[jmwilson125]

Hi guys I know this one has been touched upon before. I just wanted to share what I was planning on doing and seeing if anyone has any advice.

So I would like to do a European front plate, but that's illegal so I'm not. I figured if I go with a tow hook mount, a carbon fiber plate bracket, and some sort of plate cover, it will minimize the eye sore on the front.

Questions
I like the m performance cf plate bracket, but its expensive and I am not sure that the car needs more m badges. Does anyone have a good alternative, or would you just recommend going m perf? ******** has one for a fraction of the cost with no badging on it, does anyone use these?

Also I'd like a plate cover that doesn't look tacky. Most of the ones I've seen kinda bulge out and are very glossy/plastic looking. Does anyone know of a decent quality one that actually looks good? Also one that's not so dark that you will get pulled over for, cause I've seen that happen all to often.

Any alternatives to plate covers like applying tinted vinyl directly to the plate or something like that?

For reference its a blue m235i with Carbon diffuser, front lip and spoiler. Wanted the estoril bule and cf theme. Probably going to do a black vynl wrap on the mirror covers, because I don't want to overdue the carbon.

Thanks

[Kidu]

I used the no-hole Skene Design bracket on mine.
http://skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml
no holes on the front of the bumper. Yay!

[Col-Bimmer]

Have you considered not using the front license plate at all? Many have tried it, and have not been stopped. When stopped, sometimes they give you a fix it ticket, or sometimes a warning, and sometimes you end up paying. Just a thought. YMMV

[Dan GSR]

9 years no plate, only one ticket that was dropped after sending in picture "with a plate installed"

[Transfer]

I'm going tow hook mount by USmillworks with no plate frame. My car is white so a black frame just adds to the eyesore. What color is your car? For the rear I bought the carbon fiber BMW Performance plate. If you need to do a frame on the front, I would get a slimline frame with minimal or no lettering or symbols.

[DeaconBlues]

Originally Posted by Transfer

I'm going tow hook mount by USmillworks with no plate frame. My car is white so a black frame just adds to the eyesore. What color is your car? For the rear I bought the carbon fiber BMW Performance plate. If you need to do a frame on the front, I would get a slimline frame with minimal or no lettering or symbols.

I also have the USMillworks tow hook mount, though I did add a slimline matte black plate frame, which blends in nicely with my car's black sapphire metallic paint.

It's not nearly as intrusive as a center-front plate and I find that my eye is drawn more to the grille and air intakes -- I've got the M Sport package and I think it's one of the best-looking features of the car.

[3.0L]

I drove the RX-8 I traded in on my M235i for 10 years without a front plate and never got stopped. So, my M235i also has no front plate.

A factor that might reduce your chances of getting pulled over is keeping your car looking like new. The cop might think you just bought it. Heh!

[sstarrx3]

Thank You North Carolina for not requiring front plates!

[jmwilson125]

One of my friends just put a new bumper on and left his plate off. He got pulled over within a couple weeks haha

And yeah I was going to get the usmillworks one as well.

[2013mingrey335i]

I used the usmillworks quick release mount very clean looking

[Xiaoxi]

6 months in, no front plates and I have not been stopped yet.

[jmwilson125]

What about plate covers? Anyone use one that looks good or is high quality?

[Transfer]

Getting pulled over and/or ticketed depends on mostly luck but also local law enforcement. With my prior M3 I had no front plate and got pulled over by state patrol as I was just cruising down I-5. He just wanted to waste both our time by telling me I need a front plate.

I'm just gonna tow hook it so I don't have to deal with that crap.

[Alpine F31]

I'm rolling with Euro plates forever. It's been since 2012, (same plate different car) no tickets, parking or moving.

Even if I did get a ticket, I'd get it cleared then put the Euro plate right back on.

[Annon2255]

Originally Posted by jmwilson125

So I would like to do a European front plate, but that's illegal so I'm not.

Are these illegal everywhere or just in states that require front license plates? I live in a state that doesn't require them and want to do a euro plate.

[TBro2002]

Half the BMW's I see in California, that requires front plate, don't have a front plate. Our 3 year old Kia Forte Koup has never had a front plate (and has front doors glass tinted), never any issues. I don't plan on putting a front plate on our new 228i.

[FlyingScot1050]

Are the front plate brackets installed at the dealership? Ordered a 2er last week, and if I can get it sans front license plate bracket, that would be great.

[NEUE02]

I wanted a plate with clean lines and a carbon fiber look plus I wanted a clear cover. I couldn't find the combo I liked so I made one myself. I got a clear Atec plate cover and added the carbon film. I am happy with the results.

[NEUE02]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot1050

Are the front plate brackets installed at the dealership? Ordered a 2er last week, and if I can get it sans front license plate bracket, that would be great.

Yes. Just ask your dealer not to install it but give you the bracket. I always get that in writing when I make the deal.

[danlgen]

i was reading this post last night, debating the front mount. then got on the road this morning then got pulled over for doing 53 in a 40. let me off on the speeding ticket but gave me a $180 municipal donation form for not having my front plate installed.

is that divine intervention, dumb luck or just time to buy a radar detector?

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by NEUE02

I wanted a plate with clean lines and a carbon fiber look plus I wanted a clear cover. I couldn't find the combo I liked so I made one myself. I got a clear Atec plate cover and added the carbon film. I am happy with the results.

So that is cf film? It fooled me, that actually looks really good

[jmwilson125]

Just put the order in for the us millworks