Masking tape is often used to measure and mark center on. Find some reference features that are symmetrical on the car and span the tape between those, measure, divide by two and mark center.

 

Makes way too much sense to possibly work.

I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

 

Two things,
#1, just don't run the front plate. They're ugly and useless. IF you even get a ticket, (which you probably won't mostly it's just a warning), it's like $25. Thankfully I live in a state where that nonsense isn't required. And even if I did live where they issue one, I still wouldn't use it.

#2, if you just have to run that front plate, get a bracket that screws into your tow hook adapter. That way there's absolutely no chance whatsoever of messing up your paint or plastics with sticky adhesive or screws.

#3, if you are just totally against the idea of the tow hook adapter for whatever reason, install grill guards and zip tie the front plate to that.

 

1. I'm thinking about that already, but I'm willing to bet I'll get pulled over around here. We'll see.

2. Already way ahead of you there. I've had one on for a year and it's way uglier (subjective, I know) than the standard bracket/mount, and it sticks out, so, yeah - tried it, don't really like it. Know anyone that wants a used one? Cheap!

3. Seems like it would interfere with airflow to the radiator(s), and there's just a fake center inlet, so... no. I'll just stick the stock mount on with emblem tape - if I have any problems with the local constabulary from going plateless.

 

Lots of great threads on this and I'd suggest doing a search.

@Sid Kafizz - Masking (or painter's) tape is your friend. @CayIman is spot on with this. I also like to use string in combination with that as well (as I did to mount my rear view mirror in my E30 convertible this past week). Coincidentally, I'll need to break out the masking tape again today as I have something else I need to center on the car.

On both of my P-cars, I went with Sto-N-Sho removable license plate holders. No drilling into the front of the bumper, which you can't correct later on -- and they mount from the bottom using 3M VHB tape and a few screws. Plus, the front plate comes on/off in a moments notice (great for car shows, etc.). If I was AX/HPDE-ing, I'd remove the plate before runs. Strongly recommend.

Before this, I ran a removable tow hook license plate for two years. Despite using blue Loctite, I hated it as it would spin and bend. Plus, it looks awkward as it makes the front of the car look unbalanced. Finally, someone could easily come over and snag your plate (very not cool if you have a vanity plate). Was eager to get rid of it in favor of the Sto-n-Sho. BTW, I think they also offer a military discount, which is way cool.

Not sure I agree with @theblooms suggestion to run without a plate (it depends on your local LEOs), but to each their own and risk tolerance. Here in MA, unless you've got a "greenie" plate that's 40+ years old, you must run a front plate. TBH, I'd rather not be pulled over in my super-obvious P-car for something simple as not having a front plate. Plus, we have a ton of bridges and tolls up here in the Northeast where "Pay by Plate" is a backup if your EZ-Pass is wonky. Wish I could run only one plate, but I respect the law as well. YMMV.

 

See my reply to @theblooms. I did check out a few of the plate-related posts and didn't catch anything related to my question. No biggie. I have my plate mount ready to go, assuming that the adhesive tape works as advertised, and I have no experience centering something like this purely by eye, so I posted. Given the form and details of the bumper cover, I'm not even sure how I can do this accurately (with tape) anyway. Again, it isn't a big deal - I just don't entirely trust my eye. Either I figure it out, or I don't.

Re: Sto-n-Sho, the website doesn't show availability/applicability for the 987.2 (at least not the last time I checked), so I dropped it from consideration. Seems a little odd, but I have no control over it.

 

Regarding the S&S, I have one on my 981 Outlaw, and I'd expect the same one would fit on my 987.2. (I slightly bent a used one from an Audi to fit the 987.2).

 

I'm getting ready to mount said bracket on my 987.2 (no drilling is involved!) in an otherwise clean bumper cover, and I'm trying to find a way to properly locate it before I stick it into place. You know, vertical and horizontal centering and proper alignment with the car (not ****-eyed). Or do I have to do this by eye?

Don’t. Unless required by state law. We don’t use them here fwiw

 

My 2009 987.2 factory front bumper cover has 2 small "dimples" that indicate where the screws would go for installation of a centered factory license plate mount. You might want to take a close look at yours to see if you have those "dimples."

 

I admit that I'm getting old, but I didn't see anything there. I'll take another look next time that I can, but the double-sided adhesive tape is currently holding pretty well at the moment. Maybe next year?

 

I had purchased a license plate bracket for my ‘03 911 that attaches to the screws on the bottom of the bumper cover, making it a stealth mount, allowing it to be mounted without drilling holes in the bumper.
On another note, no need for a previous poster to bash law enforcement for merely doing their job, enforcing existing laws. Think of it this way. If your wife, child, mother, father, etc., were injured or killed by a hit and run driver, and a witness got a glimpse of the state-required front license plate which led to their arrest and prosecution, one might think differently about law enforcement’s duty to uphold the law. Just saying.

 

your opinion. Never had a cop chase me from the front. Just sayin

 

I'm in CT where front plates are required but I've refused to install it since the car was new 11 years ago. No issues. I've been pulled over a few times for other reasons but no one ever said a word about the missing plate. I think it is simply a very low priority for police officers. It just ruins the appearance of the front the car!

 

The more of these comments that I see, the more I want to give it a shot. Once I see that the adhesive tape is giving out, off it goes for a trial run. and yes, the bracket and plate does detract from the aesthetic. Just like it does on most cars.

 

Luckily over 40% of the states don't share you concern.

 

This was for my 981 but I had a 987 too and I think it will work…

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/license-plate-bracket.253041/

it’s been a couple years now and no issues.