[underDAWG]

My 2008 335xi coupe is gorgeous, but it misses the finished touch of a U.S. license plate. How does the dealer mount yours?

Do they just use self tapping screw? I am not sure if I can go behind the bumper to put a stainless steel nut there.

[Dave4501]

If I had to absolutely put on a front plate to avoid a ticket or high dollar penalty, I would try to find a mounting method that wouldn't leave holes in the front of the front bumper. There should be a way to do this even if it involves something creative. I know Hondas typically screw in from the bottom vs. the front.

Others on this board have avoided front plates and risked the penalty. I think all would agree the cars look so much better with no front plate at all.

Don't do the plate if possible! If you do a search, you'll find more discussions on this topic.

[bsamoul]

http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html

[Dave4501]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html

Yep. That would do the trick. I didn't realize it until I looked more closely but this bracket mounts where the tow hook goes. Pretty ingenious. With this, you could remove at any time.

[bsamoul]

Yeah, I saw it advertised up at the top of e90 post and clicked on it, thought it was cool.

[pittsy]

I am suppose to be using a front plate here in TX, but many cops have seen the front of my car and they haven't done anything about it. Front plate FTL

[f82phan]

Dont do it!

[Dan73]

Originally Posted by TiAg330i

If I had to absolutely put on a front plate to avoid a ticket or high dollar penalty, I would try to find a mounting method that wouldn't leave holes in the front of the front bumper.

Why do people do this? I'm being serious, unless you plan on moving to a state that doesn't require them soon then why not either just leave them off or put on a normal looking plate holder? Do you guys randomly take off plates and put them back on? Otherwise you'll never see the holes and the regular plate holder looks better than those wacky ones.

[Balthazar_B]

And then there's something like this:

http://www.swiftmotorsports.com/prod...0948f309b84db9

(they make a motorized one too, FWIW).

Anyone know if this can be mounted on a 3-series above the lower grille, as opposed to below the bumper?

[Deda]

Originally Posted by underDAWG

My 2008 335xi coupe is gorgeous, but it misses the finished touch of a U.S. license plate. How does the dealer mount yours?

Do they just use self tapping screw? I am not sure if I can go behind the bumper to put a stainless steel nut there.

Your dealer has to do that!

[superlubricity]

Originally Posted by Balthazar_B

And then there's something like this:

http://www.swiftmotorsports.com/prod...0948f309b84db9

(they make a motorized one too, FWIW).

Anyone know if this can be mounted on a 3-series above the lower grille, as opposed to below the bumper?

Below the bumper here -> http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170875

It could mount above the lower grill, but it would require cutting or removal of the grill.

[yuyue]

I live in Michigan.
dont need a front plate
but this will be an option if I someday move to other states.
http://gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html

[onth]

Originally Posted by underDAWG

My 2008 335xi coupe is gorgeous, but it misses the finished touch of a U.S. license plate. How does the dealer mount yours?

Do they just use self tapping screw? I am not sure if I can go behind the bumper to put a stainless steel nut there.

The dealer will normally do it for you by putting a mounting kit to the front bumper.

[strider41]

Here's another design that does not require drilling the front of the bumper. http://www.skenedesign.com/FPBracket/plate.htm

[simp0man]

Gosh such a big deal on something so simple. Add like a quarter inch of double tape and slap it on. No screws no holes. Machine car wash safe.

[underDAWG]

Originally Posted by simp0man

Gosh such a big deal on something so simple. Add like a quarter inch of double tape and slap it on. No screws no holes. Machine car wash safe.

Yes, that is how they mount my european plate when picked her up in Munich. But here in the States, the bracketry provided by BMW does not have any flat mounting surface to apply the double-side tape.

Back to the topic. Can anyone have a front license mounted verify what screw they use, self tapping for nut and bolt. Thanks.

[simp0man]

Originally Posted by underDAWG

Yes, that is how they mount my european plate when picked her up in Munich. But here in the States, the bracketry provided by BMW does not have any flat mounting surface to apply the double-side tape.

Back to the topic. Can anyone have a front license mounted verify what screw they use, self tapping for nut and bolt. Thanks.

I forgot to mention, I didn't keep the brackets either... see
SAVE THE BUMPER....

[onth]

^ How long have you been putting your plate like that without frame?

For most of the cars I have seen, their front plate will bend out even for those only put two screws on top but no screw at the bottom.

[simp0man]

Almost two years. I bend it too to fit the curve of the car and I don't know how it is possible to get the lower potion to bend. Mines still were straight down wards. Never got pulled over for it but now I took them off, 'cause I decided to be a rebel and it looks way better. I will pay the price for good looks

[bsd107]

Could somebody please post a picture of the BMW-dealer installed front license plate braket?

I have a E90 on the way, and I'm debating as to whether to tell the dealer to not drill the holes and leave the braket off or not.

If the dealer installs the braket, is the braket easy for me to remove? How many drill holes will be left, and how visible would they be on a Titanium Silver car? And if the screws are removed, will the screw holes in the bumper be compromised (I'm thinking screws into soft plastic - you remove the screws and the threaded holes now won't hold as tight if you use them again?)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[bsamoul]

That's how mine looks. It came with the car, so i didn't even get a choice

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by bsd107

Could somebody please post a picture of the BMW-dealer installed front license plate braket?

I have a E90 on the way, and I'm debating as to whether to tell the dealer to not drill the holes and leave the braket off or not.

If the dealer installs the braket, is the braket easy for me to remove? How many drill holes will be left, and how visible would they be on a Titanium Silver car? And if the screws are removed, will the screw holes in the bumper be compromised (I'm thinking screws into soft plastic - you remove the screws and the threaded holes now won't hold as tight if you use them again?)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Removal of the dealer installed bracket is easy. It is held on with two screws in the upper corners by two self-tapping screws. I took mine off and put it back on several times without issue; just don't overtighten. For what it's worth, the holes look horrid and deform the plastic bumper. I ended up getting them filled and the center part of the bumper resprayed.

These photos show a mediocre close-up of the frame and the frame I replaced it with.