[Firebass]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

I emailed them a few minutes ago to express my interest in getting one as well, so hopefully they'll be more inclined to speed up development!

Calvin there is who I've been working with. Very responsive and helpful. He just suggested the 122mm bolt with a 7mm spacer in case that's too short. Will be ordering that and will post a follow up once the kit arrives and I get it installed

[bluecrabby]

Originally Posted by Firebass

Surprisingly, yes. If it's not screwed/bolted on it's technically illegal. The random vehicle inspection checkpoints they set up (which are legal in Germany) love to make a profit off of technicalities that are minor in reality. The beauty of my lovely Bavarian vehicle matters not...there's more of a blind bureaucratic adherence to rules around my specific locale, common sense be damned unfortunately

surely they make an exception if your vehicle is US-spec(especially one that will eventually be removed from German or EU territory)?

how will they let you pass without having the mandatory rear fog light on your US-spec BMW X1?

[Firebass]

Originally Posted by bluecrabby

surely they make an exception if your vehicle is US-spec(especially one that will eventually be removed from German or EU territory)?

how will they let you pass without having the mandatory rear fog light on your US-spec BMW X1?

It's there now. Plus the reg (agreed upon by the German govt) for vehicles here with foreign military forces specifically prohibits zip ties. A tow hook mount is a grey area depending on how one reads the rule book, but is generally ignored along with taping the plate. New cars get plates without an inspection for up to three years, but I don't want my wife dealing with some overzealous cop over a zip tie. If the front bumper were flat enough, I would've just taped the plate on and glued on sawed-off screw heads like previous vehicles I've had here.

Some variances are allowed in the safety standards, but they're pretty strict about zip ties or similar not being used to attach things. Plus its a lot easier to spot than a rear fog light if one is spot inspected

[FlashMonkey929]

Rho Plate responded to my email yesterday and this is what they said:

Hi Ryan,

We are developing a new kit for 2023 BMW X1 with regular bumper. If you could send us a few pictures after you have picked up your new X1 M sport. We will be able to confirm if regular bumper use the same kit as M sport bumper.

If you would like to do that, please send the following photos:
1. A photo of the tow hook beside a ruler
2. A top view of the tow hook fully installed into the car
3. A side view of the tow hook fully installed into the car
4. A picture to show the distance between the tow hook and parking sensors.
The main idea is to calculate the length of the mounting bolt required. Any extra photos are welcome. I've attached some samples for your reference.


So if anyone who currently has an M Sport in their possession could take some photos that they're requesting I'd really appreciate it!

[jishman]

Anyone find a workable no-drill solution for the M sport? Also in a mandatory front plate state...

[bluecrabby]

here's one solution....

move or register the vehicle in one of the blue states in the pic below. which was what I did 13 years ago because I hated front license plates so much... well, not the *only* reason, but it was the straw that broke the camel's front license plate, sort of...

[Firebass]

Originally Posted by jishman

Anyone find a workable no-drill solution for the M sport? Also in a mandatory front plate state...

Rho plate’s kit should work; just waiting for it to arrive. Might need a slightly longer bolt with the M sport. Around here the dealer uses 3M tape, but that’s for Euro plates…dunno if the M sport has the real estate for a US plate to be fully taped on

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by jishman

Anyone find a workable no-drill solution for the M sport? Also in a mandatory front plate state...

My post above never got a response from a current M Sport owner, so I can't submit measurements to Rho Plate for test fitment until mine comes in. I'm guessing there isn't too much difference between the X Line and M Sport, but until I get my car in (hopefully by next week), I can't say for sure.

[RedGaze]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

My post above never got a response from a current M Sport owner, so I can't submit measurements to Rho Plate for test fitment until mine comes in. I'm guessing there isn't too much difference between the X Line and M Sport, but until I get my car in (hopefully by next week), I can't say for sure.

Hey did you ever get an answer to this or get it resolved? Waiting on my M Sport still and still considering my front plate options.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by RedGaze

Hey did you ever get an answer to this or get it resolved? Waiting on my M Sport still and still considering my front plate options.

Apologies, I’ve been pretty busy with work lately so I forgot about the plate mount. Rho Plate is sending me a kit that they think should fit the M Sport nicely, I just paid for it today (though they sent me the info a couple weeks ago) so hopefully they send it soon. Once it comes in I should be able to fit it quickly and see if it causes any issues with the sensors.

[RedGaze]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Apologies, I’ve been pretty busy with work lately so I forgot about the plate mount. Rho Plate is sending me a kit that they think should fit the M Sport nicely, I just paid for it today (though they sent me the info a couple weeks ago) so hopefully they send it soon. Once it comes in I should be able to fit it quickly and see if it causes any issues with the sensors.

Awesome! Good luck! Fingers crossed it looks nice and works well.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by RedGaze

Awesome! Good luck! Fingers crossed it looks nice and works well.

My front plate mount came in on Saturday, I'm about to go pick it up from my mailing address and fit it. I'll take some photos and post them when I get the chance!

[FlashMonkey929]

The Rho Plate mount arrived very well packaged and the quality of the parts are very nice. On par, if not better than US Millworks and far better customer service. Installation took about 10-15 minutes, didn’t even need the instructions. Went for a drive to Costco and back and it seems to have no issues with any of the sensors that I can tell. 100% recommend!

[RedGaze]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

The Rho Plate mount arrived very well packaged and the quality of the parts are very nice. On par, if not better than US Millworks and far better customer service. Installation took about 10-15 minutes, didn’t even need the instructions. Went for a drive to Costco and back and it seems to have no issues with any of the sensors that I can tell. 100% recommend!

Wow that looks great! Thank you for sharing this! Going to get my Rho order ready as well!

[lotus1818]

Looks good.
Do you mind sharing a picture of the whole vehicle front with the Rho plate mounted ?
Thanks.

[lotus1818]

I meant from a distance....

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by lotus1818

I meant from a distance....

Here you go. I will also add that you don’t have to mount it exactly in that position, there is quite a bit of options as far as positioning. You can tilt it so it is angled to follow the contour of the bumper more, or you can choose a different hole to move it higher or lower.

[Speedbird71]

Thanks for sharing that Flash. For now going to chance it here in california. Informal survey is like 10 to 15% of cars I see go without front plates

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by Firebass

Rho plate’s kit should work; just waiting for it to arrive. Might need a slightly longer bolt with the M sport.

Firebass Did you ever get that mounted with the Euro plate? If so, how is it and any photo?

[J-RO]

https://www.slybrackets.com/store/

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by J-RO

https://www.slybrackets.com/store/

I did not go with these because with the way they mount it uses compression against the plastic lower grill to get a secure fit, and not comfortable with any issues that may arise with long term usage causing the grill to break. Not to mention if someone tapped the car and hit the plate it would likely cause the grill to break. Probably me overthinking it, but I like tow hook mounts because they're much sturdier in general.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

I did not go with these because with the way they mount it uses compression against the plastic lower grill to get a secure fit, and not comfortable with any issues that may arise with long term usage causing the grill to break. Not to mention if someone tapped the car and hit the plate it would likely cause the grill to break. Probably me overthinking it, but I like tow hook mounts because they're much sturdier in general.

You make good points.