How do you remove the License plate?

[abzotech]

So how do you remove the license plate in front of a 2003 325i? Also removing the black rubber frame behind it but without removing the rubber trim along the top of the bumper. I hope I explained that right. Anyway any ideas?

 

[Tom]

Take off the plate and you will see two screws holding the plate holder in place. Remove those screws and pull off the plate holder.

You can order the License Plate trim that will fill in the empty space from Bavauto.com.
Select Make/Model - Exterior /Bumper Components /Front Bumper

 

[abzotech]

Thanks. That was a great tip.

I just found out that in Washington State that the front license plate is required. But I see a lot of cars here without one. A friend claims he never had one for over a year and never stoped. What's your feel on this? You think it's worth the risk not to have one? How much is the fine?

 

[Tom]

Same deal in CA and I've been running without a front plate since I've owned my car. Plus I've done the same in the past and never got pulled over.

Normally when they do pull you over, it's for something else and they would add an additional fine if you don't have your plate. I think its like $30 and you can get that written off after you pay the fee.

 

[MyHarley]

Tom, do you run around without a license plate in the front? I'm surprised you would not be stopped........

 

[xmas63]

Note that the Bavauto strip will only fit if you do not have the sport package bumper. If you have the SP bumper, pick the part up at a dealer.

 

[Big Daddy]

Thanks. That was a great tip.

I just found out that in Washington State that the front license plate is required. But I see a lot of cars here without one. A friend claims he never had one for over a year and never stoped. What's your feel on this? You think it's worth the risk not to have one? How much is the fine?

Here in Washington they WILL ticket you for it and in fact a local CCA member found not only a parking ticket on his car one day, but an additional ticket for no front plate. I am not sure of the fine but it is a lot more than $30.00, as it is NOT a "fix it ticket". Washington State fines are HIGH!

I finally put one on my roadster, and I had been stopped three times in Idaho (also required there) and once since moving here. (No ticket, but at the time I was still employed as a police officer)

 

[///M SPEED]

Here in Washington they WILL ticket you for it and in fact a local CCA member found not only a parking ticket on his car one day, but an additional ticket for no front plate. I am not sure of the fine but it is a lot more than $30.00, as it is NOT a "fix it ticket". Washington State fines are HIGH!

I finally put one on my roadster, and I had been stopped three times in Idaho (also required there) and once since moving here. (No ticket, but at the time I was still employed as a police officer)

No kidding Big D.! My friend got one for no front plate (don't know the fine, but it wasn't cheap), which made me order (dealer paid for and paint matched) a front plate holder. It was very hard (not technically) to put a front plate on the M. It just does not look right.

 

[Big Daddy]

The roadsters fron t bumper is curved and they do make a bracket I had to get, but the plate has a slight bend in the middle to make it fit. Front plates have a place and do serve a purpose, however I do not like the looks of them....but than again I do not like the looks of a rear plate either...haha.

I am buying a Law Enforcement Memorial plate, anyone can here in Wa. (maybe that will help?)

 

[///M SPEED]

Which Law Enforcement Dept. were you in when you moved to WA Dan? How long were you in service here? I have a very good friend (haven't seen in year though) in the State Troopers...

 

[Big Daddy]

I finished law enforcement in Idaho (never worked it here, except on a joint take force type of case, and worked cases for law firms here and there. I still get called in Idaho on occassion to testify.

 

[///M SPEED]

I repect that Dan. They (Law officers) never get the repect that is due and always seen to draw the short end of the stick...

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

Tom, do you run around without a license plate in the front? I'm surprised you would not be stopped........

well, if i think i got your question, in CA we are supposed to have licence plates in the front, but hte police are too busy with people who are speeding and other more serious offenses to pull people over who dont have front plates, the only time they would ticket you, and this is what Tom was saying, is when they pull you over for speeding or something and notice that you dont have a front plate

 

[bahnstormer]

just stick your plate in your window...i have it on the passenger side front windshield

 

[epj3]

just stick your plate in your window...i have it on the passenger side front windshield

You have that license plate mount delete thing? I'm thinking of buying it... its like $15. My car was owned by a guy in NJ, so he obviously had the ugly front plate.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Front plates have a place and do serve a purpose, however I do not like the looks of them....but than again I do not like the looks of a rear plate either...haha.

I've always been curious about this. Is the front plate useful for law enforcement? It just seems that with a car moving towards you, it would be hard to read them. I'm curious to get a law enforcement officer's perspective on them.

 

[Big Daddy]

Justin, yes it is useful to law enforcement. First most police vehicles are equiped with cameras which should be activated prior to going enroute to a call, then the video can be reviewed on a monitor for suspect(s) leaving the area. Sometimes the officer has no idea who or what car he is looking for until he gets to the call and talks with the victim, he may than learn that he saw the suspect/vehicle while enroute. In any event an officer, if he has suspect vehicle information can look at the front plate as he approaches the scene. They may be hard to see (license plates) on the freeway or at high speeds, but not in cities at 25 - 45 mph, they can be very useful. Although I am not an advocate of "photo radar" they are useful for those purposes as well. (side note - where I worked we did not use photo radar as our department did not agree with this type of enforcement)

If this does not answers your question let me know as I can give more examples but did not want to bore you with a book.

 

[///M SPEED]

They are also useful when the car is parked stationary at a location. You are able to see the plate (it may be stolen etc..) and it does not require you to have to get out and look at the rear of the vehicle (when parked with tail against wall etc..). There are many other reasons for the front plate to be visible however, I do not like the looks of them...

 

[bmwrocks]

I also do not like the looks of a front plate. I think they really take away from the look of a car. I am so glad I live in a state that doesn't require them.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Justin, yes it is useful to law enforcement. First most police vehicles are equiped with cameras which should be activated prior to going enroute to a call, then the video can be reviewed on a monitor for suspect(s) leaving the area. Sometimes the officer has no idea who or what car he is looking for until he gets to the call and talks with the victim, he may than learn that he saw the suspect/vehicle while enroute. In any event an officer, if he has suspect vehicle information can look at the front plate as he approaches the scene. They may be hard to see (license plates) on the freeway or at high speeds, but not in cities at 25 - 45 mph, they can be very useful. Although I am not an advocate of "photo radar" they are useful for those purposes as well. (side note - where I worked we did not use photo radar as our department did not agree with this type of enforcement)

If this does not answers your question let me know as I can give more examples but did not want to bore you with a book.

Thanks, Dan. Some interesting points I hadn't really thought of. The only place I have ever really lived that required front plates was Germany. As you know, Germany loves to take pictures of your car when you do something wrong and then send you a ticket in the mail - the so-called "photo-radar" and whatnot - so they definitely want to be able to identify your car from the front. I remember when my parents got a ticket in the mail for going through a traffic light just as it was changing. They sure do make a killing on traffic enforcement over there.