[Coach Mike]

So I picked up the car on Wednesday (6/21/177) and the dealer rep handed me the front plate and bracket. He told me not to mount it as it will damage the grille on the car. I said it is a requirement to display it in Illinois and he agreed, but insisted that I shouldn't do it anyway. He said just put the plate in the glove compartment if I get stopped - it doesn't fit there anyway, so I put it in the trunk.

Took the car out this morning to take my son's GF for a short ride and got pulled over for no front plate - yes, I got a written warning for it already after three days of ownership about a block from home (WTF!). I knew what I knew, so not a huge deal. Agree it looks better without it, but I don't need the hassle every time I take it out in my small town.

Question here is: has anyone really had any issue with damage from having it on the car? Looks to be sturdy enough and mounts to a plastic surface behind the grille anyway.

Thanks for any input that you guys can provide.

Mike

[Nfg2ss]

Get a Sto N Sho. Problem solved.

https://www.phastekperformance.com/S...cense-sn89.htm

[HyperBlueX2]

There are company's that use the tow hook hole to mount plate holders.... no damage this way.... most look very good...

Here is one example....

https://zl1addons.com/collections/ch...nt=28748983169

[Dethsupp0rt]

I live pretty close to you (Volo), but haven't been hassled yet on my last 3 cars I've run without a front plate.

I know they're pretty bored up there in Johnsburg, McCullom Lake, and Bull Valley though, so I'm usually pretty cautious when rolling through there.

'grats on the car! Maybe look into getting the tow hook mount like a previous poster suggested. All of the BMW guys downtown run them, as the bracket never touches the car, and you don't have to worry about making holes or it coming off like some other solutions.

[Inspector 17]

Originally Posted by HyperBlueX2

There are company's that use the tow hook hole to mount plate holders.... no damage this way.... most look very good...

Here is one example....

https://zl1addons.com/collections/ch...nt=28748983169

This is the exact one I have and I love it. I drilled a small hole in my plate so that I could access the bolt holding the frame onto the tow stud. This way I can get the entire thing on and off in a snap.

[CruzySS]

Agreed get a sto n show. No drilling required. It's a better placement than the factory bracket which ruins the front end

[gdgraph]

Front plates suck, but that's not a valid for a dealer to tell you to intentionally break the law because you get stuck paying the fine instead of them.

I'd definitely invest in a sto-n-show.

(1) They do not permanently poke holes into your bumper, they bolt/screw in and out ans leave no trace behind.
(2) It makes it look a little cleaner how it's mounted low and as far out of the way as possible compared to the stock position.
(3) It's extremely easy to remove the plate for photo-shoots, taking pictures, or car shows. I love mine, it was the first thing I bought for my car.

When I bought mine, the cheapest place I found that sold them was Amazon, but I'd just do a google search since prices change all the time. Just note there's two different models, one designed for the regular bumper, and another designed for those that have the GM front fascia or ground effects kit (it comes with longer screws and spacers).

[camaromike77]

Mine was already mounted by the Dealer when I picked it up. Not sure what "damage" your Dealership is referring to. If I had to do it over, I would have gone with the "sto-n-show" like others have mentioned.

[Tridon]

Originally Posted by camaromike77

Not sure what "damage" your Dealership is referring to.

There are two mounting points that are drilled into the wide area at the top of the grille. Like Ontario, BC also requires a front plate. When I got my new SEMA grille installed, I told the dealership not to mount the plate bracket since I have the Sto n Sho to install.

[Coach Mike]

Thanks for the options guys! I can get used to the idea that I just have to show a plate ... no big deal. Just want to know if the dealer stock bracket really can damage the grille. I don't believe that, but hoping someone here can comment on that?

[Artos]

I took the front plate off first thing when I got home from the dealer...I'll just pay the ticket as it kills the lines of the car. I have custom plates & keep the other one under the foot mat to show if pulled over.

Guess I'll Just play dumb & hope for LE to be kind...stupid law.

[Nfg2ss]

Originally Posted by Coach Mike

Thanks for the options guys! I can get used to the idea that I just have to show a plate ... no big deal. Just want to know if the dealer stock bracket really can damage the grille. I don't believe that, but hoping someone here can comment on that?

Look at the dealer bracket, see the two holes? You have to put screws through those and screw it into the top of the lower grill. I consider holes in my car damage.

[17Blk1LE]

Nothing like throwing your dealer under the bus. If your dealer told too to drive the car 100 mph and you won't get caught. Would you still do it? She follow the law, especially in our today's liberal world

[Biggdummy]

That guy at the dealership is what i would call a car guy!I cringe when i see that bracket installed.I have the sto n show,but the plate is kept in the trunk.