[postdady]

What have you other i8 owners done about front plates?

[StuM]

Here's one option. I've used a similar holder on an M3 and it worked well. I spoke to these folks and they say one of their unites fits the i8 and should not interfere with the front PDC. Haven't bought my own yet, so no personal experience on the i8 yet.

http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html

[amgrocket]

You probably are looking for an actual solution and not a what are we doing kinda answer but imo and personal practice, don't put a front plate on, just deal with the occasional $40 ticket.

[JasH]

I am probably missing the obvious, but what is the problem with a front plate on the i8?

Every European car has one.

[Carac]

Originally Posted by JasH

I am probably missing the obvious, but what is the problem with a front plate on the i8?

Every European car has one.

The bumper was designed to accommodate a Euro plate which impacts wind resistance significantly less than our full fat US plates. In either case it looks better without plates. When the damage you do to a bumper by putting a plate on is more expensive than the ticket for not having one, the choice is clear.

[JasH]

Thanks, I hadn't realised that US plates were bigger than ours.

btw, in the UK we can stick on (vinyl) a plate too. Zero impact then, other than visually compared to no plate.

[garage queen 335is]

What I did, I registered my I8 in the state without front plates (PA)

[ChiTownM]

Except that where I live it is more expensive and if u park downtown without a plate u will always get a ticket.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Carac

The bumper was designed to accommodate a Euro plate which impacts wind resistance significantly less than our full fat US plates. In either case it looks better without plates. When the damage you do to a bumper by putting a plate on is more expensive than the ticket for not having one, the choice is clear.

You're joking are you not about wind resistance and American plates.

[MalibuBimmer]

If you saw how exquisitely the front end of the i8 was designed, especially around the bumpers, that's a question you wouldn't ask. But the answer to your question is "no," he wasn't kidding.

[YWGT3]

I've paid one too many tickets for missing front plates in San Francisco to the point I came up with solution that would look esthetically better than invasively drilling into the vehicle's front bumper. For my Mercs, I've fastened the license frame brackets to the lower grill mesh (below the bumper line).

For the i8, I turned the license bracket upside down and placed it between the bumper and bottom of the air-intake lip, thereby not disturbing the kidney grill and front bumper lines. The license bracket is secured by two heavy gauge wires secured by two clips that latch onto the back of the front bumper (no drilling necessary as there is enough clearance to slip the back of the clips in. To secure the bottom of the license plate bracket, I used 3M heavy duty double sided tape to adhere the frame to the bottom of the air-intake lip. While I am sure there are more practical solutions,I found this to be the least invasive method in displaying a front and centered license plate.

[Carac]

Originally Posted by yw

I've paid one too many tickets for missing front plates in San Francisco to the point I've came up with solution that would look esthetically better than invasively drilling into the vehicle's front bumper. For my Mercs, I've fastened the license frame brackets to the lower grill mesh (below the bumper line).

For the i8, I turned the license bracket upside down and placed it between the bumper and bottom of the air-intake lip, thereby not disturbing the kidney grill and front bumper lines. The license bracket is secured by two heavy gauge wires secured by two clips that latch onto the back of the front bumper (no drilling necessary as there is enough clearance to slip the back of the clips in. To secure the bottom of the license plate bracket, I used 3M heavy duty double sided tape to adhere the frame to the bottom of the air-intake lip. While I am sure there are more practical solutions,I found this to be the least invasive method in displaying a front and centered license plate.

How are the wires run? I would think they might interfere with the moving flaps that direct air into the front radiator and out the top of the hood.

[YWGT3]

Good point. If you look at the bottom of the bumper, you'll see that the edge of it ends well before the moving flaps. The gap behind the bumper allows enough space for makeshift -bent metal clips to snuggly fit. The location of the license plate bracket is positioned far enough to the front that it should not interfere with the movement of the flaps.

[YWGT3]

Here's a snapshot of what I am trying to describe.

[YWGT3]

Here's how the license plate looks like from the front.

[ChiTownM]

Looks quite good. How long does it take to get done, I would like to potentially do this for temporary parking downtown or at our airports......I kid you not, the city insects every cat on the airport lots and gives tickets. Easy money!

[YWGT3]

Thanks. It's probably not the best form of installation but it gets the job done. In San Francisco, it's not just the fine but also the hassle of getting ticketed for a missing front license plate. Besides paying the fine, you have to bring the vehicle to a police station and obtain a note from them verifying that the front plates have been installed - EVERY TIME!

Total time putting together the contraption took less than 15 minutes.

[mystopolis]

craigs custom mustang brackets use wing nuts to tighten around the under flat flap of the bumper supporting the bracket. It also uses rubber to defend against any scratches against the car.
Assuming someone can send him measurements for how long the supporting bars need to be and the vertical height placement of the plate to make sure it doesn't cover the kidney grill or so low it covers the air dam, this would be perfect.

I've already sent him an email but since I wont be getting the car for another month can someone send him some measurements?

http://ccmustangbrackets.com/contact-us/

[YWGT3]

Great concept for an installation that doesn't require drilling into the bumper! However, the underside length (front to back)of the i8 front bumper is only approx. 2". Based on the video, the license bracket may need to be inverted - hung upside down. Otherwise, given the position of the bracket (being placed upright) and the relative height of the bumper, the license plate may end up covering a portion of the i8"s kidney grills. Also, need to check on how thick the inside mounting portion of the bracket (the part that slips inside the bumper) is since the gap within the bumper is less than 1/16" wide. Excellent concept though! This video does provide for some great ideas on making a custom license brackets for the i8. Thanks for sharing!