[Deliberate2]

Friends, if all goes well, I will be collecting my M40i this week. My state requires a front plate. No front = no inspection sticker, and grounds for cop stop. For those of you who live under similar rules, is there a work around that does not require attaching crappy dealer ad plate frame directly to bumper. Pics appreciated.
Thanks.

[skier219]

There are a lot of workarounds listed on the forum, though none that I was in love with (some of the common ones can block the parking sensors in the bumper). I finally went ahead and mounted the factory front plate bracket. On the M40i, it screws into a replaceable black plastic panel in the middle of the bumper, and not painted plastic, so I considered it much less of a travesty than if I had to make holes and wreck a painted part.

Another option is to use 3M VHB tape and just stick the plate directly to the bumper. Can be removed with fishing line or dental floss at a later date and not leave any marks. Just be sparing with the tape as it is strong stuff.

[bmtespar]

This has been discussed in no less than 3 other threads. Try the search function and you will find lots of info about various options.

[Deliberate2]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

This has been discussed in no less than 3 other threads. Try the search function and you will find lots of info about various options.

Thanks. I spent some time reviewing them - rare earth magnets, sticky Velcro, US Mill Works, etc. Some had sensor blocking issues, others just looked bad. Never hurts to pose a question, even on a topic that has been discussed, in the hopes that a new mouse trap has been created.
Cheers.

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

Thanks. I spent some time reviewing them - rare earth magnets, sticky Velcro, US Mill Works, etc. Some had sensor blocking issues, others just looked bad. Never hurts to pose a question, even on a topic that has been discussed, in the hopes that a new mouse trap has been created.
Cheers.

I went through the whole motion a couple of months ago and ended up using the front bracket supplied with the car. Looks good for me so far and have none of the interference issues. Also, no problem going through car washes either. I would never take the bracket off for the life of the car so a couple of screws on the bumper makes no difference for me (even if they do, the damage would be well hidden behind the bracket)...

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

Friends, if all goes well, I will be collecting my M40i this week. My state requires a front plate. No front = no inspection sticker, and grounds for cop stop. For those of you who live under similar rules, is there a work around that does not require attaching crappy dealer ad plate frame directly to bumper. Pics appreciated.
Thanks.

I live in California-same rules RE:front plate on registered vehicle - no annual inspections in CA. I've been driving (Bimmers)w/o front plate for 10+ years, never flagged/received fixit ticket by local police nor CHP. Police out here have much bigger fish to fry on the highways.

Maybe cops in Maine are different?

[BSquared+]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I went through the whole motion a couple of months ago and ended up using the front bracket supplied with the car. Looks good for me so far and have none of the interference issues. Also, no problem going through car washes either. I would never take the bracket off for the life of the car so a couple of screws on the bumper makes no difference for me (even if they do, the damage would be well hidden behind the bracket)...

Yep, the factory plate works well and a couple of small screw holes are AFAIC a "non-issue". I don't even need it in Pa. but using it gave me an excuse to mount my Conch Republic plate.

[greg2step]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I live in California-same rules RE:front plate on registered vehicle - no annual inspections in CA. I've been driving (Bimmers)w/o front plate for 10+ years, never flagged/received fixit ticket by local police nor CHP. Police out here have much bigger fish to fry on the highways.

Maybe cops in Maine are different?

some east coast states can be strict. I live in Maryland, have lived in Massachusetts in the past, I have heard stories in both about cops in some spots being strict about this and pulling over not properly tagged cars. Always seems like a waste to me, neighboring states don't have front plates and their drivers drive their cars on our roads without a front plate.

I am also partial to the factory plate mount. I don't like the off center look of some of the third party options out there, but it is clearly a matter of preference.

[Deliberate2]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I live in California-same rules RE:front plate on registered vehicle - no annual inspections in CA. I've been driving (Bimmers)w/o front plate for 10+ years, never flagged/received fixit ticket by local police nor CHP. Police out here have much bigger fish to fry on the highways.

Maybe cops in Maine are different?

Yes, I have been bagged for it. State trooper was kind enough to pull out his copy of Maine Revised Statutes to show me the law. He had the page bookmarked....

[ando]

I live in a state with the front plate requirement and I just have them put it on but no dealer chrome frame. I like the fact it is centered and really no work or stress. I personally do not like the retractable one because you still have to attach it and the tow hooks ones aren't centered. But it's your vehicle so do what you prefer.

[jcorallo]

US millworks. Dont use a frame - just mount the plate on the bracket.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by jcorallo

US millworks. Dont use a frame - just mount the plate on the bracket.

Yep. This is what I bought for my wife's X3. Tau Beta Pi front frame, Vegas Knights rear frame.

[bmtespar]

Double sided foam tape to adhere the frame to the black part of the bumper. I’ve done it on two vehicles now and it has held up great. No holes.