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Re: Short Front Number Plate?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:08 pm
by StuBeeDoo
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:48 pm
by StuBeeDoo
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:53 am
by neil50
Both my plates are screwed on so have to check that a shorter plate wouldn't uncover the screw holes.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:57 am
by StuBeeDoo
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:15 pm
by neil50
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 12:34 pm
by sapphireblack
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:02 pm
by neil50
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

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:25 pm
by StuBeeDoo
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:

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 12:00 am
by neil50
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

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 12:22 pm
by StuBeeDoo
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.

26 04 spring 1 public.jpg
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26 04 spring 2 public.jpg
26 04 spring 2 public.jpg (220.03 KiB) Viewed 3522 times
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 2:20 pm
by sapphireblack
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:22 pm
by StuBeeDoo
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.

Re: Short Number Plates?

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 4:28 pm
by sapphireblack
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: