Well that didn't take long - no front plate ticket

[mmcnulty]

Was up in Pac Heights on Fillmore this morning to go see my vet as my dog was pretty sick a few weeks ago, and their tiny lot was packed so I had to circle for 20 minutes and park on the street for about the 4th time ever.

I managed to get tickets for no front plate *and* not curbing my wheels on a hill over 4% grade. I think it *might* have been a 5% grade - no way anywhere near where you would think to curb your wheels.

Anyway, frustrating because even though I fed the meter, the dick decided to pretty much give me two "you have a nice car, fuck you" tickets.

On a side note, I used the "pay by phone" thing to pay the meter. I think there's an issue with this - because the meter shows expired no matter what, I think they have to check. And if they check, they are sitting there by your car, and are going to be assholes and give you tickets no matter what.

Anyway, it won't adjust my behavior, and even the fix-it portion of the ticket isn't worth the time for me to address it, so I'll just pay it. But it was pretty annoying. If it wasn't the best vet in the city I would have moved to another one by now. I'll park a few blocks away in a garage from now on.

[mmcnulty]

I checked and the grade on that block is 3.73%. So 3/4 of a percent steeper than is required to curb your wheels. So I can't fight it. What a dick. I had been there about an hour, so it wasn't like he saw me be a jerk or anything.

[Erie Von Otto]

Whats this curbing thing all about? Never heard of something like that before...

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

Whats this curbing thing all about? Never heard of something like that before...

i believe it means to turn the back of your front wheels against the curb( if parking uphill) or to turn the front of your wheels to the curb( if parking downhill).

a precautionary measure to take from having your car roll downhill if your brakes fail.

[mmcnulty]

They are generally nuts about it in SF due to the hills. But now apparently they are running around ticketing people when it isn't nearly as obvious that you should. I was far from the only person.

I never should have parked on the street anyway, but after circling I was running late, and the nearby garage is one of those ones with absurdly small spaces, and is for a hospital so there's a lot of, let's say "less than astute" drivers in it. But that's better than $200 in tickets and potential street dings. Live and learn.

[alpinewhite335]

The last week, i got pulled over when i was sitting at the red light i wasnt speeding nothing.. An officer walked thru almost running to me and said that wait for me on the corner. He got my drivers licence without asking anything and gave me a damn ticket for $70 . Since my tag was stolen twice in 2 months i was displayed it on windshield.

[AshDrivesMs]

Sounds like you learned your lesson. I've had my M in the city for two years now with no issues but have never once parked on the street. If the cops don't get you, the bums, crackheads, and hippies will. Have known about 10 people in the last few years that have had their windows smashed while parked on the street. My friend once saw a guy on a bike just batting windows for the hell of it. Also, every morning when I walk to work the street is covered in shattered glass from the night before. City just cleans it up and doesn't do shit about it. Sorry, this is turning into somewhat of a rant but I just hate the people that run this city and let bums and deviants f**k it up.

[1MOREMOD]

that sucks. i have never run front plates on any vehicle and never been an issue although not legal here either.

[mmcnulty]

Originally Posted by ae1031

Sounds like you learned your lesson. I've had my M in the city for two years now with no issues but have never once parked on the street. If the cops don't get you, the bums, crackheads, and hippies will. Have known about 10 people in the last few years that have had their windows smashed while parked on the street. My friend once saw a guy on a bike just batting windows for the hell of it. Also, every morning when I walk to work the street is covered in shattered glass from the night before. City just cleans it up and doesn't do shit about it. Sorry, this is turning into somewhat of a rant but I just hate the people that run this city and let bums and deviants f**k it up.

I don't disagree with you. And there's a difference between parking on the street in say the mission or SOMA, and fillmore/washington midday for an hour. If there's a crackhead up there, the police are on it faster than you can imagine. I used to live in the area and it is like a completely different city there.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by mmcnulty

Was up in Pac Heights on Fillmore this morning to go see my vet as my dog was pretty sick a few weeks ago, and their tiny lot was packed so I had to circle for 20 minutes and park on the street for about the 4th time ever.

I managed to get tickets for no front plate *and* not curbing my wheels on a hill over 4% grade. I think it *might* have been a 5% grade - no way anywhere near where you would think to curb your wheels.

Anyway, frustrating because even though I fed the meter, the dick decided to pretty much give me two "you have a nice car, fuck you" tickets.

On a side note, I used the "pay by phone" thing to pay the meter. I think there's an issue with this - because the meter shows expired no matter what, I think they have to check. And if they check, they are sitting there by your car, and are going to be assholes and give you tickets no matter what.

Anyway, it won't adjust my behavior, and even the fix-it portion of the ticket isn't worth the time for me to address it, so I'll just pay it. But it was pretty annoying. If it wasn't the best vet in the city I would have moved to another one by now. I'll park a few blocks away in a garage from now on.

i would literally take the tickets off my window, crumple them up and throw that shit on the street and drive off.

You can always say you never got them. I did that a few times in the 1990s and got off without anything. Done and done. I just don't have time for that noise.

I am not saying to do that, just saying what I would do if I was in your shoes. To old for that noise. lol

[m3anAPPLE]

^^ yeah Insert "Ain't nobody got time fo Dat!" song lol

[m3anAPPLE]

Seriously though The City is ridiculous when it comes to parking enforcement. I parked a gnat's arm hair's shadow beyond a parking slot and was ticketed. If you've been in the city or live there you know that when it comes to parking you get it where you fit in. I'm glad I live in Milbrae, I always feel harassed just being in the city: traffic, parking, pedestrians inconvenience. OP i feel for ya man.

[flea333]

anybody know if M3 delivered to CA comes with front plate holder? I don't want one putting holes in my front bumper... I really hope it doesn't come with one!

[mmcnulty]

My dealer does not drill m3's by default. You have to talk to your dealer - I think many of them get them attached at the port and not the dealer, and your dealer will need to intervene.

They make you sign a document that acknowledges that you told them not to and that they are delivering you a car without the legal requirement, but I haven't heard of any dealer not complying.

One trick, btw, is to keep the temporary registration sticker on the front windshield even after you get plates. From the front, your car will just look like a new CA car. From the back it has a plate. A cop would have to be really paying attention to notice. This is pretty common in my experience.

It doesn't help when a parking officer is paying close attention to your car, as I found out. But it should help the casual drive-bys of highway patrol.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by mmcnulty

One trick, btw, is to keep the temporary registration sticker on the front windshield even after you get plates. From the front, your car will just look like a new CA car. From the back it has a plate. A cop would have to be really paying attention to notice. This is pretty common in my experience.

It doesn't help when a parking officer is paying close attention to your car, as I found out. But it should help the casual drive-bys of highway patrol.

Thanks for the advice. I'll make sure to tell them not to ruin it! My CPO 328 came without a front plate, I was surprised, but happy.

Also, I've never been pulled over for it. And I've been pulled over and ticketed but he didn't both checking my front plate.