Skene License Plate Holder Review

jeremydgreat · 05-31-2010, 09:35 PM

Got pulled over AGAIN for no front plate and decided to cave in and mount it.

Requirements:

1) Center mounted (the lower-left mounting position provided my tow hook mounts just weren't doing it for me. To my eyes, it just makes the whole front end look lop sided).
2) Can't block the intercooler too much.
3) Must be low-profile.
4) Must not require putting big ugly holes in the bumper.
5) Must be removable for track and autocross events.

Here's what I ended up getting: http://www.skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml

Pics:

Thoughts:

The build quality on this bracket is solid. It's really a very simple item. I did note that the mounting brackets are very far forward, and I'd recommend that people buy one size larger than what's recommended for the 1 series. As you can see from the third picture, the mounting brackets sit about a half inch too far forward and they peek out a bit. Maybe there's a reason they want the bracket so far forward?

The license plate can be removed fairly quickly with a small hex tool provided.

There are little clear, rubber "dots" that you stick on the back of the bracket so the metal bracket isn't rubbing up against your bumper paint.

Mounting the bracket DOES require you to put 2 self-tapping crews into the bottom of the plastic bumper. Not a big deal in my mind. In fact, if you look under there, there's already some holes where the OEM mounting plate would hook onto.

Haven't driven much with it yet, but I can't imagine anything going wrong with such a simple design. I'll report back here if I get rattling or odd wind noise.

BrokenVert · 05-31-2010, 09:40 PM

can you post a low center on shot? Trying to see how it actually looks head on and I cant that perspective from the off angle shots.

e85sbm · 06-01-2010, 01:22 PM

Looks great....nice review

m_thompson · 06-04-2010, 07:18 AM

I installed one last year. Easy to install, no holes in the front of the bumper, and looks great.

miro2296 · 06-04-2010, 09:17 AM

looks great indeed. Keep us informed if there is any rattling or noise coming from this setup.

AntonV · 06-04-2010, 01:09 PM

ive had mine on for a year now. the only issue was one of the mounting screws seemed to loosen a little after a few weeks of driving. i used some blue locktite on the threads, and it had stayed put.

my biggest concern when i first put it on, was the stability of the mount at high speeds, especially for a long time, like a road trip. it has held up beautifully. i highly recommend this mount!

bradford · 06-04-2010, 03:43 PM

Does that thing slide back under the bumper? If you could just pull it out when you need it (IE when street parking in Chicago) and then slide it back in, it would be badass.

I've been toying with the idea of buying some of those CRAZY strong magnets and gluing them behind the bumper for when I need to toss the plate on while parked on the street.

Tochenzo · 06-04-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradford

Does that thing slide back under the bumper? If you could just pull it out when you need it (IE when street parking in Chicago) and then slide it back in, it would be badass.

I've been toying with the idea of buying some of those CRAZY strong magnets and gluing them behind the bumper for when I need to toss the plate on while parked on the street.

The Skene Plate Holder does not retract because it is not attached to the bottom of the bumper, but in the middle above the bottom grill. You are thinking of the Altec Retractable Plate Holder.

http://www.amazon.com/Show-Go-Licens.../dp/B001TLLZ4E

They also make one that is remote controlled.

Sidh135i · 06-04-2010, 06:11 PM

pretty sweet!

Malm · 07-02-2011, 10:06 PM

BUMP!

I have a 135i on the way that I will need to put a front plate on.

How do these hold up in a touchless car wash?
And no rusting I assume?
(it says all aluminium and comes with stainless hardware).

I'm in Canada and in the winter I can't always hand wash. Also, does the bracket do a good job of keeping the plate from touching the bumper at highway speed? I wouldn't want the bolts on the back of the plate to scratch up the bumper.

I notice the OP recommends going one size larger. Should I order a medium or short bracket?

Thanks!!

05-31-2010, 09:35 PM	#1
jeremydgreat Captain 76 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA (Carlsbad to be exact) iTrader: (1)	Skene License Plate Holder Review Got pulled over AGAIN for no front plate and decided to cave in and mount it. Requirements: 1) Center mounted (the lower-left mounting position provided my tow hook mounts just weren't doing it for me. To my eyes, it just makes the whole front end look lop sided). 2) Can't block the intercooler too much. 3) Must be low-profile. 4) Must not require putting big ugly holes in the bumper. 5) Must be removable for track and autocross events. Here's what I ended up getting: http://www.skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml Pics: Thoughts: The build quality on this bracket is solid. It's really a very simple item. I did note that the mounting brackets are very far forward, and I'd recommend that people buy one size larger than what's recommended for the 1 series. As you can see from the third picture, the mounting brackets sit about a half inch too far forward and they peek out a bit. Maybe there's a reason they want the bracket so far forward? The license plate can be removed fairly quickly with a small hex tool provided. There are little clear, rubber "dots" that you stick on the back of the bracket so the metal bracket isn't rubbing up against your bumper paint. Mounting the bracket DOES require you to put 2 self-tapping crews into the bottom of the plastic bumper. Not a big deal in my mind. In fact, if you look under there, there's already some holes where the OEM mounting plate would hook onto. Haven't driven much with it yet, but I can't imagine anything going wrong with such a simple design. I'll report back here if I get rattling or odd wind noise.
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05-31-2010, 09:40 PM	#2
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	can you post a low center on shot? Trying to see how it actually looks head on and I cant that perspective from the off angle shots. __________________
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06-01-2010, 01:22 PM	#3
e85sbm Snow Wizard 35 Rep 425 Posts Drives: F10 & E89 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (2)	Looks great....nice review
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06-04-2010, 07:18 AM	#4
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	I installed one last year. Easy to install, no holes in the front of the bumper, and looks great. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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06-04-2010, 09:17 AM	#5
miro2296 Colonel 57 Rep 2,251 Posts Drives: '08 Montego Blue BMW 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Round Rock, TX iTrader: (1)	looks great indeed. Keep us informed if there is any rattling or noise coming from this setup. __________________ ------------------------------------- BMW 135i/6 Speed/Montego Blue/Formula One Ceramic Tint/JB4 G4/AA Sport Intercooler/19 inch Iconz 880Z(19X8.5 & 19X10)/PSS 225/35 & 265/30/E93 M3 front sway bar/TRW front and rear Control Arms/BMS Drop In Filter/Dinan Exhaust/BlackLines/Upgraded \\\M RSFB
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06-04-2010, 01:09 PM	#6
AntonV Lieutenant 39 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Sedona/Savanna 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	ive had mine on for a year now. the only issue was one of the mounting screws seemed to loosen a little after a few weeks of driving. i used some blue locktite on the threads, and it had stayed put. my biggest concern when i first put it on, was the stability of the mount at high speeds, especially for a long time, like a road trip. it has held up beautifully. i highly recommend this mount! __________________ 2009 135i Coupe - Sedona Red Metallic - Savanna Beige - 6MT- ///M Sports Package - Boston Leather - Power/Heated Seats 2005 BMW F650 GS - Mandarin Yellow - Farkled
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06-04-2010, 03:43 PM	#7
bradford Major 28 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2008 SGM 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago > * iTrader: (4)	Does that thing slide back under the bumper? If you could just pull it out when you need it (IE when street parking in Chicago) and then slide it back in, it would be badass. I've been toying with the idea of buying some of those CRAZY strong magnets and gluing them behind the bumper for when I need to toss the plate on while parked on the street.
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06-04-2010, 06:11 PM	#9
Sidh135i BMW Technician 35 Rep 829 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (3)	pretty sweet!
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07-02-2011, 10:06 PM	#10
Malm Enlisted Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 135i once upon a time... Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	BUMP! I have a 135i on the way that I will need to put a front plate on. How do these hold up in a touchless car wash? And no rusting I assume? (it says all aluminium and comes with stainless hardware). I'm in Canada and in the winter I can't always hand wash. Also, does the bracket do a good job of keeping the plate from touching the bumper at highway speed? I wouldn't want the bolts on the back of the plate to scratch up the bumper. I notice the OP recommends going one size larger. Should I order a medium or short bracket? Thanks!!
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