Best front plate mounting option without drilling bumper?

kamek · 01-31-2018, 06:47 PM

I put in a very high priority request with my dealer that I do not want my front plate drilled into the bumper. That said, I live in NY -- a state that required a front plate.

Has anyone tested alternative front plate mounting options? Tow hook mount, hidden sliding plate, etc.?

arciga18 · 01-31-2018, 09:04 PM

Illinois is the same. I have not drilled the front bumper.

I had temp PA tags for that past 7 weeks so I didn't worry about it.

I am leaning towards zip ties up front until i find a solution.

cdye12 · 02-01-2018, 12:03 AM

I've used double-sided tape to great effect. I have a clear bra on both vehicles, so am unsure if that helps or hurts but I've had front license plates affixed using this method for over a year and they've withstood German, Austrian, and Swiss seasons.

fizzguy · 02-01-2018, 06:54 AM

Also interested to hear your ideas. Definitely don't want to drill this time around, but I don't think magnetic setups will work on G01 bumpers, right?

KAP8 · 02-01-2018, 07:35 AM

Ours is on the dashboard at the moment and facing out the front windshield. I'll get a US Millworks tow hook mount as soon as they can verify that it will work on a G01.

ando · 02-01-2018, 07:37 AM

Despite me humanizing my cars I just add the front plate. I think the offset tow applications look worse and I'm not going to mount a motorized device. Now if I lived in a state where the front plate was not required I would not want a dealer plate or anything installed.

kamek · 02-01-2018, 09:37 AM

Would something like this fit?

https://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-Licen...ords=show+n+go

aw088817 · 02-01-2018, 10:33 AM

Have the same issue in nj. I was looking at the tow hook version but seems as though it would cover the parking sensor.

kamek · 02-01-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aw088817

Have the same issue in nj. I was looking at the tow hook version but seems as though it would cover the parking sensor.

I never liked the look of the tow hook cover. On my E92 I have it 3M double-sided taped to my bumper, but I'd prefer an actual mount for this.

x5joe2013 · 02-02-2018, 07:10 PM

I'm in IL and haven't had a front plate on mine for over 5yrs. They don't enforce typically.

Zirenz2006 · 02-03-2018, 05:39 AM

I haven't had a front plate on my past 2 cars in 7 years and never (knock on wood) had a problem. I don't plan to put one on the M40i either.

I don't like the offset tow hook mounts at all.

kamek · 02-04-2018, 01:45 AM

I'm feeling really defeated on this topic. It doesn't seem like the tow hook mount will work due to a sensor being so close, and there really isn't anywhere else to mount it without blocking the lower grille. I have my plate 3M taped onto my e92, though the X3 doesn't have as flat of a surface to do so. I may just end up taking the drilled bumper after all...

Keweenawbee · 02-04-2018, 09:55 AM

You could always move to Michigan.

I just put the big Bumptek holder on ours. It sandwiches it in thick black rubber. Should help us in collisions

kamek · 02-04-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

You could always move to Michigan.

I just put the big Bumptek holder on ours. It sandwiches it in thick black rubber. Should help us in collisions

The front bumper guard is another reason I'm reconsidering just adding the front plate on...

No1Cares · 02-06-2018, 07:51 PM

http://www.usmillworks.com/

hands down the best. used them on both my previous f30 335i and e46 m3 with sensors and this did not interfere.

arciga18 · 02-06-2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casotakar

http://www.usmillworks.com/

hands down the best. used them on both my previous f30 335i and e46 m3 with sensors and this did not interfere.

They don't list the G01 and haven't replied to other forum members who inquired.

We believe the thread is the same but the receiver looks to sit a bit deeper

kamek · 02-12-2018, 04:15 PM

I'm taking delivery of my car in 2 days and still haven't figured out a way to mount a front plate without drilling or blocking a sensor. I think I may just have the damn plate drilled.

BobsM3Coupe · 02-12-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamek

I'm taking delivery of my car in 2 days and still haven't figured out a way to mount a front plate without drilling or blocking a sensor. I think I may just have the damn plate drilled.

I realize by mounting the plate on the front, it ruins the look of any vehicle, well maybe not a Pontiac Aztek, but I think I'd sooner mount it like it's designed instead of that hideous off set tow hook location. Looks like something from Pep Boys.

mc-m3 · 02-12-2018, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casotakar

http://www.usmillworks.com/

hands down the best. used them on both my previous f30 335i and e46 m3 with sensors and this did not interfere.

+1

kamek · 02-12-2018, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I realize by mounting the plate on the front, it ruins the look of any vehicle, well maybe not a Pontiac Aztek, but I think I'd sooner mount it like it's designed instead of that hideous off set tow hook location. Looks like something from Pep Boys.

I'm leaning towards mounting it like it's designed. I think the tow hook location is the worst looking of them all.

No1Cares · 02-14-2018, 08:21 AM

tow hook location my favorite...lol. idk why so much hate for that area.

KAP8 · 02-14-2018, 08:57 AM

I think US Millworks is out of business. I need to find a solution.

01-31-2018, 06:47 PM	#1
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	Best front plate mounting option without drilling bumper? I put in a very high priority request with my dealer that I do not want my front plate drilled into the bumper. That said, I live in NY -- a state that required a front plate. Has anyone tested alternative front plate mounting options? Tow hook mount, hidden sliding plate, etc.?
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01-31-2018, 09:04 PM	#2
arciga18 Brigadier General 1729 Rep 3,654 Posts Drives: LeMans/ Chestnut E90, RWD Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Illinois is the same. I have not drilled the front bumper. I had temp PA tags for that past 7 weeks so I didn't worry about it. I am leaning towards zip ties up front until i find a solution.
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02-01-2018, 12:03 AM	#3
cdye12 New Member 11 Rep 13 Posts Drives: F36 440i xDrive; F48 X1 28ix Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stuttgart iTrader: (0)	I've used double-sided tape to great effect. I have a clear bra on both vehicles, so am unsure if that helps or hurts but I've had front license plates affixed using this method for over a year and they've withstood German, Austrian, and Swiss seasons.
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02-01-2018, 06:54 AM	#4
fizzguy New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Also interested to hear your ideas. Definitely don't want to drill this time around, but I don't think magnetic setups will work on G01 bumpers, right?
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02-01-2018, 07:35 AM	#5
KAP8 Lieutenant 218 Rep 409 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	Ours is on the dashboard at the moment and facing out the front windshield. I'll get a US Millworks tow hook mount as soon as they can verify that it will work on a G01.
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02-01-2018, 07:37 AM	#6
ando Colonel 2001 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: i5 eDr40, G80 and F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5 eDr40 [10.00] 2022 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	Despite me humanizing my cars I just add the front plate. I think the offset tow applications look worse and I'm not going to mount a motorized device. Now if I lived in a state where the front plate was not required I would not want a dealer plate or anything installed.
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02-01-2018, 09:37 AM	#7
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	Would something like this fit? https://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-Licen...ords=show+n+go
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02-01-2018, 10:33 AM	#8
aw088817 Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2013 x3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: nj iTrader: (0)	Have the same issue in nj. I was looking at the tow hook version but seems as though it would cover the parking sensor.
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02-02-2018, 07:10 PM	#10
x5joe2013 Private 4 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2013 X5 50i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	I'm in IL and haven't had a front plate on mine for over 5yrs. They don't enforce typically.
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02-03-2018, 05:39 AM	#11
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1542 Rep 4,558 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	I haven't had a front plate on my past 2 cars in 7 years and never (knock on wood) had a problem. I don't plan to put one on the M40i either. I don't like the offset tow hook mounts at all. __________________ Current: 2021 ///M3 Competition Isle of Man Green Ordered: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
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02-04-2018, 01:45 AM	#12
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	I'm feeling really defeated on this topic. It doesn't seem like the tow hook mount will work due to a sensor being so close, and there really isn't anywhere else to mount it without blocking the lower grille. I have my plate 3M taped onto my e92, though the X3 doesn't have as flat of a surface to do so. I may just end up taking the drilled bumper after all...
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02-04-2018, 09:55 AM	#13
Keweenawbee Captain 296 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 18 X3 30i-m-exec Rides: RT1100 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: MN & MI, USA iTrader: (0)	You could always move to Michigan. I just put the big Bumptek holder on ours. It sandwiches it in thick black rubber. Should help us in collisions
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02-06-2018, 07:51 PM	#15
No1Cares Lieutenant 435 Rep 570 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	http://www.usmillworks.com/ hands down the best. used them on both my previous f30 335i and e46 m3 with sensors and this did not interfere.
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02-12-2018, 04:15 PM	#17
kamek Brigadier General 358 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [8.20]	I'm taking delivery of my car in 2 days and still haven't figured out a way to mount a front plate without drilling or blocking a sensor. I think I may just have the damn plate drilled.
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02-14-2018, 08:21 AM	#21
No1Cares Lieutenant 435 Rep 570 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	tow hook location my favorite...lol. idk why so much hate for that area.
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02-14-2018, 08:57 AM	#22
KAP8 Lieutenant 218 Rep 409 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	I think US Millworks is out of business. I need to find a solution.
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