ED - any way around DRILL HOLES on front bumper?

BimmerDreamerFL · 07-31-2006, 06:59 PM

Since ED is the only way for me to afford the car I want with all the options, I now find myself concerned about something I read about on an earlier post.

I read that when you arrive at the factory to pick up your car - it will have holes (two or four?) drilled into the front bumper.

Are they still going to be doing this for the 2007s made for ED - if so, why not something more temporary (reversible)?

Since I live in Florida - where we are NOT required to have front lic. plates - this is going to make my car look like damaged goods.

Has anybody heard of a way around this?

I am willing to forgo actually driving the car from the factory and simply having a flat bed truck pick it up (at my expense) and delivery straight to the nearest German port so as to have it shipped out right away.
This way it will not be driven on German roads for so much as a second.
All this so as to avoid those nasty and unnecessary drill holes on the best looking part of my brand new car.

Does this sound like a good plan?
And do you think there's anybody at BWM that will accommodate me and go for the idea?

Anybody have any other ideas about this -- I hate to sound so obsessive about this, but I don't want a front plate and I don't want ugly holes on my front bumper.
(Also, touch-up paint/plugs is not an acceptable option for me.)

Sorry for such a long-winded post...
...and thanks

BimmerDreamerFL

canucklion · 07-31-2006, 07:01 PM

if front plate is required in Germany, I doubt you can tell them "guys, it's cool, I don't need it"

it won't hurt to ask them, so ask them and see what they say

findtom · 07-31-2006, 07:26 PM

I wouldn't bring up the tow truck right away if I were you, maybe they'll let you drive it at your own risk of a ticket. It is your car after all.

scubajag · 07-31-2006, 07:40 PM

It is illegal to drive in Germany without a temporary transit tag. The tag must be secured to the vehicle. Trust me, the polizei do not have a sense of humor. When I arrived back in the states (Florida) I left the German tag on the front, and it has been a great conversation piece. Just do it.

ska///235i · 07-31-2006, 07:46 PM

No exceptions for ED

canucklion · 07-31-2006, 07:57 PM

they're not gonna make an exception for mere mortals, unless of course you're the king of England

Ghunger · 07-31-2006, 08:13 PM

This has been discussed many times over on bimmerfest and I don't think I've ever heard of someone getting around it. I think your only chance is if you can somehow contact the ED center and get them to adhere it with some of that heavy duty sticky back tape or something similar. Then you could remove it later. I've never heard of it being done though, and there have been a lot of people who have tried.

scubajag · 07-31-2006, 08:13 PM

I thought England had a Queen, or don't the Canadian's recognize her. LOL

richbum · 07-31-2006, 08:18 PM

bring some duct tape and say.. HERE! USE THIS INSTEAD! lol j/k

andrew 330i · 07-31-2006, 08:36 PM

i refuse to bolt mine on... no holes for me on any of my cars. i would rather risk it instead of defacing my car.

knock on wood... 10 years & no tickets.

if i get pulled over... i tell the cop the car was just involved in a parking lot accident (other persons fault) and the front bumper was just replaced 2 weeks ago and the bracket is on order at the body shop... it should be installed in a week or so. works like a champ!

if i had to run with a plate... i would use 3M double sided tape to adhere it before drilling holes in my car... but that's just me.

Asiann · 07-31-2006, 08:44 PM

From what other members have said the only time holes are drilled are by the dealer and if that state has a front license plate. Worse case is using the Euro tag or buy you some plastic bumper covers from Home Depot and paint it the same color as your car. Make them look like PCD or PDC. Whichever it is.

ska///235i · 07-31-2006, 08:47 PM

Beleive me...ED will not allow that

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

i refuse to bolt mine on... no holes for me on any of my cars. i would rather risk it instead of defacing my car.

knock on wood... 10 years & no tickets.

if i get pulled over... i tell the cop the car was just involved in a parking lot accident (other persons fault) and the front bumper was just replaced 2 weeks ago and the bracket is on order at the body shop... it should be installed in a week or so. works like a champ!

if i had to run with a plate... i would use 3M double sided tape to adhere it before drilling holes in my car... but that's just me.

spots · 07-31-2006, 08:57 PM

If I ever hear back from my CA to tell me my car is ordered and I get ED done I am going to leave the plate on the front of the car. I guess I have more important things in my life to deal with other than if my goddamn front bumper has two fucking holes in it....but hey that's just me.

335I talian Stallion NJ · 07-31-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spots

If I ever hear back from my CA to tell me my car is ordered and I get ED done I am going to leave the plate on the front of the car. I guess I have more important things in my life to deal with other than if my goddamn front bumper has two fucking holes in it....but hey that's just me.

Nice use of expletives!

andrew 330i · 07-31-2006, 09:11 PM

dumb question... who the hell is... ED??

~ euro delivery??

335I talian Stallion NJ · 07-31-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asiann

From what other members have said the only time holes are drilled are by the dealer and if that state has a front license plate. Worse case is using the Euro tag or buy you some plastic bumper covers from Home Depot and paint it the same color as your car. Make them look like PCD or PDC. Whichever it is.

In NJ we are required to have a front plate but I already talked to my CA and made sure he understood that I don't want the front plate mounted. He said that it would not be a problem and that he would make note but be sure to remind him when the car is prepped.

andrew 330i · 07-31-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335I talian Stallion NJ

In NJ we are required to have a front plate but I already talked to my CA and made sure he understood that I don't want the front plate mounted. He said that it would not be a problem and that he would make note but be sure to remind him when the car is prepped.

my ca called me once the truck arrived... i went to the dealer and used blue painters tape on the front bumper... with a black marker...
"DO NOT INSTALL BRACKET. THX!"

you would be surprised how many people at the dealer you can tell this to... and the prep guy does it out of habit. which i would of refused delivery.

picture taken prior to my custom tape message to the front bumper.

CALIF65GM · 07-31-2006, 10:00 PM

Andrew the OP is doing an ED = Munich pick-up; so whatever your suggestions might be will not apply.

As others have already mentioned, no go on the front plate in Germany. It's required. In fact when you arrive at the office and provide your name to the receptionist, you'll see her pull your plates out from a drawer to have the workshop install it.

I'd suggest just leaving your front ED plate on the car upon arrival in the US. I'm in CA and we're required to have a front plate, but I haven't had any problems yet. <knock on wood>.

canucklion · 07-31-2006, 10:07 PM

we don't like that old bag, I was talking about the weenie future king Charles

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubajag

I thought England had a Queen, or don't the Canadian's recognize her. LOL

Asiann · 07-31-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335I talian Stallion NJ

In NJ we are required to have a front plate but I already talked to my CA and made sure he understood that I don't want the front plate mounted. He said that it would not be a problem and that he would make note but be sure to remind him when the car is prepped.

Yeah I know some dealers will do it and some will not. I had no choice here but I hope to get rid of it once I leave.

canucklion · 07-31-2006, 10:11 PM

no kidding, two little tiny holes,
to the OP, if you're that anal, just buy a new bumper when you get back to USA
or a few for everyday of the week, in case, gasp, you get more chips/holes from rocks and road debris

Quote:

Originally Posted by spots

If I ever hear back from my CA to tell me my car is ordered and I get ED done I am going to leave the plate on the front of the car. I guess I have more important things in my life to deal with other than if my goddamn front bumper has two fucking holes in it....but hey that's just me.

danny · 08-01-2006, 01:00 AM

Is it legal to leave German plates on the front and rear while in the states? In TX, we do not put our "tags" on the license plate, instead fix it to the windshield under the inspection sticker. It would be pretty cool to just keep the german plates on the car.

07-31-2006, 06:59 PM	#1
BimmerDreamerFL Enlisted Member 9 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 328i or 335i (soon - i hope) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	ED - any way around DRILL HOLES on front bumper? Since ED is the only way for me to afford the car I want with all the options, I now find myself concerned about something I read about on an earlier post. I read that when you arrive at the factory to pick up your car - it will have holes (two or four?) drilled into the front bumper. Are they still going to be doing this for the 2007s made for ED - if so, why not something more temporary (reversible)? Since I live in Florida - where we are NOT required to have front lic. plates - this is going to make my car look like damaged goods. Has anybody heard of a way around this? I am willing to forgo actually driving the car from the factory and simply having a flat bed truck pick it up (at my expense) and delivery straight to the nearest German port so as to have it shipped out right away. This way it will not be driven on German roads for so much as a second. All this so as to avoid those nasty and unnecessary drill holes on the best looking part of my brand new car. Does this sound like a good plan? And do you think there's anybody at BWM that will accommodate me and go for the idea? Anybody have any other ideas about this -- I hate to sound so obsessive about this, but I don't want a front plate and I don't want ugly holes on my front bumper. (Also, touch-up paint/plugs is not an acceptable option for me.) Sorry for such a long-winded post... ...and thanks BimmerDreamerFL
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07-31-2006, 07:01 PM	#2
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	if front plate is required in Germany, I doubt you can tell them "guys, it's cool, I don't need it" it won't hurt to ask them, so ask them and see what they say __________________
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07-31-2006, 07:26 PM	#3
findtom Colonel 129 Rep 2,658 Posts Drives: E60 545i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 545i [0.00]	I wouldn't bring up the tow truck right away if I were you, maybe they'll let you drive it at your own risk of a ticket. It is your car after all.
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07-31-2006, 07:40 PM	#4
scubajag Scuba-JAG 26 Rep 528 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2006&07 B.R. E-92 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl iTrader: (0)	It is illegal to drive in Germany without a temporary transit tag. The tag must be secured to the vehicle. Trust me, the polizei do not have a sense of humor. When I arrived back in the states (Florida) I left the German tag on the front, and it has been a great conversation piece. Just do it.
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07-31-2006, 07:46 PM	#5
ska///235i ***** noob 1373 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	No exceptions for ED __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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07-31-2006, 07:57 PM	#6
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	they're not gonna make an exception for mere mortals, unless of course you're the king of England __________________
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07-31-2006, 08:13 PM	#7
Ghunger Major 52 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	This has been discussed many times over on bimmerfest and I don't think I've ever heard of someone getting around it. I think your only chance is if you can somehow contact the ED center and get them to adhere it with some of that heavy duty sticky back tape or something similar. Then you could remove it later. I've never heard of it being done though, and there have been a lot of people who have tried. __________________ 330i Monaco Blue, Terra /w aluminum trim, SP, PP, CA, PDC, Nav, Folding Seats, Sat Prep European Delivery Blog Picture Gallery
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07-31-2006, 08:18 PM	#9
richbum Private First Class 2 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 325i,G35 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (0)	bring some duct tape and say.. HERE! USE THIS INSTEAD! lol j/k
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07-31-2006, 08:36 PM	#10
andrew 330i it can never be too clean... 165 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 M Sport Wagon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: columbus, ohio iTrader: (1)	i refuse to bolt mine on... no holes for me on any of my cars. i would rather risk it instead of defacing my car. knock on wood... 10 years & no tickets. if i get pulled over... i tell the cop the car was just involved in a parking lot accident (other persons fault) and the front bumper was just replaced 2 weeks ago and the bracket is on order at the body shop... it should be installed in a week or so. works like a champ! if i had to run with a plate... i would use 3M double sided tape to adhere it before drilling holes in my car... but that's just me. __________________ '14 328xi wagon / m sport / white / red leather kw v1 coilover kit / 19" staggered 351 M double spoke wheels / upper strut bar / sport line grille & exhaust tips / 50% tint / painted reflectors / debadged / complete clear bra
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07-31-2006, 08:44 PM	#11
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	From what other members have said the only time holes are drilled are by the dealer and if that state has a front license plate. Worse case is using the Euro tag or buy you some plastic bumper covers from Home Depot and paint it the same color as your car. Make them look like PCD or PDC. Whichever it is. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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07-31-2006, 08:57 PM	#13
spots Private 0 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 07 328 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	If I ever hear back from my CA to tell me my car is ordered and I get ED done I am going to leave the plate on the front of the car. I guess I have more important things in my life to deal with other than if my goddamn front bumper has two fucking holes in it....but hey that's just me.
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07-31-2006, 09:11 PM	#15
andrew 330i it can never be too clean... 165 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 M Sport Wagon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: columbus, ohio iTrader: (1)	dumb question... who the hell is... ED?? ~ euro delivery?? __________________ '14 328xi wagon / m sport / white / red leather kw v1 coilover kit / 19" staggered 351 M double spoke wheels / upper strut bar / sport line grille & exhaust tips / 50% tint / painted reflectors / debadged / complete clear bra
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07-31-2006, 10:00 PM	#18
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	Andrew the OP is doing an ED = Munich pick-up; so whatever your suggestions might be will not apply. As others have already mentioned, no go on the front plate in Germany. It's required. In fact when you arrive at the office and provide your name to the receptionist, you'll see her pull your plates out from a drawer to have the workshop install it. I'd suggest just leaving your front ED plate on the car upon arrival in the US. I'm in CA and we're required to have a front plate, but I haven't had any problems yet. <knock on wood>. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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08-01-2006, 01:00 AM	#22
danny New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo (951) Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlington, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo [0.00]	Is it legal to leave German plates on the front and rear while in the states? In TX, we do not put our "tags" on the license plate, instead fix it to the windshield under the inspection sticker. It would be pretty cool to just keep the german plates on the car.
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