F56 Number Plate Fitting

14313 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by bjblyth, Feb 17, 2016

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · Dec 3, 2015

Hi all,

Done a search but couldn't find any info...

I'm going to be ordering some alloy pressed plates now I've arranged my private reg - but as they're not 100% acceptable ( >

) I'm going to let Mini put some regular ones on for me initially.

So what's the best way of fixing new plates to my Mini?

Here's a link to the style I'll be buying...

http://www.platemyride.com/plate-simulators/euro-plates/

Guidance much appreciated - I've only just ordered my reg so never changed plates before!

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

harveycook97

· #2 · Dec 3, 2015

I have pressed plates on mine and . I used a fitting called dual lock which is like a plastic Velcro but very strong. When I collected the car I said I didn't want the front plate fixed so I could put it on myself with them drilling holes everywhere.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 10, 2016

Anyone else got any info on this? I don't like my German style pressed plates so instead have ordered some UK road legal ones.

I don't want the metal against the paint, I don't want to screw them on, and I don't really want a clunky bracket!

Any advice appreciated

mikeswagon

· #4 · Feb 10, 2016

Where did you get your plates from? I used dubmeister for the plates on my golf, quality was spot on, and you've made me think to get some for the mini.....

As for fixing, just use some of the sticky pads designed for the job, and use plenty - I think my front plate is fixed with 2 so I'd use 4

. Tip for you, put some tape around the outside of the existing plates before you take them off, helps to get the new ones on straight.

The other option is to put on plate surrounds like I had on the golf, the plates on it were both screwed on so these were a doddle then when the plate is inserted it hides the fixings.

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Angib

· #5 · Feb 10, 2016

Yes, if you buy 'mounting tape' from a decent DIY shop, three or four 100mm vertical strips will hold up the weight of several number plates and using several strips makes the plate follow any body curve.

kenl

· #6 · Feb 10, 2016

Please don't use a dodgy font, illegal spacing or screw heads to make your plate try to spell something it is not.

Dodgy plates look really cheap and nasty and you are asking for heat from officers and rightly so!

OK, my secret is out - I am not a fan of illegal plates ;-)

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 10, 2016

Who said anything about dodgy fonts, illegal spacing or screw heads?

I have ordered perfectly legal pressed metal plates instead of standard plastic ones.

I've decided to try fitting with heavy duty velcro as it had such good write ups and is thin enough to keep the plate flush.

As there's little on the forum I will post up a 'how to' on how I go about fitting them when I'm done.

johnan

· #8 · Feb 11, 2016

As said by others, sticky pads is the easiest way as you can't always get access to the rear of the bodywork if you would like to fit plastic screws and nuts, and self tappers on their own would not really be reliable to resist vibration etc without spire nuts to screw into.
My personal plates have been held by Halfrauds sticky pads for a couple of years now without problems.

Reactions: 1

finnster

· #9 · Feb 11, 2016

Are pressed plates legal?
There is so much conflicting stuff on the internet, it seems to boil down to the fact that the plate must be MADE OF retroreflecting material and steel is not a retroreflecting material.
Apparently the manufacturers don't care as it would be you that gets the fine not them, they seem to caveat that the plates are for show only!
My worry is that its a German plate on a British car made by a German company - so confusing!

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 11, 2016

finnster said:
Are pressed plates legal?
There is so much conflicting stuff on the internet, it seems to boil down to the fact that the plate must be MADE OF retroreflecting material and steel is not a retroreflecting material.
Apparently the manufacturers don't care as it would be you that gets the fine not them, they seem to caveat that the plates are for show only!
My worry is that its a German plate on a British car made by a German company - so confusing!

I've now ordered BRITISH pressed plates which are road legal. If a company is selling illegal plates they can have their machinery taken away and a £2,500 fine.

Pressed plates in UK legal fonts are perfectly legal. If ordering online though, you need to provide V5 and driving licence to maintain the legality.

I did have some German ones which I was going to run, but decided against it. Unfortunately not the kind of thing I can return!

Reactions: 1

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 16, 2016

Love these new pressed plates now they're on! Give it a slightly more premium look being metal.

So the removal procedure was:

Front - remove screw cap covers with small pair of grippers and remove the two screws. Then just give it a tug away from the car where the sticky pads also held the original plate in place. Next use a hairdryer to melt the glue on the pads and they came off a treat. I used WD40 to remove any residue and treated with a pre wax cleanser to prepare for fitting of the new plates.

Rear - as above but there were no screws!

I bought heavy duty Velcro to fit my new plates and as they are pressed and have indents on the rear, applied a 3cm wide piece of Velcro top to bottom on both ends of the plate where it remained flat. I stuck the other piece of Velcro directly to it to ensure perfect alignment and then pressed on to the car for about 30-60 seconds to ensure it bonded to the bumper.

Result - flush metal plates that are not scratching the paint work, and although removable they would take some getting off - and no more subject to theft as who would know?!

(Apart from you lot!!)

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mikeswagon

· #12 · Feb 16, 2016

I like that, they suit the car IMHO, and good job with the fitting

For the dealer fitted look you could always make them a little bit squint.....

mjc

· #13 · Feb 16, 2016

As we're on the subject of plates, does anyone know of shaped plates for the rear of the F56 (similar to some Aston/Jaguar/Range Rover/Rover models). To my eye, the traditional rectangular plates look a bit awkward placed in the shaped rear recess.

Sunbar

· #14 · Feb 16, 2016

Shaped rear plates for UK cars.

A quick search came up with these shaped rear plates - MINI Cooper 545mm x 173mm

(measurements appear to be OK but I have not ordered any to check).

http://www.platesforcars.co.uk/shaped_rear_custom_number_plates.html

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bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 16, 2016

Hmm not sure I would want to fill the recess personally but it's a good idea for a product!

KYDan

· #16 · Feb 16, 2016

Here in the US the individual states set the rules for license plates. Some require front mount ones and others don't here is what is on our mini. The first image is the actual license plate. The second is what we chose for the front.

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Angib

· #17 · Feb 16, 2016

The idea that steel is not retro-reflecting so cannot be used for number plates is an internet myth as there are no number plates made from retro-reflecting material - ordinary ones are non-reflecting plastic (acrylic, I'm guessing) which has a retro-reflective coating (the white or yellow layer) on the back. Sticking a retro-reflective coating on the front, as most Yurpeen pressed plates have, has the same effect.

But to be legal in Britain, number plates must have the makers name and postcode in little writing at the bottom which allows the maker to be traced. No little writing (or 'for show use only') allows the Old Bill to do you if they have you stopped for another reason - they aren't likely to see even if tailgating.

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 16, 2016

Yup these have the maker and postcode on the bottom

bjblyth

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 17, 2016

A close up... Really do love the look these give the car

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