[Cattler]

I've finally taken possession of my new Z4 and I'm waiting for my Virginia license plates to be delivered. I will need to mount a front license plate and absolutely do not want to drill into the front fascia.

I've looked in the existing threads and done a lot of internet research but haven't seen anything that suits this application. Only one or two options in metal to screw into the tow hook mount if I didn't have the active cruise control and parking sensors. I'd rather not use a generic solution, but will if necessary.

Anyone solved this problem? Any ideas?

Thanks,
David

[Argo]

The front fascia is generally designed to have screw in points for front plate holders. If you're running a front plate anyway, what difference does it make?

You could try double sided tape for the holder, though I'd argue that's worse. I'm also generally of the opinion that tow hook plates look worse than centering it in almost every car because it breaks symmetry.

[RigaTony1982]

Is VA really strict on that? We’re supposed to have a front plate here in Illinois, but I haven’t had one the entire time I’ve lived here (12 years) and have never had an issue.

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Cattler

I've finally taken possession of my new Z4 and I'm waiting for my Virginia license plates to be delivered. I will need to mount a front license plate and absolutely do not want to drill into the front fascia.

I've looked in the existing threads and done a lot of internet research but haven't seen anything that suits this application. Only one or two options in metal to screw into the tow hook mount if I didn't have the active cruise control and parking sensors. I'd rather not use a generic solution, but will if necessary.

Anyone solved this problem? Any ideas?

Thanks,
David

This is the one I got for my Z4 and my X5 ...
https://carbonio.com/products/bmw-z4...sports-package

It is a bit pricey, but it doesn't need any holes. If you go for this one, just make sure you select the "Grille Type" option for ACC.

[TXSAGSBS]

I live in VA, took delivery at the performance center and they gave me the option and I declined to have the front plate installed. So far no problem.

I hear that I won't get stopped for running with a rear only plate, but if stopped for another violation, they may pile on.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by Cattler

I've finally taken possession of my new Z4 and I'm waiting for my Virginia license plates to be delivered. I will need to mount a front license plate and absolutely do not want to drill into the front fascia.


Anyone solved this problem? Any ideas?

Thanks,
David

I use the STO N SHO. It should be the same model for your '24 as for my '22.

https://stonsho.com/products/front-l..._z4~ni_m-sport

.

[perryinva]

I got my Z4 less than a month ago, live in Richmond and ran no front plate for 15 years on my Carrera, (except in winter) and until I retired in 2019 it was usually my daily driver. I was stopped once for speeding, (early in ownership , to get around a trunk dropping gravel!) and had actually bought a tow hook mount and used it for about a month and decided I didn’t like it. Of course I got stopped after I took it off, but it was still in the back seat. The trooper did ask why I had no front plate, and I showed him the plate mounted on the tow hook mount and told him it had unscrewed loose and I suspected someone tried to steal the mount or the vanity plate and it needed a special tool to tighten up or it was in danger of falling off (the mount came with “security torx screws”, so technically that was true). That appeared fine with him and I just paid the fine. I think no front plate was a $50 fine, so I thought that was decent of him. Last ticket I have gotten in almost 15 years. Even if I had been fined, it was worth $50 to have no plate. Actually my wife gave me more flak about not having a front plate than anything else.

The bumper actually had premolded cutouts that took inserts for mounting the plate holder, so I used color matched bumper plugs.

My Z4 was bought used, so already had the front plate holder mounted and I decided to just leave it, as I don’t think it detracts like it did on the Porsche. I’ll get a vanity plate at renewal and then it will matter even less. Though I bet if I got the car with no holes to begin with, then I probably would do exactly what I did with the Pcar.

I’m surprised there is no vanity plate thread here.

[mtenhoven]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

I use the STO N SHO. It should be the same model for your '24 as for my '22.

https://stonsho.com/products/front-l..._z4~ni_m-sport

.

Used STO N SHO on my '23. Would also recommend...

[Cattler]

So I went with the Carbonio mount as they had a clear option for my 2024 with adaptive cruise. Very happy with the installation and fit on the car. I’ll likely leave it on all the time, but could within a few minutes remove it. It’s been holding steady with no retightening during this first week of driving with it installed.

[Horseman]

https://stonsho.com/products/front-l...276c1918&_ss=r

I would recommend this. It goes below the lip and it uses already existing holes to strap the base on. The plate bracket just slides into the base so you can show of the car plate free.

[perryinva]

But doesn’t that mean the protruding below the lower lip is even lower and more likely to catch something and mess up the plate if you drive with it underneath?

[Argo]

Originally Posted by perryinva

But doesn’t that mean the protruding below the lower lip is even lower and more likely to catch something and mess up the plate if you drive with it underneath?

Yeah, it definitely makes the lip be effectively lower (which can be an issue for driveways and/or speed bumps).

I've long held the opinion that if you're going to run a front plate, the OEM mount looks better than any alternative I've seen. Yes, you will drill holes, but: if the plate is always there, does it matter?

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Argo

...Yes, you will drill holes, but: if the plate is always there, does it matter?

A good point, but from a resale standpoint to a place which doesn't have front plates, it may be a detractor.

(I've only lived in states without the requirement. I sold a Subaru that had holes in the front for a plate, which drove me nuts. I was glad to get rid of it - not just because of that, but it was a buzzing fly that went away...)

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by perryinva

But doesn’t that mean the protruding below the lower lip is even lower and more likely to catch something and mess up the plate if you drive with it underneath?

only by a very little.

Here's a thread where I showed what it looks like and how it looks underneath the car. You'll also notice that in all my photos that I post here I don't have it on. You can't even see it. Does it stick down a little further? Yes, but not lower than the other stuff that's down there.

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...hlight=sto+sho