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Short Number Plates?

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StuBeeDoo
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Re: Short Front Number Plate?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:08 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote: Wed Mar 18, 2020 7:51 amI've never, yet, run a short rear 'plate - but I have been wondering about it. I need check the one with the original reg. that the trader who sold me the car fitted, to see where he would have drilled the tailgate. IIRC if the original BMW drillings are the only ones, I could cut mine down.

EDIT:- I've just checked....... He stuck the rear one. :roll: ..........Yet the front one was fitted with a screw in each corner.
I had a spare rear 'plate, which I tried to cut. ......I failed. :( I don't want to attempt to cut the one that's on the car in case I bugger that too. :roll: So I've ordered a ready-made 405mm rear 'plate. Allowing for Easter, it should be here the at end of next week.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:48 pm

I got away with it - just. No spurious drillings and the paint beneath the standard-length rear 'plate was in fairly good condition. Only one minor scratch in the lacquer. I gave it a couple of goes with T-Cut scratch remover, followed by T-Cut for metallic paint.

I'll take a couple of comparison pics next time I wash the car and post them here.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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neil50
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by neil50 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:53 am

Both my plates are screwed on so have to check that a shorter plate wouldn't uncover the screw holes.
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Previous BMW
E32 - 735se, 735il
E39 - 530d touring
E61 - 525i touring, 525d touring (remapped)

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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:57 am

neil50 wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:53 amBoth my plates are screwed on so have to check that a shorter plate wouldn't uncover the screw holes.
The rear won't be a problem, as long as anyone who has screwed plates on has used the factory-drilled alignment. The front is a different matter.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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neil50
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by neil50 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:15 pm

going to look online for the shorter plates, just wary about giving over personal and vehicle details on the internet that you usually have to show when getting plates made.
Current
2011 E70 40d 7 seat - remapped
Merc CLK convertible
Audi A2
Smart Car
Previous BMW
E32 - 735se, 735il
E39 - 530d touring
E61 - 525i touring, 525d touring (remapped)

sapphireblack
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by sapphireblack » Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:34 pm

Google for a plates maker in Jersey. They make them to the correct spec with post code etc and don't need personal details.

I had some made last year but can't find their details.

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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by neil50 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:02 pm

sapphireblack wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:34 pm Google for a plates maker in Jersey. They make them to the correct spec with post code etc and don't need personal details.

I had some made last year but can't find their details.
I will have a look, thanks
Current
2011 E70 40d 7 seat - remapped
Merc CLK convertible
Audi A2
Smart Car
Previous BMW
E32 - 735se, 735il
E39 - 530d touring
E61 - 525i touring, 525d touring (remapped)

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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:25 pm

I had some done a few years ago by the Jersey seller. A couple of years ago I couldn't find their website, so I've since been getting mine done by these people. Because they're offshore, they don't need your details, but the plates still conform to UK legislation. Up to now, I can't fault the product or the service. .........And they do every shape and size you could ever want. Working-out the length of plate you need isn't difficult. :thumbsup:
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by neil50 » Sat Apr 25, 2020 12:00 am

StuBeeDoo wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:25 pm I had some done a few years ago by the Jersey seller. A couple of years ago I couldn't find their website, so I've since been getting mine done by these people. Because they're offshore, they don't need your details, but the plates still conform to UK legislation. Up to now, I can't fault the product or the service. .........And they do every shape and size you could ever want. Working-out the length of plate you need isn't difficult. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the info, purchased the plate and it is now on the car. Just got to cleanly fill in the 2 screw holes in the front bumper that were holding the original plate in. They were drilled at the top outer edges GRRRRRRR
Current
2011 E70 40d 7 seat - remapped
Merc CLK convertible
Audi A2
Smart Car
Previous BMW
E32 - 735se, 735il
E39 - 530d touring
E61 - 525i touring, 525d touring (remapped)

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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:22 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:48 pmI'll take a couple of comparison pics next time I wash the car and post them here.

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I've decided I really don't like "excess reflective". :( I've even found myself thinking "why haven't you got short plates?" when I see other people's cars.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by sapphireblack » Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:20 pm

Respect for individualism :thumbsup:

But this proved to be quite a saga, imo, for a result not worthy of effort or expense. :(

By adding a border and the GB plaque, whilst there are voids they are voids i can live with. Exposed or plugged screw holes in the front bumper cover would irritate me measurably more than the plate detail.
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StuBeeDoo
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:22 pm

sapphireblack wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:20 pmBut this proved to be quite a saga, imo, for a result not worthy of effort or expense. :(
You're right. It was driven by my OCD.
I have now thought of a potential alternative for the front that would have been cheaper, but that one can wait until I change the car.
October 2012 build X3 30d SE, Bluewater.  Now with Webasto sunroof and paddle-shift   8)
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Re: Short Number Plates?

Post by sapphireblack » Sun Apr 26, 2020 4:28 pm

I know all about OCD :wink:

£150 to paint the silver fog light trims gloss black, and subsequently another £50 to paint the front number plate trim gloss black even when barely 1 cm of it is visible :o :roll:

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