BMW F10 front license plate and rear plate frame suggestions/opinions...

Unfortunately, my 535i already has the front license plate holder drilled into the bumper from the dealer. To remove it would require a little body work and half the bumper to get sprayed . This leads me to my question:

What should I put in that front license plate holder? I know that there is the standard mirror finish or black finish plate with the BMW symbol in the middle. I don't want to look like a badge buyer; however, I am still considering it as it is decently understated.




I know many people utilize rear license plate frames. I prefer an under-stated look. I may not mess with this one.

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/ProductLis...?CategoryId=95

I would put painted plugs or decorative bolts

I assume that you are not putting a license plate in the front because your State does not require it. If my assumption is correct, I never would have accepted delivery with a needless bracket drilled into the front bumper. If your state does require a plate in the front, why not install it? The bracket is already there. If you simply do not want a plate in the front, I recommend installing a BMW plate that was a black background and a BMW Roundel in the center.

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

What should I put in that front license plate holder? I know that there is the standard mirror finish or black finish plate with the BMW symbol in the middle. I don't want to look like a badge buyer; however, I am still considering it as it is decently understated.

I think it would make you look like a "badge buyer" if you place a plate with a BMW badge on the license plate holder about a foot below the BMW badge which is already located just over the grill. IMO a state plate would look better, either by itself or with a simple flat black holder with no other markings on it.

Originally Posted by jimpal

I think it would make you look like a "badge buyer" if you place a plate with a BMW badge on the license plate holder about a foot below the BMW badge which is already located just over the grill. IMO a state plate would look better, either by itself or with a simple flat black holder with no other markings on it.

Thank you for your honesty. I think that is good confirmation for me not to go that route of using the plate with the BMW roundel.

I live in TX, and they do require a front license plate; however, I have yet to install it on a vehicle I own, and have not had any issues to date.

I love the idea of having studs or painted bolts, but that may be a little tricky to access. I wish they had a reliable ready made kit for that.

The sales man said he talked to the guys in the back and they would patch and spray the bumper for $170. Not sure if that is worth it

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

Thank you for your honesty. I think that is good confirmation for me not to go that route of using the plate with the BMW roundel.

I live in TX, and they do require a front license plate; however, I have yet to install it on a vehicle I own, and have not had any issues to date.

I love the idea of having studs or painted bolts, but that may be a little tricky to access. I wish they had a reliable ready made kit for that.

The sales man said he talked to the guys in the back and they would patch and spray the bumper for $170. Not sure if that is worth it

Use the $170 plus a little more to get a custom plate design. If you go with a random number I think it's about $220 on my plates.com. For a bunch more you can go the full vanity route.

I was just looking at black plates for my GT but found F07 available and snagged it. It looks pretty good and really beats our red, white and blue landscape plates on a black car.

Funny sidebar - I saw a beautiful black R8 in the local HEB parking lot (must be a story there too...) with stock Texas plates that just trashed the look of the back end. Who knows what is going on, but if you can afford the R8 you can probably spring the cash for a decent plate.

FWIW
DLM

Originally Posted by grizzles

I would put painted plugs or decorative bolts

This.

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

The sales man said he talked to the guys in the back and they would patch and spray the bumper for $170. Not sure if that is worth it

I would request they do it for free, if your preference is to install nothing on the front bumper. The dealer should have never drilled holes and installed a front license plate bracket in a state that does not require a front license plate. Since they made the mistake, why should you have to pay $170.00? Painting bolts the color of your vehicle for free would be a fair compromise.

Originally Posted by GHOST PROTOCOL

I would request they do it for free, if your preference is to install nothing on the front bumper. The dealer should have never drilled holes and installed a front license plate bracket in a state that does not require a front license plate. Since they made the mistake, why should you have to pay $170.00? Painting bolts the color of your vehicle for free would be a fair compromise.

Texas does require front plates. It is just not enforced very often. The police will use it mostly as an excuse if they want to pull you over.

When I picked up my GT in Houston, the dealer gave me a snap on bracket for the front plate. It doesn't require holes but may not be very secure. I'm not using it. I figgure I have it in the car if I get pulled over and can snap it back on. But I'm not really worried aobut getting pulled over...

FWIW
DLM

www.bumperplugs.com

How big are the drilled holes? MY ED 330 was drilled, but only big enough for the thread of the screws, not the head. The screws were black, so I simply removed the plate holder and plugged the holes with the screws. Can't see it from more than. 5 feet away.


Keep it simple.

Bumperplugs is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Bikie

www.bumperplugs.com

Thank you so much for finding and sharing this link! This is exactly what I was looking for.

I still had some questions about the install and quality of this product. I emailed the owner (Erik) this Sunday morning and had a response by noon.


RESPONSE:

Thanks for asking. Full instructions come with your order when we ship.


The images on our home page are clear - hole measures 1/4" or drilled out to that size. Push plug right in, it grabs edges of hole and stays in place. No need to access behind.


19 stage factory chemistry - our process is patented and proprietary, but involves 11 days of work to produce a flawless factory finish. Final stages involve color, clear, etc. Primer is more than just a single coat, it's many, and it's done over several days time.


One year warranty - but we can't warrant against rock chips. Many of our plugs are on vehicles well over 9 years already. They hold up well, but rock chips can take a toll, so don't follow closely in traffic and you will be fine.


Thanks. Titanium is a stock color, we ship it everyday.

Erik and the product are excellent. Here in va the they drill unless m5 and I have had them on every car I have owned. Perfect match and excellent quality.

It''s probably cheesy, but I really like the euro license plates - it reminds me of the days (long ago) when I was stationed in Germany. I'd put one of those on the front of mine, if it were drilled for a plate. Not required here in Georgia USA.

Bikie and Terp97, thank you so much for the perfect recommendation of using Bumper Plugs. I finally finished installing them, and she looks so much cleaner without that ugly dealer bill-board on the front

PICS:

https://picasaweb.google.com/PHARMDP...eat=directlink

I see a lot of people without a front tag but around here the Highway Patrol uses that as Probable Cause and will give tickets I'm told. I've always thought one should never, ever give them an excuse to pull you over. Maybe one glass of wine with dinner that wouldn't otherwise be a problem all of a sudden becomes something that follows you for a lifetime.
A few years ago Texas was going to do away with the front tag but that got shot down in Austin. I wish we didn't need it but since we do I don’t see that it’s worth the possible consequence.

http://www.modbargains.com/Painted-Bumper-Plugs-BMW.htm
I know this is an older thread. But these are good to go.

Thanks for the concern 530CE. I have had several vehicles in the family while living here in Texas, and so far no issues at all. I have been pulled over before for speeding, but never heard a single comment from the cop about not having a front license plate. State inspection places have not even given me a verbal warning after all these years.

As you wisely said, it is a bit of a gamble and risk. I appreciate the concern.

Originally Posted by RambleJ

http://www.modbargains.com/Painted-Bumper-Plugs-BMW.htm
I know this is an older thread. But these are good to go.

Thanks. That is exactly what I used

Wow... I lived in Houston for 9 years and never knew (until reading this thread) that the front plate was required! All of our cars in Houston had only rear plates and this was never an issue even when pulled over with cause. I probably would have complied if I knew, but am relieved I didn't!

Got my first ticket for "failure to display front license plate". Ugh va metropolitan airport authority officer with nothing better to do during rush hour in the HOV lanes. After seeing my registration or running my tag and saw I had sun shading waiver he went for the 25 front tag ticket. But I love my bumper plugs and wrote my delegate to rid the front license plate law. 20 other states have no front plate law.

Hey guys, on topic with the later part of this thread starter:

Has anyone used a license plate FRAME that you have been satisfied with. I don't care for the chrome dealership plate, although it is nicely built. I bought the WeatherTech license frame as it got great reviews and is black. I was dissapointed with the Weathertech frame as it is too thick. Although it is slim, it looks too industrial for our lux sedans. I realize I need a frame that will be flat as well as a bit slim. I have black Texas custom plates, so I want something to compliment that. Heck, I may just get black caps for the screws and call it a day.

Ideas...suggestions??

I'm using the chrome BMW plate frame with an add-on lexan lightly smoked shield. I think it looks great on my CB M-Sport, especially with the chrome caps hiding the screws. The frame has held up for 18 months and through one winter. This combination is way better than a dealer frame or bare plate.

Which plugs does one suggest for Deep Sea Blue?

I'd go with bumperplugs.com. I'm in a state that doesn't need a front plate and have up front said i absolutely will not take a car with the bumper drilled. Some states, even though neighbhoring states that do not require drilling don't care--it make's no sense to drill a car until it's delivered.

I found a car that i wanted over what i got, but turned it down due to being drilled. The guy thought that a quicky patch and paint would suffice. I pretty much told him to jump into the ocean. If I lived in state where the car needed a front plate, I'd go with it--as long as it wasn't a fun car--where you can do some other things that don't drill the bumper.