Slimeline plates on the front

[MrGadget]

Hi guys, I have slimline plates on the GTI and noticed that at the front there is a large black backing plate behind the rego plates. I assume this is to fit Euro size plates. Has anybody removed this backing plate and just fitted the rego plate straight to the front grille?

Being a new car I don't want to unscrew things and find that I have trouble putting it back together (although what can be so hard about unscrewing number plates?)

Another thing that scared me yesterday was I opened the bonnet to take a peek and when I put the bonnet down it wouldn't close on its own. The manual says not to push it so i didnt but no matter how manytimes I let the bonnet drop it wouldnt close fully. So after a silly call to VW they said it was ok to push it down to lock it in, I did this and all is fine. Is this normal procedure or is it just stiff or something because it's new and it should fully close when dropping the bonnet?

Thanks, awesome car

[Mischa]

yep i have its very easy but you will be left with 4 screw holes where the black thing used to be attached. basically you have to take off the gloss black center grille to get the number plate holder off. theres some bolts up the top under the bonnet as well as the two screws below the number plate. i dont have the workshop manuals installed on my computer atm so i cant copy the article for you right now. if you get stuck ill get someone else to copy the article for you tonight.

here's a pic

[Mischa]

actually, i just found teh docs on my computer i've made for ppl in the past. dload the file "removing grille.doc" from this online folder http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=e...e6ba49b5870170

[benno]

Looks much nicer with the slimline plates. I might wait until I have some slimlines though until I take that stupid backing mount off.

[Fanaki]

yep i have its very easy but you will be left with 4 screw holes where the black thing used to be attached. basically you have to take off the gloss black center grille to get the number plate holder off. theres some bolts up the top under the bonnet as well as the two screws below the number plate. i dont have the workshop manuals installed on my computer atm so i cant copy the article for you right now. if you get stuck ill get someone else to copy the article for you tonight.

Mischa, ride looks mint! did you cover in the 4 screw holes and if so what did you use?

Thanks

[Russ59]

Hi guys, I have slimline plates on the GTI and noticed that at the front there is a large black backing plate behind the rego plates. I assume this is to fit Euro size plates. Has anybody removed this backing plate and just fitted the rego plate straight to the front grille?

Being a new car I don't want to unscrew things and find that I have trouble putting it back together (although what can be so hard about unscrewing number plates?)

Another thing that scared me yesterday was I opened the bonnet to take a peek and when I put the bonnet down it wouldn't close on its own. The manual says not to push it so i didnt but no matter how manytimes I let the bonnet drop it wouldnt close fully. So after a silly call to VW they said it was ok to push it down to lock it in, I did this and all is fine. Is this normal procedure or is it just stiff or something because it's new and it should fully close when dropping the bonnet?

Thanks, awesome car

When it comes to shutting the bonnet, I haven't had any issues myself with closing it but I always avoid pressing down on it as it is easier than you think to put a dent in it pushing on them (and a whole lot harder to get it out again ) If you hold the bonnet up around 45 - 50 cm and then lightly drop it shut it should close easy enough, if not either try dropping from a slightly higher position. I'm not suggesting you hold it above your head and let it go either, but most mechanics I have known have always recommended this method to me rather than pressing on them, especially in later model cars due to the construction and materials being much lighter than older cars.

Russ

[Mischa]

Mischa, ride looks mint! did you cover in the 4 screw holes and if so what did you use?

Thanks

thanks nar didnt cover them up. if you look closely in that pic you can see the holes. because of the grille beign black you dont really notice unless you're looking for it. chances are if i tried to fill them in it would just end up looking worse so i'm going to leave it as is.

[Dave_09JETTA]

actually, i just found teh docs on my computer i've made for ppl in the past. dload the file "removing grille.doc" from this online folder http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=e...e6ba49b5870170

Great ill look at that when I get home tonight ( cant see it now works firewall blocking the link )
I got the slimline plates on my09 Jetta but gee the front one gets lost on that big black backing plate.

[MrGadget]

When it comes to shutting the bonnet, I haven't had any issues myself with closing it but I always avoid pressing down on it as it is easier than you think to put a dent in it pushing on them (and a whole lot harder to get it out again ) If you hold the bonnet up around 45 - 50 cm and then lightly drop it shut it should close easy enough, if not either try dropping from a slightly higher position. I'm not suggesting you hold it above your head and let it go either, but most mechanics I have known have always recommended this method to me rather than pressing on them, especially in later model cars due to the construction and materials being much lighter than older cars.

Russ

It seems the gas struts are too strong? If I try to drop it from higher than 30cm it doesn't drop, goes up instead?

[zz2]

here's a pic

Mischa, your plates are wonky

[RhysQ]

check out what bazzle did to his number plate holder on his R32. awesome job and looks better than leaving it standard AND taking it completely off.

here's the link to the thread

[Fanaki]

check out what bazzle did to his number plate holder on his R32. awesome job and looks better than leaving it standard AND taking it completely off.

here's the link to the thread

thanks for that polo, i think the option of going the new grill is expensive but it looks the part.

[GTom]

Yep took min off too..... I covered them with black grommets that i got from Bunnings....


PIC with them uncovered

[MrGadget]

It seems the gas struts are too strong? If I try to drop it from higher than 30cm it doesn't drop, goes up instead?

Spoke to the dealer and he said sometimes the lever to open the bonnet may not go back into position properly and therefore the latch where the bonnet locks into isn't in the proper position. I'll take note of this next time I decide to take a gander at the engine bay.

[Getti]

I notice that 2008 GTI's actually came without the european bracket and just an untouched grill with no holes ... well atleast mine did anyway. But thinking that it would have the bracket fitted, I went and ordered some European number plates to fit the car.

So ... I now have the reverse situation of what some of you guys have - A european number plate with no bracket. Is anyone interested in getting rid of their bracket if they have removed it from their GTI?

I notice that you can buy the bracket (or a new grill with no holes) from OEM in the US, but i have not got around to do this yet...