We have a front license plate requirement in Washington. My dealer just drilled through the bumper cladding and screwed the plate on. My first DIY project was to discard the dealer's advertisement frame and substitute the Flexiframe. It gives a little protection to the so-called "bumper." I don't remember if the holes were already there, or if the mechanic knew where to drill to hit the nylon "nuts" behind it.

 

The holes in the front are made for european plates, however i have heard that the holes and their locations are different for each state. My dealer just drilled into my bumper before i could say anything, kinda made me mad. Also, my first mod was to remove all the dealer crap they put on it.

 

There are pre-drilled holes for the Euro placement, but there are also pre-indented guide holes for the North American placement. I just screwed mine through the bumper as well. It already had two big ugly holes in it... what difference did two more make?

Also - +1 for the flexiframe. I don't know how much protection it adds, but it looks good and hides that ugly pre-moulded cutout in the front bumper.

 

I opted for the C&C CarWorx license plate bracket. The Subaru OEM bracket appears to work, but it's just a flat piece of metal that bolts to the bumper (a little too high, in my opinion), and then you mount your plate to the bracket.

The C&C CarWorx solution is simpler, and more elegant. It doubles as a bumper guard and it is a simple, matte-black piece of textured plastic that will cushion light parking impacts and also keeps the plate from getting bent.

Here are some pix of my bracket:

I highly recommend this product. The sides follow the curvature of the bumper well; it even dips in a little between the bumper and the lower valance, giving it a custom-fit look. You also get mounting hardware and have the option of affixing a license plate frame over the plate for added security or customization.

 

Check out this thread on C&C's solution - http://www.subaruxvforum.com/forum/appearance-body/2193-c-c-carworx-xv-front-license-plate-frame-bracket-now-available.html

 

Here is how I have my Front plate mounted.

 

I'm a little confused why you would want to drill or screw into your bumper and mount your plate there and not in the centre? Is it a state requirement to mount them to the side?

 

I feel like I came naked to the party. My plate is just hanging on my bumper willy-nilly. lol

 

Watch it.... it's a family friendly forum here. We don't want to see anyone's plate just hanging willy-nilly...

 

To update this to 2017, the dealers drill holes to mount their license plate frame along with the dealer blurb on the front bumpers in California at least. All fine and dandy until you unscrew it as you must to put your front required in California license on. Well, the smallish sheet metal screws the dealers use leave you with virtually unuseable holes for putting the same screws in. It would be nice of them to include the $29 Subaru black plated steel license plate mounting frame that they make a few extra dollars off of you on.

I bought the Subaru license mounting plate from my dealer and love it. It comes with mounting hardware, including two much larger self-tapping screws which go into the smaller holes left by the dealer. They HOLD very good, but do not overtighten them or you may end up in the same loose mount bed. However, just tightened to the point of the plate being flat against the bumper the plate feels very firm, not flimsy. They have four screws that hold the plate itself to the plate, and those go into clips. They can be screwed and unscrewed and screwed again as they are metal in metal spring clips. I also used the chromed stainless steel license plate frame we had purchased, which did not have bottom screw holes. The two top screws hold the license plate and frame very well, no looseness at all. The frame that we have covers the metal plate feeling like a perfect fit.

 

Just called C & C Carworx. He has a new design for the 2018 that should be up on the website in a few weeks.

 

:smileyvault-welcome ... Welcome to the forum, Lobsterotter! Thanks for the info! That's good news! ...

Gerry

 

BTW, you can also install a 'no new screw-hole' License Plate Adapter Kit for Subaru, by Adapter Foundry.
I did, and it works & looks great on my MY18 Mikan!

You can read about this in my post here:
http://www.subaruxvforum.com/forum/appearance-body/141042-my18-subaru-xv-crosstrek-molded-license-plate-bracket-better-front-plate-frame.html

 

It might be less trouble to move to a province or state where a front licence plate isn't needed. Just sayin'

 

Cost me $12 to use the JDM holes in Ontario; wacky Quebec drivers, lol.

 

I prefer using a plate holder with a plastic lens. With all the winter road salt, sand and small stones on the road it will keep your plate looking like new
for years.

 

Can you indulge us on what you've bought for your plastic lens?
I like the idea of a clear plastic 'shield' over my front plate.
Something new to do some research on online...

 

True enough. I’ve also got clear plastic over the plates.

 

The dealer put on the Subaru front license plate bracket. He usually uses the one from C & C Carworx, but it wss not available when I bought the car. I really don't like it. It doesn't form onto the bumper. I just ordered the C & C Carworx one.

 

I just installed mine from Carworx. I ordered it on Tuesday and received it on Thursday, that's speedy service. I really like it. It fits really well and looks like it's part of the car. Between the fit and the double sided tape, I feel like it should put less stress on the screw holes in the bumper. Only (very mild) complaint is that the center of the front was slightly bowed out, but that flattened out once I had all four screws in place.

 

I remember seeing something about various plate covers and speed cameras on Mythbusters. The camera won but that has no effect on the law.

 

Forgive me, I didn't read the whole thread, but has anyone considered using bracket that mounts to the tow hook port?

 

Like this one?

The Platypus License Plate Mount for Subaru XV Crosstrek 2013-2018
by CravenSpeed
Link: http://a.co/jcZbrEX

Not sure if I have heard anyone install this on a MY18 yet.
Although, an interesting idea to use the front tow hook mount port.

 

Nice plate, Dr.MORO, but a God-awful price! ...

Gerry

 

Just installed the license plate frame from C&C CarWorx. Real easy.

 

FYI, just found this YouTube video.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek How-to License plate Relocate

 

It looks like he does some serious beating up on his car. In which case, he may someday be in need of that front tow point. And if he does, he'll be up a creek having to break that down when he's buried in mud or snow. I'm still happy with my dealer mounting plate which is still solid on the bumper using the dealer drilled holes and its larger screws, which I would have preferred the dealer not have done. But the larger screws that come with the dealer Subaru mount cut new holes and hold tight.