I asked my MA to make sure they didn't drill.

He said a-OK....... but it took me a couple of days to say whoa, there's a front plate where there shouldn't be one.

When I told him he said to bring the car in and they will repaint the bumper. I'm not too excited about doing that. I would actually prefer AB plugs to put in the holes. In case I do get a fixit, it would be no biggie. Although, now that I think about it, would having plugs on the holes be an admission that I know a plate has to be there?

 

no plate is a fix it ticket....

I haven't had front plates on cars for so long I don't know if I remembeer the last one... Until recently. I put on the GoMiniGo front licence plate mount to take some photos. Who knows... you may end up seeing it in MC Squared!

Matt

 

unless you ask for it? what the?!!

I asked my (SoCal) MA not to drill the bumper holes but they did anyway (as seen here) and said its required by law. Then he said he didn't know anything about a waiver. Then again, i also asked for silver interior and got alloy patina, and asked for black side-views and got chrome... and... well, never mind. I love my MINI, holes and all... (hate the holes though!)

 

Powerband,
I didn't read thru the whole thread...here's my reply to your first question. I just turned in my first MINI - no holes in the front bumper AND no problems after all those miles. My MA did say that another MINI "bumped" into the law within one week of delivery. go figure -

 

I've seen three Minis in NY with front bumpers that had a molded area in the plastic bumper for plates. The owners weren't around at the time in any case, and I don't know enough about the various years to tell an '06 from an '02. Has anyone else seen this/know what I"m talking about? Maybe it's an aftermarket bumper? I bought my Mini in a different state, so I thought maybe NY cars got different bumpers.

 

That's what he said, so I dunno. Maybe there have been lots of requests for this and now they just put the bracket in the front seat. I'm going to remind him and ask for a waiver to sign. I just want to be sure. I've had my truck for 4 years and no front plate and no ticket.

 

My wife's '04 MC has a body-colored front-plate frame, and it came from the dealer that way (MINI Center, San Antonio), I sorta figured this was a standard thing. Is it only the MCS that has the issues with the frame?

This picture was taken before the plates went on.

 

Last time I had front plates on a car was 20years ago..

 

THe picture Dwdyer posted is exactly the thing I'm talking about. THat's an integral part of your bumper, right? I.e., it doesn't come off? SO I guess there's no way to retrofit that.

 

The moulded license plate piece is on 04 and earlier MC's. The 05 update got rid of it. My dealer waited until I arrived for pickup and asked what i wanted to do with the front plate, on or off. Then again I'm in vermont and the dealer was in Mass. so they didn't have a lot of concerns about whether there was supposed to be a plate there or not.

I had them put the plate on. The plate (both of them) are part of the car, just like the lights and .

 

I hadn't even thought about this and when I showed up my MA said the plate holder and screws were in the boot but he suggested I just bluff my way past police. He said he wouldn't drill holes, it was just "not right". So no holes in my bumper because my MA wouldn't do it. Besides, the rumor is TX is getting rid of the front plate.....

 

I'm going to be sure that I ask for no front plate holes and no decals of any kind. My parents purchased a car once in S. Florida where we have no front plates and the dealer drilled holes without asking so they could advertise themselves with a front vanity plate. Needless to say, my father was not happy (he was the one who taught me specifically to ask that no dealer decals be put on the car). He didn't even think about the front because it's just not necessary in FL. I plan to make sure my dealer knows that if they want to advertise, they can give me a license plate frame, which I will promptly discard anyway.

 

I'll not be having holes drilled on my MINI!!! My '03 has the front plate-holder dwdyer posted, so no problem. But if I get an '08 I'm going to investigate the tow-hook mounting option before I decide to drill or not. I will have a front plate, though, as it is required here. Just a question of how I...not the dealer...chooses to mount it.

 

That is a Cooper pre-2005 only bumper.

 

Here in the Great State of Tennessee, We don't need um and don't wont um, so my dealer in Memphis knows not to mess with our Bumpers. We do however, install our shotgun racks as standard equipment. HEE,hee

Pa really likes his, he just pulls over and raises his hood and trees them coons with the lights beeming up on that there tree. Bang....got me som supper!!!!!

This is Mater....Over and out!!!!!!

 

Here in TX we don't like to pick the buckshot out with our teeth so we just run 'em down. Get to do a little motorin' while huntin' dinner. Possum stew. Yum Yum.

 

There IS a waver you can sign (at least in CA) so the dealer will not drill holes in your bumper. Have your dealer contact Niello in Sacramento if they don't have a copy.

To stay legal, you can buy a tow-hook mounted plate holder that you can screw in the already existing hole in the grill when or if you get stopped by law enforcement. You can fix it before you get your ticket!

 

im in so cal, asked the dealer not to drill holes, they didnt. the frame and gear is in the boot in case i need it though.

 

Yum,Yum....Possum Stew is 1 of my favorites!!!!

RIDE HARD AND RIDE FAST.....This is Mater over and out!!!!!!!!

 

My dealer (Moritz) told me that they never drill the holes unless a customer requests it

 

one time, the frames on one of my cars plates (wifes cars plates, really) were CHANGED during a service to the dealer that was working on her Honda! Talk about balsey!

Matt

 

Hahah. I've heard about that before. I wonder if it will happen when I take my MINI in.. actually, I sould probably take the plate surround off beforehand

Did you confront them??

 

Here in Northern California we buy our organic, vegetarian-fed, free-range chicken from the local supermarket chain, along with organic broccolinni and whole-grain bulger wheat. Then we wash the delicious healthy meal down with a bottle of cheap Vodka. And then, after cursing up a storm, pass out in front of Hannity and Colmes on Fox News Channel.

 

N Cal-er here .. and I'm not of the organic-vegetarian variety and luckily all of the dealers that I've purchased cars from haven't needed to be told to NOT drill holes.. at least in my experience... Mini as well.

If I remember correctly, I had to sign a waiver stating that I knew that I had to have a front plate on my car per the CA laws. I'd much rather sign a form than patch holes..

 

remember when aftermaket bumpers were a big thing for pickups (this was in the late 70s early 80s). All were REQUIRED to have them, but the dealers would sell them without all day long! Waivers? We don't need no stinking wavers.....

This whole thing has a similar feel. BTW, Mini of Murray didn't mount mine... I think I still know where it is...... Its's been a while.

Matt