how do you mount front plate on your E36?

[das borgen]

I have a lux M3 and was wondering the best way to mount the front plate.

I took off the front moulding and saw no lined up holes for it. I have no problem drilling into the moulding but I was wondering if there is a better way to mount the plate


thanks guys

[mryakan]

There are already holes in the bumper behind the center plastic piece. I had the same bumper as your on my 318ti sport and had to install plates due to a citation issued to me. All I did was take off that piece, measure the location of the holes in the bumper, and had someone drill a couple of holes in the plastic for me. Get a couple or screws and voila, all done. Then you will hate how the front looks forever .

[smokedizzy42]

Im not sure about the laws in your state but in Texas we can just put it on dashboard showing through the windshield.
I know a couple of friends that do this and haven't got ticketed.

[Titanium09]

No need for them here!

[slocar]

BavAuto p/n: E36 M3 FTLP KIT

[das borgen]

Originally Posted by smokedizzy42

Im not sure about the laws in your state but in Texas we can just put it on dashboard showing through the windshield.
I know a couple of friends that do this and haven't got ticketed.

I do that for now

[sm32589g]

easiest way to do it is replace the molding. they make a molding that has holes and a protective backing for the license plate. the protection is form scratching your paint. i picked myn up from the BMW dealership for 40 bucks

[mryakan]

Originally Posted by sm32589g

easiest way to do it is replace the molding. they make a molding that has holes and a protective backing for the license plate. the protection is form scratching your paint. i picked myn up from the BMW dealership for 40 bucks

You have an e46, right? The e36 is different. I know because the tech at the dealership gave me the part you are talking about for free for an e46 but not compatible with the e36. I still have it in my garage somehwere I think.

[blackarrow]

i dont know...we dont need a front plate in GA. sorry i cant help u

[sm32589g]

no i have a e36 non M3 the piece is different compared tot eh M but im guessing they should make one for it.

i found a link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...95&hg=51&fg=15

number 20 and number 17 are the 2 pieces i am talking of.

they are different but by the looks of it they look the same size to the M3 molding: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...95&hg=51&fg=15
i would bring it into the dealer

[mryakan]

Originally Posted by sm32589g

no i have a e36 non M3 the piece is different compared tot eh M but im guessing they should make one for it.

i found a link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...95&hg=51&fg=15

number 20 and number 17 are the 2 pieces i am talking of.

they are different but by the looks of it they look the same size to the M3 molding: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...95&hg=51&fg=15
i would bring it into the dealer

No need on the M3 bumper to get a new one unless you want to sometime later take off the plates and don't want the holes in the pastic, but I guess you can get a new piece then. It is very easy to pop the center plastic piece and you will see the screw holes in the bumper behind it. A couple of self tapping screws may do the trick but I didn't try that, not sure if it is easy to get them through the plastic.

[E36BMW3series]

I'm so glad I don't need one here. My friend actually pulled off a front plate with his 328iC, but he had a chrome BMW plate on an AERO bumper. Looked pretty good.

[tiFreak]

mine's zip-tied to the bumper grill but since you have the lux-slats that would probably look pretty bad

[CT M3]

http://www.gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html

[Jwright]

I was going to buy the actual license plate trim piece from BMW, but it was around $40 at the dealer. Ended up just buying a second plain trim piece (like what you have) and drilled into it...it was only $20 I think. That way I can switch to the non-license plate one if I wanted.

[yellow fever]

here you go :
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=244955