[bjblyth]

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!

 

[bjblyth]

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

 

[bjblyth]

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.

 

[bjblyth]

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!

 

[bjblyth]

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!!)

 

[bjblyth]

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

 

[bjblyth]

Yup these have the maker and postcode on the bottom

 

[bjblyth]

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