I have 3000 miles of tri-state driving with no front plate. I bought the "tow hook" plate bracket,
http://www.gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html and it is mounted up in the trunk. my plan, if pulled over, is to go with the "I took it off to send it through the car wash". I also have a "price of honor plate" which has gotten me out of two tickets from ny troopers.