Front License Plate Solutions

[liuping]

I installed the Magneplate.com mount today.

It's not for driving with the plate on (there is an enhancement to allow that), but for parking in areas that are prone to giving tickets for no front place, this is a very nice solution. Installation took about 15 minutes total over two days (need to let the loc-tite dry overnight).

The last picture is of the mounts without the plate on, they are pretty hard to see, even with a flash.

 

[jamieb]

For what it's worth, I combined the J-hook method of non-destructively installing a license plate under the nose cone with a FlexyFrame LD:

Flexyframe LD - Front Bumper Guard, Front Bumper Protection, License Plate Frame. Winner of Popular Mechanics Editors Choice Award 2012! : Amazon.com : Automotive.

The FlexyFrame encases the license plate in rubber, so the back of the plate doesn't scrape or rub on the car or the cross-bar between the two sections of the grille. One nice touch is that the FlexyFrame has molded-in covers that hide the bolts. Because the FlexyFrame and license plate can bend, it wraps nicely on either side of the centerline. Should take just a few minutes to remove it if I want to.

 

[liuping]

For what it's worth, I combined the J-hook method of non-destructively installing a license plate under the nose cone with a FlexyFrame LD:

Flexyframe LD - Front Bumper Guard, Front Bumper Protection, License Plate Frame. Winner of Popular Mechanics Editors Choice Award 2012! : Amazon.com : Automotive.

The FlexyFrame encases the license plate in rubber, so the back of the plate doesn't scrape or rub on the car or the cross-bar between the two sections of the grille. One nice touch is that the FlexyFrame has molded-in covers that hide the bolts. Because the FlexyFrame and license plate can bend, it wraps nicely on either side of the centerline. Should take just a few minutes to remove it if I want to.

That is definitely the way I would do it if I wanted to leave it on, but I prefer it off most of the time, and only put it on occasionally.

Once the mounts are installed, magnetic system takes just a few seconds to put on, and a few to take it back off. The magneplate.com frame is rubber as well, so it should not scratch the paint. I also have the paint covered in Xpel, so I think it's pretty safe

 

[ecarfan]

I am sure someone has posted this but just in case there is this front license plate bracket that doesn't force you to drill into the front cone.

http://teslaeverything.com/store/products/front-license-plate-bracket/

@TEverything, your link goes to a 404 page. I searched the site but cannot find a front license plate bracket. Did you stop selling it?

 

[jbruce]

I mounted my plate under the nose cone directly to the inner bumper support. It hangs down below the nose cone slightly hiding the top of the plate but still exposing the California "dmv.ca.gov" so its clear its a CA plate.

I wrote up the installation process here http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/29931-Under-the-nose-cone-license-plate-mount

 

[NonChaotic]

This is a NO DRILL solution that it quick and easy.

No Drill License Plate Mount for Tesla Model S | eBay

 

[NonChaotic]

Simple, Ultra-Reliable and Easy to install and remove for cleaning behind the plate. The only "real" solution out there other than drilling the nose cone. You'll love it.

 

[ecarfan]

Where did you buy that hardware? I used some simple J hooks but those are nicer.

 

[NigelM]

Simple, Ultra-Reliable and Easy to install and remove for cleaning behind the plate. The only "real" solution out there other than drilling the nose cone. You'll love it.

Recommending your own products anonymously is known as "Astroturfing" around here and is contrary to ToS.

 

[ecarfan]

@NigelM, thanks for the heads up, I did not realize that is what NonChaotic is doing. Not cool.

Hmm...$30 for three hooks and nuts. I will stick with the $4 worth of J-hooks that I used to mount my front plate.

 

[dsm363]

'the Law' from TorkLiftCentral isn't cheap but is a well made product from a good company. People have been happy with it from what I've read. I installed it and it wasn't 5 min install for me but probably didn't have proper tools.

 

[iffatall]

I have had my MS for over six months now, and do not have the front license plate installed yet. Since this is my first car, I do not have much experience to truly understand what drives people's opinion here. I did not have the plate installed because my delivery specialist said that many owners feel it takes away from the beauty of the front of the car (which I agrees was true).

However, following this thread for months, a fundamental question has been bothering me. I see many of you stating that a major reason for not installing the front plates is that we need to drill into the nose cone. And then we have several solutions discussing how we may be able to install the front plate without having to drill the nose cone. My question is - if one is does not mind what the car looks like, with the front plate installed, then what does it matter if the nose cone has or has not been drilled behind the plate? If the front plate is installed, what is the difference between drilled or not drilled? I suppose both look the same.

 

[dsm363]

I have had my MS for over six months now, and do not have the front license plate installed yet. Since this is my first car, I do not have much experience to truly understand what drives people's opinion here. I did not have the plate installed because my delivery specialist said that many owners feel it takes away from the beauty of the front of the car (which I agrees was true).

However, following this thread for months, a fundamental question has been bothering me. I see many of you stating that a major reason for not installing the front plates is that we need to drill into the nose cone. And then we have several solutions discussing how we may be able to install the front plate without having to drill the nose cone. My question is - if one is does not mind what the car looks like, with the front plate installed, then what does it matter if the nose cone has or has not been drilled behind the plate? If the front plate is installed, what is the difference between drilled or not drilled? I suppose both look the same.

It doesn't really matter if they drill holes as you can always buy a new nose cone if you happen to move to a state that doesn't require a front plate.

I actually like the look of the plate down low which the no drill solutions offer but of corse like no plate even better.

 

[iffatall]

... if you happen to move to a state that doesn't require a front plate...

Ah, I see. That makes sense. But you are right about being able to buy a new nose cone though.

 

[dsm363]

Ah, I see. That makes sense. But you are right about being able to buy a new nose cone though.

I believe it is about $250. The no drill solutions are cheaper and also look better to me since plate is lower.

 

[brianman]

There's some discussion of purchasing Model S nosecones here:
Spare nose cone arrived today

Not sure it affects you but to complete the thought:
I don't know if we have any recent information on whether the original (U.S. Signature and maybe Canadian Sigs, I forget) nosecones are available.

 

[Brett]

I've been using the rare earth magnet solution for 6+ months. I can pop it in and off in 2 seconds. No marks. No fuss. And I've driven with it on at 80+ MPH. I usually drive with it off and pop it on when parked in Santa Monica or Hollywood.

 

[Michael M.]

Rare Earth Magnet Solution

I've been using the rare earth magnet solution for 6+ months. I can pop it in and off in 2 seconds. No marks. No fuss. And I've driven with it on at 80+ MPH. I usually drive with it off and pop it on when parked in Santa Monica or Hollywood.

I just used Brett's method with the rare earth magnets. Install was easy, although I am concerned about driving with it on as the hold doesn't seem that strong. I am not planning on driving with it in place, but will keep it in the Frunk and pop it on when needed when I am parked. Thanks for the idea Brett!

 

[breser]

I decided to just order "The Law". Showed up today, now I just need plates to show up. Though the first set will probably never make it on the car because I plan to get vanity plates but I can't order them until I have the number plates. When you order the vanity plate they give you a temp tag that is the vanity plate. So it'll probably be into 2015 before I end up needing to mount the front plate.

 

[AEdennis]

I use The Law... Only thing is it took closer to 20 minutes to install than the five minutes advertised... Could be down to my own skills, but I was being assisted by a much "handier" friend. Aside from this, it's definitely a great product.