I was "lucky" enough to have had someone drill on my front plate, and I needed to fix this terrible mistake. I know I know, many states (including mine) require having a front plate..... Personally I feel that the front plate takes a lot away from a car- especially the Mini. I could have just taken the plate off but I was left with this:


And then it hit me: a Euro plate!!! Not only would it get rid of that ugly box the dealer had put on, but they also look amazing. I bought my plate from europlates.com and ordered the frame to hold the plate. The only problem was that none of the holes in the frame matched up to the holes that were already drilled in my bumper. I am pretty sure if any R56 has a front plate already drilled on, your holes are exactly like mine due to the dimpled 'holes' already in your bumper. With a Dremel I was able to make two oval holes in my purchased euro plate frame. The best part about this is that you do not need to drill any additional holes into your beautiful Mini. Also, use your existing hardware that was used to hold on your US plate. Total install time was about 2 hours. It's important to take your time when you are drilling holes in the frame to match the holes in your bumper so you are left with a level frame/plate. I probably went overkill on how many times I measured and went back to drilling the holes a little bigger each time. O well, I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out! It was actually pretty easy and simple if you take your time to do it right.

 

my euro plate with the frame (i ordered the hardware, but use your exsiting hardware that was used to hold on your US plate)

 

holes that I drilled into my euro plate frame; I ended up making these holes look a little cleaner

 

Finished Product

 

Looks really good!! Care to explain what WI 294RRB means? Is it your existing license plate number?

 

Is it legal to use a Euro license plate in a state that requires their plate in the front?

 

Yeah, I would believe so. If you had the same license plate number on both back and front they might give you a break, but if you had some d-bag copper, you might not get away with it.

 

How long did it take for europlate to fill your order?

 

i've been looking at those since i came across your thread.. Like someone asked, is that a custom plate meaning or is it your plate number. Thats the only thing i cant figure out is what i'd want it to say, maybe i.ll just get a random one and make it seem more authentic

 

I ordered my plate Sunday night and received it the following Saturday. Maybe I got lucky on how fast they were able to make it for me, I am not sure. I would probably say 1.5 weeks just to be safe. And to answer the questions about what my plate numbers mean... Yes those are my state issued numbers. Unless the police have nothing to do they normally do not pull people over for not having a front plate. I was also hoping that since it's my real numbers they really wouldn't care (I hope). Either way it's much better than having a US plate on the front. I looked around to find what British plates look like, and my current set up is pretty close to looking authentic as is. I just figured having my actually numbers would help.

 

Is there an update on your local police and whether or not they care about a euro style plate?

Aaron

 

I have had this plate on now since I first posted this. I have yet to have any trouble with local, county, or state police departments (knock on wood). The only thing I have gotten are a lot compliments from Mini and non Mini drivers a like.

 

Great answer. I'm sold! Now time to find an equally slim and sexy braket/frame. Any suggestions?

aaron

 

looks great!

 

agreed, this will be helpful when i decide to order my plate

 

I think there are a number of frames to pick from out there, but I ordered my frame from the same place I ordered my plate from - europlates.com. I think I also just searched on Google as well for a while.

 

thanks for the compliments everyone!

 

That looks really sharp. I remember years ago in high school I had my E36 M3 Vert with one and I got ***** for it all the time. I got maybe one ticket over the years but it looked so good.

 

Go really gutsy and try the rear plate; that'll get some officer attention.
Believe me, I would know...

- Erik

 

how long is it taking Europlate to fill your order? I placed an order on the 15th, still no notification that they've done anything on it yet. :-(

 

Ok.. I got my tag in the mail - also from Europlates.com

What type of screws did you buy to mount it to the bumper? Anything on the inside to keep it together or just drill the holes and 'screw' them in ?
I do not see a way to get to the inside. without taking the bumper off - which I am not doing...

Thoughts ?

 

You're right, there is no 'captive nut' behind the plastic bumper fascia, at least not on my Gen1 R53. There is a **** of plastic back there to give greater thickness for the screw to purchase. Use a sharp-pointed screw and you'll be fine.

 

what length do you think ?
I am thinking about going to Home Depot tonight getting 2...
but what length ?
What 'grade' ?

 

I used the original screws that were drilled into the bumper for my US plate. Unfortunately, I traded this Mini in a year ago for a new one so I cannot go out and check for you. There was no captive nut on the other side of the bumper and the screws just tapped their way in. As suggested my original screws were pointed and if I remember, they were probably about 1 1/8" long. I would pick up a few in different lengths and check how many threads are left once the screw is placed through the plate and plate holder.

Let me know if you have any other questions