Got my car registered today and had the safety inspection done. The person doing the inspection told me about a holder for the sticker that might be better because every year the sticker is scraped off with a single edge razor. Does anyone know where to get the license frame type (versus the little under fender one)? Prefer a shop near Kapolei/Ewa Beach area since I don't know my way around well yet.

Also, any recomendations for window-tint place near this area?

Thanks ahead of time for the help.

 

Why is this a dumb question? It sounds like something every Hawaii MINI should have.

 

Howzit?!
Welcome to paradise
I'll try to answer your questions in 2 parts: what I did, and where you can go around your area.

I got my safety inspection sticker holder from MINI of Hawaii. It mounts next to the license frame and does not touch any sheetmetal. YES! They DO remove the old sticker with a razor blade...kinda scary if its on the bumper covers!!

Tinting: I suggest T and T Tinting, the only authorized Formula One Tint dealer on Hawaii. BMW/MINI of Hawaii uses them, lifetime warranty on film and labor. Many MINI owners are happy with their work.

Now for the second part: I think the only shopping center in Kapolei has an aftermarket retail/shop that offers tinting, car audio, and performance/cosmetic products. It might be the one-stop-shop you're looking for but I can't recall the name of the store.

If I'm confusing you even more, PM me and I;ll give more details

 

>>Got my car registered today and had the safety inspection done. The person doing the inspection told me about a holder for the sticker that might be better because every year the sticker is scraped off with a single edge razor. Does anyone know where to get the license frame type (versus the little under fender one)? Prefer a shop near Kapolei/Ewa Beach area since I don't know my way around well yet.
>>
>>Also, any recomendations for window-tint place near this area?

For those that are not in Hawaii, we are required to have an annual safety check to make sure that our cars comply with many rules. It's just a general visual and minimal inspection check done in a few minutes for about $15 each year. No emissions control check. Then you are issued two rectagular stickers each about 1.7 x 2 inches in size. Then the stickers go on the right lower bumper edge and stay there until the following year or until someone wants to tear them off to steal.
Some places will razor off the old ones but many places I go to will leave them on year and year. Too lazy I guess. Some people slash the stickers with razor blades to make them harder for thieves to remove.

The small metal plates for the stickers are available from Eurosport near the Ala Moana area (near downtown COMP USA) off Coral street. All sorts of types are for sale there about $10-12 each. You can make your own out of stainless steel.

Tinting I have done by Darren's tinting. I got my MINI done (max legal tint) for $145. You can check prices I think most places can be higher like $185+. Check for Darren's number in the phone book, he works out of his mother's place in Waipahu.
His business is mostly by referral and he has done this for a long long time. It's his fulltime business. He does a great job, he's been tinting my cars since 1994. About a 7 year warranty on the tinting. I had one rear window that was blurry after 9 years and he redid it for free.

If you want to see my tint just give me a ring. I'll be back on Aug 12. I work in Kapolei on Aug 13.

 

Kohu'ulaMINI,

Thanks for the response. Got it. I've been meaning to go to the MINI dealer so this gives me a great reason. Thanks for the tinting info too.

minihune,

Thanks always for the information. I did see the bent sheet metal mount at NAPA today and it in fact did look like someone made it at home. I think I'll try the MINI dealer one that mounts on the license plate.

 

I wish I had known about that sticker holder BEFORE the safety sticker got slapped on Lucy's bumper.

Is it possible to safely/gently remove the current sticker and put it on a holder?

Good info on the tint ... I still haven't arranged to have my sun roof tinted, but I really need to get it done.

MINIangelD

 

OK, I'm legal now. Thanks again Kohu'ulaMINI! I went to the MINI dealer and got the piece. First the lady at the parts counter thought they were out of them because they were not selling, however, she found one. The price was $34 plus tax! Seems like a lot for what it is but I was desperate so I bought it. Good and simple idea for the mount though. Works well.

 

Awww...what time were you there? I got there about 130p (stayed until 330p) and had a chance to meet Kohu`ulaMINI, MINIangelD, kbseto, Baronious, MINI-t, minima and minikahuna! Would have been great if I got a chance to meet you too!

So how are you going to remove the stickers on your bumper and place on the metal piece? I'd like to do the same, just as long as it doesn't ruin the sticker or my bumper. MINIangelD was also interested.

Let us know, please! Thanks!

 

keikilee,

I think I was there before noon. How come so many people were there? I guess some of them work there?

I just moved here from California; therefore, I did not have to remove any stickers. Sorry I can't give you good advice from experience, however, I would try working with a hair dryer and peel slowly first, and if that didn't work, I would try one of those over-the-counter bumper stickers removing solutions. Hope it works!

My daughter and mother were waiting in the car so I could not look around and get meet anyone so I am looking forward to the M&aM to meet folks.

 

i am typing this on a touch screen monitor at glasgow science center.

eurosport has all the different plates for those stickers and at about 11 to 14 dollars not 34.

you cannot easily remove the old stickers. you can pay for a new one to be put on.
you can still try. good luck.

 

>> The price was $34 plus tax! Seems like a lot for what it is but I was desperate so I bought it.



Too bad we missed you earlier at the dealership. I was there to borrow some race tires from baronious and the other MCO members were there to pick up their "group buy" from mini-t

Hope to meet you next weekend

 

minihune,
Oh well, I guess that is what I get for not buying my car from them!

Kohu'ulaMINI,
No worries, you saved me the hassle of driving around looking for a place that has them. Oh well, I looking forward to getting a better feel for the dealership next weekend. You guys rave about the people but I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling during my short visit, hopefully, I will be enlightened about BMW/MINI Hawaii then.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

b/c i love a good deal and love sharing them with my fellow motorers, i'd like to take a moment to let everyone know that i will soon have these lovely safety check brackets available to you all at a very low price. keep your wallets closed for now and stay tuned. more details to come within the next few days :smile:

mini-t

 

 

AWWWWWW!!!! I just (and I mean just) got back from Eurosport....paid $13.49! Shucks...next time!

 

if you're serious about getting the brackets, i'm serious about getting one too for my incoming mcs.

perfect timing! at least for me. hey keikilee, maybe you can make a return?

 

There must be something to this $34 piece of metal MINI's selling because the $13 one I got doesn't fit good....

mini-t...put me down for one!!!!

Anyone else run into the same problem? If so, what did you do?

 

^^
Can you elaborate on "doesn't fit good..."?
You got the one that attaches to the rear plate holder, no?....not the one that goes under the rear bumper covers.

There should be a slotted/olongated hole for the license screw to go through and adhesive to attach to the plate or frame.
I think my holder in not exclusive to the MINI/BMW parts dept. but a universal one....."one size fits all"

 

Kohu'ulaMINI,
When I removed my license plate I found 2 screws...I figure one of them I could use to attach the metal plate. When I measured, I found that the license plate holder would hide part of the metal plate....it didn't look right, nor did it feel like it fit right. Does your fit like this? Maybe I have to take a look at it again, but if I remember correctly, yours fit much nicer than mine....I'll show you on Sunday.

Thanks for the help!

MINIangelD....if you are reading this...I tried to lift part of my safety check sticker off the bumper and it seemed to come off ok...not too much sticky stuff. Perhaps since it's been less than 2 months it might be easier for us to remove without the use of a scary razor!

 

here's the deal :smile: i'm having some safety check bracket holders made for my mcs through a friend who's in the business. it should be done by the end of the week and i'll be posting pictures afterwards. not sure how much he's gonna charge me but i'm sure it won't be more than $10/piece.

i'll keep you all posted.

 

keikilee,

There is nothing special about the bracket I bought from the dealer. I threw away the packaging but remember seeing it was made by some local company with no MINI/BMW identification so it's probably the same one you have; however, my bracket does stick out past the license plate. I think I have about a 3mm gap.

mini-t,

We have another car coming in on a boat and we'll be buying another so please count me in for two of your hangers.

Dirk

 

Mini T,
Please write me when you get your safety inspection holders in. I just bought a Mini and am learning about issues particular to this car.

I'm also new to chat rooms and forums. This is the first one I've EVER been on, and only because I like the car so much. I'm sure there's a lot of chat etiquette I'm oblivious to. What's the best way for you to reach me? And how to give you my information without broadcasting it to the whole state?

Thanks, Picadilly

 

>>Mini T,
>>Please write me when you get your safety inspection holders in. I just bought a Mini and am learning about issues particular to this car.
>>
>>I'm also new to chat rooms and forums. This is the first one I've EVER been on, and only because I like the car so much. I'm sure there's a lot of chat etiquette I'm oblivious to. What's the best way for you to reach me? And how to give you my information without broadcasting it to the whole state?
>>
>>Thanks, Picadilly

picadilly -- send me an email at minigroupbuys@hotmail.com -- dont forget to include your name and phone no.

there's a group buy for the center and glove organizers. you might want to jump in on this one as it's a great deal and you'll probably find yourself wanting one very soon ....

 

MINI-T,

I'd e-mail you but I'm in Wyoming and the rr email server has been off line since the power outage yesterday on the East Coast. Please count me in for one inspection sticker plate if you still have some left. Thanks again for all the extra effort. BTW only one MC seen here so far.

Steve

 

>>MINI-T,
>>
>>I'd e-mail you but I'm in Wyoming and the rr email server has been off line since the power outage yesterday on the East Coast. Please count me in for one inspection sticker plate if you still have some left. Thanks again for all the extra effort. BTW only one MC seen here so far.
>>
>>Steve

gotcha down steve. i'll be posting a picture of mine very soon when i find the time to sit down and upload it. i will be making plates for 2 stickers and 3 (for those with recon).

t