Good morning all,

Well after a wide search, I've found a good career upgrade in Chicago (working in the loop). I'm moving from Midland, MI (vis' a vis' Detroit). I'll be living in Wrigleyville, starting next week :smile:

When I was there on Sunday I saw several Mini's on the street how can you folks do that to your cars? Street parking looks like murder!... Do the plows maul your car when they go by? Those chunks of ice and slush can't be a good thing???

Anyways, whats the best Mini dealer thats close to Wrigleyville (I'm at Sheffield and Irving Park- roughly)? Patrick, Knauz???

Front plates, now I know that it's TECHNICALLY illegal to have no front plate, but I really would miss my South Africa plate (i'm on the right in this photo)-
http://www.dolch.net/downloads/MINI/TwinMCSs2.jpg
What are the penalties for no front plate?
Any suggestions on other mounting options besides the dead-center mount?

I am sortof debating as to whether I need a car, but I'll make that decision in a few months. I do have secured (outdoor ) parking.

Thanks in advance!

-Matt

 

Outoor parking is not so bad, at least for me it isnt. I have a driveway to park in. I am not too familiar with your area, but there should be some decent places to park.
I think you are closest to Patrick in schamburg, if you take the Kennedy (I-90) expressway. plus i hear they give better service. Knauz is out in Lake Bluff. Bill Jacobs in Naperville is out of everyones way.
I have no front plate, and i have had no problems since april...knock on wood...but i have heard from some EVO owners that its a $25 fine or something, no miving violation, which makes sense.

Hope this Helps!:smile: See ya on the road

 

There isn't a Mini dealership in the city. I take mine to Patrick, good service, just ask for Adam.

And Welcome!

 

I live west of you in Lakeview. Street parking is all some of us have. Lance has been OK. If you are going to be working downtown you really won't need a car. Just store the MINI out in the 'burbs.

Welcome to Chicago. Great city. Wrigleyville is a great neighborhood.

 

While one would expect the mounting of a state license plate to be the jurisdiction of the state, it is mainly enforced on a local level.

When I started working in Des Plaines I had to put the front plate on my Miata because the Des Plaines city police actively and regularly cruised office parking lots looking for front plate violators. No joke. I once watched them out my office windor doing it.

I got a ticket at O'Hare (in the city limits of Chicago) for no plate on the Miata. It was $50 and counts as a parking ticket.

The Palatine cops I meet at Starbucks seem more amused and curious about my German export plate on the front of my Viggen. So, maybe that's it. Have a plate on the front, even if it's from a different country and you're okay.

Hunter

 

If you want a British style plate that has your letters/numbers on it check out http://www.myminiparts.com/ they get them made and shipped over. I haven't really delt with them other than to order a knee pad yesterday but sounded like nice people.

Earl