Hello. I'll be ordering my new MINI this week and have a question about vanity plates. I read somewhere on the forums that you have to tell your MA when ordering that you want vanity plates. I just asked my MA and she said they have to issue me regular plates and I can then apply for vanity plates myself. I know how to apply for vanity plates *after* purchasing a new car. I'm just not sure if it's possible to take care of this when I'm purchasing my MINI (one step) instead of paying for the regular plates with my car purchase and applying for vanity plates later and paying again. Has anyone done this? How does it work in Illinois - Chicago dealers? Thanks!

 

Motorwerks barrington helped me get personalized plates without issue
on my G35C.

all other places including Patrick told me would not do it for
some reason.

guess where im going when its time to get my 335i coupe?

 

yeah ifyou want to save the $$ of getting an extra set of plates, might be worth it if you have the option to switch over plates from another car (still a fee but if I remember right it is MUCH less) then get the vanity plates at your convieniance.

Another option might be go to the DMV explain it, see if its possible order the vanity plates (You'll need the VIN at the very least, not sure about the title and other stuff since the car still belongs to MINI) and you'll have a temp tag to take with you for pickup.

I just let mine go until they expired the next year and put the specialty plate on instead of the regular renewal.

 

There is a couple different ways to get specialty plates. Mine are vanity [S RICH S] - no numbers. Personalized plates are cheaper to get as well as cheaper to renew each year. Mine cost $101 each year, personalized cost $78, the cost of standard plates. Use the IL DMV website, and you can check to see if the plate you want is availible. If it's availible, you can purchase the plate on the internet if you already have a set of plates on the vehicle that will be getting the specialized plate. If no plate is on the vehicle, print the page from the DMV website saying the plate you want is availible, and take it to the local DMV and have them apply for the plate when they issue your temp plate to you. There will be a notice in the mail about 4 weeks later confirming your selection, if still availible, and the plates sent 3 weeks later.

 

I have always wondered if you had to pay the $101 each year for vanity plates.

 

yep. i pay like $85 or watever it was for personalized plates every year on my hobby cars.

 

that sounds about right for personalized plates... I pay what SRICH pays

I have the Organ Donor plates... used the IL DMV site to see what was available... my plate officially reads "MCTOP DN".

 

BJERK; I have always wondered if you had to pay the $101 each year for vanity plates.

Keep in mind the fee you pay at renewal include the standard plate renewal. You might pay a small premium because it's vanity or personalized. I just paid $91 to renew my vanity plates and the same for my personalized plates. It might me around $79 for regular plates for renewals.