Save the Front Bumper

[dna550]

Prevent front license plates, plate holders or drilled holes!

[1ster]

A good campaign. Honda has an elegant mounting system for the front plate on its Civics. You basically affix the plate holder to mounting points hidden in the grille, and then it wraps up and over the bumper. No holes in the bumper necessary!

[marcosowns]

I whole heartedly second that!

[larryn]

You can't, if you're doing ED. I tried before.. begged, pleaded, and they said it wasn't possible. You have to have the plate on in Europe, no exceptions.

Since I had the holes up front, when I got the car back in teh States, I just put the ED plate back on. I think it's a LOT better than that wart of a rectangular plate holder. Plus, I get some cool comments from people.

[C_Topher]

I hate living in MA for that reason alone. I ran without a front plate for about a year until a cop harassed me to put it on. Not to mention that it is a great target for Lidar guns.

On what basis could we campaign to eliminate front plates? Increased fuel consumption secondary to decreased aerodynamics?

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

There's no front license plates in my state. Who else is in that boat?

And while we are on the front of the car, I liked the first generation grille better because the top outer corners are more pointed, and the top of the grill conforms to the hood line nicely. I thought that was a unique and distinctive feature in BMW grill design, it coulda been a signature design element of the 1 series, but they had to go and make it generic for the 2nd gen.

Also notice this air dam design would seem to solve the 135i issue of having big ducts for brake cooling, but no foglights.



Here's another view of the 1st gen grill



compare that to the more rounded look of the 2nd gen grill at the top outside corners. Nothing distinctive about that.

[dna550]

A front bumper tow-hook mount could save the bumper and accomodate fix-it tickets.

[imported_BayerischeMotorenWerke]

I live in Michigan and we don't require front license plates either. Are you guys saying that we are going to have the plate holder installed anyway? In that case I'll probably try to find a Munich license plate.

[Imola.ZHP]

Originally Posted by larryn

You can't, if you're doing ED. I tried before.. begged, pleaded, and they said it wasn't possible. You have to have the plate on in Europe, no exceptions.

Since I had the holes up front, when I got the car back in teh States, I just put the ED plate back on. I think it's a LOT better than that wart of a rectangular plate holder. Plus, I get some cool comments from people.

So you've done ED? Do they give you the tag for good? Or do they take it back?

What if I came up with some braketry like what came standard on my RSX-S and took it with me when I picked up the car at ED?

I want to do ED reguardless, so if I have too, I have too, and I'll probably put the plate from europe back on (if they give it to me) or order one similar to put on (if you have to return it)...

[gbent]

No front plates in Pennsylvannia either. Some how that was the one dumb thing this state forgot to do!

[Brandon26pdx]

So, I've never bought a BMW before...they drill holes in your bumper to mount the license plate bracket? Is it possible to ask them not to on a special ordered car?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by imola.zhp

So you've done ED? Do they give you the tag for good? Or do they take it back?

What if I came up with some braketry like what came standard on my RSX-S and took it with me when I picked up the car at ED?

I want to do ED reguardless, so if I have too, I have too, and I'll probably put the plate from europe back on (if they give it to me) or order one similar to put on (if you have to return it)...

You have to leave the rear one on the car at dropoff (take the other plate and the first aid kit with you though). Usually, the other plate will be delivered with your car, back in the States, but sometimes the rear ED plate goes MIA upon redelivery.

[gbent]

Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx

So, I've never bought a BMW before...they drill holes in your bumper to mount the license plate bracket? Is it possible to ask them not to on a special ordered car?

We're mainly talking about European delivery cars here. BMW does not automatically drill holes in the front bumper on all cars.

[///MG]

You may request that the dealership not mount your front plate. They're more than abliged since it's one less thing to do for your car. I did it on my car, and 3 fix-it tickets later i still don't regret it.

...still no front plate 'til this day

[Jonny D]

I lived in NY and had no plate (front plate required) for well over 4 years on my 350Z and my Pro5....never an issue. Moved to WA and within two months was pulled over and harassed about not having a plate.....talked my way out of a ticket. I'm gonna BEG the dealer not to mount the front plate when I order my 135i.

[larryn]

Required here in MA too, but I've not had one on my car for the past 10 years with no problems. I do have to temp wire it to the grill to get my annual inspection sticker, but it's only on for 15 mins a year.

[dsm9]

Originally Posted by larryn

Required here in MA too, but I've not had one on my car for the past 10 years with no problems. I do have to temp wire it to the grill to get my annual inspection sticker, but it's only on for 15 mins a year.

Hilarious...I'm glad that I don't have to worry about this since I have PA plates :thumbup:

[tenxaday]

Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx

So, I've never bought a BMW before...they drill holes in your bumper to mount the license plate bracket? Is it possible to ask them not to on a special ordered car?

Ill take pictures of mine. when i got my 330ci i had braket drilled into my car.