Has anyone found a good mounting bracket that will hold a "European" style plate to the front of the R56? I have an 07 MCS and I ordered a custom plate with a "universal" bracket... However, the bracket holes do NOT line up with the dimples in my front bumper and I am VERY hesitant to drill/screw into any other location on my bumper.

If possible, please let me know where you ordered it and what part number you ordered...

Many thanks in advance...

Mark

 

I used small, black zip ties to attach mine (R52). But you should be able to do the same, using holes in the grill to attach.

 

I ordered this one at Mini Mania.com

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

It is attached by taking out the little 2 inch square removable piece in the front bumper, left of center, and screwing it onto the tow hook/hitch. Pricey but it works.

 

Mini Bee - Thanks, I had thought of that but I'm worried about cutting off the airflow to the radiator or the intercooler... Have you had any problems with your temps?

NJP - Thanks for the input, but I think a European-style plate should be centered and not offset... would look a little strange to me...

Mark

 

No problems at all and I live in Florida. I have a Cooper, so I attached mine to the lower chrome grill in the top of the bumber. The black grill in front od the radiator is still clear.

 

Mini Bee,

I have an MCS so there is an intercooler (I think) behind the lower portion of the grill... I'm still gonna try and find a plate adaptor that lines up with the dimples in my bumber... I don't mind putting the holes there, 'cause once the plate is on, it'll stay on...

Mark

 

There is an intercooler on the MCS and it's been discussed before - basically mounting a euro-plate there is not recommended. Without a diverter, airflow to the OEM IC is already limited enough as it is. You definitely wouldn't want to block it further, especially with spring/summer coming up and the MCS' tendency to heat-soak.

The bracket for mine fit into the two dimples on my front bumper, however I ended up drilling an additional two holes along the sides. Because of the curvature of the MINI's bumper, the plate had sort of a cheesy look IMO without the tight fit which having 4 holes provides for.





BTW, the zip ties you see (if you even recognize them) aren't for mounting. I put them on after one of the tabs that secure the plate broke. No idea how - I'm guessing someone 'tap testing' me while parking. Thankfully there was no damage other than the slightly broken bracket. That's also the reason why the bracket may seem slightly lopsided in the pic.

 

Here is another place to get one.
http://www.grtpl8s.com/htm/mini.html

 

Just a heads up, the 'Centered' look was started in the US, not the EU. When I lived in Europe, some cars had plates set onto the left side of the bumper.

FYI, GoMiniGo was the real originator (often imitated, never duplicated) of the "No Holes" plates, and has a Euro Plate 'No Holes' license plate bracket.

 

My bracket holes did not line up either(about 1/4' off) so slotted them out in the bracket and used a large thin fender washer under the screw to mount the assembly. I also used a thin piece of teflon rubber under it to protect the bumper.

 

I used industrial velcro from home depot. I already had to take it off once becasue i went to take the plate off when it was freezing, so I know it will come off my paint with some goo gone and not mess it up. Front plate no holes and centered. been on from 3 months now no problems with weather at all.

 

Vampyre - What an excellent idea! Don't know why I didn't think of that... probably 'cause I'm old, senile, and set in my ways (ask the wife). In my mind, plates are supposed to be screwed on... I'll definitely look into the velcro idea... Thanks again...

Mark

 

What's behind the dimples that you drill/screw into?
Do you use a self-tapping screw or nut/bolt?