[Geektechlive]

ok so I have been doing some searches and stuff... wondering how many of you run front plates or not.

I am a new owner and the dealer basically said not to worry. just wondering what you guys have experienced in the real world.

I think the front plate can make the car look ugly but if it gets me out of a ticket I might just put it on. <sigh>

[RockstarDoc]

Well, it depends on the minute, hour, day, month and time of year. I'm sure there are a bunch of cops on these forums...who own BMW's too, of course. Pretty much you'll end up with a fix it ticket at one point or another. I don't run with front plates, but my friends have been pulled over just for that alone. Also if you pass through LA International Airport (if you live in LA), the camera will catch you without one and send you a ticket. The same goes with parking on the street with parking meters. I've had my car for 8 years without one, and haven't had a fix it yet...knock on wood.

[Xeloj]

I don't run a front plate. I think it messed up the look of the car. Some states it's legal to do so, and some it's not. In California it's a $10 fix-it ticket if you're caught.

[Socratesbmw]

It really depends on the officers. Here in TX you are supposed to have a front plate, but I have never had a problem. I recently got pulled over and he didn't say a thing. I have to guess from the number or modded Honda's that have their plates displayed on their dash, that the cops pull them over for it, but I never see a BMW with a plate on the dash or visor. My assumption is that they figure people driving modded honda's are more likely to be more of a criminal element and deviant than someone driving a BMW.

[AZ-BMW]

I have my ED Zoll plate on the front, just the way BMW gave it to me

[BMdblU]

I take it off for the summer

[wj4]

I've been using my M-tech front bumper with no plate for about 3 months now, so far so good. Even though California requires cars to have front and back plates.

It's a hit or miss with this issue. I know someone who had an IS300 and drove it around for 4 years w/o getting hassled at all. And I know another person who put an aftermarket front bumper on and got pulled over in less than 2 hours later.

[Cryokid]

I drove for probably 8 years without a front plate. Last summer I came home from a business trip and had a ticket on my windshield. I was parked at a remote city run parking lot. It really steamed me that I paid $75 to park there for like 5 days and then received a $75 ticket.

Apparently, they have a car that just drives around looking for vehicles without front plates.

When I picked-up my new E-93 I reluctantly told them to put the plate on the front.

[E90Graphite07]

I really wished I had that option on my E90. Unfortunately the dealership I picked to get my car do not let any car out of the dealer w/o both front/rear mounts in place. It was either pay 'more' on my hookup deal, or just avoid any problems and have the LPs put on both ends. My Prelude though (owned it for 7.5 yrs), since Day 1, still has no front license plate. I only got one 'warning ticket', only because I wasn't speeding on the freeway through a speed trap, but the cop just wanted to warn me and also wanted to know why I was doing 5 under the speed limit LOL... 'I wasn't in a rush today officer'.

[BIMMER!STATUS!]

no front plate here. OOppss that reminds me I have to take care of a fix a ticket i have, got pulled over in front of my house, a lot of hassle with cops here in LA

[FirstClass]

OMG a $35 ticket (free if you fix it) or make the front of the car look like shit. Your call.

[gloster]

knock on wood .....six months, no ticket yet

[dubber1]

Luckily front plates aren't required where I live . I would leave it off if they were required though. The car looks way better without them.

[wj4]

Originally Posted by E90Graphite07

I really wished I had that option on my E90. Unfortunately the dealership I picked to get my car do not let any car out of the dealer w/o both front/rear mounts in place. It was either pay 'more' on my hookup deal, or just avoid any problems and have the LPs put on both ends. My Prelude though (owned it for 7.5 yrs), since Day 1, still has no front license plate. I only got one 'warning ticket', only because I wasn't speeding on the freeway through a speed trap, but the cop just wanted to warn me and also wanted to know why I was doing 5 under the speed limit LOL... 'I wasn't in a rush today officer'.

Same with my dealership. But I noticed that on the M's...they don't drill the holes though..lol. I bet they've had deal breakers like that, where the customer walked away because of the drilled front bumper.

[rg87]

Since I got my e90 the insurance company and the dealership said to install the front plate so I don't get a ticket, but I never have. I live in cali and surprisingly cops in the Bay Area don't seem to care much (knock on wood). Then again it all depends when and where you are.

[Tag]

I averaged one ticket every 6 months, but before I got my e92 I got hit with 3 in 3 months at $50 a pop and said forget this noise.

I hate front plates but I hate losing $$$ more.

[PrimE90]

My last car I owned for 5 years with no front plate. I went 2 years with no hassle and no ticket. The last 3 years I owned that car I averaged 2 tickets a year @ $50.00 each. When I got my E90 I decided I would run the front plate. It wasn't the money. Frankly I just got tired of the hassle and ducking cops. It's no fun getting pulled over and having your time wasted by a friggin cop.

[RokX]

I didn't want to hassle with it, so I had the plate installed. I bought one of the TiAg painted holders and I have Purple Heart LP's that at least make it look decent.

[shahils12]

have an S class with no front plates for 2 years now... . I think it really depends on where you are. I know folks in Houston get tickets all the time, but here in Austin, it's never been a problem...

[e92phreak]

No plate for 8 months. Still have the dealership temp registration sticker on the front LOL...

I ran my previous car for 7 years without a plate in the front... though I displayed it on the dash.

[exo-ak-dk]

im sorry but whats a front plate? hehe sorry for being a noob

[TurboFan]

No front plate on either car. Truck for almost 3 years, bimmer for 5 mos. No tickets, knock on wood, but I'm sure I'll have one at some point. It's an $85 registration ticket where I live. There's a constant rumble in our state to do away with the front plate. It would save money, supposedly, so I say ditch the front plate.