New car - what shall I do about the plate?

[Will]

Hi gang,

As most of you know, I've picked up a new car. I'm currently unsure of what to do regarding the registration plate.

It's a 2001 '51' plate but is wearing a personalised registration at the moment:

The plate means nothing to me, I'm wondering if it's worth me either:

A) Leaving it as it is
B) Removing the current plate, and reverting it back to a standard '51' plate
C) Buying a reasonable 3x3 plate or something more relevant to me. Have never really been into plates, so wouldn't want to spend much more than a few hundred quid. Definately not keen on the 'BNZ/OIL/IOU' NI plates than people seem to buy for £89 or whatever

Any input welcome. Or if you're interested in the current plate/know someone who might be (unlikely, but you never know...) let me know.

My current inclination is to either leave it as it is (people keep asking me what it means, is it really a 'T' reg etc ) or perhaps revert it back to a '51 plate.

What does the collective opinion of MBClub reckon?

Will

 

[Will]

Oops - was going to add a poll!

Could a friendly mod sort me one out?

Cheers,

Will

 

[wemorgan]

'A' for me. Because:

Friends not into cars thought my 1998 CLK with a similar plate to yours was younger than it was.

It costs nothing to do nothing

Your money is better spent on rust repair and other mods you may have in mind.

Is the '3' a legal '3' as it looks trimmed to me?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Stay as-is and eventually get a nice 3x3 if you stumble across one.

 

[flango]

Same as Wemorgan and for exactly the same reasons my 1998 CLK wears a private plate and eveyone thinks it is a lot newer than its 11 years.

 

[BTB 500]

The plates it has on currently are not actually legal for road use - thread here:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/67299-new-plate-clk55.html

I would personally revert to a 51 reg ... you might be able to pick up one that means something e.g. if your initials were "WS":

WS51 CLK
WS51 AMG

or something along those lines.

That's what I've done for my last 2 vehicles ... about £300 (all in) direct from the DVLA.

 

[Will]

Bill - I'm fully aware and have seen that thread - I'll fit new MB-dealer plates on it regardless of the actual registration soon...just deciding first whether to stick with the current registration or not.

I think I paid about a tenner or so for a pair with plate holders, new screws etc last time I needed some

Hmm - the thing is the I didn't like the current plate when I first saw it, still not too keen and I find it irritating that people will think I fitted it or it means something to me etc. But my other thought is that standard AB51 CDF plates look a bit dull/naff anyway, catch 22.

I think BD's suggestion is probably the most wise so far - stick with the current plate for the meantime, and eventually fit a nicer 3x3 plate if/when the right one crops up at a sensible price

Will

 

[Howard]

Leave it as it is for now ( get the plates spaced properly ) and then keep your beadies peeled for a nice plate for yourself ...

 

[DXB]

Did you buy that off a guy called Peter G?

 

[Will]

Yes.

Will

 

[DXB]

Congrats... Did he do you a good price?

Lovely chap.


LONG DRIVE for you home!

 

[Will]

Congrats... Did he do you a good price?

Lovely chap.


LONG DRIVE for you home!

Yep, it was a 500 mile round trip.

Nice guy, nice car

Will

 

[DXB]

Yep, it was a 500 mile round trip.

Nice guy, nice car

Will

Glad everyone is happy. Nice lookign car mate... N half shift aswell... especially for the money.

 

[Will]

Glad everyone is happy. Nice lookign car mate... N half shift aswell... especially for the money.

Is this where you tell me that it was previously used for ram raiding/track days/quarter-mile record champion shootouts etc etc

Will

 

[GrahamC230K]

No doubt in my mind I would have the current reg spaced correctly as a minimum - I see you agree. However for me, on that car, the 51 plate would be fa more appealing. Let that one go for whatever it fetches, it'll go towards your wheel refurbs

 

[jonnyboy]

put the reg.up for sale - we made a "free" £550 on our ml with a similar plate. it will probably revert back to its original number when sold (could take 6 or 7 months) then you can look around. currently a buyers market...

 

[A210AMG]

I would do nothing quickly unless you spot a plate,

For me I would go with a 3 * 3 plate that either means something to you or just looks good to you.

Put the 'new' legal plates on and put it on ebay with a reserve. In the mean time play around with the DVLA site and have a look what may still be available.

I'm not one for XX51XXX to be honest but thats your choice, I could have gone for MR51XXX with XXX spelling my surname. I Guess as in the car you choise if you like it go for it.


Also check the DVLA auctions some nice cheap numbers can be had if your lucky.


so for me a 3 * 3

 

[peterg1965]

Is this where you tell me that it was previously used for ram raiding/track days/quarter-mile record champion shootouts etc etc

Will

I have met Carlos once at an BMW E90post meet, when I had my BMW 335d M Sport Coupe, he taught me all I know about donuts. ...! He is good at using a dipstick though (just ask him)!

OH, and I say keep the plate, make it 'legal' to please the 'fussy' element of the forum !

 

[JumboBeef]

Buy a nice 3x3. You might spend £500+, but it is a one off purchase and I personally think 3x3s look great.

I've got a 3x3 (RMO 289) on retension which I really should get on to my W124. My Disco wears 515 UXK.

 

[A210AMG]

Also a good investment in a way.

I paid £300 for SLX 280 and was recently offered £1000 so not bad...

Search arond for something you like the sound of or looks good to you.