renoving rear bumperettes

Anyone removed the rear bumperettes on either side of the license plate? They are std US cars but I don't think they are on ROW cars. I would rather remove them instead of painting them to match rear bumper cover. Thanks,

They're not standard on non-U.S. cars? I'd like to see a pic of that if you have any. On all 02's the rear bumperettes are painted so you don't notice them as much. I think completely removing them would look weird. My rec. would be to paint them instead. What color and year is your car?

Scott, I can't remember exactly where I saw the picture. It was in a German magazine that I can't locate at the moment. I had assumed that it was a stock rear bumper, but it may have been something a tuning company did. My car is an 01TT, Lapis Blue metalic with grey interior with deviating Metropol blue carpet and stitching. Painting would be easier, I just didn't know how it would look and I have not seen an '02TT from the rear yet to see how they look painted.

They look great painted. And we're offering that service now if you email me directly I'll forward info. When they are removed you will find holes in the bumper, and they are best left on the car - unless you are replacing the rear bumper. But I'd prefer to have those bumperettes anyday. Just email me for more info. <a href="http://www.bumperplugs.com" target="_blank">Aftermarket goodies</a>

Yep, they're not there originally. They are mandatory here in US (because of those stupid bumper laws). <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> I'd defenately get rid of them, you can ask your bodyshop to fill the holes or there was a discussion about a product that covers the holes (I couldn't find that thread) but that wasn't too good looking (it makes the whole recess in the bumper almost flat). I'm in a process of taking them out (993 has them in front too which I've already removed), my plan is to make aluminum plate for the rear bumper (same shape/size as the recess in the bumper) and paint it to match the body. Both (993 & 996) looks IMO way better without those '$3 a piece looking' utility bumperettes. They're clearly an after thought and look like that. Take a look at Porsche's home page, there are pictures of Euro cars, which doesn't have these things. See pic posted from there: Eric, I'd think it would be good business (better than painting them) for you guys to start making body colored plastic plugs that cover those holes (both front & rear (where needed).

I had a 993 C4S and now a 2002 C4S. On the 993, its not as simple. Onece you remove the front bumperettes, there is a notch on the nose piece and you have to fill it and repaint the whole front nose piece. I did that and you also have to replace the turn signal lens with the longer Euro spec one The rear bumperettes are similar on both the 993 and 996. Painting them is the easiest IMHO and that is what I did on bot cars. Just removing them will leave a big hole on the rear end. You see jusy under the bumperettes are a mounting piece which sticks out and the rear end of the car has a cut out (US spec) to allow this mount to protrude through. Also, the no bumperettes look is better on Euro cars because they have a longer plate. It will look funny with US plates as it is shorter and it willleave a lot of blank space on each side

I agree that with Euro plates it looks better, but I don't think it will look funny with short plate. At least not so ugly as with bumperettes. (take a look at my quick 'study')

Guys, Yes in Europe we don't have the famous bumperettes ... Here in Switzerland there are 2 sizes of plates,(you can choose the size). In my car i have the "long" ones (i preferer in this way!)but there are many 911 around with the "short" plates (same as in Usa)looks not too bad!. In the other hand in Usa you can take off the front plate, not the same here in Europe, anyways the Swiss front plates are smaller than the short ones... Itc: if the cops doesn't give you 5 years in jail take out those bumperettes !!

i feel sorry for u guys - the 'bumperetts' really spoil the look of the car. do u think the regs/laws will ever change ?

Here in the US the laws vary from state to state. I live in NY and just recently got a ticket for not having a front plate! He pulled me over just for that reason and when I tried to expalin that it had just come off he said "I don't buy it!"

Depends where you live-in San Francisco it has saved my car from damaging the rear spoiler because someone always keeps bumping into it. Rather to have them hit the bumperettes then the car. I definitely think it looks great without it and i would remove them versus painting it since it still takes away from the clean lines of the car. Good luck. Mike