Removing front license plate; looking for a hole solution

**Harvey Mushman** · 11-10-2017, 06:16 PM

Was there ever a 'smooth' front bumper option on our cars? I don't want to run a front plate (which is required in my state, but IDGAF), but I removed my front plate bracket and there are, obviously, screw holes.

The funny thing is that it looks like there were dimples in the bumper from the factory. So I looked at genuine OE replacement front bumpers and found them on ECS Tuning's site, and there are dimples in the plastic already.

I've seen the threads about bumper plugs, and TBH, those look worse than a license plate IMO.

So before I go to the trouble of plastic filling mine, sanding, prepping, and repainting my front bumper, I have to ask: was there ever a completely smooth front bumper (even if it wasn't OEM) for the Z3M that I can buy?

**JoshS** · 11-10-2017, 06:20 PM

No, there was never a smooth front bumper. The bumpers have always had pre-threaded holes for the license plate bracket.

**Pelican Parts** · 11-10-2017, 07:00 PM

There are likely aftermarket bumpers that do not have pre-drilled holes. I know that there are at least for other BMW models - I imagine the Z is no exception.

**Harvey Mushman** · 11-10-2017, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by JoshS

No, there was never a smooth front bumper. The bumpers have always had pre-threaded holes for the license plate bracket.

That is a bummer, but I am not entirely surprised. One thing I've learned in the past couple weeks, having come from the E36 side, is that there is a whole lot that was just never made available to the Z3.

Originally Posted by Pelican Parts

There are likely aftermarket bumpers that do not have pre-drilled holes. I know that there are at least for other BMW models - I imagine the Z is no exception.

Even the cheap Chinese 'replica' covers have dimples. I may just have to spend the time and money this winter filling those holes and repainting :P

**DMilla** · 11-10-2017, 07:44 PM

After 16 years, my bumper was in need of refreshing and I too wanted to fill in those holes...

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...48329-Nose-Job

Very happy with the clean look. If I get pulled over for a fix-it ticket, I have a tow-hook license plate bracket ready to go.

**Harvey Mushman** · 11-10-2017, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by DMilla

After 16 years, my bumper was in need of refreshing and I too wanted to fill in those holes...https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...48329-Nose-Job
Very happy with the clean look. If I get pulled over for a fix-it ticket, I have a tow-hook license plate bracket ready to go.

Very nice job, my friend. I will likely end up doing the same. IDGAFF about the law here regarding front plates--I'll just either (a) explain that there's no mount for a front plate on ~20yo car, or (b) just take the $50 ticket and be on my way.

**deni2s** · 11-11-2017, 07:15 AM

You better fill your OEM ABS bumper than install aftermarket fiberglass one. AFAIK there are no aftermarket options made from ABS.

**Fumanchu282** · 11-11-2017, 09:05 AM

Related, I just learned about these the other day from a comments thread on BaT. Pretty good option instead of a tow hook mount
https://skenebrackets.com/

**deni2s** · 11-11-2017, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Fumanchu282

Related, I just learned about these the other day from a comments thread on BaT. Pretty good option instead of a tow hook mount
https://skenebrackets.com/

Good idea in theory, just doesn't look very stable to be practical. Probably plate vibrates, makes sounds and scratches the paint at high speeds...

**BimmerBreaker** · 11-11-2017, 09:52 AM

I shaved my bumper holes. Took 5 minutes, but that was also while prepping the bumper for paint.

**Randy Forbes** · 11-11-2017, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Fumanchu282

Related, I just learned about these the other day from a comments thread on BaT. Pretty good option instead of a tow hook mount
https://skenebrackets.com/

That looks 1000% better than the tow-hook mounts__besides being ugly and looking off-balanced, they stick out enough to catch my shins and the air-hose has an uncanny attraction to getting hooked by it. I hate them.

This was a brand new bumper, so other than cleaning up some parting lines, not a whole lot of prep beyond basic plastic refinishing procedures required.

I was pleased with the results, that was until the next time the front end got clobbered...

**Harvey Mushman** · 11-11-2017, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Forbes

This was a brand new bumper, so other than cleaning up some parting lines, not a whole lot of prep beyond basic plastic refinishing procedures required.

Brand new OEM, or aftermarket?

**BimmerBreaker** · 11-11-2017, 07:21 PM

There are no aftermarket z3m bumpers with OE look

**PSNevets** · 11-20-2017, 09:23 AM

For under $30, I chose to go this route: https://www.bumperplugs.com/index.ph...gory&path=1_11. Sure, they're not as smooth as filling and repainting the bumper, but because they are sold pre-painted in your OEM color, they look far better than the open holes or (shudder) the bracket.

**John#** · 11-20-2017, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Harvey Mushman

Very nice job, my friend. I will likely end up doing the same. IDGAFF about the law here regarding front plates--I'll just either (a) explain that there's no mount for a front plate on ~20yo car, or (b) just take the $50 ticket and be on my way.

Here in Ohio which is surrounded by no front plate states (IN, MI, PA, KY) the Highway Patrol will give you a $125 ticket for missing front plate. Both my cars came from Kentucky and no front bracket. I wish I had seen https://skenebrackets.com/ before drilling holes in my Subaru's bumper. The Z3 bracket doesn't look too bad with a plate on it.

**mherington** · 11-20-2017, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by John#

https://skenebrackets.com/

That looks awesome. Bookmarked for sure.

M.

**William Turner** · 11-22-2017, 10:45 AM

When I bought my 2000M Roadster over 10 years ago it had the typical dings and scrapes on the front bumper. I also hated the look with the front plate = which is required in California. I went to a high end body shop that does a lot of BMW's. They confirmed that a new bumper would have the holes and the cost of completely repairing and painting my existing bumper-- and filling the holes --- was about the same as buying a new bumper.

As an aside I have never been stopped for anything , let alone no front plate. One time I was parked with a group of BMW's on a drive a Highway Patrol Officer parked and walked the line of cars looking them over. He said " You know you are supposed to have a front plate" I said, why? you are only ever going to see the back of the car. We both laughed and he walked off.