Opinions on my German style plates :)
Moderator: martauto
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Kemix
- E30 Zone Camper

- Posts: 1423
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Braintree
haha brow row
.


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e30topless
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 13598
- Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: surrounded by scrap
wasn't your orange car on the front page of the zone for winner of the council E30 of the month award or something ?hongkongfuey wrote:i don't live on a council estate, and don't scrounge benifits so by having eyebrows makes you council???, what about black kidneys is that halfords or block of flats???
you don't need to live in a council house to be council,
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bss325i
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 24536
- Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: London/Surrey
Council is a state of mind!e30topless wrote:wasn't your orange car on the front page of the zone for winner of the council E30 of the month award or something ?hongkongfuey wrote:i don't live on a council estate, and don't scrounge benifits so by having eyebrows makes you council???, what about black kidneys is that halfords or block of flats???
you don't need to live in a council house to be council,
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SeymourCake
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 783
- Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:00 pm
let people do what they want without slating them for it.
this whole calling anything other them oem "council" thing is getting a bit extreme. Most of the time it is fully justified on the cars it is being called, but people are quick to call anything they don't like "council".
this whole calling anything other them oem "council" thing is getting a bit extreme. Most of the time it is fully justified on the cars it is being called, but people are quick to call anything they don't like "council".
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hongkongfuey
- Mad-tango-geezer
- Posts: 3304
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: portsmouth
e30topless yep it was, but at least mine had been 'of the month',
I take it the photo in your sig is the car you drive? That fits right in for council then, massive front spoiler, lowered, stickers? That seems to be all you need to be council . 325 sports, it looked as b&q had too many bath side pannels, so they cut them in half and stuck them to an e30 , again lowered, big body kit, massive spoiler. And slower than a renault cleo, and then people pay 3 times the amount than buying a good touring
I take it the photo in your sig is the car you drive? That fits right in for council then, massive front spoiler, lowered, stickers? That seems to be all you need to be council . 325 sports, it looked as b&q had too many bath side pannels, so they cut them in half and stuck them to an e30 , again lowered, big body kit, massive spoiler. And slower than a renault cleo, and then people pay 3 times the amount than buying a good touring
if there wern't people like me,
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
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spook
- League two here we come !!!
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- Location: portsmouth
The bath panel sport 

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Duke137
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7207
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:00 pm
I like the German plates mate
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
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hongkongfuey
- Mad-tango-geezer
- Posts: 3304
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: portsmouth
on a serious note, arn't they illegal as they are not reflective or something like that ???
if there wern't people like me,
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
with cars like mine,
who would you put down to make yourself feel better?
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DanThe
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 28649
- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Staffs
Indeed they are, and FYI the car in topless sig is an Alpina and came like that newhongkongfuey wrote:on a serious note, arn't they illegal as they are not reflective or something like that ???
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oldroydsr4
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Warwick
There are plenty of places that now do fully road legal pressed plates . Try dubmeisters.
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pac1982
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 5330
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: isle of wight
No pressed metal plates are legal in the UK regardless of what font or style they are done in, one of the regulations relating to UK number plates is "of plastic construction"oldroydsr4 wrote:There are plenty of places that now do fully road legal pressed plates . Try dubmeisters.

1991 BMW E30 318i Neon Design Convertible (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 325i Touring (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 318IS (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 316i (RIP)
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oldroydsr4
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Warwick
Sorry PAC1982, but I believe you are incorrect- lots of older cars have pressed plates and Ive used vinyl plates on previous cars with no issues from the police what so ever.
I'm planning to get pressed plates and have done quite a bit of research to ensure I don't get hassle from the 5-0.
I'm planning to get pressed plates and have done quite a bit of research to ensure I don't get hassle from the 5-0.
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Duke137
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7207
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:00 pm
I think your right oldroyd.oldroydsr4 wrote:Sorry PAC1982, but I believe you are incorrect- lots of older cars have pressed plates and Ive used vinyl plates on previous cars with no issues from the police what so ever.
I'm planning to get pressed plates and have done quite a bit of research to ensure I don't get hassle from the 5-0.
On another note, how expensive are plates these days!!!!!!!
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
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pac1982
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 5330
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: isle of wight
Ask a copper and I believe it's listed on a police or dvla web site plates must be of plastic, having said that as long as u use the correct font and spacing it's unlikely you'll ever get a tug because of it

1991 BMW E30 318i Neon Design Convertible (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 325i Touring (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 318IS (Sold)
1990 BMW E30 316i (RIP)
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town325i
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 7050
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: cannock staffordshire
We have had this conversation before! When the car was new it may of had pressed plates on it so this means you can still use the pressed plate now its only car that came with plastic number plate that have to have plastic number plates.pac1982 wrote:Ask a copper and I believe it's listed on a police or dvla web site plates must be of plastic, having said that as long as u use the correct font and spacing it's unlikely you'll ever get a tug because of it

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oldroydsr4
- E30 Zone Squatter

- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Warwick
Common Questions and Answers
In Brief
All registration marks including marks purchased through DVLA's sales scheme must be displayed in accordance with The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (obtainable from Her Majesty's Stationery Office).
Rules for the display of number plates are set out in law, briefly these are: -
* A number plate must be displayed at the front and rear of motor vehicles (with
some exceptions).
* Number Plates must be easy to read and meet the British Standard.
* Lettering should be black on a white plate at the front and a yellow at the rear.
* The background surface should be reflex-reflecting but the characters must not.
* There are separate requirements for traditional number plates displayed on
vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973.
* Lettering and spacing must be of a set size. They must conform to one of the
groups shown at:- Number plates fitted after 1 September 2001 or Number
plates fitted before 1 September 2001.
Common Questions and Answers
NUMBER PLATES FITTED AFTER 1 SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted after 1 September 2001 must display characters that meet the dimensions shown below.
Characters
Height. 79mm
Width (except the figure 1 or letter l) 50mm
Stroke 14mm
Space between characters 11mm
Space between groups 33mm
Top, bottom and side margins (minimum) 11mm
Space between vertical lines 19mm
The character width has been slightly reduced from 57mm to 50mm to accommodate the Euro-symbol on the number plate.
NUMBER PLATES FITTED BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 must display characters that meet the dimensions shown in one of the two groups below
Characters Group 1 Group 2
Height 89mm 79mm
Width (except the figure 1or letter l) 64mm 57mm
Stroke 16mm 14mm
Space between characters 13mm 11mm
Space between groups 38mm 33mm
Side margins (minimum) 13mm 11mm
Space between vertical lines 19mm 19mm
Common Questions and Answers
TRADITIONAL NUMBER PLATES
* Vehicles constructed before 1.1.73 may display traditional style "black and white"
plates i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate.
* Lettering must be of a set size. It must conform to one of the two groups below.
Characters Group 1 Group 2
Height 89mm 79mm
Width (except the number 1) 64mm 57mm
Stroke 16mm 14mm
Side margin 25mm 11mm
Top & bottom margin 13mm 11mm
Space between characters 13mm 11mm
Space between groups 38mm 33mm
* There are additional arrangements if the vehicle is a motorcycle or tricycle
* Traditional number plates fitted to vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1973 are not required to display the mandatory character font, but the characters must be easy to read.
Common Questions and Answers
Display of Vehicle Registration Marks on Imported Vehicles
(which have a restricted space for a standard sized number plate)
Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:
* The vehicle does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval
AND
* The vehicle's construction/design cannot accomodate standard size number
plates
Specifications for smaller sized plates (for certain imported vehicles)
Character Height 64mm
Character Width 44mm
Character Stroke 10mm
Space between characters 10mm
MOTORCYCLES AND TRICYCLES
* Motorcycles and tricycles registered after 1.9.2001 must only display a number
plate at the rear of the vehicle.
* Motorcycles and tricycles registered before 1.9.2001 can display a number plate
at the front but are not required to.
* The characters may be smaller e.g.
Character Height 64mm
Character Width 44mm
Character Stroke 10mm
Space between characters 10mm
Space between groups 30mm
Top, side & bottom margin 11mm
Space between vertical lines 13mm
* Motorcycles registered on or after 1 September 2001 must display a two-line number plate number plate. Motorcycles registered prior to the 1 September 2001 may display a three-line plate, but one-line plates are illegal, irrespective of the date of registration of the motorcycle.
Common Questions and Answers
MANDATORY CHARACTER FONT
From 1 September 2001 all new number plates must display the new mandatory font. Combined with the new format registration mark, number plates will become clearer and easier to remember.
Character fonts
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 need not be changed provided the character font used is substantially the same as the one shown above.
Number plates must be replaced if they have been customised with:
* Stylised letters and/or figures such as italics
* Number plate fixing bolts that alter the appearance of the letters and/or numbers
Commons Questions and Answers
THE EURO PLATE
Since 1st September 2001 there has been an optional provision for the display of a Euro-plate for vehicles registered in the UK. The Euro-plate is a number plate that incorporates the symbol of the European Union (a circle of 12 stars on a blue background) with the national identification letters of the member states below. This symbol is located on the far left-hand side of the number plate.
The Euro plate
Vehicles displaying this symbol no longer have to use the traditional oval shaped national identifier (GB) sticker when travelling within the European Union. All vehicles registered in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have, by international convention, the distinguishing sign GB.
The Government announced on 28 December 2001 the intention to permit the display of national flags and national identifiers on vehicle number plates. The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 are in the process of being amended. They will provide for the voluntary display of the Union flag, Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George and Red Dragon. Football team crests etc are not allowed.
Common Questions and Answers
THE LAW
The law states that,
* You must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers
* Characters must not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. A242 ABC must
not be displayed as A242A BC).
Offences may result in any or all of the following:
* A fine of up to £1,000
* The registration mark may be WITHDRAWN
* The vehicle may FAIL the MOT test
Full details of the requirements are included in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Common Questions and Answers
THE BRITISH STANDARD
The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics on the number plate. This includes:
* Visibility
* Strength
* Reflectivity
The British Standard also requires that a number plate must be marked with the following information: -
* The British Standard Number (currently BS AU 145d)
* The name, trade mark, or other means of identification of the manufacturer or
component supplier. (The company who actually make the number plate.)
* The name and postcode of the supplying outlet. (The 'supplying outlet' is taken to
mean a company whose business consists wholly or partly of selling number
plates.)
* A non-reflective border and the Euro-symbol with the national identification
letters are optional additions.
* There shall be no other markings or material contained on the number plate.
Further information about the British Standards requirements can be obtained at BSI Group
Information obtained from the offical DVLA website.
I can't see anything stating what material has to be used.

In Brief
All registration marks including marks purchased through DVLA's sales scheme must be displayed in accordance with The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 (obtainable from Her Majesty's Stationery Office).
Rules for the display of number plates are set out in law, briefly these are: -
* A number plate must be displayed at the front and rear of motor vehicles (with
some exceptions).
* Number Plates must be easy to read and meet the British Standard.
* Lettering should be black on a white plate at the front and a yellow at the rear.
* The background surface should be reflex-reflecting but the characters must not.
* There are separate requirements for traditional number plates displayed on
vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973.
* Lettering and spacing must be of a set size. They must conform to one of the
groups shown at:- Number plates fitted after 1 September 2001 or Number
plates fitted before 1 September 2001.
Common Questions and Answers
NUMBER PLATES FITTED AFTER 1 SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted after 1 September 2001 must display characters that meet the dimensions shown below.
Characters
Height. 79mm
Width (except the figure 1 or letter l) 50mm
Stroke 14mm
Space between characters 11mm
Space between groups 33mm
Top, bottom and side margins (minimum) 11mm
Space between vertical lines 19mm
The character width has been slightly reduced from 57mm to 50mm to accommodate the Euro-symbol on the number plate.
NUMBER PLATES FITTED BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 2001
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 must display characters that meet the dimensions shown in one of the two groups below
Characters Group 1 Group 2
Height 89mm 79mm
Width (except the figure 1or letter l) 64mm 57mm
Stroke 16mm 14mm
Space between characters 13mm 11mm
Space between groups 38mm 33mm
Side margins (minimum) 13mm 11mm
Space between vertical lines 19mm 19mm
Common Questions and Answers
TRADITIONAL NUMBER PLATES
* Vehicles constructed before 1.1.73 may display traditional style "black and white"
plates i.e. white, silver or grey characters on a black plate.
* Lettering must be of a set size. It must conform to one of the two groups below.
Characters Group 1 Group 2
Height 89mm 79mm
Width (except the number 1) 64mm 57mm
Stroke 16mm 14mm
Side margin 25mm 11mm
Top & bottom margin 13mm 11mm
Space between characters 13mm 11mm
Space between groups 38mm 33mm
* There are additional arrangements if the vehicle is a motorcycle or tricycle
* Traditional number plates fitted to vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1973 are not required to display the mandatory character font, but the characters must be easy to read.
Common Questions and Answers
Display of Vehicle Registration Marks on Imported Vehicles
(which have a restricted space for a standard sized number plate)
Certain imported vehicles may be permitted to display number plates with smaller characters if:
* The vehicle does not have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval
AND
* The vehicle's construction/design cannot accomodate standard size number
plates
Specifications for smaller sized plates (for certain imported vehicles)
Character Height 64mm
Character Width 44mm
Character Stroke 10mm
Space between characters 10mm
MOTORCYCLES AND TRICYCLES
* Motorcycles and tricycles registered after 1.9.2001 must only display a number
plate at the rear of the vehicle.
* Motorcycles and tricycles registered before 1.9.2001 can display a number plate
at the front but are not required to.
* The characters may be smaller e.g.
Character Height 64mm
Character Width 44mm
Character Stroke 10mm
Space between characters 10mm
Space between groups 30mm
Top, side & bottom margin 11mm
Space between vertical lines 13mm
* Motorcycles registered on or after 1 September 2001 must display a two-line number plate number plate. Motorcycles registered prior to the 1 September 2001 may display a three-line plate, but one-line plates are illegal, irrespective of the date of registration of the motorcycle.
Common Questions and Answers
MANDATORY CHARACTER FONT
From 1 September 2001 all new number plates must display the new mandatory font. Combined with the new format registration mark, number plates will become clearer and easier to remember.
Character fonts
Number plates fitted before 1 September 2001 need not be changed provided the character font used is substantially the same as the one shown above.
Number plates must be replaced if they have been customised with:
* Stylised letters and/or figures such as italics
* Number plate fixing bolts that alter the appearance of the letters and/or numbers
Commons Questions and Answers
THE EURO PLATE
Since 1st September 2001 there has been an optional provision for the display of a Euro-plate for vehicles registered in the UK. The Euro-plate is a number plate that incorporates the symbol of the European Union (a circle of 12 stars on a blue background) with the national identification letters of the member states below. This symbol is located on the far left-hand side of the number plate.
The Euro plate
Vehicles displaying this symbol no longer have to use the traditional oval shaped national identifier (GB) sticker when travelling within the European Union. All vehicles registered in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have, by international convention, the distinguishing sign GB.
The Government announced on 28 December 2001 the intention to permit the display of national flags and national identifiers on vehicle number plates. The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 are in the process of being amended. They will provide for the voluntary display of the Union flag, Scottish Saltire, Cross of St George and Red Dragon. Football team crests etc are not allowed.
Common Questions and Answers
THE LAW
The law states that,
* You must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers
* Characters must not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. A242 ABC must
not be displayed as A242A BC).
Offences may result in any or all of the following:
* A fine of up to £1,000
* The registration mark may be WITHDRAWN
* The vehicle may FAIL the MOT test
Full details of the requirements are included in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Common Questions and Answers
THE BRITISH STANDARD
The British Standard sets out the physical characteristics on the number plate. This includes:
* Visibility
* Strength
* Reflectivity
The British Standard also requires that a number plate must be marked with the following information: -
* The British Standard Number (currently BS AU 145d)
* The name, trade mark, or other means of identification of the manufacturer or
component supplier. (The company who actually make the number plate.)
* The name and postcode of the supplying outlet. (The 'supplying outlet' is taken to
mean a company whose business consists wholly or partly of selling number
plates.)
* A non-reflective border and the Euro-symbol with the national identification
letters are optional additions.
* There shall be no other markings or material contained on the number plate.
Further information about the British Standards requirements can be obtained at BSI Group
Information obtained from the offical DVLA website.
I can't see anything stating what material has to be used.
