For those of us in states requiring front and back plates, are there better front plate holder options than the ones the dealer installed?

 

in the windshield

 

Nice. Don't think the MD authorities would take too kindly to that. Plus the whole sliding off the dashboard during spirited turns.

 

I just ordered that Cravenspeed tow-hook mount plate holder. It's very nice. I refuse to drill holes in fresh paint..

 

Same here. Made sure the dealer didn't install and went the tow hook route.

 

Doing the same here. Haven't ordered one yet but on my MCS Convertible, I had a "platypus" plate holder installed in the tow hook mount. Worked very well.

 

Thanks for the info. My CMS All4 was a dealer fleet car so the front bracket was already installed. Really flimsy though.

 

No front plate required in PA; need to drill in for the rear plates?

 

I bought mine a year ago and the chrome dealer plate covers are already rusting. I just ordered a stainless steel, powder coated set from ebay ... should do the trick.

 

Eh, im in NJ (front plate reqd')... stupid state wont even let me pump my own gas.

 

Lol I happily go to NJ for the cheaper gas and so they will pump it! Oregon is the same way too.

 

Texas requires front plate, i bought mine with holes drilled but capped em, running no plate right now. thinking about tow hook option.

 

Currently there's no penalty written into the Texas law though for running no front plate. However there is speculation they will correct that at some point.

 

glad I joined this site before our CMJCW gets here. I already ordered the tow-hook plate holder and the Cravenspeed dipstick.......I never thought in my entire driving life I would ever have a need to replace a stock dipstick.....AND pay $75 for the pleasure

Great info folks to help us that are new to the Mini fold...

Jeff

 

just a quick question, im a newb to the mini scene also, but not the custom car world, why would a mini need a new dipstick?

 

the stock one are hard to read the oil level... until ur oil are very dirty then u may see the oil little better on the dipstick.

but $75 for a aftermarket dipstick ?? no thanks..
I will just change my oil every 3500 miles myself.

 

It's tricky to read... Frustrating actually. I filed mine flat on two sides. 100x easier to read now. I just posted about it a few days ago.

Cravenspeed has enough of my money already

 

I use the Show n' Go front license plate bracket. Stows under front valence when I don't need to display it. Easy mounting, great results:



On the CMS

Flipped up:


Stowed away:

 

+1

I love mine too...much more than any of the tow hook mounts. And unless your MINI is a hanger queen, get this manually operated version. The remote controlled version of the Show n' Go could is really cool and fun but it's three times the cost and the deployment mechanics are quite exposed and easily damaged (I learned this the hard way).

 

yea, but for your $75 you get a cool red grip handle !!

filing down the dipstick reading area, or using the process of inserting/removing the stock dipstick several times at a certain depth in order to get a good reading...makes me wonder what we are getting into with joining the Mini nation.

Lot's of quirky and unique things about the car we really like but the inability to easily read the stock oil dipstick with just a simple pull it, wipe it, pull it again, as has been the case since the dawn of the modern combustion engine....that's just

Everything I have read here and elsewhere tells me that changing and maintaining proper oil levels is the most critical element in ensuring a long life for the Mini engine. So, I figure it's worth $75 to make that process easier...

 

I lived in NJ for 3 years - 2006-2009. I never allowed anyone to pump my gas. Only one time did it get so heated that I drove across the street and got gas there. Most of the time they just said "Sure, no prob. Have a nice day."

 

Wow! Very nice. How does it mount? (My CM on the water, so cannot look underneath to see) Was there any drilling?

 

yes, I just put a few sheet metal screws through the bottom of the bumper, holds just fine. Only hanging in plastic, but theres not much weight. Its on a foot or so long track

 

You both probably don't have an issue, but others that get heavy snowfall during the winter might consider how it works if driving through deep snow in the stowed position.

 

What I didn't like about my tow hook mount was cars backing into you actually drove the retainer it's into the bumper as impact points where they wouldn't have done much to the bumper itself