Does anyone know exactly how much trouble I'll get into (read: how much will it cost me) if I choose not to defile my car with a front plate?

I think they're hiddeous and I've no idea why they're required. I see that many people have only rear plates, so my thinking was that perhaps the silliness wasn't energetically enforced.

Thoughts?

 

I'm with you on the front plate issue. I have not attached a front plate to my last 3 vehicles. When I ordered my Mini, I asked them not to drill the front bumper and not to attach the front license plate holder in any manner, and they obliged my requests.I've never been pulled over for this issue, even after driving through local seat belt and DUI checks at intersections. I'm willing to push the issue and take a hit or contest a ticket if necessary.

 

When I purchased the car at New Country in Hartford in August '03 they would not let me omit the front plate. They said that as an authorized representative of the CT DMV they were obligated to ensure the car left the lot with the appropriate and legally required plates. So our bumper has the holes and I have left the plate on the car because I can't stand seeing the holes drilled into the bumper.

Not having a front plate is unlikely to get you pulled over (we did not have one on our Miata for seven years) but is more likely to get you a ticket or be reasonable cause for some trouble at a checkpoint. It was once mentioned to us at a DUI stop in Cheshire as we were passing through the police officer said "better get that front plate attached" after our conversation about our activities earlier in the day (no drinking, so we were let go).

 

I can't adequately convey to you how upset I was when I went to pick up my brand new MCS and I saw that the dealer had screwed the front plate through the painted plastic of my bumper, and had done a sloppy job of it at that. First: that plate came right off as soon as I got home, but I had to leave the screws in to plug the ugly, gnarled holes they had made. Fortunately I was not a fan of the standard front end anyway and have since gotten the aero kit installed Anyway, don't sweat it. Thanks for giving me a reason to vent about this.

 

Ellen at New Country was happy to accept my position on the front plates. Who was your rep (excuse me, "Mini Motoring Advisor")? I think the dealers are more concerned with free advertising on the plate holders than any allegiance to DMV and the laws of the State of Connecticut. Ellen also had the service people not install the plate holder in the rear per my request. Word of mouth and on-line comments are much better PR than the dealer's name on the plate bracket, and New Country has been good to me.

 

Perhaps Ellen changed her position on this subject either before or after (not sure when you got your car) mine was delivered in August '03... she was our motoring advisor as well. In any case, I am pleased to her that she was able to help you out.

 

Thanks for all the replies

I was figuring that I'd just keep getting warnings (if I happen to be pulled over or stopped) unless and until a cop actually put the warning on record -- which I figured was unlikely.

Since PA, where my MCS was purchased, is a far more reasonable state and requires only rear plates, my car has not yet been mangled. I will do everything in my power to keep it that way, as the thought of a drill coming anywhere near any painted surface makes me swoon.

Does anyone know WHY some states require front plates???

 

I took delivery 7/12/2003. Perhaps, the sight of my vehicle was the catalyst that prompted the powers at New Country to adopt the position you experienced.

Someone should make body-colored snap in covers for the holes after owners remove the extraneous markers and brackets.

 

It makes little sense to me. When identfiying a moving vehicle it will almost certainly be going away from you. If you need some official input, I know the head of the State Police, personally, but I hate to use up my favors.

 

My uncle -- who is more or less full of poo -- very cynically informed me that the front plate was simply a flat surface off of which to bounce the radar. If this is true (and since our cars are roughly brick-shaped I doubt that it is) I'm thinking of filing a lawsuit (if caught) on the basis that the front plate violates my 5th amendment right not to incriminate myself.

 

I used to keep my front plate off, I liked the "euro" look it gave it, with the long liscence plate holder. I got one ticket while parked, $25 in chicago. Now I"m working in Lincoln Park where parking is a *****, and where I got the only ticket. So I put it back on. It adds great protection against those ******* parallel parkers!

Keep it off IMO though, it looks like crap! Pay the fines!

 

I have heard from a reliable source that the fine is $160 in the state of Connecticut. BAAAAAAAH ! ! ! !

I will not put mine on anyway and run the risk! I agree with OmToast and think they spoil the looks of the beautiful MINI, specially my nice painted and protected aero kit :smile:

 

AACK!!!

Oh well... the things we do for love of MINI. If I had an aero kit I DEFINITELY would NEVER put it on. I'll just consider the $160 (should I ever get find) to be aesthetic maintenance. Like buying a whole lot of Zaino or something...

 

Although Ellen was the Motoring Advisor for the purchase of my car at New Country Motors, she was on vacation when I went in to pick up the car. In her place the sales manager completed the transaction and he asked me if I wanted the front plate or not. I said no and that was that. I haven't driven with a front plate on my Mini since I picked it up in August 02 and I have been through many traps, they are a staple in Newtown, CT.