Front plate - to be, or not to be?

[Bonzer103]

Originally Posted by Xerxes480

As a follow up to starting this thread, I've now been driving for over 5 months with no front plate. (knock on wood!) I've never received so much as a second glance by any officer in the area. Granted, I almost never drive into Seattle - seems like they enforce it over there more than here on the east side.

-X-

Going to Seattle next weekend (Bellevue area), hopefully will avoid any scrutiny for not having a front plate. Have it in the trunk just in case....

[F83]

I don't want to say that I've been driving my (old) car for 3 years without so much as a second glance for fear of tempting the gods.. So I won't. Even if I did get trouble though, would never ever drill the bumper.

Is that considered a moving/points violation or just a fine?

[myemailsea]

Just a fine.

[BMWCAT]

so far I rmb almost all the fellow F8x owners up here does not have front plate... I commute everyday between Seattle & Bellevue, it's never a problem (police get much more serious stuff to do lol)
Just be careful at Kirkland, they seemed to take it more seriously (friend got caught there once, might also because he is driving a loud AF ricer mobile lol)
I recently acquired a 2003 e39 M5, it lived its life Renton to Bellevue commute. Previous owner never had a problem without the front plate lol (for almost 10 years)

[dclowd9901]

In Portland; wearing a front tow-hook-mounted plate. I don't want to deal with police any more than I absolutely have to. I got it while I was in Cali, though, and they'd find any damn reason to pull you over.

[P1]

Next best thing to not having a front plate, is to just mounting the front plate where it belong. I just cannot deal with off-centered tow-hook plates. Looks worst of all.

[delta]

Hey All,

Like some of you, I've tried other front plate solutions too, e.g., towhook, velcro/tape, suction cups, etc. I was ticketed in Seattle (Meter Maid) a couple years back for no front plate; but, never on the east side (at least for now).

Check out this front plate kit solution.

http://shop.bigmikesperformanceparts...ion-SNS67a.htm

Don't have my '13 E92 M3 now, but since I'm interested in a M4, I decided to try the kit on my wife's X3 M-Sport. The company didn't have a kit made for the X3 M-Sport, so "Mike" actually went to a BMW dealer to take measurements and work up a kit for me. Nice.

Definite worth a look. The install is easy (just don't overtighten) and taking off/on is just as easy. Even has a slight backward cant which makes for a nice appearance.

Let me know what you think. I have no stake in this. Just sharing info. I originally found out about this kit on the Jaguar F-Type forum here: http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f-...racket-144955/

[Bonzer103]

I go no front plate and have never had a second look. Only caveat is I don't park on the street down town, meter maids appear to be the only ones that care.

[AYTifosi]

My brother-in-law is a mucky-muck in the police in a Central Washington city. I asked him about this about two years ago.. He said that "it depends on how bored they are." Typically it isn't something they will pull someone over for, unless they are looking for a reason to pull you over.

Note: this was said before last year when there was rumbling about the police enforcing this more. I haven't run a front plate since getting my M5 in 2009. Of course, I never do anything worthy of being pulled over for

[Donger Kim]

I've been pulled over more times than I can count on Seattle/bellevue but always got off with a warning.

I'm going to continue to roll zi dice

[AYTifosi]

Originally Posted by delta

Check out this front plate kit solution.

http://shop.bigmikesperformanceparts...ion-SNS67a.htm


Let me know what you think. I have no stake in this. Just sharing info. I originally found out about this kit on the Jaguar F-Type forum here: http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f-...racket-144955/

Pretty nice solution if you don't want the tow-hook look. Bravo for him for being creative. I always worry about blocking the air flow. Still.. nice looking solution.

[Donger Kim]

Does anyone have any experience with the Canadian/Douglas border without a front plate? I drive to Vancouver/BC on business once a week and concerned about constantly being pulled into secondary.

[MyFragileHalogen]

In Hillsboro-Beaverton-Portland, it looks like at least cops don't care? I have the us mill works tow hook mount sitting at home in case I park in downtown or go to Seattle. Haven't received my license plates yet though.

[OrangeD1sco]

Got pulled over tonight in Redmond for no front plate. $136 ticket later and I was on my way.

[AYTifosi]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Got pulled over tonight in Redmond for no front plate. $136 ticket later and I was on my way.

Oh crap, really? They said just for the plate? Or, did you do some donuts in the middle of the intersection to catch their attention?

[OrangeD1sco]

Originally Posted by AYTifosi

Oh crap, really? They said just for the plate? Or, did you do some donuts in the middle of the intersection to catch their attention?

Yea, got a warning for having a plastic cover on my rear plate and ticket for no front plate. No donuts or speeding or anything - was just driving home in rush hour minding my own business.

[Xerxes480]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Got pulled over tonight in Redmond for no front plate. $136 ticket later and I was on my way.

Crap. Redmond PD? Where, if you don't mind me asking?

-X-

[delta]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Yea, got a warning for having a plastic cover on my rear plate and ticket for no front plate. No donuts or speeding or anything - was just driving home in rush hour minding my own business.

Sorry to hear, Orange. For sure, not the way to end your day.

What did the officer say to you other than saying you should be running a front plate? For example, "We've started a "No front plate campaign" on your guys. Anything like that? Also, is your plastic rear plate cover clear or is it that darker smoke-type tint?

[SMV_M4]

There was a point in my life when the police didn't like me very much, and at the time, being a 20 year old in an $80,000 car probably didn't help my situation. But they pulled me over and cited me whenever they could as a result and I was forced to mount the front plate. Now, many years later, quite a bit wiser and more professional, the police are very nice to me and I show them the respect they deserve and I haven't been cited let alone pulled over for plates in years.

It all depends on how eager your local PD is to enforce plate display regulations and to some extent, how the police perceive you.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by OrangeD1sco

Got pulled over tonight in Redmond for no front plate. $136 ticket later and I was on my way.

Redmond...

Fuck I hate this place.

[OrangeD1sco]

Originally Posted by Xerxes480

Crap. Redmond PD? Where, if you don't mind me asking?

-X-

On Bear Creek Parkway right by the KFC.

[OrangeD1sco]

Originally Posted by delta

Sorry to hear, Orange. For sure, not the way to end your day.

What did the officer say to you other than saying you should be running a front plate? For example, "We've started a "No front plate campaign" on your guys. Anything like that? Also, is your plastic rear plate cover clear or is it that darker smoke-type tint?

Rear plastic cover was just a standard clear one with no frame that you can get at any auto parts store.

He didn't say much about the plate. Asked why i didn't have it on there and then gave me the ticket and told me he recommended fixing it asap because he would write me tickets for it every day.