I know that California and many states have a front plate law, but like all my previous cars I'm going to chance it and go without a front plate (knock on wood, never gotten a fix-it ticket).

I plan on emailing AND calling my dealer to tell them not to drill wholes in my front bumper when the car is delivered. Has anyone made this request yet, or will you do so? What do you think their response will be?

John

 

I did instruct my dealer (California) not to drill the bumper, and they didn't. I had to sign a waiver about it though. Before Gromit arrived, I ordered a No Holes Plate Holder from GO MINI GO. http://gominigo.com/18545.html

They might not pull me over for not having a front plate, but if I get nailed for speeding (likely) that's one thing they can't add to the ticket.

 

I inrformed both of the dealers that we have bought MINI's from that we would not accept a car that had been touched with a drill.

Classic MINI in Ohio doesn't drill unless you request it. Roadshow in Memphis was happy not to drill my car.

You will definitely not be the first to ask for your car not to be vandalized.

 

I told SB not to drill holes in my bumper.

 

I plan on requesting the same and will be using the same product Gromit has shown. I saw it on a few cars at MiniMania in Grass Valley last March or was it May? one of the M' months.. I was droolling too bad to remember!

Gromit can I ask what dealer you got your guy from? I am buying frome East Bay Mini in Pleasanton and I hope they comply!

 

I too opted for a tow hook mounted front plate, and asked that my dealer not drill the bumper. Maryland is a front plate state, so I worried a bit that they would drill out of habit.

Actually, I had no problems, though from reading here about other people's experiences, I think that my "luck" is due to my MA taking the time to keep the people who do the processing at the dealership aware of my wishes.

 

I asked dealer in Sacramento not to drill bumper and they didn't.

 

I live in a no front plate state but ordered the car through a dealer in a state where they have front plates. I made the dealer promise not to drill holes and they didn't.

Mark

 

I started to tell my dealer (Salt Lake City) and he interrupted me and said "yes, we never mount the front plates. We just put them in the front seat with the mounting hardware."

But now we're thinking about spraying out all the windshield wiper fluid and then washing the car before we make the 1500 mile drive back to Washington State. I've read too many stories on NAM about the windsheild washer fluid staining the paint....and it doesn't buff out. :(

 

Exactly. I not only told them not to drill, but said I would refuse the car if it had holes (not just MINI.. with other cars too)

 

Momentum Mini in Houston does not drill holes in front bumper if you are from Louisiana. They do put the plate holder in the boot.

Stan

 

I live in NY and we too have a front plate law and no problems yet (1 year so far). I actually knew the prep guy at the dealer I bought mine from which is next door to the dealer I work at and he called me on the phone the day of my delivery and asked me if i wanted it mounted and I told him no. So he mounted my plate on the bracket, put a plate frame around it and put it in the boot for me. Its nice to be in the business and get to know people in the business.
Steve

 

Ok, maybe this is a stupid question, but why does it matter either way? I mean if you have holes the front plate covers them, and if you don't the front plate covers too right?

What are the main benefits of not getting the holes drilled for the front plate and vice versa?

Or is this more a cosmetic issue or for places that don't require a front plate? I guess I never really thought about this, so now I'm curious!

 

-

 

In a lot of people's opinion -- including mine -- cars with no front plates look so much cleaner and nicer. If the plates aren't there, there should be no holes as eye sores either.

John

 

I am in a front plate state, but requested no holes, and my request was honoured.

Holes in the bumper are ugly as is a front plate.

 

same story as every one else. I didn't say anything about it when i ordered and my mini dealer just left the plate and the hardware in teh trunk for me. I keep it there with some two sided tape already mounted in case i get pulled over and it's a problem.

 

Niello Mini in Sacramento. Bombard your MA with reminders so the service department doesn't drill it out of habit. Wade at Niello made very sure, even taping a "Do not drill" sign over that part of the bumper when Gromit arrived.

 

At 75 MPH in the rain water and enter the drilled holes and cause a kunter valve reverse influx!

 

That is the worst!! I know a guy who just got his car a few months ago and his car has been influxed twice so far!!! And you know what the worst part is??? His insurance didn't cover either incident. That's just messed up

 

You might add Pepcid to the carburetor for the influx. Or better yet, only drive in reverse during rain storms.

 

I've always found that if you put enough weight in the boot then the front wheels come off the ground and you don't need to worry so much about the rain. Of course this only works going down steep hills in a FWD.

On thread though, I have requested no holes be drilled...

 

FYI, it's possible to mount the plate in front of the lower grill w/o drilling. Here's a shot of my MINI with that setup:



The car never overheats even in Dallas' > 100F temps.

Also, if you have holes and want to plug them go to http://bumperplugs.com.

 

I also requested no holes and my MA said that they don't drill unless you ask for it. They just supply the bracket. I'm going to remind him, just in case!

 

I instructed by MA to not have the front license plate installed. This seems to be a common request, since the waiver I signed was an ?-generation photo copy. The dealer was MINI of San Francisco.

BTW on my '06 the front bumper has dimples to install European plates I think.