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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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kis
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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by kis » Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:56 am

Okay so I've been searching for a way to fix the front plate to the Zed, without making it permanent. My goal is to create a cleaner look and to have the plate 'easily' removable.

Standard fixing is:

1. Screw
2. Adhesive Tape

These I class as permanent, I know the adhesive tape sits on the boarder line, but for all intense and purpose its 'permanent'.

Non permanent options:

1. Hook and Loop
2. Magnetic
3. .......................?

So I'm fairly certain we've all used the screw and tape. What non permanent options have other people pursued? I've used some industrial strength hook and loop up until now which is handy when switching plates (at MOT time I switch to another plate which has the GB logo...). However it doesn't leave a clean finish, i.e. if I remove the plate, there are still hook / loop sections left on the car.

My plan is to remove the number plate surround, this will clean up the look of the front end, however due to the shape of the front nose of the car it'll point the plate downwards?

This is a picture showing the plate and surround:

Image
(not mine, source)

How have people overcome this? The 89 doesn't have this problem as the front bumper in the plate area is pretty much vertical, however the 85 and 86 it's more diagonal.

I'm thinking of doing something like this (not UK but the principles remain the same):

[youtube]https://youtu.be/VkrCOFamgJI[/youtube]

What set up have you got? If you've gone for a different approach to standard then please detail and include pics if you can! Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by Marius » Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:16 am

remove surround and stick plate with double side tape or drive without it .

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by bmwaddict » Mon Mar 20, 2017 1:49 pm

Some people have removed plate surround and fixed a square plate to the towing eye socket with some kind of adapter that screws in and holds the plate, not a fan of this myself though as plate is not flush as the area behind is curved, and our UK square plates are pretty big compared to other countries so it's a bit unsightly IMO.
Currently zedless :(

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by kis » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:19 pm

Yeah I seen that one but kind of dismissed it.

Image

Taken from a member on here viewtopic.php?t=67531

But yeah I guess this falls under another non-permanent option...
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by srhutch » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:20 pm

Earth magnets are what you need.

This is mine

Image

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kis
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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by kis » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:23 pm

Is that your one mate?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xZ-FgUJXU

I saw that video too, have you got magnets on the inside of the bumper?
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by srhutch » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:32 pm

kis wrote:Is that your one mate?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xZ-FgUJXU

I saw that video too, have you got magnets on the inside of the bumper?
Of course, exactly the same ones as on the plate. Been on for about 12 months and 4K without issue.

I think they are about 8mm diameter and 3-4mm thick.
Image

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by Marius » Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:36 pm

kis wrote:Yeah I seen that one but kind of dismissed it.

Image

Taken from a member on here viewtopic.php?t=67531

But yeah I guess this falls under another non-permanent option...
that's my car :D made it for quick removal when I went to shows and stuff .

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by kis » Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:22 pm

srhutch wrote:
kis wrote:Is that your one mate?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xZ-FgUJXU

I saw that video too, have you got magnets on the inside of the bumper?
Of course, exactly the same ones as on the plate. Been on for about 12 months and 4K without issue.

I think they are about 8mm diameter and 3-4mm thick.
And you run yours symmetrical? i.e. one magnet on the top and one on the bottom? Or have you doubled up on the bottom to adjust for some of the angle?
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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kis
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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by kis » Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:24 pm

Marius wrote:
that's my car :D made it for quick removal when I went to shows and stuff .
Oh right, got any more pics? Specifically any shots from a 'birds eye' view?
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by bladeowner » Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:37 pm

My daughter's a florist and uses these magnets, they are very powerful. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Strong- ... G8rpAlkAQg

Very useful, I've used them for all sorts of things.
2004 Sapphire Black 2.5 SE Z4 SMG

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by Marius » Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:47 pm

kis wrote:
Marius wrote:
that's my car :D made it for quick removal when I went to shows and stuff .
Oh right, got any more pics? Specifically any shots from a 'birds eye' view?
I rarely had in on while driving in uk :lol:

here's another one

Image

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by Kingfisher » Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:04 pm

I had this problem on a Range Rover with a curved plate backing ... Halford's do extra thick double sided pads for just this purpose ... thick pads at the ends and thin ones in the middle. Works a treat.
Dec 2014 ... E89 35is sDrive M DCT ... Red ... :driving:

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by DMC63 » Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:24 pm

Double sided tape from Halfrauds. I had my last plates held on with it, rain, sun, snow, frost, jet washing, they stayed fixed. Bought some private plates and fitted them a few days ago. Prized off the old plates by hand (a bit of force required but didn't crack or damage the old plates coming off). More double sided tape and the new ones are on and looking neat, no plastic warts covering screws.

What other ways is there apart from screws or tape? Glue/adhesive = No. Velcro = No. Welding = Definitely NO. Chewing gum = Possibly.
Cable ties = Nope. Elastic bands = No. String = Nope. Picture hooks = hehe.
BMW Z4 2003 2.5i and lots of bits and pieces - 2016 - 2020 Sold

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Front Number / Reg Plate Fixing Discussion

Post by DMC63 » Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:26 pm

Nice pic :thumbsup:

Image[/quote]
BMW Z4 2003 2.5i and lots of bits and pieces - 2016 - 2020 Sold

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