M-Sport Front License Plate solution

BobbyLoKat · 03-18-2022, 11:33 AM

Hey... new here after just getting a 2018 x2 xDrive28i w/ M-sport package. I live in Oregon and "have" to have a front license plate.

I wanted to share what I think is a great solution to a front mount license plate. Made by a local (to me) company that seems really cool, too. They don't list it as fitting an X2. Maybe because it might not work for the non-M version? Not sure, but it fits the M-sport opening, just right.

https://www.cravenspeed.com/platypus...arch&GRILL&MOU

I really didn't want to mess with the front profile and thankfully the person who had it before didn't have a front plate on it. So no holes in the bumper.

I've seen some with the tow-hook solution for a plate mount and I just don't like the look (just my opinion) and plus, I think it could get accidentally bumped or messed with by someone in a parking lot.

I found some grill mount options on Amazon, but they stuck out too far.

Here are some pics of the mount above with a carbon fiber plate frame.

View post on imgur.com

I mounted it without the spacer in the package and just the middle screw. I had to bump it up a bit and then tighten the center nut, so it would be centered. Fits nicely in the M-sport mouth opening.

Here are the install instructions.

//TMT · 03-18-2022, 05:41 PM

Looks great, but doesn't it block the intercooler?

BobbyLoKat · 03-18-2022, 11:19 PM

That's a valid point. I'm not sure. I'm not in a hot climate and it isn't flush, so not sure. I'll email the company and see what they think.

BobbyLoKat · 03-21-2022, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by //TMT

Looks great, but doesn't it block the intercooler?

Hey... I emailed the company and they got back to me right away. I think I'm going to go with it and keep an eye on things in the summer.

Also, I realized, if you have a front sensor for adaptive cruise, this might not be the solution for you?

Here is their response.

Hey there Rob,

Thanks for reaching out! Oh wow that does look perfect in there! With how we have that designed to lift off the grille a bit, I don't think you'll run into any problems with your intercooler. Anything in that location will change the airflow of course, though I wouldn't expect you to see any difference in performance at all.

Thanks!

--
Danielle Cross
(she/her/hers)
CravenSpeed Customer Support

//TMT · 03-21-2022, 03:04 PM

Well, that's pretty much the response I'd expect.

If you ran it on a track day, I think it might. If it's your DD and you don't live in a hot climate or regularly do hard pulls, it'll be fine. It does look nice!

rice_rocket88 · 03-22-2022, 09:59 AM

I've had mine zip tied to my grille there since 2019.

The intercooler is actually over the driver's side fender/wheel so if anything it might decrease air flow to the radiator.

Still with daily driving in Boston hot weather I've seen no problems at all with temperature. If I ever take it to the track I'd probably just cut the zip ties and put it back on later

03-18-2022, 11:33 AM	#1
BobbyLoKat New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: BMW X2 xDrive 28i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	M-Sport Front License Plate solution Hey... new here after just getting a 2018 x2 xDrive28i w/ M-sport package. I live in Oregon and "have" to have a front license plate. I wanted to share what I think is a great solution to a front mount license plate. Made by a local (to me) company that seems really cool, too. They don't list it as fitting an X2. Maybe because it might not work for the non-M version? Not sure, but it fits the M-sport opening, just right. https://www.cravenspeed.com/platypus...arch&GRILL&MOU I really didn't want to mess with the front profile and thankfully the person who had it before didn't have a front plate on it. So no holes in the bumper. I've seen some with the tow-hook solution for a plate mount and I just don't like the look (just my opinion) and plus, I think it could get accidentally bumped or messed with by someone in a parking lot. I found some grill mount options on Amazon, but they stuck out too far. Here are some pics of the mount above with a carbon fiber plate frame. View post on imgur.com I mounted it without the spacer in the package and just the middle screw. I had to bump it up a bit and then tighten the center nut, so it would be centered. Fits nicely in the M-sport mouth opening. Here are the install instructions.
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03-18-2022, 05:41 PM	#2
//TMT Lieutenant 130 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 M35i, 2005 Volvo V50T5 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Eastern Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Looks great, but doesn't it block the intercooler?
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03-18-2022, 11:19 PM	#3
BobbyLoKat New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: BMW X2 xDrive 28i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	That's a valid point. I'm not sure. I'm not in a hot climate and it isn't flush, so not sure. I'll email the company and see what they think.
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03-21-2022, 03:04 PM	#5
//TMT Lieutenant 130 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 M35i, 2005 Volvo V50T5 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Eastern Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Well, that's pretty much the response I'd expect. If you ran it on a track day, I think it might. If it's your DD and you don't live in a hot climate or regularly do hard pulls, it'll be fine. It does look nice!
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03-22-2022, 09:59 AM	#6
rice_rocket88 Major 303 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: E60 F48 F39 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I've had mine zip tied to my grille there since 2019. The intercooler is actually over the driver's side fender/wheel so if anything it might decrease air flow to the radiator. Still with daily driving in Boston hot weather I've seen no problems at all with temperature. If I ever take it to the track I'd probably just cut the zip ties and put it back on later
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