Ugh, front license plate issue - Page 2

bren · 05-26-2011, 12:12 PM

I'd go with the cheaper one. It doesn't need to built like a tank to hold the tag on the car.

http://www.gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html

But yeah, I'm not sure about the offset look. Might as well just drill the holes.

Sharp11 · 05-26-2011, 12:14 PM

Mine doesn't have a front plate either - I found it'd cost about 200 dollars for a dealer-mounted solution

bren · 05-26-2011, 12:17 PM

AutoZone sells something interesting - -

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...brandName=Bell

ZBB · 05-26-2011, 01:13 PM

If you don't like front plates, move to a one-plate state.

Otherwise follow the law and use the stock mount. A couple of drill holes in the bumper shouldn't matter...

SARAFIL · 05-26-2011, 01:20 PM

these "solutions" are hideous.

I have not used a front plate for about 5 years now. When the day comes that I am forced to put one on, I'm just going to take the stock bracket out of the trunk and mount it onto the front bumper. While my preference is no plate, if my only option was "factory mount" or "aftermarket solution that looks like shit", I'd gladly drill the holes in the bumper.

equ · 05-26-2011, 01:22 PM

I bought my s4 avant in CT. Car was beautiful and never drilled. What worked for me, perfectly for about half a year, was radio shack clear locking tape. Pretty much the same stuff as windscreen e-zpass holders. Never came off, through plenty of washes/rains, 8k miles. If it did, you could put a new one. I highly recommend this. Nothing about it looks temporary to the outside observer (as you can mount it center and the tape is hidden behind the plate).

zach · 05-26-2011, 01:23 PM

I've basically decided to go sans front plate for my next car. I drove without one for about a year until I had to put it back on for a state inspection.

I kept the front plate in the glove box in case I got harassed by a cop, but it never happened.

equ · 05-26-2011, 01:25 PM

I can even remember when I first 'taped' my plate. I had just bought the car, about to go in for state inspection... Know a great tint dude, got him to take off my front side tints (illegal in NJ) and he recommended it. His words were "I and the rest of the STi crew have been rocking this for years. It'll be fine."

JST · 05-26-2011, 01:39 PM

I don't mind the way the offset plate looks. You get used to it. The problem with the non-robust tow hook mounts is that they don't stand up to snow and/or car washing well.

Personally, as much as I hate front plates, I'd probably just mount the stock mount and forget about it.

Nick M3 · 05-26-2011, 02:09 PM

A non-drilled front bumper makes the car more saleable.

05-26-2011, 01:13 PM	#14
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	If you don't like front plates, move to a one-plate state. Otherwise follow the law and use the stock mount. A couple of drill holes in the bumper shouldn't matter... __________________ ZBB

05-26-2011, 01:20 PM	#15
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,789	these "solutions" are hideous. I have not used a front plate for about 5 years now. When the day comes that I am forced to put one on, I'm just going to take the stock bracket out of the trunk and mount it onto the front bumper. While my preference is no plate, if my only option was "factory mount" or "aftermarket solution that looks like shit", I'd gladly drill the holes in the bumper. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

05-26-2011, 02:09 PM	#20
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	A non-drilled front bumper makes the car more saleable. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

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05-26-2011, 12:12 PM	#11
bren 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	I'd go with the cheaper one. It doesn't need to built like a tank to hold the tag on the car. http://www.gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html But yeah, I'm not sure about the offset look. Might as well just drill the holes.

05-26-2011, 12:14 PM	#12
Sharp11 Vicarious Twitterer Join Date: May 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP Location: CT Posts: 7,566	Mine doesn't have a front plate either - I found it'd cost about 200 dollars for a dealer-mounted solution

05-26-2011, 12:17 PM	#13
bren 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	AutoZone sells something interesting - - http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...brandName=Bell

05-26-2011, 01:22 PM	#16
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	I bought my s4 avant in CT. Car was beautiful and never drilled. What worked for me, perfectly for about half a year, was radio shack clear locking tape. Pretty much the same stuff as windscreen e-zpass holders. Never came off, through plenty of washes/rains, 8k miles. If it did, you could put a new one. I highly recommend this. Nothing about it looks temporary to the outside observer (as you can mount it center and the tape is hidden behind the plate).

05-26-2011, 01:23 PM	#17
zach swinging for the fences Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,037	I've basically decided to go sans front plate for my next car. I drove without one for about a year until I had to put it back on for a state inspection. I kept the front plate in the glove box in case I got harassed by a cop, but it never happened.

05-26-2011, 01:25 PM	#18
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	I can even remember when I first 'taped' my plate. I had just bought the car, about to go in for state inspection... Know a great tint dude, got him to take off my front side tints (illegal in NJ) and he recommended it. His words were "I and the rest of the STi crew have been rocking this for years. It'll be fine."

05-26-2011, 01:39 PM	#19
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	I don't mind the way the offset plate looks. You get used to it. The problem with the non-robust tow hook mounts is that they don't stand up to snow and/or car washing well. Personally, as much as I hate front plates, I'd probably just mount the stock mount and forget about it.