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08-26-2013, 05:11 PM | #1 |
swinging for the fences
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,040
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Drill-less front plate holder
The X5 I'm in the process of buying is not pre-drilled for a front plate and I'd like to keep it that way. I know at least one person here has used a tow hook plate mount and was wondering if people had any other ideas or could point me toward a reputable company.
Thanks. |
08-26-2013, 05:29 PM | #2 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,632
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Quote:
The one that I used did not have a backing plate that covered the whole plate--instead it used a pretty cheap stamped steel bracket that just went across the top of the plate. As a result, the plate was constantly getting bent. I've seen others that do use a backing plate that goes across the whole licenses plate, which might fix that problem. It kept my bumper hole-free, but I'm not convinced it actually made the car look better. The combination of the off-center mount and the bent up plate led to more than one person asking me what the hell was wrong with my licenses plate. I'm not sure I'd use one again. |
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08-26-2013, 05:40 PM | #3 |
swinging for the fences
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,040
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Thanks. I'm pretty hesitant to drill holes but I don't want it to look stupid either.
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08-26-2013, 05:51 PM | #4 |
Founder emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,007
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Have you given any thought to just ignoring the requirement and simply not having a front plate? I have left off my front plate for years. Occasionally I get a warning but never a ticket. Is it worth the small risk of a small ticket to drive around with a goofy-looking tow hook plate mount all of the time?
If you're going to do the crime, you gotta be willing to do the time. |
08-26-2013, 06:00 PM | #5 |
lawn boy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,029
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08-26-2013, 06:10 PM | #6 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,632
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Quote:
The front plates bug me and I don't like the way they look, but I don't think my aesthetic objections are worth giving the cops an excuse to ticket/pull me over. I'd rather fly below that particular radar. |
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08-26-2013, 08:32 PM | #7 |
Founder emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,007
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I'm not inclined to jinx myself, but the VW sleeps outside and often parks outdoors in downtown Rockville and in Bethesda and it's been uneventful. We got a warning a couple of years ago for the M3 but I never put a plate on it - then again, it sleeps indoors.
The Audi has a front plate. |
08-26-2013, 05:52 PM | #8 |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,279
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I just don't use a front plate.
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08-26-2013, 05:59 PM | #9 | |
swinging for the fences
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,040
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Quote:
This is good to know. Thanks! |
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08-26-2013, 07:30 PM | #10 |
Confused
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 2013 X3 Gray/Mojave
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,019
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I have only received a ticket for running without a front plate once. Was parked at a meter in a popular dining district. Have parked at many other meters without a problem so I do not plan to attach the plate any time soon.
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