[dickmidnight]

i was swapping out the license plate bracket to get rid of the awful dealership frame and noticed that the previous owner made mounting holes by actually drilling into the trunk itself.

it doesn’t appear there’s any rust right now, but what are my options here to prevent any rust?

also, i guess im kind of stuck using these holes now? not really sure how to proceed.

[Chappers 71]

I wouldn’t worry about it, but If you’re really concerned about rust get a touch up & apply some paint to the holes edges.

I haven’t taken my plate off but I suspect there’ll be a couple of holes in my tailgate where the number plates been fixed & that’s the supplying BMW dealer plate…now I’m thinking about it, all of my previous BMWs have had their rear plates screwed to the boot/trunk

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I wouldn’t worry about it, is done now. If you’re really concerned get a touch up & apply some paint to the holes edges.

I haven’t taken my plate off but I suspect there’ll be a couple of holes in my tailgate where the number plates been fixed & that’s the supplying BMW dealer plate…now I’m thinking about it, all of my previous BMWs have had their rear plates screwed to the boot/trunk

well this put my mind at ease a little bit.

i was considering some touch up paint but won’t the screws just take that right off? i was also thinking of putting some neoprene washers between the plate bracket and the paint to help keep water out of there.

[430Scud]

Pictures would help

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by 430Scud

Pictures would help

i’ll grab some in the morning. trying to wrangle two toddlers to bed and its just about dark.

[eric_gm]

My E39 came from Belgium of all places and had holes for Euro plates drilled right through the trunk. Plates down here have the same dimensions as those in the USA so the holes ended up exposed.

I've had that car for almost 20 years, never given a second thought to the holes and never had any issues with rust. That being said, I don't have to fight with salt, just rain and humidity.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by dickmidnight

well this put my mind at ease a little bit.

i was considering some touch up paint but won’t the screws just take that right off? i was also thinking of putting some neoprene washers between the plate bracket and the paint to help keep water out of there.

I was assuming the fixings just passed through the trunk & into nuts behind

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I was assuming the fixings just passed through the trunk & into nuts behind

no, the screws are just threaded into the sheet metal. i’ll get pictures in a few minutes.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by dickmidnight

no, the screws are just threaded into the sheet metal. i’ll get pictures in a few minutes.

Fuck me…now that is a rough job, what sort of an animal would do such a thing??

Maybe you could get some of the correct plate fixings, clean up the holes, paint bare metal & pop them in

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Fuck me…now that is a rough job, what sort of an animal would do such a thing??

Maybe you could get some of the correct plate fixings, clean up the holes, paint bare metal & pop them in

that’s kind of where i’ve landed.

drill larger holes, touch up paint on all bare metal, install some riv-nuts and reinstall the plate holder.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by dickmidnight

no, the screws are just threaded into the sheet metal. i’ll get pictures in a few minutes.

Jesus wtf. The dealer was too cheap to buy a rear plate bracket or something? I'd be pissed

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Jesus wtf. The dealer was too cheap to buy a rear plate bracket or something? I'd be pissed

i guess so man. gonna stop by a buddy’s body shop and have some riv-nuts installed

[Joe-BMW33]

Jesus! I wonder if bumper plugs would be an option as well.

https://bumperplugs.com/welcome?gad_source=1

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Jesus! I wonder if bumper plugs would be an option as well.

https://bumperplugs.com/welcome?gad_source=1

i’m sure they would if i just wanted to plug those holes, but im kinda married to them now.

i actually have to drill them out wider, and install a threaded rivet that’ll take the screw for the license plate bracket.

before those go in, i’ll paint any bare metal.

[Qsilver7]

WOW! They did a number on plate install.

Well, the trunk/boot lid (#1) is made of aluminum…so that may help with the “rust” issue.




All they needed was the US license plate holder (#2), which would have screwed into the two holes already there…and the holder has the four holes that fit to the holes in the US license plate.



As mentioned already, you could find plugs for the holes they drilled, then pick up a US license plate holder and use the holes designed already to hold the license plate.

If the holes drilled in will be covered by the plate…you can pick up push plugs at the big box stores like Lowes…if you can find the right size to fill the hole (or you can drill if too small)…they simply push in and are held by compression. Plus they don’t cost that much and will fill the hole to prevent water from running inside.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

WOW! They did a number on plate install.

Well, the trunk/boot lid (#1) is made of aluminum…so that may help with the “rust” issue.




All they needed was the US license plate holder (#2), which would have screwed into the two holes already there…and the holder has the four holes that fit to the holes in the US license plate.



As mentioned already, you could find plugs for the holes they drilled, then pick up a US license plate holder and use the holes designed already to hold the license plate.

If the holes drilled in will be covered by the plate…you can pick up push plugs at the big box stores like Lowes…if you can find the right size to fill the hole (or you can drill if too small)…they simply push in and are held by compression. Plus they don’t cost that much and will fill the hole to prevent water from running inside.

^this was kind of what I was talking about. Plug the holes and get the holder that will cover the holes and plugs.

[dickmidnight]

thanks Qsilver7!

[dickmidnight]

ordered the plate holder and some 1/4” push plugs for the trunk holes. everything should be sorted out tomorrow.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by dickmidnight

ordered the plate holder and some 1/4” push plugs for the trunk holes. everything should be sorted out tomorrow.

Did you go with the body colored painted plugs or generic?

[dickmidnight]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Did you go with the body colored painted plugs or generic?

just generic black plastic. they’re gonna be under the license plate so no need to go crazy.