When I picked up my MCS in August '02 I asked the dealer not to mount the front plate, but just to give me the mounting bracket. I ran for about 2 years without a front plate but after a few close calls I decided to go legal. On the MCS's front bumper there are two dimples that allign with holes in the mounting bracket. I carefully drilled two pilot holes and then mounted the bracket using the screws that I had been given at the time of delivery, The plate then mounts onto the bracket.

Check the bumper for those dimples and use them as a guide. Easy job,.

Good luck.

 

What's behind those dimples? Is it just sheet metal and your mounting screws are sheet metal screws? I'm thinking about installing my front plate bracket, but I didn't get any screws with that.

Thanks!

When I picked up my MCS in August '02 I asked the dealer not to mount the front plate, but just to give me the mounting bracket. I ran for about 2 years without a front plate but after a few close calls I decided to go legal. On the MCS's front bumper there are two dimples that allign with holes in the mounting bracket. I carefully drilled two pilot holes and then mounted the bracket using the screws that I had been given at the time of delivery, The plate then mounts onto the bracket.

Check the bumper for those dimples and use them as a guide. Easy job,.

Good luck.

 

What's behind those dimples? Is it just sheet metal and your mounting screws are sheet metal screws? I'm thinking about installing my front plate bracket, but I didn't get any screws with that.

Thanks!

I don't believe that there are specific metal mounting points behind the dimples. I may be incorrect, but I think they are just indications to insure the bracket is centered when mounted. The screws would then bite into whatever materials are used for the bumper.

I don't think the screws provided with the bracket are sheet metal screws, although they were fairly aggressive and hold the bracket / plate quite securely. You might give your dealer a call and ask what they recommend.

 

Had my...

dealer do it and he just mated the profile of the bracket with the profile of the bumper and once centered on the bumper transfered the holes(use an awl or marker), drilled them to the proper size(the diameter of the mounting bolts) and bolted it on. :red:

 

^^^

That's the way to do it. For future reference, the dimples in the front bumper cover only exist on the Cooper S and not the Cooper. So when we install a Cooper front license plate bracket, we have to eyeball it to make sure it is centered before we punch the holes.

Other than that, it's a very straightforward process. The mounting screws simply thread into the plastic bumper cover, there is nothing behind that they additionally thread into.

 

Nah. I wouldn't eyeball it...

^^^

That's the way to do it. For future reference, the dimples in the front bumper cover only exist on the Cooper S and not the Cooper. So when we install a Cooper front license plate bracket, we have to eyeball it to make sure it is centered before we punch the holes.

Other than that, it's a very straightforward process. The mounting screws simply thread into the plastic bumper cover, there is nothing behind that they additionally thread into.

It's what they make tape measures for.