RotorManiac

...and the license plate gone with it! :D
On the other hand, I should be welcoming all the tickets too but who cares D
Now my 8 looks soooo much better! I started this thread in order to see how many people, by doing the same thing, don't care about the risk they are taking against the laws!
I know it's been posted before, I searched. What I couldn't find though was how to remove the damn thing! The europian holder is so tightly screwed, it simply won't come off. So I forced/convinced mazda to do it for meD!
If anyone (in europe, basically) can't figure out how to remove it, feel free to ask me, I witnessed the whole prossedure! Here is a pic of the holder, 3 big screws, I don't recommend trying to cut the plastic...

RotorManiac

And here is how the car now looks. Everyone has seen that before, but I couldn't help myself, I had to post that pic too...

Forgot to say the car was lifted, and the mechanic removed the plastic part that protects the engine bay from underneath, so he could reach the inner side of the bumper. Then the holder was gone easily.

Morgan

hmm...i hate the front plates...thankfully in FL we don't have to have them...it looks soooo much better even if i didn't see it before.

RotorManiac

check here. I have a pic of my 8 there with that awful piece of plastic in the front. so ugly...

Jono

im from vancouver and i have the same problem . could u tell me how to remove that fuking plastic? can i remove it by myself or have to go to the dealer?

AcuraEL

North American cars have easy to remove plastic licence plate holders.

Remove the licence plate, then you will see 2 screws underneath. Remove those, and you are home free.

I remove it to really clean the car, but unfortunately have to put it back on since I live in Ont.

Jono

actually the plastic is still there, the one i meant was the plastic INSIDE the front. can sum1 tell me how to remove it...

RotorManiac

can you post a pic of which plastic you mean, maybe I can help you, but there are differences between american and europian models. if you have the same plastic like I showed in the photo above it's cinda hard to remove it without the appropriate tools...
fact is, I couldn't reach the 3 screws when I stuck my whole arm in the air vent. but what is definately NOT required is to remove the front bumper (heard people talking about that...). hope that helps

Jono

RotorManiac, mine has the same prastic as urs.

Nick_RX_8

very good job RotorManiac

RotorManiac

I see. Well, like I said, you'd better lift the car, like I did, in order to reach it from beneath (that's the only way, I can't think of any other). If the dealer doesn't want to get involved, then try a local car mechanic, who might have a 'hydrolic lift'.
I hope you can understand what I'm saying, I'm not so keen with the terms you use in american

Once the car is up, you are half way there. Now you have to remove a lot of screws that are holding a big piece of plastic, protecting the radiator and the whole engine bay. This is a bit tricky, since this plastic is attached to many other points (even some cords are in the way), but as long as you are carefull, its ok.
My mechanic removed it completely, so he could reach the inner part of the bumper. Then the easy part, three last screws and the plate holder was gone. All about 20min and I was ready to go. Give it a try and let me know