[SP_M3]

What's up with BMW releasing license plate brackets/holders, both front and rear, with plastic self-tapping holes w/ screws for G20?!

Anyways, my actual question; is there an alternative BMW license plate brackets/holders for G20 with stainless steel or brass thread inserts? My F80 plate brackets came with thread inserts, but they wont work on G20 due to the slight variation in mounting hole gaps and shape/profile. Dealer (parts personnel) is a pain to deal with because he only wants look for the parts under the VIN number.

Useful help/tips will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Note: I don't want to use tow hook plate mounting bracket anymore because dealer already mounted the front one on the bumper(drilled in).

[sdemo]

Can’t speak to the front because it’s not required in AZ. For the rear, I replaced the sh!t stock part with this one… much more secure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Neuner]

Originally Posted by SP_M3

What's up with BMW releasing license plate brackets/holders, both front and rear, with plastic self-tapping holes w/ screws for G20?!

Anyways, my actual question; is there an alternative BMW license plate brackets/holders for G20 with stainless steel or brass thread inserts? My F80 plate brackets came with thread inserts, but they wont work on G20 due to the slight variation in mounting hole gaps and shape/profile.

Could you (or anyone reading this) describe the variations that keep you from using the old F80 bracket on the new G20 car? specifically the rear?

Asking because I'm sick of dealing with those stupid brass inserts seizing after a few winters & would prefer to use a self-tapping screw for plastic. Was hoping the new G-series bracket could bolt to an F-series car. thanks!

EDIT: stopped by the local dealership this evening, the brackets are 100% forward / backward compatible. Only difference is the self tapping screws on new vs. brass inserts on old.

[SP_M3]

I don't have the G20 anymore...got rid of it.
Anyhow, if I recall correctly, BMW has new (as in revised) plate brackets for F series without brass inserts. According to the dealer BMW has eliminated those brass insert completely (on all of their plate-brackets).

I never had this seizing issue. Well, I always replace those crappy steel screws/bolts which dealers use with stainless steel ones along with thread anti-seize. Plus I have the screw covers as well.

[Neuner]

Originally Posted by SP_M3

I don't have the G20 anymore...got rid of it.
Anyhow, if I recall correctly, BMW has new (as in revised) plate brackets for F series without brass inserts. According to the dealer BMW has eliminated those brass insert completely (on all of their plate-brackets).

I never had this seizing issue. Well, I always replace those crappy steel screws/bolts which dealers use with stainless steel ones along with thread anti-seize. Plus I have the screw covers as well.

what did you mean by this statement?

Originally Posted by SP_M3

<snip> My F80 plate brackets came with thread inserts, but they wont work on G20 due to the slight variation in mounting hole gaps and shape/profile.. <snip>

were you talking about the front plate mounts? the rear are identical, other than the screw thread type.

[SP_M3]

If they are the same besides the inserts good for you
I don't know what else to say because when I pulled the one off my F80 and tried to fit on the G20 it didn't quite fit. When I looked up the PNs for F80 & G20 they were different...even the revised one without inserts for the F80.

[Neuner]

Originally Posted by SP_M3

If they are the same besides the inserts good for you
I don't know what else to say because when I pulled the one off my F80 and tried to fit on the G20 it didn't quite fit. When I looked up the PNs for F80 & G20 they were different...even the revised one without inserts for the F80.

Yep, they're the same which is great news for anyone with an E of F series car in a northern climate who doesn't want to deal with seized screws. Thanks BMW!

Dunno about your car or what you're saying about the p/n's. There's the new & the old, that's it.

[kpcrao]

Originally Posted by SP_M3

What's up with BMW releasing license plate brackets/holders, both front and rear, with plastic self-tapping holes w/ screws for G20?!

Take a look at these:

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Licen.../dp/B08P8P9JQ7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234078817007

The BMW part number for this is 51117422238

[SP_M3]

Originally Posted by kpcrao

Take a look at these:

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Licen.../dp/B08P8P9JQ7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234078817007

The BMW part number for this is 51117422238

I believe we were talking about the rear plate bracket, not the front.

[SP_M3]

Originally Posted by Neuner

Yep, they're the same which is great news for anyone with an E of F series car in a northern climate who doesn't want to deal with seized screws. Thanks BMW!

Dunno about your car or what you're saying about the p/n's. There's the new & the old, that's it.

So I was waxing the car (M3) over the weekend. I took the plates off and while at it I checked the rear plate bracket again. Both mid-holes on the bracket are through-clearance holes. I believe the bracket which came on my 330 had one through-clearance-hole and one through-clearance-slot to mount the bracket to trunk lid. M3's bracket has the BMW logo, but I didn't see a pn. I don't know what's going on.