[HerkHealer]

Hi all,
Thought I would share this. Very nice looking IMO. Sits down low, centered and can easily be removed in 2 seconds with a pull pin.

This is for my 2020 M550 without active cruise control.

Here are some observations:

1. They supply 2 long phillip head screws to replace the 8mm ones you remove from the front lip spoiler. Throw them away and go to Home Depot/Lowes or wherever and get a bag of #12 x 1 inch hexhead zinc sheetmetal screws. They are also 8mm and make install MUCH easier. The reason is a standard screwdriver wont work. You either have to use a stubby or put a phillips head bit into a 1/4 wrench. The #12 x 1 inch hexheads make life incredibly easier. Trust me, i found out the hard way.

2. The pull pin MUST be mounted to the drivers side only. There is only 1 notch in the mounting frame arms.

3. You may have to file the notch a bit to get the pull pin to seat properly. I had to do this. Very easy to do as its aluminum. You want to file the notch open more toward the Rear of car to make it fit properly.

4. I installed the license plate hardware backwards. Meaning button head in rear, nut up front. Then put duct tape over the button heads just in case it flexes / scratches paint.

www.stonsho.com

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Hi all,
Thought I would share this. Very nice looking IMO. Sits down low, centered and can easily be removed in 2 seconds with a pull pin.

This is for my 2020 M550 without active cruise control.

Here are some observations:

1. They supply 2 long phillip head screws to replace the 8mm ones you remove from the front lip spoiler. Throw them away and go to Home Depot/Lowes or wherever and get a bag of #12 x 1 inch hexhead zinc sheetmetal screws. They are also 8mm and make install MUCH easier. The reason is a standard screwdriver wont work. You either have to use a stubby or put a phillips head bit into a 1/4 wrench. The #12 x 1 inch hexheads make life incredibly easier. Trust me, i found out the hard way.

2. The pull pin MUST be mounted to the drivers side only. There is only 1 notch in the mounting frame arms.

3. You may have to file the notch a bit to get the pull pin to seat properly. I had to do this. Very easy to do as its aluminum. You want to file the notch open more toward the Rear of car to make it fit properly.

4. I installed the license plate hardware backwards. Meaning button head in rear, nut up front. Then put duct tape over the button heads just in case it flexes / scratches paint.

www.stonsho.com

Thanks for this. Been waiting for you to do it before I went in. Mine arrived Monday. So you can't use the hex head screws already on the car that you removed?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks for this. Been waiting for you to do it before I went in. Mine arrived Monday. So you can't use the hex head screws already on the car that you removed?

Nope. I tried that. The mount bracket is about 1/4" thick and they wont reach the threads. The hex screws holding the lip on are essentially sheet metal screws anyway. The #12's x 1" are a tiny bit larger in diameter than the stock hex heads, but they give you a nice firm install. You could even go 12 x 1.25"if you wanted to.

DONT go crazy tightening them down, its just plastic they're going into.

I had to file a few mm off the back end of the notch to get my pin seated in there. You might not have to do this.

Good luck !! I really like it.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Nope. I tried that. The mount bracket is about 1/4" thick and they wont reach the threads. The hex screws holding the lip on are essentially sheet metal screws anyway. The #12's x 1" are a tiny bit larger in diameter than the stock hex heads, but they give you a nice firm install. You could even go 12 x 1.25"if you wanted to.

DONT go crazy tightening them down, its just plastic they're going into.

I had to file a few mm off the back end of the notch to get my pin seated in there. You might not have to do this.

Good luck !! I really like it.

Thanks. I may try it in a few hours. Will the supplied screws work? I have a Phillips bit and socket. I'm thinking drivers side got me as I have ACC.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks. I may try it in a few hours. Will the supplied screws work? I have a Phillips bit and socket. I'm thinking drivers side got me as I have ACC.

You can try them, but imo it was a pain in the ass. They are very long. I was able to get the left side in using a stubby, but then hit something that was not drilled, like another piece of plastic, and could not go further. It stopped about 1/4" short of where it would be tight. The other thing I did not like on them is the head/washer area is not that big. It barely covers the hole for the mount.

Give it a shot if you like, but I spent hours fighting trying to get them in and the #12's x 1 or 1.25 inch were super simple.

-Mark

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

You can try them, but imo it was a pain in the ass. They are very long. I was able to get the left side in using a stubby, but then hit something that was not drilled, like another piece of plastic, and could not go further. It stopped about 1/4" short of where it would be tight. The other thing I did not like on them is the head/washer area is not that big. It barely covers the hole for the mount.

Give it a shot if you like, but I spent hours fighting trying to get them in and the #12's x 1 or 1.25 inch were super simple.

-Mark

Thanks. Nah, I think I'll do exactly what you did. I'll look on Amazon for the screws and post a link here for you to confirm. I have limited time tonight as I'm heading to Aruba tomorrow. The last thing I need is to get caught up in a car project while my girlfriend is bugging me to pack.

I did think those screws looked awfully long. Think there would be any benefit to adding some 3M automotive tape to the plate in addition to the screws?

Looks great man, thanks for taking me to school and making me aware. Debating left to right side install.

[HerkHealer]

Just grab a 6 pack of #12 x 1 inch or 1.5" zinc sheet metal screws from anywhere that sells hardware. It was maybe $2.50 or so. I also got a pack of 1/4" lock washers too, just so it wont back out.

Enjoy Aruba ! Was there w my ex in 2014 for 10 days. It was awesome!
Wanna go back.

-Mark

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Just grab a 6 pack of #12 x 1 inch or 1.5" zinc sheet metal screws from anywhere that sells hardware. It was maybe $2.50 or so. I also got a pack of 1/4" lock washers too, just so it wont back out.

Enjoy Aruba ! Was there w my ex in 2014 for 10 days. It was awesome!
Wanna go back.

-Mark

Ha! I was there with my ex. too a few times. More fun with the girlfriend 😉

[Joe-BMW33]

A few questions after looking at your pics a little closer. I will be mounting mine to the far right or left. Do you think it will interfere with the parking sensor? It's hard to tell how close the plate hugs the bumper. Which leads me to my second question, why the duct tape? Do the screws actually hit the bumper?

[HerkHealer]

The upper screws are clear from hitting anything. The lowers are about 1/2" away from bumper. Doubt they will hit, but being cautious/proactive anyway. I think you should be ok w sensors since its below them. Havent driven it yet, but started her up last night and no alerts from my sensors.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

The upper screws are clear from hitting anything. The lowers are about 1/2" away from bumper. Doubt they will hit, but being cautious/proactive anyway. I think you should be ok w sensors since its below them. Havent driven it yet, but started her up last night and no alerts from my sensors.

Thanks. The placement of yours in the center should not interfere with the parking sensors. I can't put it there because of ACC. I'll let you know in a week.

[Joe-BMW33]

Got these. #12x1.25". Overpaid for sure but I detest Home Depot and Lowes these days. It's like no one works the floor and the people that do know almost nothing. This was easier than looking through and isle of screws in boxes or bags.

#12 x 1-1/4" (1/4" to 3" Available) Hex Washer Head Self Drilling Screws, Self Tapping Sheet Metal Tek Screws, 410 Stainless Steel, 50 PCS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y7XHNH2...1EQ18AX0JQGHQ2

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Got these. #12x1.25". Overpaid for sure but I detest Home Depot and Lowes these days. It's like no one works the floor and the people that do know almost nothing. This was easier than looking through and isle of screws in boxes or bags.

#12 x 1-1/4" (1/4" to 3" Available) Hex Washer Head Self Drilling Screws, Self Tapping Sheet Metal Tek Screws, 410 Stainless Steel, 50 PCS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y7XHNH2...1EQ18AX0JQGHQ2

Those should be just fine Joe. And bonus, you have 48 extra to play with !
LOL

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Those should be just fine Joe. And bonus, you have 48 extra to play with !
LOL

Lol! I have so much shit!

[FrankW1029]

it's cool.

my only question is; if your states require to run the front plate and the po-po actually pulls you over on regular for having no front plate, why not just use the oem bracket?

i'm in CA, but pretty much po-po don't bother you unless you already got pulled over for other traffic violations. i just took the bracket off and left the hole. lol

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by FrankW1029

it's cool.

my only question is; if your states require to run the front plate and the po-po actually pulls you over on regular for having no front plate, why not just use the oem bracket?

i'm in CA, but pretty much po-po don't bother you unless you already got pulled over for other traffic violations. i just took the bracket off and left the hole. lol

Frank, The OEM bracket requires drilling holes into your bumper. That is something i did not want. I'm pretty sure that's the reason a LOT of people here use the "tow mount" and other types to avoid it. I was going to use the tow hook mount, but after hearing several people say it messes with the parking sensors, I went with Sto n Sho. It mounts below all the sensors, and still doesnt require drilling.

Mark

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by FrankW1029

it's cool.

my only question is; if your states require to run the front plate and the po-po actually pulls you over on regular for having no front plate, why not just use the oem bracket?

i'm in CA, but pretty much po-po don't bother you unless you already got pulled over for other traffic violations. i just took the bracket off and left the hole. lol

Mark, here are my reasons
1) The police don't really bother you that much
2) I only will mount it annually for a state inspection or maybe coming home from a wedding late night after a few pops
3) I don't want to drill holes in my perfect front bumper
4) US license plates are ugly and ruin the aesthetics of the front end.

[Joe-BMW33]

Done. I mounted it to drivers side. Took it for a spin and ran the ACC with no issues including stop and go traffic. Also ran steering assist which had no issues. Bonus for me, the existing screws worked fine, so I can get my $10 bucks back from Amazon😀. Thanks again for turning me onto this. Although I liked my prior solution, now I have no visible receiver bracket. Which is still on in the pic below above the sensor. I removed it after.

[HerkHealer]

Looks great Joe !

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Looks great Joe !

Thanks. It does the job. Honestly the other one looked better as it was centered and pretty much where the plate would go on the bumper, but when I mounted that I really thought I'd be keeping the plate on the majority of the time and only taking it off for meetups, coffee and cars, and the like. But I never have the plate on even after getting pulled over once. So this solution allows me to remove the visible mount but still be able to put it on when I need to. Yours looks much better centered.

[FrankW1029]

Originally Posted by gladesteen

Frank, The OEM bracket requires drilling holes into your bumper. That is something i did not want. I'm pretty sure that's the reason a LOT of people here use the "tow mount" and other types to avoid it. I was going to use the tow hook mount, but after hearing several people say it messes with the parking sensors, I went with Sto n Sho. It mounts below all the sensors, and still doesnt require drilling.

Mark

well noted. i've done the same previously on other cars. i'm guessing you'll be running without the plate most of the time

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by FrankW1029

well noted. i've done the same previously on other cars. i'm guessing you'll be running without the plate most of the time

Yeah Frank, it's more about not wanting to drill holes into a perfect bumper and also not wanting the ugly US plate mucking up the beautiful lines of the nose. I may regret it someday, but I run without a plate 99% of the time.