Front license plate moulding?

[MisterGoober]

Subaru traditionally puts plate holes on the front bumper. What makes it even crazier is that I believe they're generally spaced for Japanese plates (not North American plates), so the dealer may add two more holes.

What i've done in the past on Subarus:
1. Go to your favorite Blue or Orange hardware store, in the specialty fastener section, they have little plastic round clips you can easily wedge into the plate holes

2. Buy touch up paint from dealer

3. Paint plastic clips from #1 and insert into holes. It's not perfect, but better than two holes in your front bumper. I found that less obtrusive than the GrimmSpeed or aftermarket covers (i've done both)

[MyHybridBurnsGasAndTires]

another option:


https://bumperplugs.com/subaru/bumperplugs-for-subaru


30 bucks per pair is expensive but easier and better quality than DIY

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by MisterGoober

Subaru traditionally puts plate holes on the front bumper. What makes it even crazier is that I believe they're generally spaced for Japanese plates (not North American plates), so the dealer may add two more holes.

It's not the holes that are being discussed here, I don't believe, its the flat mounting surface in the middle of the otherwise curved edge of the front bumper. (see first posting).

I suppose that could be an add-on mounting plate (similar to the one on the FRS) but it sure doesn't look like it.

[CincyJohn]

Originally Posted by MisterGoober

Subaru traditionally puts plate holes on the front bumper. What makes it even crazier is that I believe they're generally spaced for Japanese plates (not North American plates), so the dealer may add two more holes.

What i've done in the past on Subarus:
1. Go to your favorite Blue or Orange hardware store, in the specialty fastener section, they have little plastic round clips you can easily wedge into the plate holes

2. Buy touch up paint from dealer

3. Paint plastic clips from #1 and insert into holes. It's not perfect, but better than two holes in your front bumper. I found that less obtrusive than the GrimmSpeed or aftermarket covers (i've done both)

There were no holes (or anything) on any part of the 2020 BRZ I bought (thank god). Really bad decision by Subaru to modify any part of the front bumper/fascia to accommodate a front license plate IMHO. Conversely, really good decision by Toyota not to do this.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by CincyJohn

There were no holes (or anything) on any part of the 2020 BRZ I bought (thank god). Really bad decision by Subaru to modify any part of the front bumper/fascia to accommodate a front license plate IMHO. Conversely, really good decision by Toyota not to do this.

Yea, I made sure my dealer didn't attach the front plate frame to mine before I picked it up since we don't need a front plate in GA.

I did find a good use for it though, combining it with my First86 Carbon Fiber license plate frame and a metal printed photo of my car.

[MisterGoober]

Originally Posted by CincyJohn

There were no holes (or anything) on any part of the 2020 BRZ I bought (thank god). Really bad decision by Subaru to modify any part of the front bumper/fascia to accommodate a front license plate IMHO. Conversely, really good decision by Toyota not to do this.

Both my WRXs came with the holes already there. The first had US holes drilled by the dealer (so 2 sets of holes). The 2nd had only the factory cut holes presumably for Japanese plates.

[MisterGoober]

Originally Posted by MyHybridBurnsGasAndTires

another option:


https://bumperplugs.com/subaru/bumperplugs-for-subaru


30 bucks per pair is expensive but easier and better quality than DIY

I can post photos, but I wouldn't have thrown them on my car if it looked DIY. The dealer's WRB touch-up was a perfect match.

[tenderization]

My WRX had the Japanese spaced holes and I did the rubber rivnut + Bell license plate frame to adapt it to US plate holes without drilling new holes in the bumper. Not sure I would go through that trouble again vs. getting something like:
https://www.amazon.com/NPBoosted-Lic.../dp/B07ZPFCP1G

[EZLVN]

Question to anyone who has gotten their car (I haven’t)…
Are the front bumper holes threaded to accept standard license plate bolts?
I’m asking bumperplugs.com if they can provide custom painted bolts.
They came back and asked if I could confirm the bolt size.
Can anyone help with my OCD question? Thanks.

[CZ6T]

Originally Posted by EZLVN

Question to anyone who has gotten their car (I haven’t)…
Are the front bumper holes threaded to accept standard license plate bolts?
I’m asking bumperplugs.com if they can provide custom painted bolts.
They came back and asked if I could confirm the bolt size.
Can anyone help with my OCD question? Thanks.

I went out and looked at my front bumper just now, it appears that an M6 x 1.00mm will thread in easily, but there's a tiny amount of play so it may be SAE and not metric. I think the closest SAE equivalent is 1/4 - 20.

Hope that helps

[Interceptor777]

Do factory color matched block off plates exist for the front? I'm looking to buy some. Even a good looking blank would work.

My dealer drilled my front bumper with some crooked self tappers. I specifically told them in three separate emails not to. Got $100 off MSRP for it. Now I'm left to deal with the murder scene of a front bumper.

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Interceptor777

My dealer drilled my front bumper with some crooked self tappers. I specifically told them in three separate emails not to. Got $100 off MSRP for it.

Oh man, sorry that happened to you
I'd tell them "you can keep the $100 but I'll drill two holes in the bumper of another car you have on the lot, is that ok?".

[Interceptor777]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

Oh man, sorry that happened to you
I'd tell them "you can keep the $100 but I'll drill two holes in the bumper of another car you have on the lot, is that ok?".

Funny enough, every car on their lot is already probably drilled. Nothing for me to do

Actually, I'll go shut down their auto wash. I saw them run two brand new Outbacks through it, I couldn't withstand the cringe.

They probably ran my car through it too and I'd care a lot more if I wasn't gonna drive the piss out of it and get some wear and tear on it anyways.

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Interceptor777

Funny enough, every car on their lot is already probably drilled. Nothing for me to do

Oh, you can still drill a few holes in some "unique" places. Hood, maybe?