I suppose there is a State here in the U.S. who has an extra large license plate. Thus requiring Audi to make the frame which you mount your plate to, larger than most of us need.



Today, my gf and I had a couple of new-to-us, special fund license plates come in from the state. Plus we had a nice sunny day. So it was time to say bye-bye to that extra plastic.

A few of you guys already did this "trim". Chris and MisterJJ. Thanks for the inspiration.

Oh a prelude: If you have the hands of a surgeon, like Judgegavel, you will not need to perform steps 1-3, 6-9. ;)

1. Remove your plate.

2. Remove the two #30 torx head bolts on the remaining black plate frame receiver.




3. Now you're ready to remove the frame. Trust me, that is all you need to do before removal. It will seem like it's glued on, or still bolted on. But it's not. It's only double stick tape! Just take your finger nail and pry up a corner and then pull up. Once you have it up a bit, don't try to yank the entire thing off real quickly, b/c you may break the panel in half. I couldn't get it done without taking a flat head, wrapping it in a towel (no scratching please) and prying off the first corner. It's easier than this sounds.

Once you have the frame off. You may want to remove some of the tape.

4. Now take your plate or your aftermarket license plate frame cover and place it on the removed oem frame receiver. Use a marker or pencil and outline the amount that you wish to remove. Obviously you want to remove quite a bit from the bottom.



But you also want to remove the corners from the top.



5. Take a dremel, hack saw, anything in your arsenal that will cut the plastic frame. It's solid, so you can even throw it on your table saw. I used an electric saw with a large toothed blade. But anything will work.



6. You may want to replace some of the double stick tape. Or just throw some 3M-one side, foam-other side - onto the frame's rear. This is only to keep it from possibly scratching up your trunk and/or vibrating and making noise.

7. Maybe you'll want to sand down the edges.

8. Apply the frame, insert the torx bolts.

9. Add your frame. So much cleaner after the trim.






All of this dead weight removed will add an estimated 5-8 horsepower to your A3. Riiiiiiight.

//// sig:

Parting out! OEM parts for sale for 2006-2008 A3!

Links to DIY Threads, Mod Threads, Suggested Reading:
2009 A3 Pricing with Options!
2009 A3 Reviews!
2009 A3 What fits from the older model?
2009 A3 Magnetic Ride
2009 A3 Ti Package
2009 A3 Wheel Thread
2009 A3 Delays!!!
DIY Radar + OEM mute/led switch!

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