I also agree that it may not cause a problem in the winter where you are located, in the summer it will definitely cause cooling problems with your MINI. The AC condenser sits in front of the radiator and you are restricting needed air flow too both. I’d rethink placing your plate in this area.

 

After two years w/o mine (required in Wisconsin) I got pulled over for it. From a state trooper hiding on private property w/o written permission I'm sure. Well pull over every Corvette w/o front plates. Anyways, I taped all the sharp edges and continued by taping on some constuction insulation (a foam product) to eliminate rattles. Can't really read the plates though due to the wipers.

IMHO with the weak MINI A/C I recommend against placing in the front grill.

 

I got pulled over by a local Sheriff here in Ohio for having my license plate in the windshield (on another car I own). He said it was illegal in Ohio to place the license plate in the windshield.

I'm still on the 30 day temporary tag on my MC, but I may look into one of the creative ways of mounting my front plate that others have suggested. The dealer already drilled the holes in my bumper for the front license plate holder, but since the car is black, I can use some black silicone to fill the holes and it shouldn't be very obvious.

-Keith