Greetings. Finally removed the big-n-nasty US front plate mount from my MC. I cleaned up the junk found underneath (writing, reisdue from double sided tape) with some all-purpose cleaner. Now that it's spotless I am ready to put on my Euro Plate I ordered from Framptons (should be here any day). Does the euro plate fit the two holes already there or do I need to get the mounting bracket? Where does the mounting bracket drill into, i.e. do I need to drill more holes in my front bumper ? If you went with the mounting braket where did you get it?

So all you MC owner with euro plates chime in! How did you mount yours?

Thanks in advance,

Driving_Hamster

 

If you ordered from framtons the plate has no holes. You can mount the plate with double sided tape (use a good one). or order the plate holder from steve (still uses double sided tape). Either way you need double sided tape. Only order the plate holder if you think it looks funny without it. Note: you will probably have to trim the sides of the plate holder in order to fit in front bumper.

 

Hey there!
The holes in the bumper line up right smack in the middle of the euro plate, so if you drill the plate, it would look pretty bad.

I got a steel backing plate and drilled it to match the holes in the bumper. I used the screws that held on the horrendous US bracket to install it.

I currently have an old style euro plate with no holes. I asked some of the UK owners how to install it and they said use silicone adhesive. Thats what I did and it's been on for a year now. The adhesive is only on the plate and the bracket, not on the MINI.

I know there are other types of brackets that have various ways of holding the plate on but I haven't tried them. I think you will just about have to get some sort of holder for it unless you want to drill the plate itself.

 

Here is my Euro plate mounted to my MCS. I just used the Stock Plate bracket and drilled 2 holes in it to mount my Euro plate. I am working on the rear plate bracket so i can mount the Standard US plate on top of the Euro Plate.

 

I used molding tape to mount mine.Could not stand to drill holes.

 

Got mine from Framptons as well along with the black plate holder. Holes in the frame matched with the holes in the body. Plate sticks on with tape. Didn't think about file down the sides of the frame to make it fit better, but I think it still looks good!

 

NO TAPE NECESSARY!!!!
Some vendors out there should have the Euro plate holder. It's a hinged type that clasp over the Euro plate and has many holes to fit any configuration.
The MC has two holes that holds the ugly US spec thingy, it fits perfect with no screws exposed.

Here's mine from mattman-enterprises.com:

 

<<edit>>
My Euro plate has since been moved up 3-4 mm to eliminate the top gap.
No drilling required!

 

I think I am going with Kohu'ulaMini's suggestion. Thanks guys!

 

Most people mount front plate by drilling holes in the number plate and screwing it to plate holder, which then screws on to the front bumper. Holes already in front bumper match both the Euro or US plate holder (Cooper S). Drill holes through from the back of the acrylic plate, as the number is printed on film, which can peel away from the acrylic if holes are drilled from the front. Screw heads may be covered with plastic caps that match the colour of the plate underneath, if you so desire. They are available from most car dealers or from Halfords. Most people simply leave the screw heads uncovered. Double sided tape won't hold on the front mount, which is curved to match the shape of the front bumper, while the acrylic plate is, of course, flat. There is also the danger of peeling the film from the rear of the number plate if the tape peels off of the mount. No one in UK uses frames, as the dealer's name is usually imprinted on the bottom of the plate itself.

 

Brian,
Give it another week, wait until the drive on the 31st and see some of the installs first hand.... Then decide...
I've got the hinged frame that the Eurotag fits into. I believe this is the same frame everybody carries (although not 100% sure). The back of the frame has LOTS of screw holes in it pre-drilled.
Since you already have the holes drilled in the bumper from the original US plate holder, all you need to do is take the plate frame and screw it into the bumper using two of the pre-drilled holes. Then just set the plate in the frame, which then covers the screws, and then just snap top of the frame over the plate. It fits well and looks quite sharp...
I also got a plate from Framptons, however I was lazy, I didn't pull of the US plate bracket, I just screwed the frame into US plate bracket. It sticks out a little bit, but still looks pretty good (I think at least...). I may still go back in the future and pull the bracket off.... If we ever get a decent weekend again that is....

 

Actually I already have my Euro Plate. It says "0213 MNI" It is the date that I picked up my MINI (Feb 13th, 2003). I too have the multi-hole bracket thingy. I took off the US front plate mount. Took a bit to get the double sided tape good and some writing off the front but now it's clean as a whistle. Guess I will get to show it off at the Italian Job Movie Rally.

Thanks everyone for all their help and suggestions. It looks cool in the end!

 

I used a whole roll of 3m double sided mounting tape, my euro plate seems like it'll stay on for good.

If you have the euro mounting bracket why do you need tape too?

 

Hey,

You can order the plate holder from many places. It fits nicely, as mentioned before. I don't mind it. But, someone posted on another site that they didn't like that it didn't bend to mold to the contur. Just a thought.[img]null[/img]

 

I put two self tappers into the already plastic holes, and used the double sided tape for the rest of the plate. Hope this helps!