I don't want a front license plate on my MINI, but my state requires it. They normally don't give you any trouble while driving but the meter maids will snag you in no time. I only go to areas that ticket for this rarely, so to avoid tickets I wanted a way to put it up that looks mounted, but that I can easily take off when I leave. Not really meant for being on while driving but when I fit test it, it was pretty secure. Was made for my 2020 F56, if anybody else wants to try it I put the STL files on thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4942618

Hopefully if anybody else is in my situation this will help.

 

What holds it in place? Gravity? Friction? Won't the back of that mount make marks/scratches on the part that it comes in contact with?

I'd rather install some neodymium magnets behind the plastic part of the bumper so it's invisible (if there's room), and then Xpel PPF where the license plate would sit. Use another set of magnets behind the license plate frame/holder. Easily removable off/on, and secure.

 

What about the style that utilizes the front tow hook threaded insert? Or do you just install the front plate when in the parking situations you mentioned and leave it off the rest of the time?

 

Two things, gravity and the clip, it latches into a little slot in the backside, there's not a lot of tolerance so it takes a specific motion to get it out. For the back of the mount I got a sheet of adhesive felt and stuck it anywhere the assembly touches the car. Really for my situation it's only for parking in certain areas, so used a few times a year, never while driving. Although the model could be modified a little different to accommodate that, widen the clip to fit the slot width, put another side to the clip, then make some parts for the underside. The only way to remove it would be to break the clips, which would be fine since the entire material cost for this solution is like 13 cents worth of filament. I also though about going with magnets when figuring out what I was going to do, but since I already had a 3d printer, figured this was less invasive and so far this has worked very well for my use case.

Really this was made as an easy, virtually free solution if you already have a 3d printer, for my specific scenario. Guy on reddit was in the same situation and liked my idea so thought I would share in case anybody else needs it. Was never meant to be perfect solution to all cases.

 

Yea I looked at those, but as you said this is for slapping on the car when I park downtown, and taking it off when I leave. I don't want to run a front license plate normally, I don't like how it looks, but some areas will ticket really quick if you dare park there without one. Popping the little tow hook cover and replacing every time I parked downtime would be a little tedious. Also the ones I found weren't really cheap (barring one specific one on amazon), most were around $50-$100 for something I would use a few times a year. This solution cost me $0.07 for each bracket to print in filament costs, and $0.84 cents for a 8.5x11 sheet of felt (that I used about 2% of for this round), bringing the total cost somewhere to around a quarter including my failed prototypes.

 

Great design - i love seeing how people solve problems in new and novel ways! :D

 

Front Tow Hook Mount works great IMO

 

What brand mount is that and can you add a picture from the side?

 

No brand, just something I designed and 3d printed at home, if you have one can just download the files from my OP and print.