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Does this front license plate holder look bad? Would you just drill holes instead?
My state requires a front license plate and it was suggested when I bought my car by my salesman to NOT have them drill 2 holes in the front but to use an aftermarket company that puts the license plate holder on the tow hook instead. He thought it would be a better look. So I bought one from Craven and when it came, it was like 5" too long. They sent another a week later, WAY too short and didn't work. Today they sent 2 more and one is close to working but the angle is pretty odd to me. I'm not sure I like this at all and am considering just having my dealer drill the 2 front holes and saying "screw it", pun intended. Also, the screws they sent don't even have a way to screw them in, they're rounded, no place for a phillips head screwdriver to get into. I just don't get it. And, my EZ PASS thingie won't fit on it with this really shallow screw they sent. It's always something.... but I DO LOVE THIS CAR more and more every day. Took my buddies up to Baltimore last night in it (3 friends) and they were amazed by literally every aspect of it, especially the rear seat comfort and the lighting options inside the car. And the stereo really kicks butt.
Thoughts on this weird license plate holder angle and look? Would you keep this or just get the darn holes drilled and forgetaboutit?
Here's my 2012, and for this it was drilled into the front of the car, no TOW HOOK set up.
Last edited by stever500; Apr 6, 2018 at 11:57 PM.
Just leave it off. Most police won't bother you unless you are doing something stupid. If you get a ticket for it, just ziptie it and get it written off. Fix it ticket is $15.
If you must then drill it because that side one looks dumb
Always thought the tow hook design looks horrible. I would leave it off as well as suggested.
I you really want to mount one, midcity engineering makes one that flips up from underneath the car electrically when needed just by pressing two buttons on the steering wheel.
Perfect setup just when needed. Not sure they have it working for the 2018 model yet.
Just leave it off. Most police won't bother you unless you are doing something stupid. If you get a ticket for it, just ziptie it and get it written off. Fix it ticket is $15.
If you must then drill it because that side one looks dumb
Ok thanks! I agree that the side plate seems dumb now too, since it just juts out so far from the front of the car and will be a problem in many ways. I do have to have a front tag here though in Maryland. Cops give tickets out and parking meter maids go up and down the blocks, even on Sundays when there are free meters in DC giving out no front tag tickets to Maryland drivers. They're on a tirade here with them. I got 2 tickets in 1 day with my Porsche one day, and then I bought a tow hook license plate holder because on that car, it actually looks better on the side than the front, to me.
If your car is always going to have a front license plate, what could be wrong with drilling holes to mount it? The plate will always be there.
Would anyone buying the car used really mind?
I'm in NJ and we need front plates. They stop you for all kinds of petty stuff here. The midcity engineering solution looks cool, but it would only be down when I'm parked, which seems pointless.
It looks awkward and reminds me of Alfa Romeo as some of its model didn't have proper licence plate holder as though Italy had made no requirement of those lol
Anyway, I would try to center it to make it more proportionate
I used the same type EZ Pass, on my S550 I zip tied it to the area just behind the grill but not on it. There is a area on some crossmembers right in front of the radiator that is perfect. It worked every time here in Texas when going through the tolls. I plan on doing the same when my new ride arrives in the next month or so as I never run a front plate and will use the area to the right of the rear view mirror for something else.
I used the same type EZ Pass, on my S550 I zip tied it to the area just behind the grill but not on it. There is a area on some crossmembers right in front of the radiator that is perfect. It worked every time here in Texas when going through the tolls. I plan on doing the same when my new ride arrives in the next month or so as I never run a front plate and will use the area to the right of the rear view mirror for something else.
Thanks. Don't suppose you have a pic of this? (the zip tied method?)
Personally, I don't like a front tag on my vehicle and I don't plan on putting one on ever, but if I need to I can always put it on then. And I use the EZPass from VA so I can stick on my windshield.
Objectively, if you don't want to be paranoid of getting a ticket (or multiple tickets if you still keep it off afterwards haha) then I would go ahead and put it on.
Professionally, if you need it put on, bring it by my dealership and I will have them put it on for you as long as you have the front plate mounting kit. If not then you can let me know in advance and we can have one ordered for you.
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If your car is always going to have a front license plate, what could be wrong with drilling holes to mount it? The plate will always be there.
Would anyone buying the car used really mind?
I'm in NJ and we need front plates. They stop you for all kinds of petty stuff here. The midcity engineering solution looks cool, but it would only be down when I'm parked, which seems pointless.
Just the opposite. I would only have it up (visible) when parked. The majority of license plate tickets are given when parked on public metered parking...
Just leave it off. Most police won't bother you unless you are doing something stupid. If you get a ticket for it, just ziptie it and get it written off. Fix it ticket is $15.
If you must then drill it because that side one looks dumb
I haven't installed the front license plate in at least 8 years and my state still requires it. I got stopped once about 4 years ago and I got a warning by the state trooper who told me to install it when I get home. I never bothered. I'm willing to pay the fine if I ever get stopped for this again. I doubt I will. They really don't care much about the front license plate anymore.
I would just leave it off and pay any tickets you get... but that works for me and my situation (I live in California).
Regardig the Mid City Engineering hideaway plate, I purchased it and posted pics of my install for hiding wires. I feel compelled to tell you that I’m on my fifth electric hideaway plate because our cars sit too low/close to the ground and I’ve ruined bottomed out four times. It doesn’t matter up or down (showing or hidden) the electric motor and track hangs about an inch or so below the wind dam and hits steep parking lot ramps, curbs, parking stops etc. You can buy these yourself on Amazon (they are the same as MCE). The only thing MCE really gives you is an ability to control the plate using your key fob or steering wheel controls (which is awesome).
if you do decide to drill the holes, you can always buy the bumper hole plugs that are painted to match your car (using factory color paint). Check out BumperPlugs.com. Then you can always plug the license plate holder screw holes if you show or sell your car. The plugs look like two more bumper sensors in my opinion.
Where would a magnetic plate holder go? The only place I can even put a magnet is on my c pillar. The grill? isn't 'metal' most of the car isn't metal.
I'm in WA state and front plate is supposedly required here too. Have driven my Boxster and 2015 S550 without issues for years even though neither have the front plate installed and no holes drilled. Even on few occasions I've been pulled over, never even came up. I'd rather eat the ticket now and then (never have) than ugly up either car.
I'm in WA state and front plate is supposedly required here too. Have driven my Boxster and 2015 S550 without issues for years even though neither have the front plate installed and no holes drilled. Even on few occasions I've been pulled over, never even came up. I'd rather eat the ticket now and then (never have) than ugly up either car.
Totally stupid rule if you ask me.
Yep, I get it ... but in Maryland where I live, I used to get pulled over just for no front tag so, I have to have it. It's that simple, and it's not really a big deal. Heck, I'll be dead in 50 years when I'm 106 so in the end, none of this or anything else is a big deal. So I did it today, drove the hour to the dealer, asked them to drill the holes and realized.... arghhhhh! I forgot to bring the mounting kit.
Drove an hour home and an hour back and they put it on in 20 minutes. Laugh if you want, but where I live, this thing is mandatory. No big whoop. Got it all cleaned up today...
It doesn't really look so bad. Most cars, most every car in this area, has a front license plate. The hideous black thing is our easy pass since it doesn't work on the windshield (didn't at least on my 2012 S63 - the windshield blocked the signal anywhere I put it)
Got winter rubber mats today too, free from my dealer. Yay! Nothing like a new car smell. I never had it before since all my other 20 or so cars I've owned were all used, some REALLY used. One died on the way back from the seller's house, the engine seized up, it was a 1970 Volvo I think. I sold it for scrap the next day and bought a different one. Times were tough back in college and a few years later.
Last edited by stever500; Apr 7, 2018 at 11:18 PM.
I have EZ pass, too - there are 2 cutouts in the IR windshield where it will work - check the manual, and I use the upper passenger side cutout - has worked all up and down the east coast numerous times
2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
Originally Posted by stever500
The hideous black thing is our easy pass since it doesn't work on the windshield (didn't at least on my 2012 S63 - the windshield blocked the signal anywhere I put it)
Like Jenz indicated, the external EZ-Pass is not necessary. I used to use one and it didn't work very well, actually.
I like it in the center. You did the right thing. Beautiful car!
Thanks. I bought this license plate frame (in black) for the front plate as well... and a silver colored license plate frame for the Porsche (the Porsche one just broke and was really cheap). Should be here in a week.
From their website: "When I bought my first nice car (2002 Porsche 911 Turbo), I searched and searched for a trick license plate frame that not only matched the quality of my car, but also had a minimalist design but found nothing worthy on the market. So, I designed and built my own.
Like Jenz indicated, the external EZ-Pass is not necessary. I used to use one and it didn't work very well, actually.
Thanks, yes, I tried this on my 2012 - over and over and over with 3 different EZ passes. None of them worked and they blamed it on the windshield. Then they sent me the hideous black one that went over the top of the license plate and I never had an issue with it but it looks ghastly. I'll call EZ PASS in Massachusetts tomorrow and have them send me a white one to try it again on the new car. Maybe it will work with this car after all.
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The grill? isn't 'metal' most of the car isn't metal.
