OK, before anybody flames me here, I checked the archives and Sean's saga regarding his front bumper. What I didn't see there was the resolution. Sean, if you are out there, did you get your front bumper replaced or did the dealer's body shop fix the hack job they did on it? Did they do it at no charge?<p>I picked up my A4 1.8TQTSilver about two months ago from Carlsen Porsche/Audi in Palo Alto. I"m pissed because I was never told that they were going to put on a front bracket and do such a hack job on it. I already saw the issues some of you had (3 large holes and 2 small ones) and I have the same ones. However, here is the real kicker for me: I was driving down highway 85 and saw a brand-new 911 from Carlsen and it didn't have a front license plate bracket on it! So, what's the deal? The Audi people get a bracket and the Porsche people don't (or at least get the option)? <p>I know this is long but if anybody in the Bay Area can comment on this, I would like to hear from you. Thanks! <p>Ted (AG A4)

It depends on the dealer. Diablo Audi (Concord) made a point of showing me that<br>they don't pre-install the bracket, since many people don't want it.<p>On a related topic, my last car was a 97 civic, which I had for two years without ever<br>having a front license plate or ever getting a ticket. So I don't think cops around<br>here are too concerned about the front plate.<p> -- John<br>

Obviously, in a state where a front tag is required by law the dealership will attach the front tag frame as a matter of routine prep. I specifically asked my dealership NOT to attach the front frame well before my A4 was even built. The dealership asked for my request in writing and to be safe I peridoically reminded them. My salesman told me upon delivery that he still had worried that the prep department might attach the front frame out of routine habit and that he rushed down when the prep began to make sure they did not.<p>Without a prior written request on record, I think you'd be hard pressed to get the dealer to replace the bumper in a state that requires the front tag.<p>Bummer.

I live in L.A. and I called the Cal. DMV asking about this specifically. Two different people stated that in the state of California, both plates are *required* by law. My feeling is that a cop, if not busy, and looking to fulfill his quota at the end of the month, *will* ticket you, since I have heard of people being ticketed or warned after being pulled over for having only one plate.<p>Francis<br>Cactus Green 1.8TQTipS

I got my car (98.5) from Carlsen and asked not to have a front plate. My sales guy (Mike Hobgood) wrote down a note. I happened to be at the dealership an hour after they unloaded the car and Mike had already taped a huge sign "NO PLATE HOLDER" on the front bumper. My bumper was saved.<p>In the city, though, they do hand out tickets for no front plate. This because of the red light cameras which take a picture from the front - no plate, no money for the city. Down here in the bay I had no problems, except the occasional cop late at night giving me a big stare, if because of the missing plate or the Xenons I don't know :-)<p>- Stan<br>

bought my 99.5 at Sonnen Motors in San Rafael. I specifically asked (in writing) to NOT have a front plate. My salesman stuck a big note on the car when it was delivered to make sure the "prep" guys did not drill the front bumper.<p>I have been ticketted twice with my old BMW for no front plate. Once in San Francisco, once in Sausalito. It's a fix - it ticket. That is you have to put a plate on and have it inspected. With my old car that was not a problem With the new one, if it happens, I'll try double sided duct tape to hold it to the bumper. I avoid street parking in SF for this reason. With red light camerras they're on a campaign to ticket those of us without front plates.

I just notice this today! When I had my steering rack replaced at Rector (about 2 months ago) they must have removed the front license holder (which read Carlsen, since that's where I bought the car) ) and replaced it with a generic black plate holder.

Bring the car in with plate holder from one dealer, get it back with a holder from where the car just was. As soon as I noticed I went back and demanded that they remove it and install a neutral one. Was very funny to watch their faces :-)<p>- Stan<br>