B8 S4 Front License Plate Holder Help

[Marlon177]

Just purchased an used S4 and the previous owner had Europe plate on, because the state I live in require front license plate, so I purchased a front license plate holder, but I realized the one on the car is actually not removable, so do I need a new grill or am I missing something here? I have attached both pics of the grill and the front license plate holder I bought.

Thank you in advanced.

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[RyanWysong]

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I previously had an A5 which I cracked the front filler plate on. When removing the filler plate, underneath was what looked like a spot for a euro plate. You may want to try removing the euro license plate and popping the US holder right over top.

[Marlon177]

You mean remove the grill? it seems like it’s one piece and not removable.


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[LYKUNO]

The OEM grill should be cable of accepting either a blank filler/insert or a license plate filler/insert. Look at parts #6 and #8 in the following diagram:

https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/media/images/oe/collision/1/1399029.gif

The part numbers for the two types of insert (the blank one or the license plate one) are found at this audi parts link (https://www.genuineaudiparts.com/parts/2011/Audi/S4/Base/?siteid=214407&vehicleid=314391&diagram=1399029). Note that the inserts are available in either gray or black, hence there are 4 part numbers to choose from.

Also note that when you're attaching a front plate, you should use only the top two holes of the plate for the mounting screws. If you decide to use 4 bolts/screws to attach the plate, be careful to not accidentally drill/screw into the vertical ribs on the grill when attaching the 2 lower screws (don't ask me how I know!). If you choose to use the lower 2 screws when attaching the plate, ensure they're short enough to avoid the plastic grill ribs behind them.

Edit: Now that I look more closely at your euro plate holder, it does look like it is not removable - that may not be a US OEM grill. Can you remove the euro plate to see what's behind it in the way of mounting holes?

[Marlon177]

Thank you for the detailed respond, the previous owner used some kind of glue or sliver double sided tape, I have to find a way to heat up the glue to remove it. Is there any way US model comes with this euro grill?


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[LYKUNO]

I seriously doubt a US model came with a permanently affixed euro plate holder, unless perhaps it was a euro delivery car and the owner insisted on that front plate holder (but then the back plate would have been euro too probably?

Any chance you can insert a small mirror behind the grill where the plate holder meets the grill to see if there's evidence of any separation in the two parts? Have you removed the existing "944" euro plate to see what might be behind it?

With the price of a new grill, and the fact that you need to have a NJ plate on the front of your car, I'd take a closer look at the existing plate holder and try to remove it, even if I had to destroy it (the euro plate mount, not the grill) in the process.

One other possibility - find someone on AZ or other Audi site (not from NJ) that would be willing to swap grills with you and wanted a euro plate holder for their car. That may not be a timely solution though since you need to get a NJ plate mounted on your car.

Keep us posted on what action you take!

[Marlon177]

I seriously doubt a US model came with a permanently affixed euro plate holder, unless perhaps it was a euro delivery car and the owner insisted on that front plate holder (but then the back plate would have been euro too probably?

Any chance you can insert a small mirror behind the grill where the plate holder meets the grill to see if there's evidence of any separation in the two parts? Have you removed the existing "944" euro plate to see what might be behind it?

With the price of a new grill, and the fact that you need to have a NJ plate on the front of your car, I'd take a closer look at the existing plate holder and try to remove it, even if I had to destroy it (the euro plate mount, not the grill) in the process.

One other possibility - find someone on AZ or other Audi site (not from NJ) that would be willing to swap grills with you and wanted a euro plate holder for their car. That may not be a timely solution though since you need to get a NJ plate mounted on your car.

Keep us posted on what action you take!

That’s a pretty good idea, anyone in PA would like to swap ur S4 front grill with mine? Lol

I was looking at the RS4 grill, but just not really a fan of it, I am gonna remove the front bumper this weekend to see what’s behind it.


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[Dr GP]

Thank you for the detailed respond, the previous owner used some kind of glue or sliver double sided tape, I have to find a way to heat up the glue to remove it. Is there any way US model comes with this euro grill?


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There is no euro grill. If you take off the filler plate(2 torx screws) ,the mounting for the euro license plate is under there.There are 2 filler plates available that go over the euro grill mount. The one you want has a rectangle in the middle for the license plate. In your case,the previous owner never took off the filler plate that was designed for no license plate. He just screwed the license plate onto the filler plate. Had he removed the filler plate ,he would have found the proper mounting for a Euro plate. See pix link below


My car with filler plate removed: https://www.audiworld.com/g/picture/1085553

My car with filler plate custom painted to match body color: https://www.audiworld.com/g/picture/1085564

[LYKUNO]

Dr GP to the rescue! Thanks for the explanation and the pics. The painted-to-match filler looks really good on your car!

[Dr GP]

Dr GP to the rescue! Thanks for the explanation and the pics. The painted-to-match filler looks really good on your car!

Thanks, IMHO, it finishes the car. I did the same on my Phantom Black 2011. FYI, I am currently not driving a B8 S4. The more I drive my 2017 QX 50, the more I hate the Auto transmission. Just glad it's not a CVT like the 2019 QX50.

[Marlon177]

Thanks for everyone’s input, I just purchased an S4 grill with US plate holder from Cj_b8_s4, I will take some picture after I get this grill off the car.


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[VroomTT]

Hey All, resurrecting this thread because 'search first'. I recently picked up a no plate filler for my B8 S4 and am looking to size the screws needed to install it. Car came with no filler plate at all, so I never had the screws. Anyone know what the threads are? I've been trying to find a spare screw that fits, but no luck with what I have on hand.

[LYKUNO]

Hey All, resurrecting this thread because 'search first'. I recently picked up a no plate filler for my B8 S4 and am looking to size the screws needed to install it. Car came with no filler plate at all, so I never had the screws. Anyone know what the threads are? I've been trying to find a spare screw that fits, but no luck with what I have on hand.

It looks like it may be the screw with part number N90775801 as mentioned on this Audi Parts page (https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi__/Bolt-Screw-Bumper-Bracket/62879518/N90775801.html). It's used to mount the license plate bracket, and also used for installing the fender liners. Pretty inexpensive and available at Audi dealer parts departments. ECS Tuning also has this part number (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-porsche-parts/tapping-screw-48x19/n90775801~por/) for $0.99 each and identified as Screw 4.8x19.
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