[Fazil]

Hi, as title says above, I have a query.
Im looking at buying a private reg plate.
But my issue is with the physical plate, front and rear.
How dod I get the best mount. I'm not sure if it has a mount behind the current plate on front or back currently.
I don't want to use sticky adhesive.
I'd rather have it screwed on.

Any ideas, any companies, anybody with experience and how?

[Steven1077]

I assume the plates you have now are screwed on? The rear plate screws direct to the boot, the front normally has a mount screwed to the front bumper, my plates have always been screwed on

[Fazil]

Yes the normal plates are screwed on.
What I'm after is plates that can screw on just the same.any ideas?

[RajaX]

What i tend to do is use the existing plates and place over the new plate mark the holes and drill using mini drill bit on a dremmel. hope that makes sense.

[1 AKY]

Buy the plates and drill some holes in them....??

[DThr33]

Originally Posted by Fazil

Yes the normal plates are screwed on.
What I'm after is plates that can screw on just the same.any ideas?

Place your old plates on top of your new plates, drill through the existing holes.

[hilift]

As above but ,
Drill slowly with no pressure , use a sharp drill bit and drill thru plastic plate into a price of wood , to avoid splitting new plates . !!

[Jeff123]

My local BMW Dealer makes and fits them for a very reasonable price. It can be a slightly tricky job, so maybe go down this route?

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Or you could get some plate surrounds I had these genuine German dealer ones (the Munich dealer closest to the welt) with pressed metal plates on my E91 didn't go this route on my F31 but it's a solution for non drilled plates.

[ShavingChimps]

Originally Posted by 1 AKY

Buy the plates and drill some holes in them....??

This ^^^ just make sure you drill from the front of the plate.

[C320]

Originally Posted by ShavingChimps

This ^^^ just make sure you drill from the front of the plate.

^ this, also worth marking where to drill with a marker / sharpie and then placing some sticky tape in a cross pattern over the spot to drill.

Always use a smaller drill bit to make the initial hole and then move up to the larger drill bit.

Personally, I prefer the cleaner look of having the rear plate stuck on and then I drill the front plate.

[Chris335dF31]

After drilling plate apply a couple of coats of the Mrs' clear nail varnish, around the inside of each hole, to stop water ingress. Stops that horrible stained effect when the layers separate.

[Fazil]

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice.
Will certainly come in use.

Just one more question:
When I register the car under the private plate when it comes from dvla, do I need to inform my insurer, admiral?

[C320]

Originally Posted by Fazil

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice.
Will certainly come in use.

Just one more question:
When I register the car under the private plate when it comes from dvla, do I need to inform my insurer, admiral?

Yes you do. Also if you have your vehicle is leased or financed under a PCP they also need to be informed (if it's funded with an unsecured loan it's not an issue).

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by ShavingChimps

This ^^^ just make sure you drill from the front of the plate.

Drill from the back! It prevents the film (with the actual number on it) pushing away from the plastic and creating a path for water to get in. Also put masking tape over drill entry and exit points to reduce slip and block of wood under the plate to help prevent cracking.

Also drilling a pilot hole can cause cracking so just use a sharp drill at moderate speed and low pressure.