Lexingtonian

Early US 996s have these ugly black rubber bumpers around the rear license plate:

Mine

vs

Clean

European versions don't and they look much clea

aviography

You might actually be thankful of these if someone taps into you or if you accidentaly back up a bit too far, as these will end up absorbing the initial impact and perhaps save your rear bumper from being damaged.

As well the euro plates are much wider, the two rubber bumperettes fills the width of the opening.

02TX996Cab

US DOT rules are what resulted in the "bumperettes".

Ugly, yes. Useful, maybe. Those on my car were painted body color which makes them much less noticeable; something you may want to consider.

C4CRNA

How does the car look without them?
Anybody have any pictures?

rpm's S2

Mine are painted... Was that standard after a particular year, an option, or only something an owner can do? I don't see an option code for them.

And at some point since I have owned the car some asshat tapped them, causing slight cracks in the paint. It is barely noticeable so I'm leaving as is. I figure it will just happen again.

Dennis C

Unfortunately, the bumperettes don't always do the intended job. Somebody backed into my C4S in a parking lot and they hit the bumper cover, not the bumperettes.

On US spec cars, the bumper itself is different, not just the cover. There are metal bases under the bumperettes. If you want the clean Euro look, you have to change the bumper and the bumper cover.

C4CRNA

Thanks Dennis I was wondering what they would look like off.
Guess now the answer is , not too good.

Sue Esponte

I'm sure I'm in the minority so call me crazy but I actually like them. lol

-Eric

Zookie

Have you been to Downtown Montreal? I drive Up every year for F1 Weekend with my P-Car... You dont really need your Engine Running/On in the middle of Downtown... The Taxi's will Give you a "Push", without them knowing... Trust me. Thank God mine arent Painted.

Sue Esponte

Hahaha...reminds me of this!

(also known by its alternative title "Why I Don't Park on the Street in Manhattan."

-Eric

fpb111

http://www.bumperplugs.com/BPindex.html
Have them painted. Eric of Bumper Plugs is on this forum.

VGM911

Last year I had a minor encounter with a tree while backing up. The black finish on my bumperettes was much appreciated, as I was able to make the scratches disappear with an appropriate liquid product for rubber/vinyl.

Painted ones would have had to be removed and repainted.

I prefer the black ones for this reason.

Doug996InKC

I drilled out bumperette rivets. Body shop plastic-welded in the holes and painted. That was in 2010. Since then, I've added a GT3 Tek diffuser (not in photo).

Doug996InKC

Here's a shot w/ the GT3 Tek diffuser. Not until tonight, after taking the photo, and applying various GIMP filters, did I notice the poor fill near the bottom-left of the license plate area. Bet that cracks soon...

vange_c4s

i like them too. but then again i think pumpkins are good.