BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-08-2011, 06:13 PM   #1
Lotus7
Major
United_States
68
Rep
1,041
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

Screw your License plate

POST DELETED

Last edited by Lotus7; 02-05-2012 at 07:06 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2011, 06:44 PM   #2
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Are you detail oriented?
Do minor, insignificant things “bug” you?

If not, please don’t bother reading this thread since it’s intended for the most obsessive, anal retentive, “Type-A” X3 owners only.
You had me at Type-A.

Looks great. I called my SA three times to remind him not to install the front mounting bracket. And then I emailed him just to drive the point home.
I love the look of your rear plate. I think I'll have to copy this.
Appreciate 0
      03-08-2011, 07:45 PM   #3
Brutus1
Private First Class
United_States
7
Rep
161
Posts

Drives: 2011 x3 -Alpine white
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

Sharp Lotus 7! I too took off the dealer frame and currently have nothing but the license plate on and it doesn't look like I would like. Will have to check yours out and thanks for sharing your idea.
Appreciate 0
      03-14-2011, 01:15 AM   #4
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

I replaced my screws this afternoon! Will take a picture tomorrow. Thanks Mr. 7!
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 10:00 AM   #5
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

As promised!

It's a small detail, but I think it looks quite nice.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 11:13 AM   #6
ho11ywood45
New Member
2
Rep
23
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 -- Alpine White
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

Those look great ... I love the look with out a front plate, but its required out here in SoCal.
Where did you get those?
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 11:21 AM   #7
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ho11ywood45 View Post
Those look great ... I love the look with out a front plate, but its required out here in SoCal.
Where did you get those?
They're required here in Oregon too, but I would rather pay the ticket than put holes in my bumper. Been here 2 years and haven't been hassled.

I'm actually from Irvine, so not too far from SD. I never put a front plate on when I lived there either. I got two fix-it tickets, but I just showed a picture of the plates "mounted" to the car to the judge, paid my $30 and was sent on my marry way. Double sided tape is a great thing.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 11:41 AM   #8
ho11ywood45
New Member
2
Rep
23
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 -- Alpine White
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MA78 View Post
They're required here in Oregon too, but I would rather pay the ticket than put holes in my bumper. Been here 2 years and haven't been hassled.

I'm actually from Irvine, so not too far from SD. I never put a front plate on when I lived there either. I got two fix-it tickets, but I just showed a picture of the plates "mounted" to the car to the judge, paid my $30 and was sent on my marry way. Double sided tape is a great thing.
I've always wondered what the cops notes say when you get pulled over....Dudes got no front plate 3x now, wonder why it keeps "falling" off.

HAHA, I admire your effort.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 02:47 PM   #9
Beesting
New Member
United_States
2
Rep
21
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pasadena, CA

iTrader: (0)

I just hope you don't get a bunch of tailgaters trying to check out those fancy bolts...
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 07:38 PM   #10
Alanintx
ATAP
Alanintx's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
165
Posts

Drives: 2017 Midnight Blue 430xi GC
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

Be careful not to buy a thick after-market license frame if you have the rear camera. I had one on my last BMW and it will not fit under the rear-view camera just above the license plate on the F25.
Appreciate 0
      03-16-2011, 07:41 PM   #11
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alanintx View Post
Be careful not to buy a thick after-market license frame if you have the rear camera. I had one on my last BMW and it will not fit under the rear-view camera just above the license plate on the F25.
I don't have a back up camera, but this is a good point none-the-less.
Appreciate 0
      03-17-2011, 12:19 AM   #12
Alanintx
ATAP
Alanintx's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
165
Posts

Drives: 2017 Midnight Blue 430xi GC
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

Well, now I know I'm not the only one. The previous frame had a big rubber gasket to protect the license and that did not fit at all. Luckily I had a previous stainless one with a lexan cover and it just about fits. Note the way it deals with the screwheads.
It has these chrome-looking (plastic) caps that fit over the screws (at least on the stainless model)

Last edited by Alanintx; 03-17-2011 at 12:27 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-17-2011, 11:52 PM   #13
stlgirl
Private
United_States
9
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 2011 28i X3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Saint Louis MO

iTrader: (0)

Very clean and sharp looking.
All of those small details really make a difference.
Appreciate 0
      04-02-2011, 08:53 PM   #14
flash3
Captain
68
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MA78 View Post
You had me at Type-A.

Looks great. I called my SA three times to remind him not to install the front mounting bracket. And then I emailed him just to drive the point home.
I love the look of your rear plate. I think I'll have to copy this.
What is this you are referring to, sir?

And where did you get your BMW Lisc Plate cover from?
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2011, 08:07 PM   #15
flash3
Captain
68
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

For those states that don't require the front lisc plates (like here in NC) do they still drill holes in the front of the car to put the BMW crap dealer plate?
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2011, 08:12 PM   #16
Brutus1
Private First Class
United_States
7
Rep
161
Posts

Drives: 2011 x3 -Alpine white
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tennessee

iTrader: (0)

No they don't.
Appreciate 0
      04-09-2011, 08:14 PM   #17
flash3
Captain
68
Rep
654
Posts

Drives: X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the quick response. Good to know.
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 10:04 AM   #18
Uppie
New Member
United_States
12
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 2011 x3 28i
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Indy

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Are you detail oriented?
Do minor, insignificant things “bug” you?

If not, please don’t bother reading this thread since it’s intended for the most obsessive, anal retentive, “Type-A” X3 owners only.

My X3 was delivered with ugly, dealer-advertising license plate frames which were attached with the BMW supplied Phillips Head machine screws, which were equally ugly.

I removed the dealer frames within minutes of getting the X3 home, but the OEM Zinc-plated screws remained. The Zinc plated screws are dull gray and tend to discolor with age as the Zinc oxidizes. They just get uglier and uglier as they age (just like most of us).

A few days later I found some chrome-plated screws of the correct size at an auto parts store and installed them. They looked much better, but looked like the stock screws only shiny. After less then a month of being exposed to Chicago’s salt laden winter streets they started to develop rust spots. In addition, since they were still plain old Phillips head screws, anyone with a $1 screwdriver (including any typical car thief) could remove and change the license plate in seconds. I was not happy with the chrome screws.

I decided to search for, and find some polished, Allen head cap screws made of a salt and water impervious stainless steel alloy of the correct size to fit the X3. These were installed, and to my eyes and taste, they look significantly better than the stock Phillips or the Chrome plated screws. They were installed with stainless flat washers and stainless lock washers so provide an additional level of security from having your license plate lifted, since the likelihood of a thief having a correct sized Allen wrench is much less. They will never rust or oxidize, and won’t “freeze” in the tapped holes when it’s time to remove the plate.

Specifications for the metric machine screws I used are:

Size: 5 X 0.8 X 16 mm polished Allen head cap screw (5mm dia. 0.8 pitch, 16mm long)
Material: Type A-2-70 (18-8) stainless steel
The (5mm) washers are also made of A-2-70 (18-8) stainless steel

If anyone wants more details, please contact me via PM.

Photos of the current frame set-up and the original zinc, chrome, and the stainless screws are below.
Could you send me info on the chrome screws?
Thanks

Chris
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 10:20 AM   #19
BIMMER UK 76
Major
BIMMER UK 76's Avatar
United Kingdom
48
Rep
1,089
Posts

Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

I hate dealer decals and made it clear to my salesman
__________________

BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE
Black Sapphire | Oyster Leather | Fineline Sienna Wood | 307 V Spokes | Auto | Prof Multimedia Package | xLine Package | Xenons | Business Radio | Sports Steering Wheel | Sports Seats | Panoramic Sunroof | Sun Protection Glass | Sun Blinds | Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille | Chrome Exhaust Trim | Mudflaps
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 10:43 AM   #20
lord.vater
Enlisted Member
2
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: Bavarian tech
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

wouldnt the cleaner look be the caps on top of the screws? Because TBH, I think that plate frame and screws look damn ugly.

I just spray the dealer plate black or buy the black BMW plate. Very clean
and best of all, no ugly screws showing.

Does your dealer just use screws?
Appreciate 0
      04-10-2011, 11:10 PM   #21
lord.vater
Enlisted Member
2
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: Bavarian tech
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

On ne marie pas les poules avec les renards
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
license frame, stainless steel

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:48 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST