Slimeline plates on the front

**MrGadget** · 25-02-2009, 08:30 AM

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** · 25-02-2009, 08:50 AM

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** · 25-02-2009, 09:01 AM

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** · 25-02-2009, 09:13 AM

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** · 25-02-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Thanks

**Russ59** · 25-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 25-02-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Fanaki

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** · 25-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 25-02-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Russ59

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?