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      09-11-2011, 11:51 PM   #23
hopofthese
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ayao View Post
On that CP-E tow hook bracket pictured above, is there any risk of the plate scuffing the bumper on the side that isn't supported by the tow hook? Of all the choices referenced above, the CP-E to my eye looks the cleanest ... but it's also almost twice as expensive.

Maybe letting the dealer drill a bracket in the center is fine ... it doesn't look like that would block intercooler flow too much. Decisions, decisions.
I have it and the plate holder is beefy.
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      09-15-2011, 01:53 AM   #24
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I just installed the CP-E bracket. I advise that you strip the paint from the tow bolt and thoroughly clean the threading with a good solvent. Use Loctite on the threading and make sure you have a 3/8" hex wrench. I used Loctite Red ($6) and the hex wrench set was ($6). I really had to torque the bolts into place with a lot of force to keep the assembly from rotating under a load.
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      09-15-2011, 08:58 AM   #25
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Do you think loctite blue would facilitate removal down the road vs loctite red?
Also--would you be willing to post a pic or two of the CP-E + license plate on your AW? I'm just trying to get a sense of how it would look (e.g. does it blend in as nicely as on a BSM.)
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      09-19-2011, 07:38 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Pee View Post
Just tried to install the Bavarian Autosport unit listed below.
It doesn't fit. The tow hook bolt is about 1 1/2 inches too short.

I called their parts department and their is no existing fix for this.

I'm returning it today and ordering the Platypus.
Did the Platypus work?
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      09-19-2011, 08:01 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ayao View Post
Do you think loctite blue would facilitate removal down the road vs loctite red?
Also--would you be willing to post a pic or two of the CP-E + license plate on your AW? I'm just trying to get a sense of how it would look (e.g. does it blend in as nicely as on a BSM.)
Definitely Loctite Blue. Red is semi-permanent and will definitely make your life miserable if you want to remove it later on.
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      09-19-2011, 08:11 PM   #28
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Hey guys...PM me your direct emails if you want a photo of the CP-E bracket in place on an AW.

I have yet to get around to setting up an image hosting acct.
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      09-20-2011, 12:20 PM   #29
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I got a few PMs regarding the CPE bracket. As I mentioned, I am too busy/lazy to set up an image hosting acct at this point but here's the response I've sent out along with a description of minor install issues I noted.

I will continue to send photos from my private email if you PM me.

And to those who got photos...feel free to post them. I don't care about my plates being seen but if you want to distort them, then go for it.



There's some lens distortion from the iPhone camera but the plate is aligned with the bumper lines so it is a tiny bit elevated on the lateral edge.

I didn't get the Platypus since I think it partially blocked the air intake.
The biggest hassle was realizing I needed two types of Loctite and a 3/8" hex wrench (an entire set was 6 bucks at my hardware store).

The tow bolt paint was peeling off from top surface that abuts onto the mounting plate, when I was dry running the initial fit so I stripped it all off.

I also prepped the threads and tow bolt insertion receptacle on the car with rubbing alcohol to get the lube off of them from the manufacturing process.
Aligning the plate with the bumper lines was done by sight and trial and error but it wasn't that bad.

On my car the tow bolt from the CPE and Bavarian Auto tended to sit pretty much flush on the upper edge of the bumper's tow bolt cut-out. I had to gently lift the bumper with my hand when I was rotating the tow bolts into place and they are still flush with the cut-out's upper edge. There doesn't seem to be any deformity occurring on this lip. I don't know if this is unique to my car or to all 1M's. However, since both plates were made for 135's our 1M bumpers may just sit a few millimeters lower, causing this minor issue.

IMO, this hassle is much more preferable than drilling a hole in the bumper.

When I go in for my 1200 mile, the guys are going to try a double-sided tape on the BMW supplied front license mount but I doubt it will work.
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      09-20-2011, 09:22 PM   #30
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Is there a camp that believes that it's no big deal to drill the holes? Just wondering...
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      09-20-2011, 09:48 PM   #31
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Does anyone feel that a lopsided number plate breaks up the front end symmetry and aesthetics, just like the new Alfas?
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      09-20-2011, 09:54 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///1M View Post
Is there a camp that believes that it's no big deal to drill the holes? Just wondering...
Here here. Plate sits smack in the middle.
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      09-20-2011, 09:57 PM   #33
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license plate belongs on the back, not the front!
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      09-20-2011, 10:06 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///1M View Post
Is there a camp that believes that it's no big deal to drill the holes? Just wondering...
I'm kind of on the fence, as long as it doesn't block the intercooler...for some reason it doesn't bother me that immensely. But I AM afraid of sergeremi whipping out one of his kitty cat fails...

Last edited by ayao; 09-20-2011 at 11:00 PM..
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      09-20-2011, 10:50 PM   #35
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Front plates are required by law down here but in the 20 years I've been here I've never been hassled for not having one. Maybe other states are not so lenient?
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      09-20-2011, 11:56 PM   #36
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Illinois is a PITA about front plates...... and window tint, too.
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      09-21-2011, 12:17 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikewills View Post
Illinois is a PITA about front plates...... and window tint, too.
So are you going to just mount the plate front-and-center and be done with it?
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      09-21-2011, 12:20 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ayao View Post
So are you going to just mount the plate front-and-center and be done with it?
I still leaning toward the tow hook mount.
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      09-23-2011, 12:29 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikewills View Post
Illinois is a PITA about front plates...... and window tint, too.
yea i guess it really depends on your area. NJ requires them, but i've had no front plate since 2001 and have been ticketed for it only one time (despite having been pulled over numerous times for other stuff while having no front plate). the ticket was something like $50. i thought that was a reasonable cost for a decade of not having to have a plate ruin the look of the front of my cars.
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      09-23-2011, 09:02 PM   #40
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Here is my solution. Licence still front and center but no drill holes on bumper what so ever.
Attached Images
  
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      09-23-2011, 09:16 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luca335 View Post
Here is my solution. Licence still front and center but no drill holes on bumper what so ever.
Than that on my 335. Watch out for the plate hitting your bumper. I put a small piece of foam behind the license plate.
Also the bolts rust easily. I suggest spraying those as well.

P.S. Didn't notice the double sided tape there. Good Job.
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      09-23-2011, 11:42 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luca335 View Post
Here is my solution. Licence still front and center but no drill holes on bumper what so ever.
Does that block the intercooler more than a standard license plate center mount? Is that the device that requires drilling the underside of the bumper, or does it just bolt on to the grille?

Last edited by ayao; 09-24-2011 at 02:10 AM..
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      09-24-2011, 12:18 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fourtailpipes View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikewills View Post
Illinois is a PITA about front plates...... and window tint, too.
yea i guess it really depends on your area. NJ requires them, but i've had no front plate since 2001 and have been ticketed for it only one time (despite having been pulled over numerous times for other stuff while having no front plate). the ticket was something like $50. i thought that was a reasonable cost for a decade of not having to have a plate ruin the look of the front of my cars.

I never ran a front plate on my E30 m3 for the same reason. Got hassled about it once in over a decade, but I also keep the plate in the car under the front floor mat so that it is with me and I can offer to put it on to avoid a ticket. I've offered but haven't had any cop be a total ass and make me put it on and never been given a citation.
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      09-24-2011, 12:38 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
I never ran a front plate on my E30 m3 for the same reason. Got hassled about it once in over a decade, but I also keep the plate in the car under the front floor mat so that it is with me and I can offer to put it on to avoid a ticket. I've offered but haven't had any cop be a total ass and make me put it on and never been given a citation.
I wish I was as lucky as you guys. Even parked I've gotten tickets. TWICE!!!
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