I got ticketed for no front plate the other day while parked downtown. $10 if I mount the plate and $30 if I don't. I am going to just install the plate so i will be in compliance.

I purchased some sheet metal screws from the auto parts store and there about 1/2 inch long.

Would anybody like to offer some advice before I start drilling and or screwing. I like the idea of mounting the plate a little lower on the bumper.

Damn Meter-maids.

 

Ours came with a front that temporarily still holds the dealer's tag. I might suggest going by your MINI dealer and checking the factory/dealer installation.

 

I like the idea of two-sided tape better. I've been considering putting on a lightweight bracket with the tape then mounting the plate to that.

 

I live in Santa Barbara and the dealer is in LA. It's a good hour away and the traffic...Probably not gonna happen anytime soon. I am about 1000 miles short of my first service though.

Coordinating the fisrt service should be intersting. I hope everything goes smoothly.

 

Is this an MC or MCS. The MC has a body-color bracket that fits into the euro sized slot. The MCS is out of luck on that.

That said...I hate front plates.

 

It's a MCS and my main concern is the size and type of screws I have purchased since my MINI did not come with them.

 

A drill, 1/2 inch metal screws and a NEW MINI bumper. Something about that combo that is really scarry.

 

i would definitely check out what the dealer has in stock. one question, if you live in a state where a front plate is required, and you in fact bought your car in the same state, why do YOU have to pay for a mounting bracket to comply with the law. it seems like the dealer shoule have provided it, otherwise aren't they selling a vehicle that's not perfectly legal in that state? I don't really understand the laws for all this as we don't have front plates in FL.

 

I live in Ca. but bought my MINI in Tx. I have the bracket but it has not been mounted. I did not have the screws though so I searched around on here for awhile and found a thread where someone recommended a 1/2 inch screw.

The auto parts guy recommended a sheet metal screw when I asked for a self tapping 1/2 screw (it's actually a: #14x3/4). I think I am being a little hesitant because I'm a big baby when it come to my MINI, especially when I'm using power tools.

I'm going to try and screw them in first without drilling and if it won't work then i will drill some small holes.

Can anyone tell me if there are holes beneth the bumper cover where the dimples are?

I'm tempted to just go do it right now, but I still think I can find something better to do.

 

If you are going to do it, drill some very small holes first. They will help center the screw as you screw it in.

 

Thanks for the tip!

I was going to just do it last night but the screws I have are too fat (#14). I will get some skinnier ones and attempt sometime this week.

 

WAIT.....DON'T DRILL YET!!!!!

I'd have to find details, but one local owner made a bracket for his plate that screws into the slot for the tow hook thingy. Apparently he had to mod it slightly after his first attempt because the bolt wasn't quite long enough and the plate was rubbing a bit on the bumper. Of course the plate was mounted off the center axis of the car, but it seems like a real good use of an existing mounting point and it does avoid use of...........the drill.

 

I was there when my dealer installed my front plate. You don't need to use a drill! At least on my car, the bumper already has two dimples to mark where the screw is supposed to go. My MA drove the screw into the dimples, took the screw out, and mounted the plate frame.

As for what type of screw to use, since the bumper cover is fiberglass, anything that wouldn't rust should do.

But once you do that, you will be stuck with two holes in your bumper.

 

A cop followed me into my work parking lot earlier this year (?) last year (?)

and was about to give me a ticket for my no-front plates...but I talked to him
and was given verbal warning. He said he will come around and check on my
car from time to time so I better have the plate on real soon.

That day I bought the brackets and screws at the dealer and was about to
drill the hole in to my aero kit... ... ... .. couldn't do it.

I decided to take my other car to work from then on.

 

My car that I received today didn't come with a front mount. How much do these things cost or should I ask my dealer?

 

The front license plate holder is part of the car and is included in the purchase price. However, some dealers don't install it unless the buyer specifically asks for it. But the dealer should have given you all of the necessary parts if it wasn't installed. If you didn't get the parts, contact your dealer.

 

IF you have an MCS I think you are entitled to getting a front license plate mount for your bumper at no charge. Maybe talk to your sales person and get one mailed to you if you live very far away or come in and pick it up.

You don't have to mount the license plate holder too high (covering the bumper grill) since there are a total of four mounting screw holes you may use the upper two holes to attach it to the front bumper well below the bumper upper grill.

 

I have a regular MC, thanks for all your quick responses. I'll be giving the dealer a call tomorrow.

 

I'm driving around in L.A. with no front plate either and have considered putting it on. Getting stopped or ticketed in Los Angeles is pretty rare for this kind of thing (or any minor equipment infraction, for that matter--the LAPD is way too busy to be handing out tickets for this). That said, Glendale (nearby) loves to give tickets and has all kinds of time to stop people for window tint, loud music, etc. So...here's what I've done.

First(before drilling!!) I found some nylon hole plugs (PepBoys) that are the same size as the holes I'm going to drill. These are typically black but can be painted to your body color with little effort and cost. You can also get rubber plugs that are easier to remove but don't take paint very well.

Some are threaded/ribbed like the ones used to install the Aero Kit .



This leaves the option of slapping on the front plate or taking it off as needed or desired and not leaving gaping holes in the bumper cover. Warning...these threaded or ratcheting ones are sometimes tricky to remove:smile: .

 

How big of a hole are you planning to drill?!


You use a small tapping screw (L30mm x W2.5mm) to mount
it onto the bumper.

 

Pay the $30.

We have front plate law in Ohio as well. But I could not bring myself to do it. I would say 1 out of every 20 cars runs w/o a front plate here in Ohio, even though it's the law.

If I had an MC, I would put the plate on in a heartbeat since the mounting already exists. But there is no way I will defile my baby. I couldn't bring myself to do it...

It's a $75 fine in Ohio. I will take my chances...

 

So just stay ahead of the copper cars! (imagining an all-out highway chase just so the police dont see your lack of front plate!)

 

We didn't have a front plate (Colorado requirement) on our XJ6 but never got a ticket ..except...when my wife had to park downtown at the capitol where the parking police have all the time there is for such things. Got 2 tickets for this there.

Peter

 

None of the 05 MINIs come with a license plate holder any more. The new MC's are just like the S's now. Holes must be drilled I've seen a 05 MINI & know it for a fact. Talked to the MA about it. He's says leave it off. But I'm sure your dealer will do the drilling & mount it with one of their "personal" license plate holders.

Lois

 

Well I don't own an 05 Mini. But I find it difficult to believe that they don't supply the front license plate mounting hardware with the car any more because most states require front plates.

I asked them not to install the front holder on my 04 MCS so they didn't drill any holes. The dealer still gave me all the parts though. Sooner or later, I'll get pulled over for not having front plates and I'll have to drill those holes!