BMW M5 Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-16-2024, 01:24 PM   #1
bucketfoot
Captain
bucketfoot's Avatar
1216
Rep
886
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW 230i xDrive
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Centennial, CO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Tow hook license plate holder

Colorado requires a front license plate. so my plan it to use a tow hook mount rather than drilling the front.

Some things are absolutely worth spending more money for, but I know nothing about these. Is this an item that I should pay more to get one from someone like Cravenspeed or another reputabile company or just go with an Amazon budget one?
__________________
This post sent using 100% recycled electrons.
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2024, 02:03 PM   #2
erickonphoenix
Captain
erickonphoenix's Avatar
2054
Rep
653
Posts

Drives: 2014 Gray 328xi Touring
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Houston TX

iTrader: (0)

Texas requires a front plate. I've had good luck using 3M double stick tape to keep the bracket on and still cleans up nice when I go to sell it. I've also tried a stow and sho plate concealer but it crapped out on me within a year so I've gone back to a plate bracket and 3M double stick tape.

Personally I think the tow hook mounts look kind of tacky.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2024, 04:51 PM   #3
cbpip
Second Lieutenant
cbpip's Avatar
256
Rep
266
Posts

Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW E86C  [10.00]
The quick release lightened model is what I use. Easily removed and works great. Only issue is it's a little on the pricey side.

http://usmillworks.com/bmw_front_lic..._tow_hook.html
Appreciate 1
CTPJ309.50
      07-16-2024, 05:18 PM   #4
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5730
Rep
11,246
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

I use the usmillworks as well.
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2024, 05:42 PM   #5
Minacious
The Dovahkiin
Minacious's Avatar
318
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: LCI M6 GC, other stuff.
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

When I used to run front plates, I too used US Mill Works and was always happy with the quality.
__________________
Ed
CG Artist, Set Painter and Sci-Fi Nerd.
“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.” - Charles Bukowski
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2024, 08:37 PM   #6
zx10guy
Brigadier General
5515
Rep
3,317
Posts

Drives: 2013 135i
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Been using an ECS Tuning one for years:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...AAAAAAAAICAgED

But surprised on how much prices have gone up. It's doubled in price from when I bought mine in 2018.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lups View Post
We might not be in an agreement on Trump, but I'll be the first penis chaser here to say I'll rather take it up in the ass than to argue with you on this.
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2024, 10:21 PM   #7
jkoral
Colonel
United_States
1117
Rep
2,038
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bucketfoot View Post
...my plan it to use a tow hook mount rather than drilling the front.
There is also the option of the Carbonio (no drilling) if you don't like the offset position of tow hook mounts (I despise the look):
https://carbonio.com/products/bmw-m2...se-plate-mount

A number of threads on here if you search:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1758618

It attaches to the grill, here's a good pic of what it looks like: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=20
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2024, 07:11 AM   #8
Leucosticte
Lieutenant
Leucosticte's Avatar
317
Rep
441
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi E92 6mt swap
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW 328xi  [0.00]
Honestly you could just not run it, I haven't ran mine in 3 years and haven't had any issues. Even if I do have a cop pull me over I don't mind paying the $50 ticket or whatever it is. Really just depends how hard they look for it though.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2024, 08:14 AM   #9
jkoral
Colonel
United_States
1117
Rep
2,038
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Also check your state DMV, in MA it costs me about $10 every 6 months to tell them I lost my front plate and order a new front plate and I get an official Plate Permit doc to provide if I ever got pulled over.

The only time I used it was a parking ticket for no front plate, I appealed and sent them a PDF of my plate permit and the ticket was canceled.

See https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=29 for more details.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2024, 08:37 AM   #10
TallGibbs
Second Lieutenant
United_States
365
Rep
271
Posts

Drives: 2024 M2 (coming Sep '24)
Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: NJ-USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cbpip View Post
The quick release lightened model is what I use. Easily removed and works great. Only issue is it's a little on the pricey side.

http://usmillworks.com/bmw_front_lic..._tow_hook.html
Anyone using this on a G87 M2? I don't see that model listed on the US Millworks website, so assuming they don't have it available to fit that towhook/bumper shape?
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2024, 09:45 AM   #11
cbpip
Second Lieutenant
cbpip's Avatar
256
Rep
266
Posts

Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW E86C  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TallGibbs View Post
Anyone using this on a G87 M2? I don't see that model listed on the US Millworks website, so assuming they don't have it available to fit that towhook/bumper shape?
You'll need to send them an email. They haven’t updated their site with newer models in some time. A friend checked for his new 2024 M4 comp, and they replied with a "Not available"
Appreciate 1
TallGibbs364.50
      07-17-2024, 11:02 AM   #12
T0RM3NT
Mr. Irrelevant
T0RM3NT's Avatar
United_States
4558
Rep
694
Posts

Drives: '23 G80M3CX Dravit/Silverstone
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Denver'ish

iTrader: (0)

Several threads on the topic...but here's my input.

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1920330

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1&postcount=25
__________________
Past results aren't a guarantee of future performance.
Appreciate 1
ayilar82.00
      07-17-2024, 06:06 PM   #13
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19029
Rep
19,653
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

No offense to anyone, but I have so many other things on my plate to worry about that are in front of two holes in my bumper for a license plate holder.
Appreciate 2
UPSROD1056.50
eugenebmw2140.00
      07-17-2024, 07:02 PM   #14
cbpip
Second Lieutenant
cbpip's Avatar
256
Rep
266
Posts

Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW E86C  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
No offense to anyone, but I have so many other things on my plate to worry about that are in front of two holes in my bumper for a license plate holder.
There is a 12 step program available for this problem 😄 .
Appreciate 1
Efthreeoh19029.00
      07-17-2024, 07:11 PM   #15
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19029
Rep
19,653
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cbpip View Post
There is a 12 step program available for this problem 😄 .
Lol.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2024, 07:57 PM   #16
chris3g
Colonel
chris3g's Avatar
2850
Rep
2,011
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3 xdrive
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NJ

iTrader: (4)

just dont put it on. but if you do put it on, mounting it off to the side on the tow hook looks so much worse than just putting it where it belongs.
Appreciate 2
Efthreeoh19029.00
      07-18-2024, 12:36 AM   #17
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5730
Rep
11,246
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
No offense to anyone, but I have so many other things on my plate to worry about that are in front of two holes in my bumper for a license plate holder.
I have lots going on as well but managed to buy and install a usmillworks tow hook mount plate holder. I also manage to DIY all the maintenance and mods on my cars. Where I fall short is washing and detailing them — seems like some members here spend as much time making their cars look pretty as the do driving them. My decision was not based on cosmetics but rather on the USA license plate and frame being large enough to deflect airflow either or both to the oil cooler or the AC condenser/radiator.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2024, 07:15 AM   #18
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19029
Rep
19,653
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
I have lots going on as well but managed to buy and install a usmillworks tow hook mount plate holder. I also manage to DIY all the maintenance and mods on my cars. Where I fall short is washing and detailing them — seems like some members here spend as much time making their cars look pretty as the do driving them. My decision was not based on cosmetics but rather on the USA license plate and frame being large enough to deflect airflow either or both to the oil cooler or the AC condenser/radiator.
I have 5 cars and I DIY everything too. I meant I have other shit to be concerned about in life over two holes in the bumper of my car needed to mount a factory license plate holder.

I'm not seeing how a license plate mounted at the factory location on a factory bumper cover would deflect air in any significant way to cause cooling issues.

Last edited by Efthreeoh; 07-18-2024 at 08:35 AM..
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2024, 09:14 AM   #19
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5730
Rep
11,246
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

The size of the USA plate and its slightly forward mounting on top of the bunker cover deflect airflow to the upper and/or lower grills on my F90 M5 and E36 M3 and former E90 M3. Maybe your cars are different or you disagree and that is OK. My cars are all seriously modded and I am a performance enthusiast.

The dealer drilled the bumper cover on my 21 Cayenne S and I have not changed to a tow hook mount and plugged the holes. The plate deflects airflow on that car as well, but I am less concerned because it is stock apart from a JB4, the car is for my wife to drive, and it does not get driven really hard.

Last edited by pbonsalb; 07-18-2024 at 04:15 PM..
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2024, 12:25 PM   #20
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19029
Rep
19,653
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

SHIT! I forgot, M-cars are special.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2024, 04:24 PM   #21
pbonsalb
Lieutenant General
5730
Rep
11,246
Posts

Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New England

iTrader: (4)

At least you understand now.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2024, 04:28 PM   #22
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19029
Rep
19,653
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Says the M-hound...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


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 10:46 PM.




m5:
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