MINI2

DHaiman · Apr 8th, 2002, 01:13 PM

FYI. Its a piece of cake to remove the front bracket if you want. Remove the two screws securing it then gradually rock the bracket back and forth while applying constant pressure. Mine was secured by two double sided tape strips once you removed the screws. The adhesive came off with a little Goo Gone. Looks much better.

RickB · Apr 8th, 2002, 01:21 PM

How did you fill the bolt holes?

sdmidget · Apr 8th, 2002, 01:22 PM

So - after you do that, you're left with a British-size plate area - with a couple screw holes?

(live in a rear plate only state - want to put a replica British plate on the front)

DHaiman · Apr 8th, 2002, 01:39 PM

Haven't filled the holes. I'll probably get a fake Euro tag.

Colorado "S" · Apr 8th, 2002, 01:42 PM

Is the front license plate bracket a dealer installed piece (in which case we could ask for it NOT to be installed in the first place), or is it a factory item on all U.S. bound cars?

DHaiman · Apr 8th, 2002, 02:12 PM

Not sure, but I suspect it is factory installed.

BruceK · Apr 8th, 2002, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Colorado "S"
Is the front license plate bracket a dealer installed piece (in which case we could ask for it NOT to be installed in the first place), or is it a factory item on all U.S. bound cars?

From these pictures it looks like it's factory installed for the Cooper, but dealer installed for the Cooper S?!

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...&threadid=4349

smiffy · Apr 8th, 2002, 03:03 PM

Looks much better with a 'proper' plate

RickB · Apr 8th, 2002, 04:33 PM

Is there a place in the U.S. that makes fake European plates? Do you s'pose the cops would leave me alone if I had one with my true license number on it?

BruceK · Apr 8th, 2002, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickB
Is there a place in the U.S. that makes fake European plates? Do you s'pose the cops would leave me alone if I had one with my true license number on it?

Your real registration number on a fake plate? Sounds like tempting fate and close to a radical interpretation of counterfeiting?

Anyway, as for who makes UK-style plates in the US, try:

http://www.triple-c.com/

Note, that to the trained eye, an improper sequence of letters and numbers really looks "fake", as does putting a rear plate on the front of a car (yellow vs. white). Last fall, just after MINIs were released to the public, UK changed the registration numbering scheme. Using a "made up" registraion number in the new numbering scheme can help (pretend

) identify the model year your MINI "is" and the area in the UK where it is "from". For example, you could code your number plate to say that your MINI is a 2002 model from Oxfordshire (where the MINI factory is).

Unfortunately, I've got information on the new numbering pattern at home, so I can't post it now. In the meantime, some helpful UK member will likely post here and show you how to do this. If not, (and you are interested), I'll return to this thread when I get home from work.

DHaiman · Apr 8th, 2002, 04:54 PM

Check out www.eurosportdaytona.com . I just called. The tag costs $24.95 and the bracket is $12.95. You can custom order the lettering.

Kinster · Apr 8th, 2002, 05:00 PM

looks cheap and cr*p without a number plate.

MadAboutMINI · Apr 9th, 2002, 02:56 PM

Bruce, any more on decoding UK plates? I found a reference to a new scheme for 2002 that has 2 characters for the area, 2 digits for the year and 3 random characters at the end. How is the year being encoded?

Also, I've seen references to Oxfordshire as both BW and UD. Are they equivalent?

Can any of our British members help out here?

Thanks!

BruceK · Apr 9th, 2002, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MadAboutMINI
Bruce, any more on decoding UK plates? I found a reference to a new scheme for 2002 that has 2 characters for the area, 2 digits for the year and 3 random characters at the end. How is the year being encoded?

Also, I've seen references to Oxfordshire as both BW and UD. Are they equivalent?

Can any of our British members help out here?

Thanks!

MadAboutMINI, here's a link to a BBC story explaining the new UK coding scheme (including how the vehicle year is identfied) which was put into place about 7 months ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/...00/1502588.stm

So, for example, a MINI with a reg number of: OG02 MIN would identify it as a new car from Oxford registered in the last month or so.

(Somewhere I have the URL of a site with more detailed explanation, but can't find it right now)

Note: Although the article doesn't meantion it, the letter "Z" looks too much like the number "2" so it is not used.

I think BW and UD indentify Oxford under one of the old number plate coding schemes.

lugnutz · Apr 9th, 2002, 11:01 PM

The bracket is a simple removal. I added the new plate with adhesive velcro, preserving the plate & car. In FL you can add a custom plate if you wish.

MadAboutMINI · Apr 9th, 2002, 11:38 PM

Bruce, thanks! The link to the BBC article and it's link to the DVLA were EXACTLY what I was looking for!

Cheers

BrantV · Apr 10th, 2002, 12:40 AM

Since it varies from state to state, it would be nice if there were one web page somewhere where they listed the regulations for each state regarding front plate requirements.

Casey · Apr 10th, 2002, 12:44 AM

Just go to your own state's dmv site....everyone one of those for each state should have the information.

BrantV · Apr 10th, 2002, 02:35 AM

Well I wish it was that easy. I've searched the site several times. Unfortunately, while the information is probably there, it isn't readily available.

http://www.oregondmv.com/

Van Cooper · Apr 10th, 2002, 04:54 AM

I'm going to specify to my dealer to deliver the car without front plates...me or my father haven't had any trouble with his car since we took off the front plates...

Apr 8th, 2002, 01:13 PM	#1
DHaiman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NW Florida Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 17 Offline	US Front License Plate Bracket FYI. Its a piece of cake to remove the front bracket if you want. Remove the two screws securing it then gradually rock the bracket back and forth while applying constant pressure. Mine was secured by two double sided tape strips once you removed the screws. The adhesive came off with a little Goo Gone. Looks much better. Attached Thumbnails

Apr 8th, 2002, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
sdmidget MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA (USA) Local Time: 08:08 PM Posts: 929 Offline	So - after you do that, you're left with a British-size plate area - with a couple screw holes? (live in a rear plate only state - want to put a replica British plate on the front) 2002 BRG/W [BRidGet] traded in on 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper [?name?] 2005 #1 wrecked by SUV on 6/03/05 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper (2005 #2) [?name?] picked up on 6/24/05

Apr 8th, 2002, 01:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
DHaiman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NW Florida Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 17 Offline	US License Bracket Haven't filled the holes. I'll probably get a fake Euro tag.

Apr 8th, 2002, 01:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Colorado "S" MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver Local Time: 06:08 PM Posts: 416 Offline	Dealer Installed or Factory Installed? Is the front license plate bracket a dealer installed piece (in which case we could ask for it NOT to be installed in the first place), or is it a factory item on all U.S. bound cars? Dave @ MCO MINI5280

Apr 8th, 2002, 02:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
DHaiman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NW Florida Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 17 Offline	front bracket Not sure, but I suspect it is factory installed.

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Apr 8th, 2002, 01:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
RickB MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 775 Offline	How did you fill the bolt holes?

Apr 8th, 2002, 02:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 07:08 PM Posts: 3,758 Offline	Re: Dealer Installed or Factory Installed? Quote: Originally posted by Colorado "S" Is the front license plate bracket a dealer installed piece (in which case we could ask for it NOT to be installed in the first place), or is it a factory item on all U.S. bound cars? From these pictures it looks like it's factory installed for the Cooper, but dealer installed for the Cooper S?! http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...&threadid=4349 + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

Apr 8th, 2002, 03:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 5,718 Offline	Looks much better with a 'proper' plate S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Apr 8th, 2002, 04:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
RickB MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 775 Offline	Is there a place in the U.S. that makes fake European plates? Do you s'pose the cops would leave me alone if I had one with my true license number on it?

Apr 8th, 2002, 04:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 07:08 PM Posts: 3,758 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by RickB Is there a place in the U.S. that makes fake European plates? Do you s'pose the cops would leave me alone if I had one with my true license number on it? Your real registration number on a fake plate? Sounds like tempting fate and close to a radical interpretation of counterfeiting? Anyway, as for who makes UK-style plates in the US, try: http://www.triple-c.com/ Note, that to the trained eye, an improper sequence of letters and numbers really looks "fake", as does putting a rear plate on the front of a car (yellow vs. white). Last fall, just after MINIs were released to the public, UK changed the registration numbering scheme. Using a "made up" registraion number in the new numbering scheme can help (pretend ) identify the model year your MINI "is" and the area in the UK where it is "from". For example, you could code your number plate to say that your MINI is a 2002 model from Oxfordshire (where the MINI factory is). Unfortunately, I've got information on the new numbering pattern at home, so I can't post it now. In the meantime, some helpful UK member will likely post here and show you how to do this. If not, (and you are interested), I'll return to this thread when I get home from work. + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

Apr 8th, 2002, 04:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
DHaiman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NW Florida Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 17 Offline	Front Bracket Check out www.eurosportdaytona.com . I just called. The tag costs $24.95 and the bracket is $12.95. You can custom order the lettering.

Apr 8th, 2002, 05:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kinster BarWeetGarNarWeetNinnyBon Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Location: Location Local Time: 02:08 AM Posts: 2,633 Offline	looks cheap and cr*p without a number plate. Hyper Blue/Blue MCSC with Chilli 'No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself' A. Carnegie

Apr 9th, 2002, 02:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
MadAboutMINI MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Local Time: 08:08 PM Posts: 97 Offline	Bruce, any more on decoding UK plates? I found a reference to a new scheme for 2002 that has 2 characters for the area, 2 digits for the year and 3 random characters at the end. How is the year being encoded? Also, I've seen references to Oxfordshire as both BW and UD. Are they equivalent? Can any of our British members help out here? Thanks! Dave ------- 1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R 1999 VW Passat Wagon 2002 MINI Cooper S (I hope!)

Apr 9th, 2002, 07:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 07:08 PM Posts: 3,758 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by MadAboutMINI Bruce, any more on decoding UK plates? I found a reference to a new scheme for 2002 that has 2 characters for the area, 2 digits for the year and 3 random characters at the end. How is the year being encoded? Also, I've seen references to Oxfordshire as both BW and UD. Are they equivalent? Can any of our British members help out here? Thanks! MadAboutMINI, here's a link to a BBC story explaining the new UK coding scheme (including how the vehicle year is identfied) which was put into place about 7 months ago. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/...00/1502588.stm So, for example, a MINI with a reg number of: OG02 MIN would identify it as a new car from Oxford registered in the last month or so. (Somewhere I have the URL of a site with more detailed explanation, but can't find it right now) Note: Although the article doesn't meantion it, the letter "Z" looks too much like the number "2" so it is not used. I think BW and UD indentify Oxford under one of the old number plate coding schemes. + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed Last edited by BruceK : Apr 9th, 2002 at 08:08 PM.

Apr 9th, 2002, 11:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
lugnutz MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: us Local Time: 01:08 AM Posts: 105 Offline	The bracket is a simple removal. I added the new plate with adhesive velcro, preserving the plate & car. In FL you can add a custom plate if you wish.

Apr 9th, 2002, 11:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
MadAboutMINI MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Local Time: 08:08 PM Posts: 97 Offline	Bruce, thanks! The link to the BBC article and it's link to the DVLA were EXACTLY what I was looking for! Cheers Dave ------- 1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R 1999 VW Passat Wagon 2002 MINI Cooper S (I hope!)

Apr 10th, 2002, 12:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
BrantV MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Local Time: 05:08 PM Posts: 560 Offline	Since it varies from state to state, it would be nice if there were one web page somewhere where they listed the regulations for each state regarding front plate requirements.

Apr 10th, 2002, 12:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
Casey MINI2 co-founder Join Date: Jan 2001 Local Time: 08:08 PM Posts: 655 Offline	Just go to your own state's dmv site....everyone one of those for each state should have the information.

Apr 10th, 2002, 02:35 AM	#19 (permalink)
BrantV MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Local Time: 05:08 PM Posts: 560 Offline	Well I wish it was that easy. I've searched the site several times. Unfortunately, while the information is probably there, it isn't readily available. http://www.oregondmv.com/

Apr 10th, 2002, 04:54 AM	#20 (permalink)
Van Cooper MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Local Time: 05:08 PM Posts: 47 Offline	I'm going to specify to my dealer to deliver the car without front plates...me or my father haven't had any trouble with his car since we took off the front plates... Guillaume 2002 Mini Cooper Launch edition #250/500 - Red/white roof - SOLD 2003 Mini Cooper S red/white - Mine 2004 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG -black/black - father's

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