I just bought a used (2333 miles) 8 and it's fantastic! However, when I got it home (had to drive 300 miles to pick it up) I noticed the front license plate backet was mounted one grid too high and its upper edge was on the paint. When I removed the bracket, I could see that the paint had already been abraided. I'd like to mount the bracket one grid lower but I don't see a way that can be done.

Does anyone know anything about this? I'd sure appreciate an answer before I get my new plates.

 

Throw it away...your car will thank you for it!

 

Spok
Congrat on your new toy. I am from vancouver, and have been running without one for the past 7 months. No problem. I will post a picture for you. As for the erroded paint, use 3M hand glaze to puff it out, then apply wax. If the paint is completly gone, please send me a picture and I will advise you of the best course. By the way what is your baby's color. Good luck

Mark

 

Thanks to both replies. I'll see if Oregon vehicle code permits just a rear plate. If so, I'll abandon the front one.

As to the paint abrasion, I'll try some light polishing compount and see if that doesn't fix it.

Spok

 

This eyesore/design flaw has been cited by many with no good solution.

The best I could find is to just toss the OEM mounting bracket and screw the plate right into the grill backing.

Please share any new ideas.

 

This eyesore/design flaw has been cited by many with no good solution.

The best I could find is to just toss the OEM mounting bracket and screw the plate right into the grill backing.

Please share any new ideas.

 

Here's another. From any distance the thick black frame helps the plate have a smaller profile, while the frame fades into grill. From the side it's not there

DIY : plate is held only at bottom by two 3" toggle bolts as I did not want to drill into grill at the top. A piece of hard rubber center bottom between the bolts force pivots the top of the plate inwards towards the grill. As you turn the bolts down the hard rubber bends the plate to form fit the grill, and makes it invisible from the sides as it does not stick out. The bolts at the top are short plastic ones that, along with the toggle bolts, hold the plate and the black frame together.

I wish someone would mould a carbon fiber (or plastic) grill replacement with a **deep** custom cutout for the plate. :D please!!

 

I took my front plate bracket off the first day I got the car. It looks so much better without it, but unlike all of you other fortunate drivers... I've gotten pulled over for it not being on. A $55 fine here in MD, but a small price to pay for keeping that ugly ugly thing off my car.


The bracket is still off.