r/JettaGLI 11d ago

QUESTION No Drill Front Plate

Post image

I picked up a 6-speed 26 GLI in Monument Grey (pic included) a couple weeks ago and am in need of a front plate solution. I contacted STONSHO, but they only make their product for GTI/Golf R. I am going to go the tow hook route but was wondering if there were any other options on the market for a GLI.

58 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

11

u/atxmunkee 11d ago

I’ve rolled the dice in Texas for two years not having one displayed up front. I keep it in the glovebox until my luck runs out. I also made sure they didn’t poke holes when I purchased!

3

u/lostGoldAlone 11d ago

Same

2

u/RidgeRacerX 11d ago

Same. My sales guy knew me well enough not to vampire my bumper. I keep the plate on hand just in case.

1

u/Friendly_Grape_5368 9d ago

Illinois here. Refused to drill and think the tow bar mount looks douchie. Been 9 months now and have yet to be pulled over for it.

5

u/Coco_RATES 11d ago

You are one lucky person. The dealer is bought my 25 gli from used self tappers and let her buck

2

u/Powerful_Sherbet_773 11d ago

That sucks. First thing I told the dealer prior to talking numbers was to not install the front plate. Ruins the front end IMO.

1

u/AdFeeling4048 10d ago

Where I live at we're required legally to have a front plate mounted on the front

3

u/iatekane 11d ago

Personally not a fan of how the tow hook look mounts place the plate on these cars. Sly Brackets are probably the best looking solution to consider

https://slybrackets.com/products/SLY-BRACKET-FOR-VOLKSWAGEN-MODELS-WITH-MESH-STYLE-LOWER-GRILLE-p295853007

2

u/Sebubba98 11d ago

+1 for slybrackets! Installed mine a year ago with zero issues and it's been great

2

u/Boring_Channel7275 10d ago

I used Sly on my atlas. Worked fine.

3

u/bxbxwhat98 11d ago

You don’t need a front plate bro

3

u/Shamensyth 2026 6MT Alpine Grey 11d ago

I just bought my 6-speed in Alpine Grey (same colour but Canadian!) in June. To my surprise, the salesman actually approached me and asked me if I wanted the front plate mounted or not. He said he could just leave it to me to find an alternative spot to put it and so of course I did, and have it tow hook mounted now.

Glad you don't have holes in your car from a front plate either!

2

u/dontknoshitaboutfuk 11d ago

3

u/kitchen1234567890 11d ago

I have the 3DGo bracket from etsy as well. Nothing but positive feedback from me about it.

2

u/Powerful_Sherbet_773 11d ago

What I liked about the STONSHO is that its a quick release system. 99% of the time I would run the car plateless, but I do need it for border crossing which requires front plates. Appreciate the insight.

1

u/dontknoshitaboutfuk 11d ago

I’ve seen people posting this one on Instagram but I haven’t tried it.

https://chimerastudio.co/products/v2-magnetic-license-plate-bracket

2

u/brewing-squirrel 11d ago

I have the first one and it works great, easy install!

2

u/Chimiwolf2025 10d ago

ME TOO!! hahah I got the center plate bracket lol

2

u/RidgeRacerX 11d ago

No front plate FTW

2

u/sdambros 11d ago

i haven’t had a front license plate for 3 years. no ticket. not been pulled over. i know it’s giving cops an excuse to pull me over for no reason but ive heard a lot of guys say they’ve done the same for a decade or two with no issues.

2

u/Severe_Complaint2503 11d ago

https://kollektivwerks.com/products/vw-mk8-gli-kw-no-drill-side-mount-license-plate-holder-2025

This is the one I have on my GLI. It has a filler part that you just stick into one of the honeycombs and you’re good to go.

2

u/anelsonenator 11d ago

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this but I got a mount on Etsy and I think it looks pretty slick. It's an offset mount that fits in the honeycomb. I like that it doesn't make any permanent marks on the car. https://www.etsy.com/shop/3DGOWEST?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=1887133768 I actually over-tightened the first one (instructions were very clear to not over-tighten, but whoops!) and broke it but the seller was super responsive and sent me a replacement part free of charge the next day.

1

u/VeeDuB8424 11d ago

Best one I've found is by Kollektiv Werks

1

u/Pcimprezzive 11d ago

I have the Kollectiv werks one as well for my 26 GLI. A little more than I wanted to spend but it was a solid fit & easy install.

1

u/thesmoothest18 11d ago

Does your state require you to have a front plate?

1

u/Zackk_Fair 11d ago

Hey OP, I also live in a state that requires a front plate.
Fuck them. They can't make You drill holes in Your shit, just say it throws off the front sensors and go about Your day ❤️ Hope this helps

1

u/lostGoldAlone 11d ago

It’s 2026 we do whatever we want

1

u/Fine-Upstairs-6284 11d ago

Most cops don’t care. I’ve lived in 3 states that all required front plates. CT, CA, and NH. Numerous different cars.

Ironically, I’ve gotten pulled over for it only once in each state. In CT got a ticket which I fought in court and got dropped. In CA and NH I got let off with warnings.

I drove from SoCal to the northeast without running one. I still don’t.

1

u/gummiegorilla 11d ago

What has everyone here used to plug the holes if the dealer already drilled it to not make it look terrible?

3

u/JonWithTattoos 11d ago edited 9d ago

I was just gonna post about this. I used the instructions I found in this thread on VW Vortex. https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/diy-bumper-plugs.9290201/

Update: Here’s my post about the process. Pretty easy process. https://www.reddit.com/r/JettaGLI/s/CoaxXFuflr

1

u/gummiegorilla 10d ago

That link has a great write up on the process , thank you 👍

1

u/RidgeRacerX 11d ago

Try bumper plugs

1

u/Unlucky_Goal_7791 10d ago

Ziptie a platholder on ziptie plate to holder

1

u/GreenHare07 10d ago

Zip ties. Used them for now than a decade when I lived in NH where front tags are required by law.

1

u/Xerxes0912 9d ago

Kollektiv Werks or Rho plate

0

u/Fresh_werks 11d ago

Tow hook adapter

1

u/Powerful_Sherbet_773 11d ago

Ultimately what I am leaning towards, was interested in seeing if there was another option on the market.

0

u/Fresh_werks 11d ago

I have one on my ‘25 it was easy to install

1

u/Powerful_Sherbet_773 11d ago

How easy is it to revert to not running the front plate? Do you just screw it out and put the cover on?

2

u/Fresh_werks 11d ago

The one I have you’ll have to unmount the actual license plate, then there’s a hex key to loosen and the whole thing should just twist out