Wonky Number Plates

[OO02ERO]

Perhaps I have a problem with OCD, but over the years I have so often been frustrated by my perfect car being delivered to the dealer, for the dealer to then spoil it by screwing the number plates on out of true. The plates might not be level, be off centre or have asymmetrical screw holes. Someone has felt able to drill holes in my car, using not a lot of care, when the car was built to micron perfect tolerances.

Viewing the 718 picture threads, it seems that screw holes are being drilled in all sorts of places.

Do others have a problem with this and what is the solution?

[Bennachie]

Yes....

Do it yourself

[OO02ERO]

woollyjoe said:

OPC's should have a template to make that impossible.

The bumper also doesn't need drilling - just the plate. The bumper has pre formed holes for self tapping screws.

There is a Boxter where I live (looks lovely) and the front plate points to the sky and looks ridiculous. It would drive me mad.

If the bumper has pre-drilled holes, why are the number plate screws shown in various Thread photos, in different places?

[Slippydiff]

My plates are aligned with millimetric precision and thus they're NEVER wonky ...... (go on, squint as hard as you like, I guarantee you they're not wonky !!)

[shost]

Had a dealer re-do plates because of this previously. Unfortunately the final touches often are left to the lowest paid guy in the place.

It could be worse the front plate on our 718 was only held by one screw! Lucky we noticed at dealership and fixed by the salesman apologetically.

[Slippydiff]

OO02ERO said:

If the bumper has pre-drilled holes, why are the number plate screws shown in various Thread photos, in different places?

The front and rear bumpers have pre-formed square holes for the inserts that the front plate plinth securing screws should be screwed into, the rear plate would normally be secured with screws screwed into the same inserts (but without a plinth).
Dealers then tend to drill the holes in the plates in random places to affix them to the front plinth, hence the screws heads tend to be anywhere and everywhere in the plates. Far better to fit the plates to the plinth with DST, and likewise the rear plate to the bumper with DST.

[OO02ERO]

Slippydiff said:

The front and rear bumpers have pre-formed square holes for the inserts that the front plate plinth securing screws should be screwed into, the rear plate would normally be secured with screws screwed into the same inserts (but without a plinth).
Dealers then tend to drill the holes in the plates in random places to affix them to the front plinth, hence the screws heads tend to be anywhere and everywhere in the plates. Far better to fit the plates to the plinth with DST, and likewise the rear plate to the bumper with DST.

As you suggest, perhaps the only way of being sure is to have the plates fixed with DST, then at least a redo is possible without having to re-drill the bumper or plinth.

Is the plinth for the front plate affixed by the dealer after delivery? Is this fool proof I wonder, or again are we at the mercy of the most junior person in the workshop?

[Slippydiff]

OO02ERO said:

As you suggest, perhaps the only way of being sure is to have the plates fixed with DST, then at least a redo is possible without having to re-drill the bumper or plinth.

Is the plinth for the front plate affixed by the dealer after delivery? Is this fool proof I wonder, or again are we at the mercy of the most junior person in the workshop?

Well it looks as if 991, 718 etc come with pre-drilled holes in the rear bumper, but worryingly not the front..... So yes' it rather sounds as if you're at the mercy of the OPC to get things right UNLESS you stipulate very clearly when you order the car that the number plates are NOT to be fitted to the car. No doubt the salesman will trot out chapter and verse about how they can't supply cars without plates securely/properly fitted. Ignore them, and tell them they can supply but NOT fit the plates.

[Jesus]

My OPC fitted the plates to my car perfectly straight and level.

Unfortunately they got a digit wrong and I didn't notice for a week...