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IMG_6731.jpgIMG_7206.jpg
Hello all, I have European bumpers on my 318i and I cannot figure out how to install my front US license plate without drilling holes through the license plate. It has those factory plastic clips but also has factory square holes next to them. I'm assuming the square holes are for the European license plate. I'm not sure. Any ideas?
Last edited by Vintageblau; 04-21-2017 at 01:14 PM.
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…the holes in the plate don't line up with existing clip nuts/holes in bumper?
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You just need to buy/fabricate an adapter.
The adapter bolts to the bumper, and the license plate bolts to the adapter.
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Yes, the holes do not line up.
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I believe you're looking for #18
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_0511
Part Number: 51181832855
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/51181832855/
'81 E21 320i / '90 E30 325i / '̶9̶2̶ ̶E̶3̶4̶ ̶5̶2̶5̶i̶t (sold) / '15 Toyota XW30 / '̶̶8̶0̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶ ̶3̶2̶0̶i̶A̶ (sold)
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Those are for US bumpers, they won't work on the Euro bumper (unless holes are drilled into the Euro bumper, which I would not do).Originally Posted by amarino
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True, but if you look in the OPs pictures there are already some holes right in the middle of the bumper. So someone may have already done that.
Also that part is still a good starting point to make an adapter like you said, just need to find a way to bolt it on without making any more holes.
'81 E21 320i / '90 E30 325i / '̶9̶2̶ ̶E̶3̶4̶ ̶5̶2̶5̶i̶t (sold) / '15 Toyota XW30 / '̶̶8̶0̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶ ̶3̶2̶0̶i̶A̶ (sold)
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Either make an adapter or drill holes in the license plate. The adapter won't allow you to mount the plate flush to the bumper...
Max
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Right, that is the other thing. The curvature of the bumper will not allow for it to be installed flush. Think I need to look at German cars to see if their front bumpers have special brackets. I can't imagine that the large European license plates were installed without some kind of frame.
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That is why any brackets would make the plate stick out too far. The only way to properly mount the U.S. plate to the euro bumper is to slightly bend it and drill new holes so it fits right below the rubber strip.
There are no special brackets on euro models. They sometimes use plastic frames that have holes to mount to the bumper, then plate sits inside that plastic frame(aftermarket). That won't work with the U.S. plate because the euro plate is longer and not as tall.
Looks like your bumper does not have plastic pieces to screw self tapping screws into... You have something else in there that may work as well.
Max
Last edited by mxl556; 04-23-2017 at 11:04 AM.
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…'crept realoem is only showing fitment for Euro or Japanese market.
There appears to be Euro bracket that accepts the US plate spacing.
What are items #1, #2, and #3 used for in the realoem diagram?
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 04-24-2017 at 11:13 PM.
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I have the same front end as your car. I just got a strip of 1" x 3/16" aluminum stock from my neighborhood hardware store, and drilled holes in it to match the mounting holed available on the car. Then I got a fairly heavy-duty chrome license plate frame from Amazon, and drilled holes in the strip to match the top holes in the plate. Also bolted the two bottom holes of the plate to the plate frame, with short bolts. Altogether it has been perfectly robust since 2009, including numerous track events.
There is a picture in the first post of this thread: http://2044598-Track-photo-of-my-323...ng-it-possible
Last edited by JBasham; 04-25-2017 at 12:20 PM.
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Link doesn't work for me
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Past, Present, and Future
1974 BMW 2002tii (RIP)
1995 BMW 325is w/ FULL S50 swap, track prepped (SOLD)
1988 BMW 325ix Zinno/Black (RIP)
1988 BMW 325ix Alpine/Black (Sold)
1988 BMW 535is Alpine/Pacific Blue (Going Away...)
1982 BMW 323i (Current Project/Paper Weight)
2003 BMW 325i Sport Touring (Daily Driver)
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Last edited by JBasham; 04-28-2017 at 10:41 AM.
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That is a sharp looking 323! Your 2013 thread lifted my spirits; I learned earlier this week that my own 323 is in far worse condition than I thought it was, vis-a-vis a Flintstones-style floorboard situation. I did finally find a reputable shop that has the talent to do all of the work that I have neither the ability, knowledge, space or tools to accomplish, so all I need now are deep pockets to cover what will end up being a far, far more expensive journey to my solid, drive-able 323 than anticipated. But I'll get there, bankruptcy be damned!
Back on point to this thread, one of the things they're going to do is shave my front Virginia antique plate to be more euro-like, and they will also bend it and drill new holes to get it to mount properly. But for this to work, you need a Virginia style antique plate, which has a lot of dead space framing the plate number, and because it's an antique plate I don't have month/year stickers on it, so you could shave it off and the license plate still works as intended - you need dead space for this to work.
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