After driving for 7 years without a front license plate (required in our state) we finally got pulled over. I knew it would happen eventually- but to be honest I figured it would be an add-on ticket to speeding

The tow hook plate mounts are fine but I really don't like having the plate offset. Has anyone mounted their plate in the center (without drilling the body)? I debated some spacers (to compensate for the slight curve) and just bolting to the plastic grill (using wide or some other back plating for the nuts).

Any pix or suggestions is welcome...BTW, I need to do it on 2 MINIs, one with an Aero kit and one without.

 

Mine has a center mounted plate that I believe is compensated for the curve of the car.

 

My R50 came with one of these installed.

 

Is that the OEM mount that came with your car? The ones for mine are drilled into the bumper, not something I am willing to do.

 

2005 MINI Cooper S, There is the stock one , then the aero kit front bumper on.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-Cooper-R52-S-Convertible-L4_1.6L_W11B16A/Exterior/Body/Front_Bumper/

 

Thank you for the suggestion, that requires drilling into the bumper which is not an option.

 

You are welcome,. I know it does not look good.


3M double sided tape or adhesive tape might be the only option other then a Rennline tow hook plate.

If you use tape it would have to be very strong , I have seen guys do this for shows and take it off, but dont know about long term.

 

I've used black plastic cable zip ties and attached it to the lower grill. Need to monitor and regularly replace.

On my Mustang, I had a picture taken of my plate and then got it printed in normal size in full color on car rap material. Had it on my car for three years, only two people noticed, and not a single cop. Only problem was, I put it over the existing holes and the wrap eventually wore through the holes.

 

That is the OEM mount that came on my R50 - tho that photo was found on the web. Does your bumper have the recess for the mount - originally made for Euro plates.

 

On the stock S bumper with the regular slat grille, there is a small gap between the slat and surround/frame. You could drill into this recessed area and use spacers to support the plate. If you remove the plate in the future, the holes will be recessed in the small gap and would almost be invisible. Look at the two red dots in the pic below, right above the screws drilled into the bumper. You can probably do the same with a JCW honeycomb grille by using spacers/standoffs between the openings, like how the driving light bracket comes through the slats of the upper section.

 

I have the OEM mount shown in the post from ECS on my car, but without drilled holes. It clips into the lower section of the main grille, and hangs low enough that I can use some stiff wire to go from the lower corners back to the honeycomb bottom grille to secure it. I don't have it on all the time, just when inspection rolls around (the cops here in NH don't look too carefully I guess).
Honestly though, 3M Command adhesive strips could work too if there's enough flat surface on the back of the mount. I've got the front plate on my VW held on only with 3M strips now for 4 years - I think I changed them once just to be safe. You definitely don't need to drill, as there are other ways. If you are going to have it on all the time, I recommend putting a strip of clear protective film behind the mount so it doesn't scuff your paint where it touches.

 

could you just use some tape or puddy and stick it to the windshield? (inside of coarse)
fwiw I have the tow hook mount, got it from bavauto, not sure if they still have it, but I bent it slightly to match the curve of the car, and its only offset like 1.5 inches from the body, just enough to get a ratchet behind to loosen

 

the Platypus tow-hook mounted plate bracket is way cleaner and doesn't require drilling into your bumper cover.