CP-e TowPlate Mazdaspeed 3 Review
 

We are looking at our first CP-e product review today. For those of you who are not familiar with CP-e ( Custom Performance Engineering ) they are a large company dedicated to producing unique products for the Mazdaspeed 3 & 6. Today, we are reviewing a very special piece of hardware that just about anyone with a Mazda 3/Speed 3 could utilize. The TowPlate is basically a license plate holder that is affixed to the tow hook hole in the front bumper. Most of us don't use a front license plate due to it being ugly for one, blocking the path of your front mount intercooler for two and third, placing unwanted holes in your bumper.

The CP-e TowPlate addresses all of these concerns in one shot and adds a nice, pleasing visual aesthetic to the car at the same time. Many states have laws against having no front license plate. Many of us, ignore this law because it distracts from the beauty of our vehicle. However, this is a sure way of getting pulled over and receiving a fix it ticket. The worst part for some, you have now given the officer a reason to further investigate you. Whether you have been drinking, have a warrant, whatever, you just invited the 5-0 into your life simply because you failed to have a front plate on the car.

What i like most about the TowPlate is the ability to remove it for car shows and racing events. The TowPlate is one heavy duty piece. Although we didnt take weight measurements of this piece, its mighty sturdy and probably weighs closer to about 5 pounds. Its strength and weight comes from cold rolled steel, which comes powder coated black for corrosion inhibiting. We have done a quicker install than that of the provided instructions. You do NOT have to remove the bumper and we feel its an unecessary step for such a quick and simple to install device. I would like to thank Lenny127 for the quick install guide we did using experience from his install over a week ago. He has developed a faster, non bumper removing approach.


Now, on with the install...

[multipage=CP-e TowPlate Installation]

Installation

Tools:
Loctite
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
3/8ths allen wrench (common tool for american brake caliper replacement)
3/4 open/box wrench
Original towhook located inside your trunk
and a little thing we like to call common sense.

[multipage=Installation Continued:]

Installation Continued:

[multipage=Tail End Of Installation:]


[multipage=Conclusion]

Conclusion:

Definitely a simple and fine product by CP-e. The only thing we could recommend is the fact that the bumper does not have to be dropped to pull off this installation, so CP-e should be able to omit this step in their instructions.

As said earlier, this piece of extremely solid, so don't fear your plate flopping around or falling off with this piece, It's not going to happen. It's also, easy to remove for track events with the use of the allen. There is really no reason why people should not purchase this piece as many states have a front license plate requirement.

Anyhow, i would like to thank Randy from the CP-e Saloon & Store for sending this piece into us for review. I would also like to mention, Randy does awesome deals on CP-e products, so dont be afraid to send him a PM if you are interested in this piece, or anything else. You can find him Here

I would also like to thanks Lenny for his help on this and his quick install method.

If you would like to discuss this review, please click Here


Sources:

CP-e Store & Saloon
MSF Vendor
CPE Saloon and Store - Mazdaspeed Forums