No drill front plate? (non-tow hook)

It matters in a sense that you know it's been drilled. It's a personal preference.

I don't think anyone here who chose not to drill the bumper to have the plate installed in a conventional way is suggesting that doing so is wrong or improper.

If someone wants to use barbwire to wrap the plate around the bumper because that's what they prefer, more power to them and I am happy for them.

So the whole narrative of "but you can't see it" or "who cares as many other parts of the vehicles are blemished" and etc are irrelevant.

Actually there is one factor that I can think of that also matters in a more objective sense (if the vehicle is getting sold to a second owner), that is, future owner who either lives in a state that doesn't require front plate or lives in a state that requires front plate but prefers to use non drill plate method.

 

One is invisible when the plate is removed, the other isn’t? That way the next owner who may want to run without a plate need not be bothered by an unnecessary bracket drilled into the plastic bumper?

 

As I've said, totally reasonable. I personally don't worry about it because the front plate is always there, and there are no neighboring states that are different.

Thinking about it, though, if one uses rare earth magnets then the glue may not be necessary. And magnets have the benefit of not rusting like plate screws can. That's something I now have to deal with on my rear plate.

 

I should point out I let the dealer drill the bunker and put the standard bracket on as on some cars, including the Mini, I prefer the look of having the plate on and we don’t intend to sell the car in any timescale that a subsequent owner might care. And in Texas a front plate is required not that everyone runs one…