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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Front plate or No!?

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      05-31-2019, 03:35 PM   #1
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Front plate or No!?

Just now picking up a 2019 540ixMsport. But live in NJ which requires the ugly front plate. What’s your experience if you’ve just left it off!! Thanks.
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      05-31-2019, 03:39 PM   #2
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just don't put it on until you get a fix it ticket!
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      05-31-2019, 05:15 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster View Post
Just now picking up a 2019 540ixMsport. But live in NJ which requires the ugly front plate. What’s your experience if you’ve just left it off!! Thanks.
I got hit 2times on i80 for plate. They respected my family pba cards, it's not worth the pull over n harassment. Deal with it n install
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      05-31-2019, 06:02 PM   #4
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Not sure how strict NJ is. If it's like CA, then you will probably be fine flying under the radar for the most part, depending on the cops in your area. If it's strict like the UK, then you can bet yourself you'll get a ticket the very next day.
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      05-31-2019, 06:41 PM   #5
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It's an absolute sin to put a front license plate on any German vehicle.
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      05-31-2019, 08:41 PM   #6
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In urban CA it is not a problem. Many cars without front plate, including mine. I've seen police ignore people running red lights, so they have absolutely no interest in license plates. East coast is a totally different story
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      06-01-2019, 08:41 AM   #7
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I believe there is a loophole in Texas stating that if your front license plate affects airflow into the vehicle, you have an exemption.

It really only gets enforced in small towns or if the police are looking for reason to pull you over.
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      06-01-2019, 09:24 AM   #8
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Cops really aren't looking for people that don't have front plates. I lived in Denver for years and never got pulled over while driving behind cops. If I was parking downtown I would put the front plate in the passengers side window.
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      06-01-2019, 10:50 AM   #9
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If you come to NYC and you street park chances are cops will get you for no front plate
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      06-01-2019, 11:20 AM   #10
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I used to have no plate, but got a few tickets in Chicago while parked. Technically, at least here, they cops cannot pull you over just for not having a front plate...
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      06-03-2019, 10:06 PM   #11
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In LA, parking enforcement can give you a ticket for no front plates. Not sure what they do in NJ tho.
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      06-04-2019, 02:40 PM   #12
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Guess I'm just a sinner, then. It's the law in Texas, and it's a car, for Pete's sake. I drilled it and put it on. YMMV.
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      06-04-2019, 03:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars View Post
It's an absolute sin to put a front license plate on any German vehicle.
And a free chance to be pulled over in states that require a front plate. After a few tickets and not liking exposing myself to a free questioning and search by the authorities, not worth upholding covering a 10"x 4" part of the car I only look at when walking up to it.
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      06-04-2019, 03:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksoze View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars View Post
It's an absolute sin to put a front license plate on any German vehicle.
And a free chance to be pulled over in states that require a front plate. After a few tickets and not liking exposing myself to a free questioning and search by the authorities, not worth upholding covering a 10"x 4" part of the car I only look at when walking up to it.
Like I said in my post after the one you quoted me on, it's not really enforced in Houston or Dallas UNLESS they want to pull you over. Either way, if the plate extends passed the bumper in any way blocking airflow, then you will get out any ticket on a technicality. I've had 3 BMWs and 1 Mercedes all w/o front license plates. The only time I ever got a ticket was when I pulled over for speeding. The cop was a total ****. It's worth it to me than to drill four holes into the bumper - plus my OCD would be working overtime if it wasn't perfectly centered.
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      06-04-2019, 04:42 PM   #15
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NH is very strict about front plates, so never crossed my mind to request without. NH is also very strict about tint, one of the strictest states. So much for Live Free Or Die (state motto) LMFO...
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      06-04-2019, 07:46 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars View Post
Like I said in my post after the one you quoted me on, it's not really enforced in Houston or Dallas UNLESS they want to pull you over.
That's kind of my point. In many states which do have a front plate restriction, it is a viable reason to be pulled over. Why give a cop a reason? Texas may be loose, but many states are vigilant and the love of a clean grill gets tainted by tickets, a waving flag for a pullover and enhanced fear of the one beer you drank 2 hours ago.
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      06-04-2019, 09:19 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksoze View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars View Post
Like I said in my post after the one you quoted me on, it's not really enforced in Houston or Dallas UNLESS they want to pull you over.
That's kind of my point. In many states which do have a front plate restriction, it is a viable reason to be pulled over. Why give a cop a reason? Texas may be loose, but many states are vigilant and the love of a clean grill gets tainted by tickets, a waving flag for a pullover and enhanced fear of the one beer you drank 2 hours ago.
I don't drink, so it stays off.
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      06-05-2019, 09:19 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dlf750 View Post
I used to have no plate, but got a few tickets in Chicago while parked. Technically, at least here, they cops cannot pull you over just for not having a front plate...
Yup, if you park downtown or at Midway or O'Hare airport, you will get a ticket. They have people regularly looking for people without front plates. They city of Chicago desperately needs your money.--Bob
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      06-05-2019, 05:56 PM   #19
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I do not run a front plate but keep it in the car if needed. I have my other plate in the windshield in my truck and seem to be ok so far.
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      06-10-2019, 08:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveMondragon View Post
Not sure how strict NJ is. If it's like CA, then you will probably be fine flying under the radar for the most part, depending on the cops in your area. If it's strict like the UK, then you can bet yourself you'll get a ticket the very next day.
Agreed. It can be hit or miss here in CA. However, I air on the side of caution due to be consistently well over the speed limit. Why tack on more for them to look at.
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      06-11-2019, 09:24 AM   #21
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As much as I dislike the front plates on my BMW and Z06, which are required in Illinois, I run them because with my luck, the only time a cop will pull me over for a missing front plate is the time I will have had a few drinks. Pro-active caution. And, as noted earlier, the state or Illinois, its counties and local municipalities desperately need my money and will generally stop at nothing to get it. --Bob
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      06-11-2019, 11:49 AM   #22
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It's a hassle here in CO - they ticket you when you are parked for not having one.
I opted for this plate holder, which screws in to the front right tow hook:

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

It looks pretty cool - there is a customer image in the reviews (not mine).
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