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2014 E63S WAGON (On Order), BMW X5 (Gone), E92 M3 (Gone)
Front license plate solution for facelift e63. Tow hook plate?
Hi, guys:
I am looking for a good tow hook license plate kit that works well with 2014+ e63s and will not trigger front parking sensor. (I did search, no much info for the facelift models)
I was thinking to get usmillworks, which works well on bimmers with various positioning options that can clear parking sensor, however after called them, they said it will not work on Benz due to different tow hook design. Anyone has any ideas or share your experience if you have already got one? Thanks, guys.
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
I used the gominigo solution. You just have to adjust it very carefully to avoid the park sensor. It took about an hour of fiddling with the bracket to get it positioned just right. Too high and it interferes with the light, too low and you're blocking the cooler. I'm using the offset bracket which just barely clears the park sensor. The plate has to be very tight to the bumper in order to stay out of the sensor's field.
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
Nope. But we're talking about a matter of mm's. Even a hair to the driver's side or a hair out from the bumper, and this would not work. Expect to mount and dismount many times in order to get it positioned where the sensor won't see it and it doesn't collect output from the headlight or block the cooler.
I think I have a single flat washer stacked with the collet between the bracket and the bolt which threads into the car. That's the combination which provided the proper standoff. It would be a better install without the extra washer, but I couldn't tighten that one nut that fastens the plate backer to the bracket without the extra space.
I use a Plate Clip on my CLK and R which hooks onto my lower grill slat and is removable within five seconds. Each piece is custom made to the car and in my opinion is more elegant than the tow hook method. The problem is, the guy making these died earlier this year and the family is trying to figure out what to do with the business. When my E comes later this year I have to figure out what I want to do with my license plate situation, but ideally I'd like to get another clip on plate bracket which is perfect for removal at shows or photoshoots.
Edit: looks like I've used too much bandwidth on my photos. They should be back up soon.
2014 E63S WAGON (On Order), BMW X5 (Gone), E92 M3 (Gone)
Originally Posted by ace10
I used the gominigo solution. You just have to adjust it very carefully to avoid the park sensor. It took about an hour of fiddling with the bracket to get it positioned just right. Too high and it interferes with the light, too low and you're blocking the cooler. I'm using the offset bracket which just barely clears the park sensor. The plate has to be very tight to the bumper in order to stay out of the sensor's field.
They seem to be good quality parts, but it's only been on the car for about a month. Quite solid.
Thanks for the useful info, ace10.
Suprisingly it does nor trigger the sensor as the edge of the license plate is right beside one of the sensor. Nice setup up, but personally I woule put it a bit lower, not sure if it is possible to do that.
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
It will go one "hole" lower. IIRC. Probably 3/4." But I think you'd have to add another washer or two as the bumper skin continues forward as you look down the driver's side edge of the plate. They would make contact in that lower corner. And I think I had a problem with the parking sensor when I tried the extra washer.
There's precious little space to put a plate on the front of the car, other than drilling the bumper and using the OE mount.
I order to go lower, you'd need different brackets on both the horizontal and vertical planes. The gomini go plate plate mount isn't large enough, nor is the bracket wide enough. I think you'd need something custom to go lower.
Where I have it seemed to be the a happiest spot. You're dealing with three car functions you simply cannot block (lighting, cooling and parking beeper).
After some research, I came across The Platypus, with the pic of a regular 2014 E class with sport pkg shown on their website, it seems like it will work on our E63 without blocking the sensors. Just placed an order and will update you guys once it is mounted on the car.
To my eyes, the tow hook solution looks bloody awful. Because it's off center and so high, it just draws your eyes to something you'd rather ignore. That Plate Clip is awesome!
2014 E63S WAGON (On Order), BMW X5 (Gone), E92 M3 (Gone)
Originally Posted by ace10
Im curious why you chose that option. Earlier you said you wanted one that mounts lower. The one you chose is not adjustable on the vertical.
The plate on your car looks good, but I would prefer to get one with more clearance to the sensor, just like how the pic shows on a regular E with sports pkg.
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
Originally Posted by HPMan
I think the OEM front plate mount looks better than any of these solutions, but to each their own.
That's what I tell myself (in order to not go ballistic) when I go to pick up a new car and find they've destroyed a perfectly good bumper skin by mounting the plate.
car comes with the black plastic number plate mount already screwed into front bumper.
I had the sticker made identical to the personalised plate on the rear.
I am going to try it without the black mount to see which way I prefer.
slimline personalised plate in sealed plate protector. The size of the metal backing plate wasn't suited to the 4 holes already drilled into the boot, so some heavy duty double sided tape was employed. It's a great reservoir for water/dust to drip out after the chamois.
That's what I tell myself (in order to not go ballistic) when I go to pick up a new car and find they've destroyed a perfectly good bumper skin by mounting the plate.
I know what you mean. I live where we have to have front plates. I've just resolved myself to accept the factory plate mount for all my cars. I actually think the E63S factory mount looks better than most. I also think that tow hook mounted plates look jerry-rigged. Unless you buy a car in a jurisdiction that requires a front plate and plan on moving to a jurisdiction that does not while you still own the car, I don't really see a point to avoiding the OEM mount. My $0.02.
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