<![CDATA[E46 Front license plate mounting options]]>So as you can see in the FS thread I ordered the wrong license plate holder for the 330izhp. Before ordering the correct one I was wondering what other folks have done to mount a front plate without drilling into the bumper. Just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something obvious. 

Options I've seen on forum threads:

-double sided tape/industrial velcro, destroys paint on the bumper?

-zip-ties, toggle bolts or other DIY through the plastic lower grill

-drill holes on the underside of the bumper (https://skenebrackets.com/index.htm), costs a bit more than OEM plus backordered

-tow hook style mount (GMG, other "no holes" mounts, etc): don't really care for the offset look plus costs much more than OEM

- just run no front plate and accept a ticket, should you get one, as the price of a pristine front end

Insights welcomed

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/5405/e46-front-license-plate-mounting-optionsRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 04:52:44 GMTSun, 16 Sep 2018 13:53:58 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:35:01 GMT]]>Thanks guys! The goal with this car is ideally to avoid the ??? DIY where possible, already been removing some of the existing self-tapping screw work. I'll also hold the "claim stupid" defense in reserve...for when I really do stupid.

OEM plate holder ordered, this time the right one. 

If anyone has used up their "claim stupid" for the year, has a LEO that hates them, or just wants their e46 to be legal pretty I've got a nonZHP/M-tech II plate holder (51117030593) listed for sale.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94550https://wibimmers.com/post/94550Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:35:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:34:46 GMT]]>I'd run without it as that's what i've been doing for years now.  Unless you're driving around past 12am you've got nothing to worry about.  You're only getting pulled over for no front plate because police are bored or they're looking for a reason to talk to you.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94549https://wibimmers.com/post/94549Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:34:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:11:16 GMT]]>I had the "no front plate" trim installed on my e36 and drove it for 50k miles in Wisconsin and never got stopped for it once.  On my current beater e36 I screwed it right to the bumper with self tapping screws to keep with the previous owners pattern of doing everything with self tappers.  

I would just run without it and the first offense is likely just a "fix it".  If there is no holes in the bumper you can claim stupid "there was nowhere to put it so I didn't know what to do"

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94546https://wibimmers.com/post/94546Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:11:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Mon, 17 Sep 2018 01:29:35 GMT]]>I second both those options. Oem or none. It’s milwaukee, people drive around without rear plates and get away with it

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94539https://wibimmers.com/post/94539Mon, 17 Sep 2018 01:29:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:20:13 GMT]]>On my E36 I haven't run a front license plate since I got my m3 bumper. The cops in town are sticklers but haven't pulled me over yet. The worst thing about having no front license plate I've encountered is having to walk into kwiktrip and pay before I pump.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94525https://wibimmers.com/post/94525Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:20:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to E46 Front license plate mounting options on Sun, 16 Sep 2018 16:09:27 GMT]]>Just buy the oem front plate holder(replaces the center piece of trim in the bumper). It just snaps in so you don't have put any holes in your bumper. Part number is 51122492219

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/94524https://wibimmers.com/post/94524Sun, 16 Sep 2018 16:09:27 GMT