G37 Coupe

A solution to the Front Plate Debate?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 08:04 PM
  #1  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
A solution to the Front Plate Debate?

The problem:
I will not drill into my '09 G37x coupe's front bumper--period.

I will not not screw around screwing Stillens bracket on and off depending on whether I feel lucky on any given day.

I live in Chicago, which means the cops are too lazy to stop you for no front plate. In fact, the CPD or the IHP will not bother writing up the front plate when they stop you for something else unless you get a REAL tool.

BUT you will get a no-appeal $50 no-plate ticket EVERY time you park on the street. EVERY time. (Revenue Rats, aka meter maids) This adds up.

The solution:

Clear, heavy duty suction cups, just like the ones that come on the no-fog mirror I use to shave in the shower. These are slightly larger than those that come with the V1 radar detector. They stick to any smooth surface like crazy glue, but leave no marks whatsoever.Get the kind that have rectangular tabs on the back. Force the tab through each hole on the plate.

Put the plate in your trunk. When you park, slap the plate onto the bumper, and go about your business. When you're ready to roll, reverse the process.
If you are running a bunch of errands or escorting your lady for a night out, stick the plate on before you leave the house. They will stay in place even in the rain and actually stick harder the faster you go. The cups will even support a plate frame so the front and rear match.

Won't they get stolen, you ask? Maybe, but not without the same amount of suspicious activity involved in removing a bolted-on plate.

Sorry for the long post, but this 3 dollar solution has the potential to solve one of the longest running issues on here, and hopefully save everybody a LOT of money in the process.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 08:17 PM
  #2  
'TardPatrol's Avatar
'TardPatrol
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Sounds good to me, especially just for parking. Suction cups like those can work wonders on smooth, non-porous & clean surfaces; over time, they may dry up a bit and not work quite as good.
If you're only parked and they happen to fall off, it'll be right there on the ground waiting for you to pick up.
Where did you buy these particular suction cups?
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 08:26 PM
  #3  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Actually, I just ripped these out of my (former) no-fog mirror. IIRC I've seen them at Lowe's and Container Store type places. But when in doubt, Google.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:11 PM
  #4  
ucla bruin's Avatar
ucla bruin
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,776
Likes: 3
From: Orange County
Cool, hope it works well for you.

There's another way to secure the front plate without using Stillen or drilling holes.

Zip tie to the back of the OEM bracket, then zip tie to the lower front mesh grill. It fits perfectly. I recently did it and got my fix-it ticket reduced.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:14 PM
  #5  
DashKid's Avatar
DashKid
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX (Las Colinas)
just hire a lawyer to take care of the ticket if they write you one. My friend in his lexus got one here in Dallas for no front plates and took it to a lawyer and they dismissed it. lol.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #6  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DashKid
just hire a lawyer to take care of the ticket if they write you one. My friend in his lexus got one here in Dallas for no front plates and took it to a lawyer and they dismissed it. lol.
A lawyer can help if you get written up as part of a moving violation, but in Chicago these are no longer fix-it tickets.

There is NO APPEAL on a missing front plate or City Sticker violation. The Revenue Rats have cameras on their high-tech ticket printers and that's that. The city wants their money and I won't give it to them...

The city that works, etc.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #7  
l2awin's Avatar
l2awin
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: NoVA
ucla bruin, could you post a picture of that zip tie and where to tie it ? Also, i believe they've recently raised the ticket price to $200 right? I read it on some articles because i'll be moving there soon.

BUT I'm trying to stay on my IN plate so I can keep my tints and not mess with the front plate.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:40 PM
  #8  
ucla bruin's Avatar
ucla bruin
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,776
Likes: 3
From: Orange County
Do you have a link to that article? I just got a fix-it ticket while parked, and I was not in the vehicle, only came back to discover the present left on my wind shield. The fine was $51 but it'd be reduced to $10 if corrected. That was Buena Park, CA

I know a few places in So Cal, you can get it reduced to $0 if you show that it's corrected. I know someone that did it in LA and Irvine, CA. But I have not heard of the $200 raise.

I took off the rig after I paid the $10 fine. But basically, you take the plate and screw it onto the OEM bracket. Loop 1 zip tie each around the left and right back side holes. Look 2 zip ties on the corresponding places on the lower front mesh grill. Finally, take 1 more zip tie each side to link up the bracket and the mesh grill. Pull it tight and you're done.

Let me know if that's confusing, I can try to draw you a pic.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 09:46 PM
  #9  
l2awin's Avatar
l2awin
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: NoVA
Oh, the raise is in IL, not CA. Thanks for the explanation!
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:11 PM
  #10  
DashKid's Avatar
DashKid
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX (Las Colinas)
Originally Posted by badcd
A lawyer can help if you get written up as part of a moving violation, but in Chicago these are no longer fix-it tickets.

There is NO APPEAL on a missing front plate or City Sticker violation. The Revenue Rats have cameras on their high-tech ticket printers and that's that. The city wants their money and I won't give it to them...

The city that works, etc.
oh didn't know that. I know that is if they give you a ticket while not moving it doesn't go on your record. So might as well pay for it unless it like some outrageous amout. I got a ticket while back from a red light camera and the fine was $75 and it doesnt go on our record. lolz.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:17 PM
  #11  
w0ady's Avatar
w0ady
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville, fl
maybe rubberband it to your passenger visor?
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:17 PM
  #12  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by l2awin
Oh, the raise is in IL, not CA. Thanks for the explanation!
As far as I know this is a $50 ticket, at least in Chicago. Have you heard/read something different?

It may go up to $200 if you don't pay "on time" but usually they just wait for 3 unpaids and give you the "boot". THAT may now cost $200 to get removed.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:23 PM
  #13  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by w0ady
maybe rubberband it to your passenger visor?

I'd like to rubberband it to the Mayor's a$$.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:28 PM
  #14  
badcd's Avatar
badcd
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DashKid
oh didn't know that. I know that is if they give you a ticket while not moving it doesn't go on your record. So might as well pay for it unless it like some outrageous amout.
These don't go on your record but they nail you virtually EVERY TIME, ANY TIME you park on a public street. At fifty bucks each it adds up fast. Besides, it's an idiotic law designed purely to generate revenue.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 10:33 PM
  #15  
DashKid's Avatar
DashKid
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX (Las Colinas)
Originally Posted by badcd
These don't go on your record but they nail you virtually EVERY TIME, ANY TIME you park on a public street. At fifty bucks each it adds up fast. Besides, it's an idiotic law designed purely to generate revenue.
damn that is fked up. o_O dude I seriously revolt against that ****.
Here they won't nail you for parking but they will nail you for driving without that **** so they can turn it into a moving violation which I think is fked up to =(.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:33 PM.