Front Plate Problems? Hate the way yours looks?

[E92!Dreier]

A new option, from SwiftMotorsports.com

I have a front plate...then a few seconds later, I don't!

[mryakan]

looks worse when on IMO.

[meacker]

I agree, that looks horrible and completely blocks your airflow.

[mryakan]

Umm yeah, I'm pretty sure it's intention is NOT as a styling enhancement, but to conform with state laws that require a front plate. This device will allow the owner the option to display or hide the plate depending on the situation (just a hunch, correct me if I'm wrong).
do you mean after consulting Miss Cleo in the morning? :stickoutt
If you get pulled over, my guess is you will get at least a warning even if you pull it out (the plate I mean, such is the mechanism for it) and say hey officer my plate is here. He may also be in a bad mood and give you a ticket, so you are taking your chances when it is not on. If you don't care, then might as well save the 60$ and not get this at all and not have a plate, but if you want to be safe, then you'll have to have it on all the time except maybe for photoshoots! :rolleyes
Except for the latter, I see it as 60$ wasted, but hey I am not the one getting it, if the OP likes it, who cares what anyone else thinks. But personally I think it is not worth the trouble I'll live with the fugly plates.

[Takashi]

The 'hide and see' plate is a great idea; however, I am not going to spend $60.00 for a piece of 'hand operated' plastic. It looks like something made inside a garage.

[E92!Dreier]

WOw...negativity, hostility...what do you expect from an internet forum? I guess not much else.

1. If you don't like it, I don't care
2. If you are seeking an option for mounting a mandatory front plate besides drilling holes in your bumper, contact Swiftmotorsports.com
3. I posted this here as a helping hand for other Bimmer-philes who may be interested in an option besides the factory spot, the go-mini-go bracket, or simply twist tying the plate to the mesh of the lower grilles.
4. I would have saved the 60, but hey, I'm rich.

[E92!Dreier]

do you mean after consulting Miss Cleo in the morning? :stickoutt
If you get pulled over, my guess is you will get at least a warning even if you pull it out (the plate I mean, such is the mechanism for it) and say hey officer my plate is here. He may also be in a bad mood and give you a ticket, so you are taking your chances when it is not on. If you don't care, then might as well save the 60$ and not get this at all and not have a plate, but if you want to be safe, then you'll have to have it on all the time except maybe for photoshoots! :rolleyes
Except for the latter, I see it as 60$ wasted, but hey I am not the one getting it, if the OP likes it, who cares what anyone else thinks. But personally I think it is not worth the trouble I'll live with the fugly plates.

Most of the time, I will be operating the vehicle with the plate deployed. Here in NY, that is the law, and the tickets flow like water. If you park with it hidden you will also expose yourself to tickets. But, if I go to a car show, I hide it. If I want to take a picture, I can hide it. If I want to risk tickets, I can hide it.

You are a moderator Mryakan...while we are all entitled to our bad days, I would submit that you need to at least relax a bit, if not drink more beer. In no way is that personal attack, just a comment on the bitterness and divisivness posts like yours seem to breed.

I for one, didn't take those two pictures for myself -- I took them for you guys. If you want to tell me that they suck, great. If you want to make fun or talk trash (I mean miss cleo? really. Isn't obvious this is an alternative to tickets?) I will refrain from bothering in the future. LOL

This plate kit is not ideal. In fact I wish I didn't need to mount a plate at all. But, I want the flexibility of being able to hide the plate when I deem it appropriate.

[E92!Dreier]

looks worse when on IMO.

Uhh...DUh?

[E92!Dreier]

Looks great! Is this E92 model specific or applicable to other models as well? I hate the way a front plate looks but could potentially be pulled over and ticketed at any time as well. This looks like a happy middle ground. Link to product?

THe palte kit is not model or make specific and comes with 3 mounting options. It is professionally designed and engineered by Altec Manufacturing for Swift motorsports. THis is a happy middle ground, and it was pretty easy to install. just google swift motorsports to find it online, complete with a video on its operation.

I also investigated a motorized conckpit controlled kit, but that was 600 USD.

[meacker]

4. I would have saved the 60, but hey, I'm rich.

I also investigated a motorized conckpit controlled kit, but that was 600 USD.
A bit ironic don't you think? I have no beef with the concept. Nobody likes being messed with by the fuzz. In fact I would probably get something similar if I received a BS fix-it ticket. My opinion is it does not look good (the bracket sits too low and looks awkward) that’s that.

[Beer Goggles]

Not feeling it, the stock location looks better. On a sports car with a pointy nose I don't like it...on the BMW I don't think it looks too bad.

[Mad Dragon]

http://gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html


You can thank me later. ;)

[aftp302]

I agree with Beer Goggles. I don't think either of these options look better than the stock location in the middle of the nose. If I lived in a state that required a front plate, I would just suck it up and hope it wasn't an ugly plate like NM. Thankfully though I don't live in a state troubles with such trivialities.

That said, thank you to the OP for at least posting his experience along with pictures for those who are seeking options.

[E92!Dreier]

http://gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html


You can thank me later. ;)

Tried that, returned it...Looks really weird.

I appreciate all the input. My front end, and its questionable front plate will be on display this Saturday in Lakeville CT, at Limerock Racing Park. Alas, I will only be a spectator.

On another note, my level of richness is defined as able to own a BMW. Barely.

I have only had positive responses to this kit in person. If anyone remembers (or you can just look at my avatar with a magnifying glass), I used to have the plate at a slight angle on the lower mesh -- this was the bane of my existence. I suppose that to some extent the hunt goes on -- nothing is perfect. But I am very happy with this thing!

I hope that by sharing all of these options and our opinions about them we can create a thread that helps a fellow enthusiasts through the rigors of mounting a front plate.

Options:

Dealer installed front plate mount. PROS: OEM fit and Finish CONS: Holes drilled in bumper

Go-mini-go plate kit: PROS: No drilling or modification of any kind CONS: Offset placement, perhaps too unique to drive even 5 MPH over the limit

Swift Motorsport Kit: PROS: Easily display and conceal the plate, simple concealed mount CONS: Will not work with all bumpers (not without minor modifications), holes drilled in bottom of bumper cover.

No-Plate PROS: Looks much better CONS: If you live in an area where you need a front plate, :pullover




Now all we need is pictures. Feel free to add. Now I am going to go watch ICHI the Killer on DVD and drink Guinness.

[mryakan]

Most of the time, I will be operating the vehicle with the plate deployed. Here in NY, that is the law, and the tickets flow like water. If you park with it hidden you will also expose yourself to tickets. But, if I go to a car show, I hide it. If I want to take a picture, I can hide it. If I want to risk tickets, I can hide it.

You are a moderator Mryakan...while we are all entitled to our bad days, I would submit that you need to at least relax a bit, if not drink more beer. In no way is that personal attack, just a comment on the bitterness and divisivness posts like yours seem to breed.

I for one, didn't take those two pictures for myself -- I took them for you guys. If you want to tell me that they suck, great. If you want to make fun or talk trash (I mean miss cleo? really. Isn't obvious this is an alternative to tickets?) I will refrain from bothering in the future. LOL

This plate kit is not ideal. In fact I wish I didn't need to mount a plate at all. But, I want the flexibility of being able to hide the plate when I deem it appropriate.
Guys seriously you need to chill. I was trying to have a lighthearted response with some humor to keep things a little bit less serious, but it seems some of you want to take all my posts in a negative way. That is your prerogative, but this has nothing to do with my mod duties, and no need to bring them up here. If you read carefully, you`ll see I said it is our choice in the end and no one can criticize you, but when you post something like this on forum you should expect people to express their opinions, and I just expressed mine. This Miss Cleo comment is a joke, if it bothers some I will take it out, but seriously guys we are all adults here and for sure we can joke a bit without everyone taking a fit.
In any case, enough of me hogging you post, can you please get past that and enjoy some other meaningful exchanges.

[mryakan]

If you are referring to my signature picture, it was taken during the Rocky Mountain BMW CCA Spring Drive 2008. I didn't take the photograph, I was obviously operating the vehicle, so I give credit to the person who took such a great picture of my vehicle. There is no reason for your hostility.
I am not sure what you read into my post, but no it was not directed at you, it was as I said just a passing joke. Anyway, if it matters, I think your sig photo is clever and looks cool. I like it.

[acmaui]

I live in Hawaii, and that's a front plate state. I told the dealer any holes in my front end was a deal killer and they didn't mount the plate adapter. I run it without a plate, with the point of view that if I get a ticket (not likely-not a high priority for cops) I'll do what I did the one time in the last 20 years that I got one, stick it on with tape, take a picture, and show it to the overworked DA who was only to glad to move on to the next case. The only reason I got the ticket was because I refused to pay for public parking at a charity event and the people parking the cars called a cop to see what they could do. Obviously he couldn't do anything, but then he spotted the missing plate and grinned from ear to ear. I learned a lesson that day even though I beat the fine.

[E92!Dreier]

I am lucky enough that in my small-ish town, where I have been a fixture at a local service station for many years, I know that I will not get a front plate ticket from the local PD. In fact, the last time I got a bogus parking ticket, I tore it up, put it in an envelope and handed it to the issuing officer's supervisor. I am not worried about these guys at all...

However, on my way home from work/class the other night, the state police had a road block up, hidden at the end of an exit ramp. They were writing tickets for front plates and lapsed inspections. This is EXTREMELY typical. in Manhattan, police walk down the street in gangs of four or five, issuing citations for window tint, front plates, inspections, etc. I used to have a Euro plate on my old bimmer - I lasted about a week, with three tickets. THEY LOVE THIS TICKET BECAUSE IT = REVENUE

I hate front plates, epsecially on the E92. I was at a car show early this season when I overheard a young girl telling her dad "I love the black one daddy, but the license plate is ugly," referring to my car.

Since even before then I have been looking for an answer. It seems that I found one that makes me happy, and I wanted to share it with you guys. If some people hate it, that is ok. If some people love it that is ok. If no one cares that is ok.

I went to put my garbage out in the pre dawn this morning. When I was done dragging out numerous cans and bags of refuse and recyclables, I walked over to the car, used one finger, and flipped the plate into hidden mode in .08 seconds -- I was like -- EAT it police. Best of both worlds. Then, rather than going back to bed for 45 mintues before work, I washed my car and savored every second. Too bad I will have to drink coffee by the gallon today.

[bfol627]

i just took my front plate off because i could give 2 shits about the cops here. they wont bother me because my dad knows basically all of them. the last dumb ticket i got like that when the cop was walking away i go "hey buddy do you wanna know what my dad does for a living" and he goes "whats that" and i said "hes a magician he makes these things disappear" and threw the ticket on the the floor (yes im a huge wise ass but only when im mad). but anyways all my tickets have been dropped and also nice product. im not the one to hate on anything because everyones got there own opinion on stuff and i like this one but i just dont care about getting pulled over for the stupid "no front plate" ticket hahaha.

[E92!Dreier]

i just took my front plate off because i could give 2 shits about the cops here. they wont bother me because my dad knows basically all of them. the last dumb ticket i got like that when the cop was walking away i go "hey buddy do you wanna know what my dad does for a living" and he goes "whats that" and i said "hes a magician he makes these things disappear" and threw the ticket on the the floor (yes im a huge wise ass but only when im mad). but anyways all my tickets have been dropped and also nice product. im not the one to hate on anything because everyones got there own opinion on stuff and i like this one but i just dont care about getting pulled over for the stupid "no front plate" ticket hahaha.

Thanks daddy.

[GMT400Tahoe]

Thanks for the links guys! I like the off center solution posted by Mad Dragon because there is no holes being drilled in my bumper whatsoever, but I also like E92!Dreier's solution because it is centered on the vehicle and keeps a symmetrical appearance when deployed. Mryakan; no problems at all! Thanks for the tips guys!

[bfol627]

Thanks daddy.

haha well i just turned 18 a week ago and i still live with my parents so he just does everything about tickets for me

[Mad Dragon]

haha well i just turned 18 a week ago and i still live with my parents so he just does everything about tickets for meWhen you get out into the real world, daddy won't be able to protect you.:rolleyes

[jaypeeaf]

i just took my front plate off because i could give 2 shits about the cops here. they wont bother me because my dad knows basically all of them. the last dumb ticket i got like that when the cop was walking away i go "hey buddy do you wanna know what my dad does for a living" and he goes "whats that" and i said "hes a magician he makes these things disappear" and threw the ticket on the the floor (yes im a huge wise ass but only when im mad). but anyways all my tickets have been dropped and also nice product. im not the one to hate on anything because everyones got there own opinion on stuff and i like this one but i just dont care about getting pulled over for the stupid "no front plate" ticket hahaha.

Wow...kids sure are a lot more disrespectful nowadays. As much as I'd be annoyed if I got pulled over and forced to put a plate on my car...I'd never speak to a cop, much less another human being like this.

[TeaRoy]

i just took my front plate off because i could give 2 shits about the cops here. they wont bother me because my dad knows basically all of them. the last dumb ticket i got like that when the cop was walking away i go "hey buddy do you wanna know what my dad does for a living" and he goes "whats that" and i said "hes a magician he makes these things disappear" and threw the ticket on the the floor (yes im a huge wise ass but only when im mad). but anyways all my tickets have been dropped and also nice product. im not the one to hate on anything because everyones got there own opinion on stuff and i like this one but i just dont care about getting pulled over for the stupid "no front plate" ticket hahaha.

:grenade
I might suggest a different approach in the future. Some cop's gonna get the best of you...and maybe deservedly so.

[Kredithai]

I'm just glad our State legislators didn't feel any need for front plates.

[aftp302]

Wow...kids sure are a lot more disrespectful nowadays. As much as I'd be annoyed if I got pulled over and forced to put a plate on my car...I'd never speak to a cop, much less another human being like this.

It's called Karma....he'll get his.

[jaypeeaf]

It's called Karma....he'll get his.

Haha...any of you guys hear about that dad that let the Singapore police cane his kid for spitting or something in public? Now that's good parenting...

[MarkS1382]

No front plate...makes the car look a little fugly with one on.

[raceyBMW]

Just bumper plug the plate holes and keep the plate in your glove box. Then invent a story about how someone backed into your car and broke the bracket to hold it in...and the bracket is on backorder. Trust me, that will work, lol.

[E92!Dreier]

No front plate...makes the car look a little fugly with one on.


Uhhh....I think everyone agrees with that statement. But is it possible you don't realize it is mandated by many states? Enforced rigorously?


I think it is time to close this thread -- nothing useful for DAYS.

[E92!Dreier]

Just bumper plug the plate holes and keep the plate in your glove box. Then invent a story about how someone backed into your car and broke the bracket to hold it in...and the bracket is on backorder. Trust me, that will work, lol.

It might work once. I had my plate off for the first few weeks of ownership...three tickets later i decided to just slap it on -- I pay enough in taxes to not give 50 extra dollars a month for this crap.

[GatorM]

Has anyone installed one of these things? Do they flap at all at higher speeds?

[E92!Dreier]

Mine is installed...the SwiftMotorsports version. No, it doesn't flap, it has pads on the back to protect your lower valence, and it stays right up against it. Check out the original post

[GatorM]

Mine is installed...the SwiftMotorsports version. No, it doesn't flap, it has pads on the back to protect your lower valence, and it stays right up against it. Check out the original post

Yah, I saw the OP....I just wondered how tight the spring and all was in a 80mph wind.

[E92!Dreier]

Yah, I saw the OP....I just wondered how tight the spring and all was in a 80mph wind.

LOL so did I. My first trip to the interstate I checked at the first exit...no problems, no evidence of flapping.

[Giovannie90]

LOL so did I. My first trip to the interstate I checked at the first exit...no problems, no evidence of flapping.

I'm about to order the motorized one from Swift motorsports. What did you do for the installation?

If you can explain the steps?

thanks bro


http://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/misc/progress.gif

[pypeChuddyrew]

I am looking to make a trade too I have a front license plate holder that I am looking to trade for a solid feeler.

[Tony P]

The only reason I use a front plate is to cover up a dent that appeared after I ran into my motorcycle...

[Cir14]

Can't believe there is so much arguing on an internet enthusiast forum. Move to Pennsylvania and you won't have to deal with an ugly state issued front license plate. I have included below a pic of the Euro plate I've added. I get looks all the time from people & cops in states that require front plates but have never been pulled over.