Sounds dumb but I don't want to drill holes. So, what came with it originally or what would work?

 

It's not dumb.
OEM solution is to drill holes.
Better solution is the 'no holes' bracket, which screws into the front tow hook. Available for ~$40 from various NAM vendors.

 

I have the "No Drill" front plate mount, and I absolutely love it. It's classy, and gives the R53 a unique look that's reminiscing of the Mark I. It's quite stable, and can be adjusted to fit your style (closer to the top or bottom of the bumper). It took me about 30 minutes to install (since I'm a stickler for position and wanted to make sure it was plumb).

Definitely check it out if you don't want to drill into the front bumper. Unfortunately, mine was pre-drilled by the dealer, so I bought color matched bumper plugs from BumperPlugs.com. After a bit of massaging the pre-drilled holes with my drill, they fit and look perfect.

Good Luck!

 

I love mine too. Here are a few pictures:




Works on R56's too.

Cheers

 

Are you sure you want to hang a plate on a perfectly clean bumper. Store it in the garage until you're cited. I don't have a front plate on any of my three sport cars. I was cited once when I was caught in an area where the highway patrol was trying to shut down a beautiful mountain road to motorcycles and sport cars. Hung the plate on with bailing wire, paid $10 for the sign off, took it off again. That's it in 17 years. Besides, Mini's look better without the plate!

 

Please let me know what venders have the kit. I have the Aero package and would like to relocate the plate to the passenger side for better colling and air conditioning.

 

gominigo.com has a good one.
Doc, OEM is a plastic mount that attaches to the center of the bumper. I've got a spare if you decide to go that route.

 

I have GoMINIGo licence plate holder, i'm also using the MINI Union Jack Licence plate frame on it too!

 

And so what do we do with the holes the dealer drilled? Not pretty. I have seen these bumper plug things that you can get in your paint color, but they require you to drill even larger holes for them to push through, yuk.

 

Ended up with the gominigo holes free plate holder. Works great

 

Your going to love the GoMINIGo licence plate holder!

 

I just ordered one and the third brake light puslar ,because you can't have enough extra stuff on your Mini

 

I meant licence plate holder.