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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > Photo, Video, Media Gallery, Journals > M Sport front bumper with US Plates
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      10-31-2012, 07:25 AM   #1
Ron Scott
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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, 08:07 AM   #2
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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.
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      10-31-2012, 09:51 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
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...
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      10-31-2012, 10:17 AM   #4
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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.
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      10-31-2012, 10:20 AM   #5
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Found one. Looks like 40% of the plate hangs below the top part of the bumper.

I suppose it could look worse...



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      10-31-2012, 11:34 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Scott View Post
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.
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      10-31-2012, 11:38 AM   #7
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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.
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      10-31-2012, 11:53 AM   #8
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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..
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      10-31-2012, 12:01 PM   #9
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I actually like the look of the one hanging low.
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      10-31-2012, 12:05 PM   #10
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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.
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      10-31-2012, 01:17 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark.L View Post
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 View Post
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...
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      10-31-2012, 04:17 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tremolo View Post
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.
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      10-31-2012, 05:09 PM   #13
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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.
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      10-31-2012, 06:12 PM   #14
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The secret is to have really good scenery to distract people from the ugly front plate holder:
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      10-31-2012, 07:34 PM   #15
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Got it: white plate on silver car doesn't go...
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      10-31-2012, 09:12 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Scott
DARE's just PA, right? They do look good...
Yeah, think you're right.
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      11-01-2012, 02:04 PM   #17
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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
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      11-01-2012, 03:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NateDog07V View Post
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?
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      11-01-2012, 10:51 PM   #19
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the plate really messes up the aggressive look of the front but if your state requires it there is nothing you can do
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      11-01-2012, 11:35 PM   #20
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horrible.
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      11-02-2012, 06:08 AM   #21
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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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      11-02-2012, 06:20 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pandarakus View Post
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?
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