Front license plate bracket

[gibz4]

Has anyone tried the Stillen front license plate bracket? If so, anyone have pix of it installed? I need one for the M and don't wanna pay for the dealers overpriced piece. If not then i'll just try and immitate it somehow.

Thanks,Gil

[stumbleweed]

I replicated the Stillen bracket using a sheet metal plate I fabricated that's just smaller than the license plate itself. I welded that plate onto a gas pipe nipple the same diameter as the tow hook receiver (have to try multiple sizes for the correct fitment both in diameter and length), then painted it all to match the car. Looks great and no holes in the bumper.

I can take some pics when I get home this weekend if you'd like.

[gibz4]

[QUOTE=stumbleweed]I replicated the Stillen bracket using a sheet metal plate I fabricated that's just smaller than the license plate itself. I welded that plate onto a gas pipe nipple the same diameter as the tow hook receiver (have to try multiple sizes for the correct fitment both in diameter and length), then painted it all to match the car. Looks great and no holes in the bumper.

I can take some pics when I get home this weekend if you'd like.[/QUOT

Pics would be great. Did you put the plate in the center of the bumper or a little offset?

[M35 Sport]

zer...ideas

I ordered one last week. It should show up at my job almost any moment now (within the next couple hours). I will let you know how it works out. Total cost with delivery was $80
Modified by M35 Sport at 9:06 AM 3/24/2009

[M35 Sport]

Well I just got it. I will try to put it on once I get home from work. I am a little concerned though. I wonder how centered this whole thing is gonna be. I don't think the Tow hook hole is dead center on the car and the way this bracket is made it looks as if things will be slight skewed to the driver's side. But we will see.

[M35 Sport]

[IMG][/IMG]Well I got plate front plate bracket from Stillen today. So what do you guys think? It is not Centered. I think this setup is meant strickly for the G.

[gibz4]

ya it is pretty offset. can you re-drill the hole behind the plate to make it more centered? hows the back of the plate, is it touching the bumper at all or is there enough clearance to add some foam so there's no rubbing?

[M35 Sport]

ya it is pretty offset. can you re-drill the hole behind the plate to make it more centered? hows the back of the plate, is it touching the bumper at all or is there enough clearance to add some foam so there's no rubbing?

Yeah I thought about drilling the hole. But I paid $80 for this. I should not have to do anything but install it. I am thinking of returning it and just letting the dealer put on a standard mount. There is no rubbing on the bumper.

[jmcclain01]

Yeah I thought about drilling the hole. But I paid $80 for this. I should not have to do anything but install it. I am thinking of returning it and just letting the dealer put on a standard mount. There is no rubbing on the bumper.

I think gibz4 was meaning you can redrill the holes in the license plate itself to get it a bit more centered. I've never been hasseled about not having a plate on the front of my M or my G. Are you guys getting grief about it, or just trying to avoid the grief?

[M35 Sport]

Well I talked to the dealer. Looks like their bracket cost about $68 They would put it on for free. I am starting to think I will just keep this one and re-drill the backing plate so that it is centered. You need two plates in IL. I have never gotten a traffic ticket and I don't want to start now. In the 3 weeks I have had this car I have driven past plenty of officers that could clearly see I had no front plate. However I don't want to give any officer any reason to pull me over.

[stumbleweed]

The version i fabricated I offset so that the tag appears to be centered in the bumper left to right as well as up and down. If you go this route, leave plenty of room on the length of the gas pipe nipple as it screws in pretty far and the bracket/tag have a tendency to naturally flex towards the bumper at higher speeds. You'll also need room to get the nuts on the back of the tag when attaching the license plate. They can be covered with soft fabric tape to make sure that, if they do touch, it won't leave a mark on the bumper.

Will post pics this weekend.

[M35 Sport]

"gas pipe"

??

[stumbleweed]

typically either black or galvanized made of steel or iron. Used to carry natural gas in your house (check your furnace or water heater). they're typically threaded on both ends with varying sizes of diameter and length. Fit perfectly into the receiver for the tow hook by just screwing it in. Allows for removal in the event you sell it to an owner (or move) to a state that doesn't require a front tag.

[gibz4]

nice and the advantage of making it yourself is that if someone decides to steal it then you're not out $80...

[gibz4]

I replicated the Stillen bracket using a sheet metal plate I fabricated that's just smaller than the license plate itself. I welded that plate onto a gas pipe nipple the same diameter as the tow hook receiver (have to try multiple sizes for the correct fitment both in diameter and length), then painted it all to match the car. Looks great and no holes in the bumper.

I can take some pics when I get home this weekend if you'd like.

Stumbleweed, do you have the pix of what you made?

[stumbleweed]

Sorry, was away on vacation and the camera is now on the fritz. It's supposed to be fixed this weekend so I'll post some pics ASAP.

[gibz4]

Sorry, was away on vacation and the camera is now on the fritz. It's supposed to be fixed this weekend so I'll post some pics ASAP.

thanks,no rush, still haven't gotten my new plates from the DMV yet anyway..

[M35 Sport]

I also plan to install my stillen plate bracket tomorrow or saturday. I just (20 min ago) picked up a plate cover from auto zone. I plan to drill some extra holes in the bracket while I am work tomorrow so that I can center the plate on the tow hook bolt. I'll try to post pictures also when I am done.

[maqueswell]

Um...Whats the big whoop about having your front license plate off center?

[M35 Sport]

Um...Whats the big whoop about having your front license plate off center?

I guess nothing really. I am considering just putting it on as it is. (off center) I guess like some others I am OCD about some things concerning my car.