Which Licence Plate to choose ?
- Thread starter darkcooleo
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
I did know the 530i one to the nearest thousand, yea 
It's quite amazing how big a shift there has been to 'Sport' models with the newer models though - these days virtually all new BMW's are M Sport's, whereas at the beginning of the 2000's the reverse was true.
It's quite amazing how big a shift there has been to 'Sport' models with the newer models though - these days virtually all new BMW's are M Sport's, whereas at the beginning of the 2000's the reverse was true.
It's a point that would never have needed to have been made if Gaijin hadn't run off with the whole 'OMG MASS PRODUCED CAR' rubbish, but hey
To be fair though even I was suprised when I found out quite how few of them there really were. Did you know there are almost 15,000 E46 M3's?!
[TW]Fox;16588257 said:I did know the 530i one to the nearest thousand, yea
It's interesting I was surprised by the complete lack of SEs in the UK.
Over here the only M Sports you see are on British plates
And I'm yet to see a UK-registered E60 SE on the continent..
The UK car market is totally different, with a massive emphasis on 'sports' models and fast cars. Perhaps it's becase of the relatively low speed limits and the oppressive traffic policing regime, or perhaps it's down to programmes like Top Gear and the vast array of motoring magazines.
Motorsport is also a big thing in the UK, especially homologation, what with touring cars in the 90s, etc..
Hot hatches are so much more popular in the UK than in the rest of Europe. Things like fast Clios are rare, even in France!
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Dubmeister pressed metal
This plate is really cool, similar to German style but legal. I would like to add something at the bottom of the plate in comments but I guess this would make the plates illegal.
It would, yes.
The law regarding numberplates is utterly, utterly retarded. Thinking about it, even the one I showed you is actually illegal now - as they've now revised the law and banned web addresses and manufacturer logos (Though existing plates remain legal).
Effectively, to be legal, it must be the required font, the required spacing, on the right reflective material and it must carry both the BSAU mark *and* the name and postal code of the plate supplier. No other text is allowed.
I do think that our numberplate laws are ridiculous in almost every way - from the format they take to the way they must be displayed. But there you go
The Dubmeister ones (ie the one on that Clio) are a grey area I think, they are claimed to be legal and they do indeed carry the required BSAU markings and the suppliers name and postal code but a few people have had issues with the police over them. Whether this is a lack of education on behalf of the police or not nobody knows, as its never been to court.
I agreed. I made a post last year about how much better it would be if we adopted an Australian or American numberplate system. Better private plates, better license plates themselves, an end to the ridiculous rush to have the latest plate, and proper metal plates. Plastic plates are crap - but they are all we are allowed
The lack of a registration year on the plates would lead to a drop in new car sales, guaranteed.
It's almost impossible to overhaul now though. They should have done it instead of changing to the 51 system. You're screwed forever now!
A lot of countries have stickers on the plates to show you've paid your tax (Germany, for example).
In Norway they're sent out in the post and the police will take your plates there and then if you haven't got one for the current year.
The Belgian system is a bit stupid as you only get issued the rear number plate, and you have to make your own, which can cost up to £20 for a full-size front one.
The positive side is that the plate stays with the owner rather than the car, so you only have to do it once.
It's almost impossible to overhaul now though. They should have done it instead of changing to the 51 system. You're screwed forever now!
This is how it's done in most European countries as far as I know. Plates are supplied by the government after you've registered the car and paid the relevant registration fees and taxes.
A lot of countries have stickers on the plates to show you've paid your tax (Germany, for example).
In Norway they're sent out in the post and the police will take your plates there and then if you haven't got one for the current year.
The Belgian system is a bit stupid as you only get issued the rear number plate, and you have to make your own, which can cost up to £20 for a full-size front one.
The positive side is that the plate stays with the owner rather than the car, so you only have to do it once.
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[TW]Fox;16588295 said:It would, yes.
The law regarding numberplates is utterly, utterly retarded. Thinking about it, even the one I showed you is actually illegal now - as they've now revised the law and banned web addresses and manufacturer logos (Though existing plates remain legal).
Effectively, to be legal, it must be the required font, the required spacing, on the right reflective material and it must carry both the BSAU mark *and* the name and postal code of the plate supplier. No other text is allowed.
I do think that our numberplate laws are ridiculous in almost every way - from the format they take to the way they must be displayed. But there you go
The Dubmeister ones (ie the one on that Clio) are a grey area I think, they are claimed to be legal and they do indeed carry the required BSAU markings and the suppliers name and postal code but a few people have had issues with the police over them. Whether this is a lack of education on behalf of the police or not nobody knows, as its never been to court.
thought it would, would have liked my name as I'm just going to get initials on plate. So what car and plate do you have?
Soldato
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That clio and its plate = awesome.
There's a Megane around here with R26 REN. It's about as good as CL10 CUP!
I should add that Halfords plates don't have any black writing at the bottom of the plate, they have the BS mark, Halfords name and post code as a non shiny part of the backing. They do cost a fortune though!
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Previously I had a Ford Mondeo and I had a set of plates from Fancyplates on that. As it was a pre 2001 car, the rules were nothing like as strict so I had the GB symbol, legal font, but 'Mondeo Ghia X' along the bottom. In hindsight a bit chavvy but I was 19, so meh
On my current car, a BMW 530i Sport, I have gone for main dealer plates as I think its the nicest look you can get whilst staying within the law. I personally think this sort of thing would suit your Audi really well - and you'd be suprised how cheap they are. Not sure whether Audi print the dealer name on the plates though, the Audi dealers round here tend to use a black surround instead.
How old is your S3? Technically you could get away without the text on the bottom and having whatever you liked there if it was a T, V, W or X plate car (Possibly Y as well, think the legislation is September 01 onwards so 51 plate or newer). Although the law applies to all plates produced since 2001, obviously on a car produced BEFORE 2001 its very hard to tell when the plate itself was produced so effectively if your car is older than the rule, you need not worry about the text on the bottom.
If that applies to you - fancyplates.com.
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[TW]Fox;16588426 said:Previously I had a Ford Mondeo and I had a set of plates from Fancyplates on that. As it was a pre 2001 car, the rules were nothing like as strict so I had the GB symbol, legal font, but 'Mondeo Ghia X' along the bottom. In hindsight a bit chavvy but I was 19, so meh
On my current car, a BMW 530i Sport, I have gone for main dealer plates as I think its the nicest look you can get whilst staying within the law. I personally think this sort of thing would suit your Audi really well - and you'd be suprised how cheap they are. Not sure whether Audi print the dealer name on the plates though, the Audi dealers round here tend to use a black surround instead.
How old is your S3? Technically you could get away without the text on the bottom and having whatever you liked there if it was a T, V, W or X plate car (Possibly Y as well, think the legislation is September 01 onwards so 51 plate or newer). Although the law applies to all plates produced since 2001, obviously on a car produced BEFORE 2001 its very hard to tell when the plate itself was produced so effectively if your car is older than the rule, you need not worry about the text on the bottom.
If that applies to you - fancyplates.com.
Think I'm going the way of the Clio and going get some Dub plates, just need to order my private plate now ( after I come to a final position )