[drwankel]

Received my license plates today for the m340i I purchased a few weeks ago. Went to go put them on, and noticed that BMW has cheapened out the license plate holder compared to earlier models.

Previously, the holder had metal inserts for the screws, so the license plate bolts were a metal on metal contact.

Now, they are self tapping metal screws into plastic.

Old part number for the license plate holder was:
51187160607

New part number is:
51139448724

My question: Does the older style license plate holder work on the G series cars?

If I look at the fitment guide for the new part number, it says it works with the E series and F series, and the new G series cars.

The older part claims its only compatible with the E series and F series cars. I'm suspicious that it actually compatible with the G series cars, just it says it isnt compatible because it was never part of the origional equipment when the car was new. Physically, it looks the same other than the metal inserts for the screws, but I might be missing something.

Can anybody confirm?

[wrickem]

I love the new “cheap” design. I can’t tell you how many of the old style ones fused to the metal bolt which turned in the hole along with the screw for me.

On my X-3 it took me no lie 45 mins to get it and the frame off my car. It should have taken minutes. It was a $hit show.

My dealer said that they had problems like that too but at least they had the right tools. He said sometimes they’d return customer’s plates to DMV with the frame still on

[dhock_holiday]

Commenting to watch thread

[TTG]

I can confirm that my car has the old style holder with the metal screw inserts.

They should all work as their main purpose is to act as an adapter from Euro Plate screws that are on the trunk to our US plates.