New dealer stamped number plates

[mrscalex]

I've been looking to get the number plates on my brother's 1.9 changed for some time. The front is horrible and the rear is a replacement. Being a pedant for originality I've been looking for someone who can replicate the original dealer logos on there.

This is not easy as regulations mean those who produce number plates are meant to put their own details on the plate and you don't really want that. So you have to find someone who does 'show plates', ie plates you'd only put on the car if you were at a car show and off road.

Not only did I find someone in the end but he specialises in repro BMW decals etc and does the design work too. He is Pukar Designs and I was susprised not to see him mentioned on the forum. Cost is £45 for the pair including postage. £50 would be the going rate for most graphic designer's time to do a logo like that.

So here's the plates he did for us with his details too. I also had a repro warning sticker for the slam panel as I'll be respraying mine soon and don't like masking stuff like that up. That was £6 and they're about £12 from the dealer. That was more ouchy but then £12 would have been even more ouchy.

 

[PHILIP BAXTER]

I like those. Mine need replacing and funnily enough, they are also Dick Lovett. I will look into this,
Thanks @mrscalex

 

[5harp3y]

£50 for numberplates!!!?

 

[mrscalex]

£50 for numberplates!!!?

The cost is for the design of the logo as well as the cost of producing the number plate and also includes postage. A pair of plates is £32 in Halfords. That means a bespoke graphic design for the dealer's details is £13. Cheap money for a graphic designer's time.

 

[5harp3y]

The cost is for the design of the logo as well as the cost of producing the number plate and also includes postage. A pair of plates is £32 in Halfords. That means a bespoke graphic design for the dealer's details is £13. Cheap money for a graphic designer's time.

£32 is too much for plates at halfords too, my pressed plates were only £20 delivered

 

[mrscalex]

And yes, I know you can buy a pair of plates for £12 on ebay. Have a guess what quality they are. And have a guess how I know

 

[mrscalex]

£32 is too much for plates at halfords too, my pressed plates were only £20 delivered

Which is great if you want pressed plates. But plates like the ones I bought are for those who want the original look of the car complete with dealer's details. I know I'm not the only one out there

 

[5harp3y]

Which is great if you want pressed plates. But plates like the ones I bought are for those who want the original look of the car complete with dealer's details. I know I'm not the only one out there

oh no i get it and i like it, it just seems like an awful lot of money

 

[mrscalex]

oh no i get it and i like it, it just seems like an awful lot of money

I probably wouldn't do it normally but these are for my brother's car he's had from new. It's one of the last things I have to sort on the car. So much nicer than the rust stained ones on there currently...

 

[Nodzed]

I probably wouldn't do it normally but these are for my brother's car he's had from new. It's one of the last things I have to sort on the car. So much nicer than the rust stained ones on there currently...

When you change them I wouldn't drill the holes and use screws, use number plate tape looks much cleaner and you wont get the rust stains or delamination from water egress from the drill holes.

 

[mrscalex]

When you change them I wouldn't drill the holes and use screws, use number plate tape looks much cleaner and you wont get the rust stains or delamination from water egress from the drill holes.

Good point thanks. Hadn't thought of that and I do have a role of the proper stuff.

 

[Alan Slade]

Good point thanks. Hadn't thought of that and I do have a role of the proper stuff.

My daughter in law has just purchased a new BMW 420 grand coupe and when she asked for the number plates to be stuck on and not screwed on, the BMW dealers in Bedford refused to do it saying, "It's not to BMW standards, they will fall off." So my son bought the tape and did it himself.

 

[t-tony]

I probably wouldn't do it normally but these are for my brother's car he's had from new. It's one of the last things I have to sort on the car. So much nicer than the rust stained ones on there currently...

But, if you took those old plates off, that rusty stain will come off with a couple of minutes and some Solvol Autosol, l know, I've done it.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

When you change them I wouldn't drill the holes and use screws, use number plate tape looks much cleaner and you wont get the rust stains or delamination from water egress from the drill holes.

This and you can gently warm the the plate (from the front side) and bend it to fit the point of the nose perfectly with a little jig.
That's how I've bent my plate to follow the curve of the bumper so it doesn't strain against the tape trying to straighten itself.

 

[Redline]

An original number plate is one of the signs to look for as a check for any accident damage (although some dealers replace them when they resell a car).
The plates on my Freelander could do with being replaced but they have LR UK on them not a dealer name because I bought it off their fleet list rather than a dealer. Would be good to get those replaced.

 

[t-tony]

If you gave them a clean with Solvol Ian, you'd be amazed how good they look.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

If you gave them a clean with Solvol Ian, you'd be amazed how good they look.

Tony.

The numbers/letters have faded. I keep getting advisories on every MOT for it. Eventually it will fail.