[dotcomgirl]

I just moved back to where I am required to have a front license plate. I didn’t want to drill into the front of my nice new M40i bumper, so I bought the Sto n Sho license plate bracket.

Called them to order the model specific to my car. Followed the installation instructions exactly. Centered on my bumper (the bracket screws into the underside of the bumper).

Went to leave for work this morning and bam... up pops the red car in my heads up display. Disappears briefly. Up it pops again. The sensors thought the bracket was a car too close to my front bumper.

What the heck did I do wrong? I thought the Sto n Sho company designed this version specifically for the M40i. So why the heck would they design it to block a sensor? Where are all the sensors anyway? I thought the sensors were just the little circles all around the car, but now I’m guessing the center oval thing on the front bumper (now blocked by the license plate) is a sensor?

[bmtespar]

The center oval thing is your radar system which is the reason you’re seeing the red car icon in the heads up display. Sounds like this plate system will not work for you. Many others including myself have a front plate and radar and have no issues with false alerts. I did put my front plate on with 3 pieces of double sided tape and it has held up quite well.

[thestuarts]

Another option to avoid drilling holes is to install a tow hook license plate holder, although the tow hook mounting point is not in the center of the bumper, so if you are OCD about symmetry then the tow hook option is not for you. I kinda like the offset plate look.

[IXVXI]

If thats the bracket you installed in the below link, it will be blocking the radar.


http://bigmikesperformanceparts.com/...3-m40i-sns149/

[MarkyM]

It shows the position of sensor in the manual and advises to keep clear

[gwynethh]

Mounted our sto n sho off center and all behaves well during driving

[dotcomgirl]

Originally Posted by gwynethh

Mounted our sto n sho off center and all behaves well during driving

Shoot, I didn’t even realize I could mount it off center. I just assumed the curve of the bumper changed as you move to the side. I will reinstall mine later today. Thanks for this! Saved me the hassle of just returning it!

[skier219]

In addition to not wanting to block the radar, I'd be hesitant about blocking the cooling intake down there (especially if you have radar and it's already reducing the area). That is meant to be the main cooling intake on the vehicle, while the ones above (with active shutters) are secondary and close whenever possible to lower aerodynamic drag.

I mounted my front plate this weekend and spent a good 20-30 minutes studying everything (can't help it, I'm a mech engineer by day). Did not see a solution that I liked and finally mounted on the bumper with the BMW bracket. A secondary option could be to use 3M body tape instead of the bracket and screws.

I considered welding up a bracket to attach to the underside of the bumper cover, but that part of the cover is so darn flimsy that I didn't feel like it would be stable at speed. I would bet money that the sto n sho is going to be flopping around down there.

[AndroidRobot]

I installed mine offset to the passenger side by eyeballing it and there are no issues with any sensors at all.

[Jeepersjoey]

I used 3M VHB tape.

I use this stuff at work and VHB = Very High Bond. It holds really well.

But, it needs to bond to the plastic.

I did it...and this plate ain't coming off!

(But, I did add a sticker with my name and phone number...just in case)

Ha!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by gwynethh

Mounted our sto n sho off center and all behaves well during driving

What you are having there, still blocking partial of the sensor.
It is not critical, but the sensor is losing the detail on the right side of it since it got blocked by the license plate.
So, since it is the sensor for ACC, when someone moving in to your lane from your passenger side, the sensor will not catch that car from where it was to be.
Not until it was visible by the sensor.

[nyalpine90]

i just had the dealer install plate on the bumper. My CA was cool not to drill holes on the bumper since X4 had tow hook.
he thought i would like to have tow hook with G01. I got tired of worrying about it lol . It was ripped off twice by bmw service dept putting it thru their car wash.

[rem40i]

Originally Posted by gwynethh

Mounted our sto n sho off center and all behaves well during driving

How has it been holding up the last 10 months? I installed mine today I feel like it is a little flimsy. Does it hold up well on the freeway?