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IanH 
Senior Member I
Joined: 10-July-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 128
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 Topic: Main Dealer vandalism
Posted: 30-January-2004 at 07:54 |
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This is an issue that has been bugging me for a while.
It concerns the mounting of number plate on new cars.
All cars no matter what make have treaded entries for the mounting the number plate.
While at a main BM dealer I asked why do they use crude self-tapers and screw into the bare metal, I got no satisfactory answer.
It beggars belief that any self respecting mechanic or sales person could use a self taper and drill in to the painted body work of a new car. This I have seen on top of range M3, M5 7 series you name it.
To me its plain slap happy,shoddy work manship
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 30-January-2004 at 08:49 |
The reason they do it is because it's alot easier to just slap the reg on that way than actually take the time to drill the plate to suit the holes provided. Bugs the hell out of me too, especially if you buy the car after, want to change the reg, and they're riveted on.
And what drives me nuts even more is the garage putting on the plate crooked - imagine putting down E65k for a new E240 and the dopes riveting on your plate barely centred and nearly a cm drop from right to left! I saw it!
Main dealers should have a set of templates to suit the reg holes on the car i.e. one for 3 series, one for 7 series, and just drill to suit the model from them.
I think we need to stand outside the dealers with Father Ted style placards.... "Down with that sort of thing" "Careful now"
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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Kevin_E30_318iS
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 14-December-2002
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 883
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Posted: 30-January-2004 at 09:36 |
I believe it is laziness on their part. They think its much easier to kneel down in front of the bumper balancing the number plate in one hand and a big drill in the other, with a mouth full of self tapping screws. 
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Kevin_1990_318iS
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JamesIE
Newbie
Joined: 21-December-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 10
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Posted: 30-January-2004 at 13:26 |
You should see the mess behind the rear number plate on my Compact. Not 1, not 2 but 3 different sets of mounting holes drilled into the hatch, not counting the ones provided by BMW which remain untouched
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Peter H
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 03-January-2004
Location: Worcestershire/Ost Bayern
Status: Offline
Points: 927
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Posted: 30-January-2004 at 19:41 |
The mounting plinth varies in size dependant on the market it is being sent to, if origional holes are untuched has car had a crash at some time?
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Das Wolperdinger
AHN-NYUNG-HEE GA-SEH-YO
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kbannon
Admin Group
E39 525i Sport Individual
Joined: 09-October-2002
Location: 64 Zoo Lane
Status: Offline
Points: 15508
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Posted: 02-February-2004 at 10:39 |
I saw a marvellous example on a 04 mondeo. The reg was on the left side of the space (overlapping the angle in the bodywork) and also down about 2 inches on the left side.
I reckon it was put on by Stevie Wonder whilst drunk.
I just wish i had my camera with me.
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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kbannon
Admin Group
E39 525i Sport Individual
Joined: 09-October-2002
Location: 64 Zoo Lane
Status: Offline
Points: 15508
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Posted: 02-February-2004 at 10:41 |
Actually on this point, I think the same could be said for the dealer badges stuck onto the car.
If I had €50K to spend on a new car I would not like it defaced with some poxy badge (possibly badly installed) on the bodywork.
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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JamesIE
Newbie
Joined: 21-December-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 10
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Posted: 02-February-2004 at 13:29 |
Can't stand dealer badges or those surrounds they put on to hold your number plate. I've always removed the dealer sticker from the rear window aswell but on a previous car any time I brought the car back for a service they'd put a new sticker in it's place 
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kbannon
Admin Group
E39 525i Sport Individual
Joined: 09-October-2002
Location: 64 Zoo Lane
Status: Offline
Points: 15508
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Posted: 02-February-2004 at 13:57 |
 JamesIE wrote:
any time I brought the car back for a service they'd put a new sticker in it's place |
Just charge them for advertising rental space
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE
1997 E39 523i
2003 E39 525i Sport Individual
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IanH
Senior Member I
Joined: 10-July-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 128
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Posted: 03-February-2004 at 07:58 |
I allways remove any dealer stickers, and I make a point of telling them. 
As far as BMW are concerned we should make our objection clear every time we are in their garage, the more complaints they the better chance we have of stopping this practice.
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Nigel
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-November-2002
Status: Offline
Points: 6941
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Posted: 03-February-2004 at 08:28 |
I couldnt agree with you chaps more, I wont even have the name and postcode on my number plate, which is actually the law in england and wales now, you cant buy a number plate without it any more.
So I get mine sent by post from scotland !
I also will not have that euro flag, obviously being english I choose to have the st georges cross on mine, but the welsh dragon, or that white cross thing on a blue background the scottish boys have seems ok.
We will have to start a campaign !!!
I wonder if the scottsh boys could get the bmwcc emblem on a plate instead of the flags, there used to be a firm pop on here from time to time that sold plates, they were based in scotland so could do anything.
Edited by Nigel
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Best Wishes
Nigel
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Main Dealer vandalism