BMW X5 and X6 Forum 2014-Current
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-16-2016, 08:01 AM   #1
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Front license plate mount bracket screws

After months of use with the tow hook mount, the off center look bothers me a lot. Plus it seems to block the radiator on the right. I have the factory mount, but no screws, so wondering what's the correct screws I need?

Last edited by alphaod; 04-16-2016 at 08:22 AM.. Reason: Spelling
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 08:04 AM   #2
iconoclast
Self-Deprecating Narcissist
iconoclast's Avatar
No_Country
7258
Rep
6,561
Posts

Drives: Audi BMW Ferrari LR MB
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: In, Out & Around...

iTrader: (1)

i have a few of those mounting screws if you need or want however i am nowhere near you if you would like them just pay for shipping but i would have imagine it would be cheaper to just go to your local dealership and purchase the screws.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 08:21 AM   #3
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I may just go an auto parts store or home depot since the dealer charges a lot of parts (even screws); just wondering what they look like to what size?

Thanks for the offer though
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 09:38 AM   #4
Kzang
Major General
Kzang's Avatar
3221
Rep
5,058
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (0)

Voluntarily screwing in the license plate holder on the front???
__________________
2015 F15 X5 35i Msport Space Grey M Performance parts MPPK, MPE
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 01:55 PM   #5
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kzang View Post
Voluntarily screwing in the license plate holder on the front???
The off-set is really driving me crazy.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 02:02 PM   #6
Kzang
Major General
Kzang's Avatar
3221
Rep
5,058
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaod
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kzang View Post
Voluntarily screwing in the license plate holder on the front???
The off-set is really driving me crazy.
Don't drill!! You can apply Velcro tape on the plate and apply it on the center bumper. Or use 3M VHB double sided tape. So many alternatives than to drill a hole into the bumper.
__________________
2015 F15 X5 35i Msport Space Grey M Performance parts MPPK, MPE
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 02:20 PM   #7
turboawd
Banned
1635
Rep
2,995
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

the velcro is a good idea.
or just drive without a front plate.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 10:16 PM   #8
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
You guys are persistent. Tried the velcro method. Fell off in the winter due to cold temperature. Luckily it was when I was parked. Maybe it didn't cure or whatever.

Anyways, I stopped at the dealer. They offered to install it for me for free. I said, I'll do it myself so they gave me screws (since I was just passing and didn't want to wait). Got home, cleaned the bumper. Ready to go. Except the screws are wrong. The self tapping screws are fine, but the screws to attach to the plate to the plastic mount is too short to reach the holes. But have to admit, this piece of plastic does look kind of hideous on the bumper.

I do drive without the front plate after going to the car wash, then when I head into town to park I remember to put it back on (otherwise I will get a ticket). Out there in San Jose, the cops don't seem to care if I have front plate or not.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2016, 11:07 PM   #9
Kzang
Major General
Kzang's Avatar
3221
Rep
5,058
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (0)

Many people have used the Velcro ( the kind used for EZPass toll on windshield ) without any issues.

Anyway, I refuse to put a front plate on and just today I had two police officers standing outside at a stop light checking out my ride and pointing at my front spoiler lip and giving me a thumbs up. 20+ years with no front plate in NJ with never having a ticket. If I eventually get one, I'll pay it and go on with my life.
__________________
2015 F15 X5 35i Msport Space Grey M Performance parts MPPK, MPE
Appreciate 1
      04-17-2016, 12:51 AM   #10
MysticBlue
Lieutenant Colonel
369
Rep
1,887
Posts

Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kzang View Post
Many people have used the Velcro ( the kind used for EZPass toll on windshield ) without any issues.

Anyway, I refuse to put a front plate on and just today I had two police officers standing outside at a stop light checking out my ride and pointing at my front spoiler lip and giving me a thumbs up. 20+ years with no front plate in NJ with never having a ticket. If I eventually get one, I'll pay it and go on with my life.
I'm right there with ya! I'm on my 5th vehicle over the last 15 years with no plate on the front. 2 weeks ago I got pulled over. Highway patrol doing speed enforcement with laser. My laser jammer did it's job, so he was probably wondering why he got no reading, and apparently he noticed no front plate. That's what they usually aim at since it's most reflective. So he pulls me over, says nice car but you know you have to have a front plate. Since I was nice, respectful, non-argumentative, my license, registration and insurance are all current, wasn't drunk or high, and didn't shoot at him, he just warned me. In 15 years, that's the first time the lack of a front plate has ever come up.
__________________
M5C 20% tint, Xpel full front, partial sides and rear. Spacers, 15mm front, 12mm rear. Turner Motorsport Oil Cooler Guard.
M3: Active Autowerke filter, Dinan underdrive pulley, Dinan full exhaust and software, 3.45 Differential, Springs, Brakes, Dinan/HRE wheels, 275/30-19 w/10mm spacer, 295/30-19 w/3mm spacer, painted front reflectors, 30% tint, Escort 8500i & Lidar Jammer, LUX H8 V5 halos, Euro rear foglights, 3M ClearBra.

Last edited by MysticBlue; 04-17-2016 at 03:16 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 12:56 AM   #11
alphaod
Mmmmm…
alphaod's Avatar
United_States
1148
Rep
2,426
Posts

Drives: F15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
This actually my first vehicle without a front plate. Granted I've in NY most of my life and since you get a plate from the dealer, it's already installed for you.

In CA the dealer said a lot of their customers don't want a front plate, so they don't install the bracket unless asked to, and since they don't give you a plate at the dealer, there is no real liability for them in this manner. Hence I ended up with the tow hook plate. Be honest, had the bracket been installed with the car, I wouldn't have really complained.

This is really non issue. Still don't know what screws I'm suppose to use, so I guess I'll drop this...
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 01:21 AM   #12
Doanster
Major
Doanster's Avatar
627
Rep
1,181
Posts

Drives: 2014 F15 Carbon Black M-Sport
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

If you want the flexibility of removing the plate and not see unsightly screw holes, check out Skene Design. At least the screws go in vertically on the underside of the lower bumper/grille. Bonus is that it's a minimalist design with no plastic backing bracket. I use it on my other car and it looks great being mounted lower than grille height. When I don't need to go into downtown much, I'll run without a plate.
On the F15, I didn't bother since it's my wife's DD and isn't modded much with front/rear MPerf spoilers, etc.
__________________
A little mod here, a little mod there...
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 11:34 AM   #13
SlammedR8
Major General
SlammedR8's Avatar
Canada
518
Rep
5,483
Posts

Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

I'm surprised you lasted a few months with it off center like that. Personal preference of course, but I think it looks beyond awful. Its more of an eye sore off to the side than just centered properly where it belongs.

There is one other option that no one has mentioned...the magnetic plate holder. I've seen this done before and it works amazing, google it!
__________________
Current:
2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather
2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black
2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2016, 09:59 PM   #14
Kzang
Major General
Kzang's Avatar
3221
Rep
5,058
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (0)

I went to a BMW meet today and all of these M cars had no front plates.. The cars are registered in either NJ/NYC. Including my X

293 by Nam Ji, on Flickr

292 by Nam Ji, on Flickr

290 by Nam Ji, on Flickr

284 by Nam Ji, on Flickr

294 by Nam Ji, on Flickr

291 by Nam Ji, on Flickr
__________________
2015 F15 X5 35i Msport Space Grey M Performance parts MPPK, MPE
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2016, 10:14 AM   #15
stewy604
Lieutenant Colonel
stewy604's Avatar
289
Rep
1,547
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Vancouver, B.C.

iTrader: (0)

[runs crying from the room] Don't drill the bumper!
__________________
2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White
2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey
2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:14 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST