Long story short, I took delivery of my MINI here in Italy back in 2005. I dropped it off for shipping back to that States today, but had to change out the Italian plates for some USA plates. I had the USA plate frame for the rear and mounted it without much trouble. However, once I removed the front Euro plate frame from the front, I soon realized that the holes had been drilled directly into the bumper to mount it...no anchors! Also, I was not provided with a frame for the front of the vehicle. Also, it seems that the holes drilled are much too far apart to accommodate a USA plate frame.

Has anyone that shipped a MINI from Europe to the State encountered this problem and if so how did you solve it (type of mount, type of screws, etc...)?

 

keep the italian plate on and use this mount to mount your u.s. one like me

http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=277

and this is how it looks (on my car at the lowest position)

 

Yes, use one of the mounts that screw into the tow hook receiver! The frames are relative cheap and work well. Plus, they look good.

 

yup they look awesome! and ony $55 us! such a good buy

 

You just have to be careful... Some states give tickets for double plates.... Missouri being one of them....


Just FYI.. Id double check you local regs just to be safe...

Other than that I love it.. Looks sharp!

 

Suppossedly Illinois gives tickets for no front plate... I've dodged that bullet for over 2 years. *knocks on wood*

 

i oregon gives tickets for no front plates! that's why i have two

 

Double plates are not an option, as I do not own these Italian plates, but NATO does. If they don't get them back, my wife doesn't clear. Also, I don't "know" anyone at Pass & ID. :(

That front mount solution is fine. I've seen it here before and will look into it. However, the drilled holes in the front bumper....

 

Don't leave the holes open!!!

Just find some plastic plugs...and paint them body colour...(or black)

 

Where could i find the rear mount for a euro tag?

 

when you order a euro plate it comes with a plate mount

 

NY can ticket you for not having a front plate also. However, I went the most part of 6 years in my old Sentra and almost 3 years in my Mini without one. I've been asked about it a few times while crossing the boarder back into the US from Canada, but I just pointed out that the dealer didn't mount it, nor did they drill the holes for the bracket and that was it. I also got pulled over once for having a plastic cover on my rear plate (can you believe that!?) and the cop also warned me about the front plate after walking around the car, but no ticket.

 

Are there any Europlate frames/mounts that don't get drilled into the bumper or scuff up the bumper from rubbing? I'm looking for something that doesn't ruin the front bumper.

 

I did that on mine and found the plugs to look a lot worse than the tiny holes.

I'm going to fill my holes and paint them.

Dean.

 

haven't seen any. but i got mine and was like oh i have to drill it. oh well, eff it.

 

I think I'd feel better if they were filled and painted. Should my go-to paint guy be able to fill these holes or will I have to take it to somebody else (or do it myself)? If pull a DIY, what should I use to fill the holes (assuming I'm competent enough to do it)?

 

I'm going to fill mine with silicone. Then let it cure (shrink) and add a second coat. If I am able to find silver/gray silicone I may not even have to paint. But, if I do, I'll just hit it with a bit of touch-up paint.

In theory it seems pretty simple.

Dean.