I purchased my car in California, the next day I noticed that there wasn't really a place to screw in the front license plate(I totally overlooked that part while at the dealer). After a little research, I realized their were 2 different front panels. I spoke to the parts guy and Audi corp, they first told me i'd have to drill holes in the front panel. I wasn't about to drill holes in my new car. I later contacted Audi again, this time, they called the sales manager. About 10 minutes later the service manager called and let me know that they'd swap the panels for free. Just thought I'd share this info just in case there are others in the same boat.

The panel for states that don't require a front plate is much nicer, but I rather not be hassled by the cops.

Also, I know its been posted before, but the Ipod cable is free too.

 

in AZ, where you don't need to have a front plate, the car comes with a cover plate that mounts over the license plate mounting area. Once the cover is removed, there are no holes for mounting, only two divots for an approximate location for mounting. This is what I believe your dealer was originally telling you to screw into, which is what I did since I wanted to mount a Euro plate. I had to use special screws for the plastic since there is no access to put bolts on unless you remove the entire grill. Anyway, it worked great and if I ever need to remove the plate I'm keeping the cover which can be reinstalled anytime.

 

I am in California as well, and have the front license plate panel. I am actually thinking of removing it and exchanging it for the regular panel without the license plate mount. I am seeing more and more AUDIs on the road without front license plates in CA. I am wondering if you still get a ticket when the cop sees that there is no place to mount the license plate. I think its one thing to drive around without a front license plate when you have a place to mount it, but its totally another to drive around without a license plate when you don't have a place to mount it. Since this is the way it came from the dealer/manufacturer.

It doesn't make sense for the consumer to pay fines for not having a front license plate when the manufacturer did not provide a space for the front license plate.

 

I am in GA and mine came with the front tag panel. I just asked the dealership to swap it out for the non tag panel as I think it looks a lot, lot better.
As far as CA tag law, I have heard from several CA drivers that they have never used a front tag and many of them have been driving for years like that. A few have gotten fairly cheap tickets from time to time but have yet to comply. It seems as long as you are not standing out or acting foolish, the CA cops likely have better things to do than bother with a tag violation.

 

HAHA, you would be surprised about Los Angeles Police Dept. Especially now, with the bad economy, they are handing out tickets left and right to generate some revenue for the state. Well, I'll try talking to my dealer about swapping this. I agree that the panel without the license plate holder looks a million times better.

If the dealer does not comply and starts reading me the state DMV laws about how front license plate is required and will refuse to do this for free, does anyone know how much the front panel will run me??

 

My guess is it costs around $125 dollars, call Audi and complain if they don't want to do it. I don't think they should be selling cars without it. My dealer installed the panel for me yesterday and also let me keep the non-cali one. I swapped them when I got home as the panel that can hold the plate looks like ***. I'll swap it again once I get a fixit ticket, which with my luck, will be this weekend.

 

I just got a quote from my dealer yesterday for this piece, 130 bucks for it and he would have had to order it yet when you build the car it says $0.00 so I was like keep it I'll have to check eBay..

 

Update: just purchased mine for 71 bucks off ebay and thats with shipping, I think it changes the look of the car so much that its absolutely a necessity.

 

How difficult is it to install?

 

2 screws, it takes about 1 minute if you have the right sized "star" screwdriver. I happened to have the right one from my xbox hacking days.

sorry, I remember now, they are torx screwdrivers, I don't remember the exact size though.