JBRhee

Sigh, I've posted about this before in the past, but it bothers me more with each passing day.

Does anyone know a good body shop in So. Ca. that could fill the holes the stupid dealer drilled to put on the license plate frame?

Or, a do-it-yourself fix to this problem?

nishi

hah i have the exact same problem.
my dealer actually offered to close the holes. i would go to him if i was you.

ClayJ

Or use:

http://www.geocities.com/esklut/NonPorsche.html

Falco

that sucks...mine had me sign a form saying i was taking the car that day and that it didn't have holes and that i would come back w/i 72 hours to get them drilled...basically there way to put the liability on me since i didnt want the holes...

alroumi

Checkout www.bumperplugs.com They have plugged many european cars, plugs that cover the holes drilled for the front license plates.

silk32

i told my dealer i would NOT take the car if they put the front plate on.

JBRhee

Thanks for the recommendation! I ordered some and will post some pics once I have them installed.

ClayJ

There you go!

JBRhee

I've been searching the forums, and apparently, some people have tried using nylon plugs instead.

Does anyone know which plugs look better: nylon vs bumper plugs?

Marktini

I used bumper plugs on my C55 and they worked/fit fine.

My new SLK55 was delivered with a plate on the front since it was shipped from out of state.

I've ordered another set.

alroumi

Bumper plugs are better, many people install them from Porsches to Benz and other cars...ive bought some stuff for my cayenne s from bumper plugs and their products are very good , Eric "plug guy" owner is really a great person , i cant describe him more than a Generous, Kind and active person he participates alot in the Porsche forums, Replies to emails etc
Highly reccomended!

JBRhee

Yeah, he does seem like a nice guy, but he mentioned that I might have to make the holes bigger to make the plugs fit. Did you guys have to drill a larger hole?

Marktini, do you happen to have a pic of what the bumper plugs look like on your C55?

Thanks!!

ClayJ

The Bumper Plugs work great - but they do need a 1/4 inch diameter hole or whatever to be installed....

alroumi

No problemo!

Ynot

I wouldn't redrill your bumper just to make it fit, there's not much difference between the nylon plugs and the bumper plugs, except price, nylon plugs are like .29 cents at home depot. They have all sizes to fit your bumper hole. Here's a recent pic, you can clearly see the small dimple where the hole used to be, it's hardly noticable unless you are a few feet away.

PaulX608

OK, stupid question. Aren't front plates required by law in CA??

dsb

Yes, but who cares. I don't. I also think the police have better things to do than give citations for such a small offense.

PaulX608

I agree that it's a small thing, but it seems foolhearty to me to drive around with a veritable neon sign on the front of your vehicle stating that you disrespect and openly defy state laws and the men and women who risk their lives daily to enforce them. One could deduce from your attitude that there are other laws about which you don't care, and could probalby violate without remorse. Are we to only comply with laws with which we agree? Where do you draw the line? Is it acceptable to run a stop sign if nobody's around? Is it OK to exceed the speed limit because you feel your skills surpass those of others on the road? Or drive after drinking because you 'feel just fine'? I guess, to me, it's just a matter of principle.

Ynot

It's also illegal here in CO, though hardly ever enforced, I drove my BMW w/o one for a decade. I understand what you are trying to say but no front license plate, doesn't put anybody at harm, doesn't offended anyone, and doesn't put myself in danger. It's different than what you describe above.

Marktini

I don't have any pictures that show the plugs in detail, they pretty much dissapear, at least on my car which was black. The pictures on the bumperplugs web-site show how they look etc.

I had to open up the holes slightly to put the plugs in easier.

JBRhee

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually ordered the bumper plugs, but when I got home yesterday, I took the license plate off and saw 4 1/8" holes instead of 2. So, I rushed over to Home Depot and bought some nylon plugs, but they look terrible. Apparently, the dealer didn't do a good job of the drilling so the front actually looks "bruised."

I'm using Ynot's pic. to show you guys where the holes are. I really think in my case, I should get it painted. But I'm relunctant to do this because I feel that the front will NEVER look the same.

Does anyone have any experience with having the holes smoothed and filled?

Also, if anyone is interested in the bumper plugs from Bumperplugs.com, I am willing to sell you my pair once I receive them (Iridium Metallic Silver - $25). I'll keep them in the original packaging depending on how it arrives since I won't be using them.

Thanks!

Heisenberg

Damn, the CLS55 I just bought from out of state has a front plate holder installed and I don't need it here in Arizona. Of course the car is Designo Graphite and Bumperplugs.com doesn't have a matching color.

Maybe the local dealer can plug the holes for me...

vraa

Get a new aftermarket bumper

jtc55

^^^ i agree totally. i will never put a front license plate on any of my rides. IMHO, it takes away the beauty and clean look of the car. give me a ticket and i'll be on my way.

Heisenberg

Scary thing is that I've thought of that

Eric @ Bumperplugs.com got back to me fast and said that the Porsche "Slate Gray Metallic" is basically an exact match for MB Designo Graphite. So I will just need to enlarge the dealer-drilled holes to 1/4" (if necessary) and install the plugs.

Hopefully there will be just two holes, has anyone else removed a dealer-installed CLS front plate holder ?