Best way to hide front license plates holes?

ohaywood · 06-03-2009, 07:30 PM

Damn dealership ruined my front bumper and screwed a plate into it before I bought it. I know there are concealing plugs on **********s but they look a little too obvious in the pictures. Any alternatives? Or does anyone have positive feedback about the ones on **********s?

Diesel///M · 06-03-2009, 09:16 PM

see if someone will trade or those bumper plugs look good to i think there are a set for sale but in red but it would be nothing to paint

SV Concepts · 06-04-2009, 02:00 PM

Use it as an excuse to get an Mtech or M3 style bumper. No reflectors, no holes

But honestly, if that's not in the cards, I would just get a europlate or something fun on the front. I think the bumper plugs just draw more attention to the whole thing.

Craig@SupremePower · 06-04-2009, 02:12 PM

have a bodyshop fill em...

roadkillrob · 06-04-2009, 03:18 PM

**********s just sells the ones from www.bumpplugs.com and mark them up like 3 bucks!

bhb7654321 · 06-04-2009, 04:14 PM

just buy some cheap bondo and touch-up paint for your paint code

wakeboarder109 · 06-05-2009, 10:05 AM

I put bumper plugs on mine and it didn't turn out too bad. Obviously not as clean as it could be but it'll do.

peopleontheradio · 06-06-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

have a bodyshop fill em...

+1 and if your gonna do that have them mold the reflectors too

DrGP · 06-06-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhb7654321

just buy some cheap bondo and touch-up paint for your paint code

I bet that will look better. NOT! First of all, bondo is not used to fill the plastic bumper. I believe some type of Urethane material is used. But the Mtek idea is a good one if you really don't like the bumperplugs.

ohaywood · 06-12-2009, 12:52 AM

So body shop or MTech..

1. Any ideas how much a body shop would charge for molded reflectors and filling in the plate holes?

2. Where is the best place to buy MTech.. I've tried looking before and only found complete kits which were $$$.

darkphantom · 06-12-2009, 01:20 AM

what about sanded bumper plugs?

KkSc · 06-12-2009, 02:03 AM

you can go to a bodyshop and ask them to fill the hole for you..

deanmc · 06-12-2009, 02:25 AM

Or for a cheaper alternative, go to Kragen Auto Parts and get these interior trim retainers. Shave off the extra nylon fins on the plug so that it fits into the bumper holes and put a layer of touch-up paint on if you want. My E90 is Jet Black and it looks close enough that you don't notice.

Total cost = $2.49 plus tax.

iheartsole · 06-12-2009, 02:40 AM

you can get those bumper plugs for free at the dealer. salesman gave me some when i left the dealer.

deanmc · 06-12-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartsole

you can get those bumper plugs for free at the dealer. salesman gave me some when i left the dealer.

Do you know if they come painted? I remember the plugs I got from my Acura dealership for my Integra waaaaay back in 1994 came painted...

ohaywood · 06-12-2009, 04:09 AM

Deanmc, could I get a picture of those plugs installed on your car?

deanmc · 06-12-2009, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohaywood

Deanmc, could I get a picture of those plugs installed on your car?

Sorry, car's at the dealership for some warranty work right now, but should get it back by Tuesday next week...send me a PM to remind me next week, I'll be happy to do it.

iheartsole · 06-12-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanmc

Do you know if they come painted? I remember the plugs I got from my Acura dealership for my Integra waaaaay back in 1994 came painted...

mine did not come painted. im pretty sure if you ask your the guy who sold u the car would give you some

sashmanparker · 06-12-2009, 06:12 AM

i got a quote from the body shop to do it for 200 cuz they have to repaint the whole bumper then another body shop said 120 cuz all they had to do was paint the middle of the bumper in between the creases, it all depends how picky you are.

Taxvictim · 06-12-2009, 10:54 AM

Here's my thread, with pics, using bumper plugs. It was fast, easy, and cheap. Maybe someday I'll get a body shop to fill 'em in, but for now they look fine.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260558

ohaywood · 06-12-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sashmanparker

i got a quote from the body shop to do it for 200 cuz they have to repaint the whole bumper then another body shop said 120 cuz all they had to do was paint the middle of the bumper in between the creases, it all depends how picky you are.

+1 thanks to all of you guys for your help. I'm gonna try to avoid the plugs and go down to a bodyshop today to get a quote. The guy did two other cars in my family so hopefully he'll be accommodating. I'll get him to mold the reflectors too

great suggestion.

thkfast · 06-13-2009, 02:33 AM

I was going to suggest same thing as Deanmc, but couldn't think of what they're called! Basically available at hardware stores, little black plastic plugs. I've painted them with touch up paint, then just push them into place. If you don't like 'em, just pull them out and go with more expensive option. You can buy them as BIG or small as you like!

06-03-2009, 07:30 PM	#1
ohaywood Major 75 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2007 JB/Saddle E92 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Malibu, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Best way to hide front license plates holes? Damn dealership ruined my front bumper and screwed a plate into it before I bought it. I know there are concealing plugs on ********s but they look a little too obvious in the pictures. Any alternatives? Or does anyone have positive feedback about the ones on ********s? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-03-2009, 09:16 PM	#2
Diesel///M Colonel 71 Rep 2,320 Posts Drives: E92 ///M Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN NY/NJ, missing FL iTrader: (21)	see if someone will trade or those bumper plugs look good to i think there are a set for sale but in red but it would be nothing to paint
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2009, 02:00 PM	#3
SV Concepts 365 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner E60 M5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F. Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (10)	Use it as an excuse to get an Mtech or M3 style bumper. No reflectors, no holes But honestly, if that's not in the cards, I would just get a europlate or something fun on the front. I think the bumper plugs just draw more attention to the whole thing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2009, 02:12 PM	#4
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1002 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	have a bodyshop fill em...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2009, 03:18 PM	#5
roadkillrob Major General 875 Rep 5,458 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	**********s just sells the ones from www.bumpplugs.com and mark them up like 3 bucks! __________________ 2025 X5 Msport 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2009, 04:14 PM	#6
bhb7654321 Enlisted Member 7 Rep 34 Posts Drives: AW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berkeley and Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (2)	just buy some cheap bondo and touch-up paint for your paint code
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2009, 10:05 AM	#7
wakeboarder109 Lieutenant Colonel 169 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: in High Country Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: RVA iTrader: (3)	I put bumper plugs on mine and it didn't turn out too bad. Obviously not as clean as it could be but it'll do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 12:52 AM	#10
ohaywood Major 75 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2007 JB/Saddle E92 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Malibu, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	So body shop or MTech.. 1. Any ideas how much a body shop would charge for molded reflectors and filling in the plate holes? 2. Where is the best place to buy MTech.. I've tried looking before and only found complete kits which were $$$. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 01:20 AM	#11
darkphantom Banned 599 Rep 5,946 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The place for Bimmers iTrader: (4)	what about sanded bumper plugs?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 02:03 AM	#12
KkSc Major General 173 Rep 6,223 Posts Drives: 13'FR-S/15' F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Vancouver, BC iTrader: (10)	you can go to a bodyshop and ask them to fill the hole for you.. __________________ 2006 E90 Alpine White 330i - Retired 2015 F80 Alpine White M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 02:25 AM	#13
deanmc Captain 64 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	Or for a cheaper alternative, go to Kragen Auto Parts and get these interior trim retainers. Shave off the extra nylon fins on the plug so that it fits into the bumper holes and put a layer of touch-up paint on if you want. My E90 is Jet Black and it looks close enough that you don't notice. Total cost = $2.49 plus tax.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 02:40 AM	#14
iheartsole Brigadier General 85 Rep 4,929 Posts Drives: 08 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (2)	you can get those bumper plugs for free at the dealer. salesman gave me some when i left the dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 04:09 AM	#16
ohaywood Major 75 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: 2007 JB/Saddle E92 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Malibu, CA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Deanmc, could I get a picture of those plugs installed on your car? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 06:12 AM	#19
sashmanparker Private First Class 5 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 08 335, 97 m3, 92 patrol Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fairfax, VA and Aruba iTrader: (2)	i got a quote from the body shop to do it for 200 cuz they have to repaint the whole bumper then another body shop said 120 cuz all they had to do was paint the middle of the bumper in between the creases, it all depends how picky you are.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2009, 10:54 AM	#20
Taxvictim Private First Class 30 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2008 328i, Titanium Silver 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wake County, NC iTrader: (1)	Here's my thread, with pics, using bumper plugs. It was fast, easy, and cheap. Maybe someday I'll get a body shop to fill 'em in, but for now they look fine. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260558
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2009, 02:33 AM	#22
thkfast Major 261 Rep 1,028 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Sakhir Orange DCT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA iTrader: (1)	I was going to suggest same thing as Deanmc, but couldn't think of what they're called! Basically available at hardware stores, little black plastic plugs. I've painted them with touch up paint, then just push them into place. If you don't like 'em, just pull them out and go with more expensive option. You can buy them as BIG or small as you like! __________________ "The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others attempt to prove him wrong." 2015 F82 M4 - Sakhir Orange Metallic 2013 E92 M3 / 2013 E92 335is / 2010 E90 335i / 2007 E90 335i
	Appreciate 0 Quote