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      12-11-2018, 08:05 PM   #1
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what license plate frames are folks using?

I know, simple question! Everyone has their preference. Just wondering what people are using for license plate frames these days. Are folks spending for the dealer/bmw official ones? Any good aftermarket recommendations? Just wondering what holds up well these days.
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      12-11-2018, 08:24 PM   #2
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I have a BMW M Performance one on my M40i which is more of a joke but otherwise none. I generally prefer plain boring ones to keep the car looking nice and not my plate.
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      12-11-2018, 10:09 PM   #3
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Using a non-badged/logo’ed BMW carbon fiber one. Taking it forward from my E70. Second one I’ve used - they are nice/under stated.
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      12-11-2018, 10:41 PM   #4
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Slim brushed aluminum BMW Performance Center license plate frame.
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      12-12-2018, 05:56 AM   #5
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Interesting story for people in Florida. My wife was pulled over in her X5 (F15) for light speeding, but instead of giving a speeding ticket, the officer was "nice" and gave her a license plate obstruction ticket.

I've lived here for ~20 years and had no idea that if your frame covers any part of the license plate you can be pulled over. Meaning every dealership that puts their branded frames on cars they sell are setting the buyers up to be pulled over at any time.

So...when we pick up the 2019 I'm putting a slim frame on.
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      12-12-2018, 06:48 AM   #6
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Massachusetts has that stupid law also - they fail people at inspections for covering up even a little bit of the word Massachusetts or the state motto whatever that is, can't remember. Only reason for this is that it can make the camera plate readers have issues if it can't read all the info.

I use the free dealer advertising plate surround on mine - it covers up some of the plate illegally, no one seems to have cared yet.
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      12-12-2018, 07:01 AM   #7
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A clean unlabeled one that blends into the color of the factory trim. With the M sport package, you could go with a flat/brushed aluminum look. Even a thin clean black. Make sure it’s not a cheap metal one that rusts. Plastic is actually better for black. Cover the plate screws with caps for a super clean look. Thank goodness PA doesn’t require a front plate.
Another tip I do s apply some rubber foam window insulation tape on the back of the plate anywhere it touches the new car. It stops any scratching over time and vibration noise.

For example, notice how the plate frame matches the factory trim.



BMW makes a plate frame similar to this on on my classic 911. It’s the only labeled frame I thought still looked clean. I think it’s o.k for older cars but new designs and lighting have enough going on the rear.

Last edited by MystroX5; 12-12-2018 at 07:14 AM..
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      12-15-2018, 10:51 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
A clean unlabeled one that blends into the color of the factory trim. With the M sport package, you could go with a flat/brushed aluminum look. Even a thin clean black. Make sure it’s not a cheap metal one that rusts. Plastic is actually better for black. Cover the plate screws with caps for a super clean look. Thank goodness PA doesn’t require a front plate.
Another tip I do s apply some rubber foam window insulation tape on the back of the plate anywhere it touches the new car. It stops any scratching over time and vibration noise.

For example, notice how the plate frame matches the factory trim.



BMW makes a plate frame similar to this on on my classic 911. It’s the only labeled frame I thought still looked clean. I think it’s o.k for older cars but new designs and lighting have enough going on the rear.
Would you mind telling me where you locate everything I see in the first photo? Thanks.
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      12-15-2018, 11:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Would you mind telling me where you locate everything I see in the first photo? Thanks.

I cant believe I found it again but Amazon still has it. These are hard to find and reasonably priced. I waxed the front and back of it before I put it on. I am just going to take it off the Summit and use it for the BMW as it shows no signs of wear in two years so that is a good test.

here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Last edited by MystroX5; 12-15-2018 at 11:07 AM..
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      12-15-2018, 11:09 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Would you mind telling me where you locate everything I see in the first photo? Thanks.

I cant believe I found it again but Amazon still has it. These are hard to find. I waxed the front and back of it before I put it on. I am just going to take it off the Summit and use it for the BMW as it shows no signs of wear in two years.

here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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      12-15-2018, 11:31 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
I cant believe I found it again but Amazon still has it. These are hard to find. I waxed the front and back of it before I put it on. I am just going to take it off the Summit and use it for the BMW as it shows no signs of wear in two years.

here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My G05 is black sapphire, so which one of these would work best with a custom tag that has dark, rich colors?

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Steel-L...X3GKQ1B3M1M5VY

https://www.amazon.com/LFPartS-Resis...X3GKQ1B3M1M5VY
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      12-15-2018, 12:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
My G05 is black sapphire, so which one of these would work best with a custom tag that has dark, rich colors?

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Steel-L...X3GKQ1B3M1M5VY

This one >>>>https://www.amazon.com/LFPartS-Resis...X3GKQ1B3M1M5VY
With your color the second one. LFPartS UV Resistant Slim Style Stainless Steel License Plate Frame Black New 2 Hole . Its clean and will melt into your paint scheme. Black is easy and cheaper to find a good frame. I have this one on my wife's Audi A4.

Last edited by MystroX5; 12-15-2018 at 12:09 PM..
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      12-15-2018, 12:21 PM   #13
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I went with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The one on there now is a 4-hole as well, but seriously advertising the dealer with a huge phone number on it.
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      12-15-2018, 01:14 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatBoyG View Post
I went with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1

The one on there now is a 4-hole as well, but seriously advertising the dealer with a huge phone number on it.
I'd shame the dealer for putting such a monstrosity on a luxury vehicle.
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      12-15-2018, 07:56 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HODLM View Post
Interesting story for people in Florida. My wife was pulled over in her X5 (F15) for light speeding, but instead of giving a speeding ticket, the officer was "nice" and gave her a license plate obstruction ticket.

I've lived here for ~20 years and had no idea that if your frame covers any part of the license plate you can be pulled over. Meaning every dealership that puts their branded frames on cars they sell are setting the buyers up to be pulled over at any time.

So...when we pick up the 2019 I'm putting a slim frame on.
That is also a law in most states. Also covering the plate with a clear plastic protector is also usually illegal.
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      12-17-2018, 04:52 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatBoyG View Post
I went with this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The one on there now is a 4-hole as well, but seriously advertising the dealer with a huge phone number on it.
My frame came in today, but the screws do not fit. The color seems okay, but I am not wild about the frame.

You had no problems with screw in the kit that came with your frame?
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      12-17-2018, 04:56 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
My frame came in today, but the screws do not fit. The color seems okay, but I am not wild about the frame.

You had no problems with screw in the kit that came with your frame?
I'm still waiting for Amazon to deliver it.
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      12-17-2018, 05:03 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatBoyG View Post
I'm still waiting for Amazon to deliver it.
I noticed that on the link to your frame that it does not show a kit with screws unlike the frame I received today.

Does your frame expect you to use existing screws? If so, the G05 screws are very small and may not fit firmly in the black screw covers. This is a wild guess without knowing the actual measurements.
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      12-17-2018, 05:07 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MystroX5 View Post
I cant believe I found it again but Amazon still has it. These are hard to find and reasonably priced. I waxed the front and back of it before I put it on. I am just going to take it off the Summit and use it for the BMW as it shows no signs of wear in two years so that is a good test.

here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Did the screws that came with your frame fit the G05 or was there another way to get everything to work?
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      12-19-2018, 07:25 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Did the screws that came with your frame fit the G05 or was there another way to get everything to work?
So I ended up using the screws from the previous plate frame that was installed on the vehicle. The original frame mounted to the mounts on the vehicle (two screws) and is a base for the 4-hole frame. Keeps it nice, stable, and quiet, as well as moving it up off the vehicle body. Otherwise, it looks great and subtle, instead of the plastic "chrome" monster with the dealer phone number on it.
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      12-19-2018, 07:49 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatBoyG View Post
So I ended up using the screws from the previous plate frame that was installed on the vehicle. The original frame mounted to the mounts on the vehicle (two screws) and is a base for the 4-hole frame. Keeps it nice, stable, and quiet, as well as moving it up off the vehicle body. Otherwise, it looks great and subtle, instead of the plastic "chrome" monster with the dealer phone number on it.
Glad that worked for you.

The frame I ordered, has black covers that are too large for the small screws that work with the G05 which limits the value of the look I was seeking.
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      12-19-2018, 08:11 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xeno View Post
Glad that worked for you.

The frame I ordered, has black covers that are too large for the small screws that work with the G05 which limits the value of the look I was seeking.
Mine came with two sets of covers, one large set and one smaller set. I used the smaller set with the shorter screws and it covers completely. I'll take a picture of the finished result later today.
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