I just bought a 2002 MC. I live in one of those states that requires a front license plate... the girl I bought the car from had a euro plate on it. (tsk tsk)

She threw in the USA license plate bracket when I picked up the car, but I can't get it to line up properly for installation. When I try to line up the "tabs" to the notches on the bumper, the top of the bracket is bumping into the lower [aero?] grille. Not sure if that's the correct name for the grill? Anyway, it is creating a gap, preventing the tabs on the bracket from lining up/fitting into the notches on the bumper.

Has anyone else had this issue? It's not like the bumper is in amazing shape, so I might have to just stick a generic bracket (or maybe just the plate itself) to the bumper... but if you know of a solution to this problem, I'd certainly appreciate the help!

*sorry for the crummy iPhone pics*

 

That not a us spec bumper or stock that I can tell....looks like it might be euro given that very wide cutout

 

Looks like the US based square with extension insert is correct, looks like the girl put on the lower Aero grille and the tabs were not modified all the way to the grille sticks out a bit which is touching the old US insert. Also that the US bumper, just has the black inserts so it looks euro.

#2 left and right in black. 51117112151 & 51117112152




http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51117112151/


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51117112152/


&


#13 in diagram Part number 51117043433 which should be on the back.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51117043433/




The Aero lower grille slim section, needs tabs modified to fit more flush on the bumper. You might need to pop it out and modify it more to be flush to clear the US plate base top.

Full Slim Section - Black Aero part # 51110140255


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51110140255/ES73435/



Can you read the part number on the back of the euro plate version?


Thanks

 

Get this.
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...te-holder.html

 

I agree with the Outmotoring source. Aaron at OM also carries the Grimspeed license bracket that is a little more expensive than the Platypus but has a multitude of adjustments. I just installed one on my sons R53 and it looks great.

 

Comparing your photo to the diagram from ECS, I think that you're trying to install it upside-down.

 

Yea the diagram etk does not show the correct orientation.

Here is an old silk green and velvet red with the US plate. Old colors that are hard to find.

 

Yeah, judging by those pictures, the aero-esque grille thing is just mounted on top of the bumper. There were a couple screws drilled into the bumper where the USA plate bracket lined up perfectly.

I'm guessing that the original owner (I'm the 3rd) must have had the piece installed correctly with the two screws and then the second girl probably added the aero grille and switched to a euro plate. She also must've spray-painted those bumper pieces black, 'cause there's some chrome color shining through where pebbles/bugs did what they do best.

I decided to roll the dice and try installing the bracket anyway, without the tabs in their notches. It seems that those two screws, along with the force of the tabs pushing up against the lip of the bumper are doing a good job of holding the plate in place.

 

yeah just get an offset plate holder, i picked mine up at bavuato.com, they dont list them on their website, but BMW tow hook threads are the same for MINI, give them a call they should be able to get you setup with one

 

i"ve debated the tow hook brackets. Virginia requires the plate, haven't been harassed about it.

 

It's definitely the aero grille causing the problem. I ran into the same issue in my R53 when I installed the aero grille. Thankfully I was able to transfer my registration to a state that doesn't require front plates.

 

For the first generation R50's, the dedicated piece for the license plate (#13 in the diagrams, and yes it is shown upside down) actually does a good job of holding the plate in securely and looks good as well (when there's a plate on it). I get the feeling a tow hook mount would disappear along with your plate.

Val

 

Yeah, the holder is doing just fine so far. I wouldn't want to do a tow hook holder since the bumper has an indent in the center, plus it already has holed drilled so it would probably look tacky on this particular car. I like the idea of the tow hook plate for certain minis if the bumper is more stylish.