Honeycomb Grille Install & Test - Magnetic Plate Holder (Audi-style)

|Paul Calinoiu
Audi L8 clean bumper snow road with SleemPlate Pucks

1) What this guide solves

If you want a clean, frameless look and confidence that your plate stays firm at speed and in car washes, follow this step-by-step. It applies to the MagSleem series on standard grilles and Audi-style honeycomb setups.

2) Audi honeycomb grille compatibility: included kit & correct install

SleemPlate kits include dedicated hardware to clamp from behind the honeycomb cell (no drilling in the bumper itself):

  • 2 special screws + 2 nuts (for captive mounting through the cell)

  • 2 blocks that sit behind the honeycomb cell

  • 2 extenders when cells are larger

  • For MagSleem kits2 puck extenders for the magnet pucks

Critical measurements & tips

  • Puck diameter: Ø28.4 mm, extendable to 40.2 mm with the puck extender

  • Block height: 36 mm tip-to-tip; we recommend 32 mm max honeycomb cell height without extender

  • With extender, the system accommodates up to 40 mm; we recommend 36 mm max for best seating and retention

  • All current kits are screw-mounted. Cross-head screws, no washers.

Quick steps (Audi – honeycomb)

  1. Pick two symmetric honeycomb cells that are centered/level.

  2. Place the blocks behind the grille cell and hold in place.

  3. Thread the special screws through the magnet+puck then into the blocks; tighten firmly (don’t overtighten).

  4. Snap the caps on the pucks.

  5. Offer the plate to the MagSleem holders; press evenly so both lateral points seat.

  6. For millimetric alignment, use SleemFix. (included in the MagSleem X kit)

Compatibility note: Target format is EU 520×110 mm. MagSleem X works with any plate size worldwide. Bumper material doesn’t matter (aluminum/plastic/steel) because retention is magnet–magnet via screw-mounted pucks. No issues observed with ACC/radar/parking sensors; don’t cover radar windows.

3) The simple physics (educational)

Dynamic pressure grows with speed:
q ≈ 0.5 × ρ × v² (ρ ≈ 1.225 kg/m³; v in m/s).
At ~300 km/h (~83.3 m/s), q4,250 Pa. An EU plate area is ~0.057 m², so an idealized load is ~240 N (~24.5 kgf). Real cars have angles/turbulence and the magnets share the load across two lateral points / four magnets, so actual loads differ.

Takeaway: correct install + even distribution across pucks + sensible checks = real-world safety.
Note: simplified model for education; not a certification.

4) 10-minute real-world test protocol

  • Static pull: tug at both lateral points - no play.

  • Vibration check: light taps around pucks (no metal tools) - the plate shouldn’t flutter.

  • Short city drive: 5–10 km on rough asphalt; re-check tightness.

  • Highway, progressive: step up gradually (e.g., 100 → 120 → 130 km/h; 60 → 70 → 80 mph) with checks.

  • Car-wash: keep the jet ≥30–40 cm and at an oblique angle; avoid blasting under edges. (Internal tests were OK close to ~20 cm, but keep margin.)

5) Care & best practices

  • No maintenance required. Optional: quick rinse after salty winters.

  • Avoid slamming magnets together (any magnet can chip under shock).

  • Ensure the plate is perfectly flat for even seating and high-speed stability.

My panel is aluminum/plastic - will magnets “stick”? Yes, because SleemPlate uses magnet–magnet coupling via screw-mounted pucks. Panel material is irrelevant.

6) Troubleshooting

  • Misalignment: use SleemFix or re-position pucks slightly.

  • Chipped magnet: usually shock/over-tightening → replace the magnet (see Spare parts).

  • High-speed flutter: re-seat so both lateral points bite evenly; ensure plate is flat.

  • Aggressive wash: increase distance/angle; avoid direct under-edge jets.

7) FAQ (short)

  • Will it fit my car? Yes. MagSleem holders are universal; honeycomb/aftermarket grilles have dedicated hardware in the box. For non-EU sizes, MagSleem X is compatible worldwide.

  • Safe at speed / winter / wash? Yes—when installed correctly and with quick sensible checks. Real-world Autobahn, off-road and track use have been validated.

  • Legal? Plates must be mounted in the designated front & rear positions and remain visible; correct installation meets those principles. Outside EU/RO, check local rules.

  • Will it scratch paint? Pucks/caps are designed to protect; always install on clean surfaces.

  • Warranty & returns? 2-year EU1-year elsewhere; 14-day EU withdrawal + 90-day satisfaction return if intact.