[Q3User]

Front License Plate Holder Dilemma

So we bought our new Q3 this past weekend in PA - which has no front plates.
We live in VA - which does have a front plate.

The car came with a nice blank filler panel bracket.
I can't see drilling into this & not cracking it to attached a plate.

I believe a plate holder panel bracket is also available for the Q3 which has a preformed plate area in addition to the rest of the bracket.

Is this an easy part to removed & replace?

I'm thinking the PA dealer will have to send it to me to replace as bringing it to a local dealer would be cost prohibitive.

 

[john]

My wife's Q3 came with the Front Plate holder. My Q3 was ordered with a 'delete front plate bracket' which is how I run my cars - no front plate.
I am supposed to have one but I love the clean look of the front end!

 

[Q3User]

My wife's Q3 came with the Front Plate holder. My Q3 was ordered with a 'delete front plate bracket' which is how I run my cars - no front plate.
I am supposed to have one but I love the clean look of the front end!

Trust me, my younger days I would have no problems but this is the Commonwealth & its State Police is just that.

 

[cableguy]

My car which came through a dealer in CA to a AAA broker in Portland came to me with both a front and rear plate holder and some nice AAA frames screwed on. Of course I removed and tossed the AAA frame and the insert underneath.


I ordered two black slim line/with rings frames from Audi. I don't have my OR plates yes but I tried mounting the frames just for kicks to see how they fit. The back frame is about 1/2 narrower than the underlying plate (I guess it's called the bracket) that the frame screws into. I had expected the frame to fit over the bracket, not to lie entirely on top of it. But it appears to work that way. The front frame also fits oddly into the bracket but will work. I'm going to try mounting the new plates with and without the frames to see which I prefer.

 

[Quatto]

I know what you mean, it's gotten so bad that I make sure I avoid cops, trying to not let them get behind me to read my plate, get a good look at the car, etc.

But of course it helps to not have things going on that would want them to look for a reason to pull you over.

 

[Q3User]

Ugh, another part of this equation is that the panel has the integrated front parking sensors in them so it's definitely not something I want to mess on my own.

If the blank panel was just a snapped off piece I wouldn't have mind replacing it myself.

I'm not driving 540 miles round trip to get this replace by the originating dealer.

Does Roger or anyone know if Audi has a add plate holder that can snap onto a blank panel?

I thought I saw something like that on a A6 this AM:

But I am not sure if it is an add-on part or is it actually the A6's specific front plate holder panel:

 

[rnlabas]

Yes you can get the correct part - it's normally included in the car price based on where it's going. You could've had your selling dealer adjust this for you if you'd known, but perhaps your servicing dealer can do this for you. I'd try the Service department as that's where you'll become a good customer and they have motivation to help you - or at least they should.

 

[Q3User]

Yes you can get the correct part - it's normally included in the car price based on where it's going. You could've had your selling dealer adjust this for you if you'd known, but perhaps your servicing dealer can do this for you. I'd try the Service department as that's where you'll become a good customer and they have motivation to help you - or at least they should.

The selling dealer has no problems exchanging for the correct part.
They initially wanted me to drive back up to PA but it's not a 540 miles round trip we want or planned for at the moment.

I spoke to them yesterday & preliminarily I plan to take the Q3 to my local dealership & have them advise me on what is needed.

1) If it's an easy 2 piece snap off panel that just requires the front facing taken off & replace with the plate holder facing - then that's a 5-10 minute job. Like this

2) If it's more complex & requires delicately prying the panel off the grill or messing with the entire grill or sensors somehow, then a more substansive conversation will have to take place.
@rnlabas - do you know how the part is configured: 1 or 2?

Thanks for your always valuable feedback.

 

[rnlabas]

I think it's a bit more like #2 ... so get some info from both fixer and pricer ...

 

[Q3User]

I think it's a bit more like #2 ... so get some info from both fixer and pricer ...

Got the quote for the part today: ~$400+.
Nationally back ordered.

Install is about 30 mins max. So $60.

Looks like the Originating dealer needs to ship me stuff.

 

[Q3User]

This cost $400???
Seriously, it's just a plastic panel.

Maybe the (possible) installing dealer think it was the back half + this front piece along with the sensors cost that much.
Or Maybe it's part of the grill?!

Anyhow, got the replacement & lets hope the install goes on easy.

 

[rnlabas]

Hey no kidding - look at this one - MSRP - $769 ...