European front plate adapter

E90M3CDFR · 07-08-2009, 03:18 AM

It took several tries, but I was finally able to get from the Paris BMW dealer the correct mounting adapter for a European front plate that my car should have come with (instead of the US mounting plate). For whatever reason, the mounting adapter is listed as available only on the European-spec E92...the first version the dealer ordered was for the M-Technic front bumper for a 335i, and that did not fit at all.

The piece is not too expensive, about 24 euros, and another 15 or so for the BMW dealer to paint it in the factory color (the color matches, except in the photos attached bec of the light reflection). The advantage for me of this over just putting the plate on the front bumper is 1) I can use the same holes to mount the Europ plates as I would use to mount the US plate when I return the car to the US, and 2) it provides a little more cushion in the front in case someone backs into it when parking (not that would ever happen in Paris...).

Here are a couple of shots showing the two pieces side by side. The part number for the euro style mounting adapter is 51.11.8.041.166.

quality_sound · 11-25-2009, 01:26 PM

So did the mounting holes line up? I have a different route I want to go for my front plate that won't require drilling (I have an issue with that) but this is a great option as well.

E90M3CDFR · 11-25-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

So did the mounting holes line up? I have a different route I want to go for my front plate that won't require drilling (I have an issue with that) but this is a great option as well.

They did. There are four holes on the euro-plate that match the position of the ones you would use to mount the US adapter to the front plate. The plate adapter also provides some additional buffer in case someone gets too close parking in front of you.

I wasn't too keen on drilling holes but high incidence of plate theft and traffic laws here require plates to be permanently attached to the car.

FYI: Check out the US-Expat sub-forum for US cars in Europe...and if you haven't already, consider joining M-Flight.

quality_sound · 11-30-2009, 04:27 PM

Yep, been in there but there's not much traffic. I'm considering M-Flight. I've been in a car club (normally VWs though) for a long time but not since I got here in May and I miss it.

On the plate holder you got, how does the plate attach to the holder? I'm guessing it's screwed on? That's how I had to do my GTI's from plate and I didn't like it. I think I'm going to run Skene's front plate mount.

E90M3CDFR · 12-04-2009, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

On the plate holder you got, how does the plate attach to the holder? I'm guessing it's screwed on? That's how I had to do my GTI's from plate and I didn't like it. I think I'm going to run Skene's front plate mount.

It can be screwed in with bolts/screws or attached with rivets (which is the typical way to do it in France and some other places in Europe to make theft of plates more difficult). I prefer shallow security tipped bolts that I can remove easily to put on new plates but that would be a bit more difficult for someone to take off unless they happen to have the right tip for these bolts.

I don't like to use the US plate adapter because 1) it doesn't look/fit right with a european plate attached and 2) it does obstruct the air flow to the grill a little.

quality_sound · 12-04-2009, 04:42 AM

Yeah I hear you on that. The euro plate adapter is a lot better looking. I'm going to do the Skene so I can run either plate without drilling any holes. Sure it won't look as good but my OCD will be happy.

M3 Piotr · 02-14-2010, 09:19 AM

Can you post a pic with the adapter on the car? Thanks.

Andrew 912 · 02-14-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335i Piotr

Can you post a pic with the adapter on the car? Thanks.

Here are pictures of the adaptor attached to the car

Trier Germany · 02-15-2010, 02:08 AM

Thats A Euro bumper with Front PDC and A U.S.A. Plate adapter!

E90M3CDFR · 02-15-2010, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trier Germany

Thats A Euro bumper with Front PDC and A U.S.A. Plate adapter!

There are other countries that use a US-sized license plate, so it may be a car in another market.

Here are pics of the euro-size plat adapter on someone's car (not mine). It fits very well, and like I say, provides an extra small cushion for parking mishaps. The mounting points you would use for the US adapter have "twins" on the european one, so you just go with one set of holes.

07-08-2009, 03:18 AM	#1
E90M3CDFR First Lieutenant 86 Rep 303 Posts Drives: E91 Sportwagon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	European front plate adapter It took several tries, but I was finally able to get from the Paris BMW dealer the correct mounting adapter for a European front plate that my car should have come with (instead of the US mounting plate). For whatever reason, the mounting adapter is listed as available only on the European-spec E92...the first version the dealer ordered was for the M-Technic front bumper for a 335i, and that did not fit at all. The piece is not too expensive, about 24 euros, and another 15 or so for the BMW dealer to paint it in the factory color (the color matches, except in the photos attached bec of the light reflection). The advantage for me of this over just putting the plate on the front bumper is 1) I can use the same holes to mount the Europ plates as I would use to mount the US plate when I return the car to the US, and 2) it provides a little more cushion in the front in case someone backs into it when parking (not that would ever happen in Paris...). Here are a couple of shots showing the two pieces side by side. The part number for the euro style mounting adapter is 51.11.8.041.166. Attached Images
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11-25-2009, 01:26 PM	#2
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	So did the mounting holes line up? I have a different route I want to go for my front plate that won't require drilling (I have an issue with that) but this is a great option as well.
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11-30-2009, 04:27 PM	#4
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	Yep, been in there but there's not much traffic. I'm considering M-Flight. I've been in a car club (normally VWs though) for a long time but not since I got here in May and I miss it. On the plate holder you got, how does the plate attach to the holder? I'm guessing it's screwed on? That's how I had to do my GTI's from plate and I didn't like it. I think I'm going to run Skene's front plate mount.
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12-04-2009, 04:42 AM	#6
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	Yeah I hear you on that. The euro plate adapter is a lot better looking. I'm going to do the Skene so I can run either plate without drilling any holes. Sure it won't look as good but my OCD will be happy.
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02-14-2010, 09:19 AM	#7
M3 Piotr Lieutenant Colonel 402 Rep 1,858 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Frozen Black F87 M2 LBB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida, USA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW F80 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 M3 (We ... [0.00]	Can you post a pic with the adapter on the car? Thanks. __________________ 2016 F80 M3 Frozen Black 2018 F87 M2 LBB Follow me on Insta: M3Piotr
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02-15-2010, 02:08 AM	#9
Trier Germany Banned 58 Rep 1,084 Posts Drives: 2009 E-90 M3 space gray Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Deutschland KreisTrier auf Autobahn 64 & Tucson AZ iTrader: (1)	Thats A Euro bumper with Front PDC and A U.S.A. Plate adapter!
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