reapplying the PPF. Would cost even more. From majority of votes the forums says no plate even with all these imperfection means they are not noticeable enough even with plates off versus giant plate distraction.

sdemo · 11-15-2022, 11:32 AM

Could try bumperplugs.com if you're OK with that look. I've used them in the past and quality is top notch. Total bummer that they drilled it though.

Insane435 · 11-15-2022, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakeshiJin

Would get the holes fixed if I could find something for $500 or below otherwise it's just not worth filling in the holes, sanding down the extra uneven secondary screw ruptures ( 8 screws total from bracket) and then reapplying the PPF. Would cost even more. From majority of votes the forums says no plate even with all these imperfection means they are not noticeable enough even with plates off versus giant plate distraction.

So you are going to let the forum decide what do to on your car? I think you know what the correct answer is or you would not be asking this question. Sounds like you want people to say, "It looks great with giant holes drilled in the bumper".

bimmerstar · 11-15-2022, 02:04 PM

My cost was $1000 to paint bumper and fix plate holes.

I removed and de trimmed the bumper myself. And reinstalled as well.

Ppf was $700. If you choose to redo it professionally I don't see how you'd do it for $500 so just be happy with it otherwise pony up the cash. But it looks much better without plate

TakeshiJin · 11-16-2022, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insane435

So you are going to let the forum decide what do to on your car? I think you know what the correct answer is or you would not be asking this question. Sounds like you want people to say, "It looks great with giant holes drilled in the bumper".

Someone sour his comments went down a sinkhole. Obviously there's a poll ; might wanna read and browse then give some thoughts on that.

Galex999 · 11-18-2022, 01:43 PM

There should be a federal law to prohibit drilling front bumper to install the license plate. Either get rid of the law that requires it or at least mandate the car makers & dealers to provide integrated clean mounting solution that does not require drilling. It's so stupid and almost level of insanity that dealers are still doing this! WTF

JABCAT · 11-23-2022, 08:46 PM

Find the smallest Xmas tree fasteners you can, paint them to match and plug the holes. The screws look a little too noticeable, but not bad.

Emily172013 · 11-26-2022, 07:09 PM

I might mention if you fill and repaint you run the risk of a slight color mismatch. Also the paint won't be as durable and subject to more rock chips.

View Poll Results: No Plate or Plate?
No Plate!	22	91.67%
Plate!	2	8.33%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

11-04-2022, 02:53 PM	#1
TakeshiJin Private First Class 133 Rep 167 Posts Drives: M340i xDrive Tanzanite II Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Bay Area, CA : Land of the $2 Gas Tax iTrader: (0)	Plate or No Plate? Pics provided. I recently PPFed my front bumper with holes already drilled into it by the dealership due to CPO jargon (aka the technician forgot to not drill them...). So I went and painted four screws with the Tanzanite Blue touch up paint I got from the dealer to plug up the holes. Should I keep the plate on or just remove it? Provided pictures of the car with plate and without plate below. Let me know which one you guys think is better? Last edited by TakeshiJin; 11-04-2022 at 03:18 PM.. Reason: Adding more Detail.
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11-04-2022, 03:44 PM	#2
Insane435 Major 480 Rep 1,468 Posts Drives: 435ix M Sport EWG Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	I vote no plate and get bumper holes filled and repainted. Both options are less than ideal. __________________ 2014 EBII 435ix - Stage 2+ Dragy: 0-60 3.61; 60-130 10.18 2020 MG M340ix - Dragy: 0-60 3.48 2018 LBB X4M40i - Stock Dragy: 0-60 4.85
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11-06-2022, 04:01 PM	#5
DickieJ New Member 5 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2022 M30i X-Drive Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	Get that fixed. The screws look awful.
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11-14-2022, 07:59 PM	#6
TakeshiJin Private First Class 133 Rep 167 Posts Drives: M340i xDrive Tanzanite II Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Bay Area, CA : Land of the $2 Gas Tax iTrader: (0)	Would get the holes fixed if I could find something for $500 or below otherwise it's just not worth filling in the holes, sanding down the extra uneven secondary screw ruptures ( 8 screws total from bracket) and then reapplying the PPF. Would cost even more. From majority of votes the forums says no plate even with all these imperfection means they are not noticeable enough even with plates off versus giant plate distraction.
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11-15-2022, 11:32 AM	#7
sdemo Enlisted Member 47 Rep 44 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: The Heat iTrader: (0)	Could try bumperplugs.com if you're OK with that look. I've used them in the past and quality is top notch. Total bummer that they drilled it though.
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11-15-2022, 02:04 PM	#9
bimmerstar Second Lieutenant 149 Rep 236 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M340xi Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	My cost was $1000 to paint bumper and fix plate holes. I removed and de trimmed the bumper myself. And reinstalled as well. Ppf was $700. If you choose to redo it professionally I don't see how you'd do it for $500 so just be happy with it otherwise pony up the cash. But it looks much better without plate __________________ 2024 G87 Zandvoort Blue M2 w/ Buckets - Stock 93\| 0-60 TBD \| 1/4 TBD \| 60-130 TBD 2020 G20 Tanzanite Blue II M340 xDrive - E30 BM3\| 0-60 3.28 \| 1/4 11.39@123 \| 60-130 9.56 Past: 2017 W205 Black C43 AMG - E40 FBO No Turbo \| 0-60 3.21 \| 1/4 11.18@124 \| 60-130 9.17
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11-18-2022, 01:43 PM	#11
Galex999 Private First Class 113 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2023 330e Alpine White Join Date: May 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	There should be a federal law to prohibit drilling front bumper to install the license plate. Either get rid of the law that requires it or at least mandate the car makers & dealers to provide integrated clean mounting solution that does not require drilling. It's so stupid and almost level of insanity that dealers are still doing this! WTF
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11-23-2022, 08:46 PM	#12
JABCAT Professor 2319 Rep 1,851 Posts Drives: '23 M2 & '22 X3 M Competition Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Prosper, TX/Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Find the smallest Xmas tree fasteners you can, paint them to match and plug the holes. The screws look a little too noticeable, but not bad.
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11-26-2022, 07:09 PM	#13
Emily172013 Private First Class 58 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW M340i BMW 330ci Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	I might mention if you fill and repaint you run the risk of a slight color mismatch. Also the paint won't be as durable and subject to more rock chips.
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