M Sport front bumper with US Plates - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 07:25 AM

I have a black M Sport on order and I am starting to get mildly depressed with the thought of a New York license plate in cantilever mode on the front bumper.

I've searched for pics and am surprised how few I find with US plates.

Anyone out there who can share some pics? In real life, is it that bad?

chrisny · 10-31-2012, 08:07 AM

If you scroll through the official black photo thread you should find a few of them, some centered (normal bracket) and one off-center (jersey plate).

I find it's always worse than you want because we see all these pics online with no plate, but once you get used to it, it is what it is and doesn't bother me as much.

I have a black one on order as well, debating whether I want to keep my white NY plate or give in and get the new ones... I actually like the yellow ones, but only with black or white cars.

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisny

If you scroll through the official black photo thread you should find a few of them, some centered (normal bracket) and one off-center (jersey plate).

I find it's always worse than you want because we see all these pics online with no plate, but once you get used to it, it is what it is and doesn't bother me as much.

I have a black one on order as well, debating whether I want to keep my white NY plate or give in and get the new ones... I actually like the yellow ones, but only with black or white cars.

Thanks, I'll keep checking.

Definitely going with the retro-colored plates for a black car...

PGT · 10-31-2012, 10:17 AM

we're taking our chances by NOT mounting a front plate (on both my SRT8 and the M Sport). On my Wrangler, I'll have to figure out a solution once the winch goes on because that's exactly where the plate bolts on as well.

Front plate laws are there to help bolster speeding ticket revenue - its the main target for LASER speed guns.

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 10:20 AM

Found one. Looks like 40% of the plate hangs below the top part of the bumper.

I suppose it could look worse...

DerekS · 10-31-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

Found one. Looks like 40% of the plate hangs below the top part of the bumper.
I suppose it could look worse...

I think a plain black frame (no graphics) would look better.

Number · 10-31-2012, 11:38 AM

To the OP: I feel your pain. The M-Sport front is just too nice to put a plate on. But I'm just gonna do what this guy did (pic below) and angle it to the contours of the bumper. I'm not sure what country it's from, but the shape and size is very similar to a US plate.

IMO, the plate on the towhook is even more noticeable than when you just center it. The other day, I saw a BMW that had the towhook license plate bracket. He had the Euro plate on it AND the US plate covering the Euro plate. Something like the 2nd pic below. It looked horrendously ridiculous.

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 11:53 AM

Yeah, have to say I 'm not feeling the towhook look. That one above is almost funny.

One option might be to go for a tinted frame, although I'm sure the cops are lovin' those...

And here's another approach: just letting it all hang low. Not sure about this one either.

mark.L · 10-31-2012, 12:01 PM

I actually like the look of the one hanging low.

chrisny · 10-31-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

Definitely going with the retro-colored plates for a black car...

Hmmm, how do we get those black Dare plates? Better looking and maybe it would blend more.

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark.L

I actually like the look of the one hanging low.

Might get knocked around in wind and washing, no? Get loose?

How about just attaching it REAL LOW, to the lower grill?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisny

Hmmm, how do we get those black Dare plates? Better looking and maybe it would blend more.

DARE's just PA, right? They do look good...

clarence · 10-31-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremolo

I'm not sure what country it's from, but the shape and size is very similar to a US plate.

It's a Japanese plate.

TheObviousChild · 10-31-2012, 05:09 PM

I'm in Colorado and have yet to put a front plate on my 328 or X3....and I don't plan on putting it on my 335 M-Sport when I get it. Ticketing is rare and, if you do get one, it's a $15 fine. I'll gladly pay that to not have to drill holes into the bumper.

rjc32000 · 10-31-2012, 06:12 PM

The secret is to have really good scenery to distract people from the ugly front plate holder:

Ron Scott · 10-31-2012, 07:34 PM

Got it: white plate on silver car doesn't go...

chrisny · 10-31-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

DARE's just PA, right? They do look good...

Yeah, think you're right.

NateDog07V · 11-01-2012, 02:04 PM

Drill holes in the license plate and attach it to the plastic mesh in the lower opening with zip ties... the plate barely fits vertically, but it does fit ! at least with this method it tucks it away a bit instead of it hanging off the front end

mark.L · 11-01-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NateDog07V

Drill holes in the license plate and attach it to the plastic mesh in the lower opening with zip ties... the plate barely fits vertically, but it does fit ! at least with this method it tucks it away a bit instead of it hanging off the front end

Sounds like a good alternative to drilling holes in the bumper. Do you have a picture?

JUSKIDN · 11-01-2012, 10:51 PM

the plate really messes up the aggressive look of the front but if your state requires it there is nothing you can do

TrueBlue12 · 11-01-2012, 11:35 PM

horrible.

Pandarakus · 11-02-2012, 06:08 AM

Why don't you place the plate on the dashboard? I live in Los Angeles but never get stopped for that

Ron Scott · 11-02-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandarakus

Why don't you place the plate on the dashboard? I live in Los Angeles but never get stopped for that

So you just toss it up there when you street park or do you drive like that?

10-31-2012, 07:25 AM	#1
Ron Scott Captain Drives: 2013 335 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	M Sport front bumper with US Plates I have a black M Sport on order and I am starting to get mildly depressed with the thought of a New York license plate in cantilever mode on the front bumper. I've searched for pics and am surprised how few I find with US plates. Anyone out there who can share some pics? In real life, is it that bad?
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10-31-2012, 10:17 AM	#4
PGT Second Lieutenant Drives: 328i M-Sport in Estoril Blue Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 271 iTrader: (0)	we're taking our chances by NOT mounting a front plate (on both my SRT8 and the M Sport). On my Wrangler, I'll have to figure out a solution once the winch goes on because that's exactly where the plate bolts on as well. Front plate laws are there to help bolster speeding ticket revenue - its the main target for LASER speed guns. __________________ \| '13 328i M Sport - Estoril Blue \| '12 300C SRT8 \| '12 Wrangler Rubi Unlimited - COD MW3 Edition\|

10-31-2012, 11:38 AM	#7
Number ✚ Drives: ✚ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: ✚ ✚ Posts: 982 iTrader: (1)	To the OP: I feel your pain. The M-Sport front is just too nice to put a plate on. But I'm just gonna do what this guy did (pic below) and angle it to the contours of the bumper. I'm not sure what country it's from, but the shape and size is very similar to a US plate. IMO, the plate on the towhook is even more noticeable than when you just center it. The other day, I saw a BMW that had the towhook license plate bracket. He had the Euro plate on it AND the US plate covering the Euro plate. Something like the 2nd pic below. It looked horrendously ridiculous. Attached Images

10-31-2012, 11:53 AM	#8
Ron Scott Captain Drives: 2013 335 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	Yeah, have to say I 'm not feeling the towhook look. That one above is almost funny. One option might be to go for a tinted frame, although I'm sure the cops are lovin' those... And here's another approach: just letting it all hang low. Not sure about this one either. Last edited by Ron Scott; 10-31-2012 at 11:59 AM.

10-31-2012, 12:01 PM	#9
mark.L Lieutenant Drives: '13 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 452 iTrader: (0)	I actually like the look of the one hanging low. __________________ 335i ///M-Sport Mineral Gray \| Black-kidney Grilles \| Performance Exhaust

10-31-2012, 08:07 AM	#2
chrisny Captain Drives: '13 BSM 335xi M Sport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NY Posts: 819 iTrader: (0)	If you scroll through the official black photo thread you should find a few of them, some centered (normal bracket) and one off-center (jersey plate). I find it's always worse than you want because we see all these pics online with no plate, but once you get used to it, it is what it is and doesn't bother me as much. I have a black one on order as well, debating whether I want to keep my white NY plate or give in and get the new ones... I actually like the yellow ones, but only with black or white cars.

10-31-2012, 10:20 AM	#5
Ron Scott Captain Drives: 2013 335 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	Found one. Looks like 40% of the plate hangs below the top part of the bumper. I suppose it could look worse...

10-31-2012, 05:09 PM	#13
TheObviousChild First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 335xi - M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 340 iTrader: (0)	I'm in Colorado and have yet to put a front plate on my 328 or X3....and I don't plan on putting it on my 335 M-Sport when I get it. Ticketing is rare and, if you do get one, it's a $15 fine. I'll gladly pay that to not have to drill holes into the bumper. __________________ 2013 BMW 335xi EBII over Coral Red / ///M sport / Premium / Cold Weather / 6MT / Nav / Dynamic Handling / HK audio Previous: 2010 328i / MT Previous: 2007 328i / AT (boo) Previous: 2004 325i / MT

10-31-2012, 06:12 PM	#14
rjc32000 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 M Sport X Drive Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Alaska Posts: 255 iTrader: (0)	The secret is to have really good scenery to distract people from the ugly front plate holder: Attached Images

10-31-2012, 07:34 PM	#15
Ron Scott Captain Drives: 2013 335 M Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	Got it: white plate on silver car doesn't go...

11-01-2012, 02:04 PM	#17
NateDog07V Private Drives: '13 335i M-Sport BSM/CoralRed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	Drill holes in the license plate and attach it to the plastic mesh in the lower opening with zip ties... the plate barely fits vertically, but it does fit ! at least with this method it tucks it away a bit instead of it hanging off the front end

11-01-2012, 10:51 PM	#19
JUSKIDN Lieutenant Drives: 2013 EBII 328i M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 469 iTrader: (0)	the plate really messes up the aggressive look of the front but if your state requires it there is nothing you can do __________________ It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane.

11-01-2012, 11:35 PM	#20
TrueBlue12 Private First Class Drives: Imperial 328i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Francisco Posts: 177 iTrader: (0)	horrible.

11-02-2012, 06:08 AM	#21
Pandarakus Private Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	Why don't you place the plate on the dashboard? I live in Los Angeles but never get stopped for that

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