Sorry for all the license plate questions, but how has everyone mounted their front plate? The pre-tapped holes in the front bumper of my MCS are too wide for a standard US license plate. They look like they are standard for Euro plates. Anyway, do I have to drill new holes in the bumper? If so, I may just go without the front plate for awhile and see what happens. Thanks in advance for any advise!

Aaron

 

It should come with a bracket that fits those holes. Mine came with both euro and US brackets. If you didn't get the brackets, you should talk to your dealer.

 

Mine came with no pre-drilled holes. The dealer offered to mount it if I wanted it. I decided not too since you have to drill into the car and it looks like crap. The cops can pull me over if they want, I'm not putting it there. The dealer told me the majority of their customers were doing what I'm doing.

 

>> I may just go without the front plate for awhile and see what happens. Thanks in advance for any advise!
>>
>>Aaron

Aaron-
My wife & I both have been driving without front license plates for about 20 years. By and large, even if I get a traffic ticket the officer seems unconcerned. Neither of us has been "stopped" or cited for not having the front plate installed. And, of course, this makes a MUCH cleaner appearance on your car... particularly one like the MINI.

So, what I intend to do is leave it off, until instructed to put it on (and then, very politely install it).

(ps: the MCS has a different mounting approach for the front plate than the MC. On the MC, if you leave the plate off, there is still an "obvious" mounting site on the front bumper. With the MCS, if you leave the plate off, the bumper looks like it was never intended to have one installed... very "clean&quot.

 

Here in Ohio, the front plate is mandatory (I've actually been stopped by the police and given a warning). Although my Mini came with a US front plate bracket, no screws were included. Since they are merely plastic holes, the first screw that goes is will effectively tap the holes. Does anyone know the recommended screw / thread size? The BMV sells plate screws... perhaps they are "standard" ?

 

I'm in Ohio, too. My Mini came with this whole front assembly that holds the plate, its even painted Indi Blue, and there's no good way to remove it, so I guess I'm stuck with it. Anyone else have that?

 

my cooper also came with the front assembly for the US plates. Its very easy to take off, there are only 2 screws and some kind of double sided tape thing that holds it on. It looks a lot better with out it on. :smile:

 

My '03 Cooper came with a panel on nose that has a U.S. plate mounting area. That panel can be removed to reveal a European plate sized indent. I have Euro plates on now (stationed in Germany), but I am thinking of getting a custom Euro style plate for when I am in the states...maybe even put the state license number on it to strengthen my case with the police!

I used to have a Miata and never put the plate on in ten years. No tickets.