Personal Number plates

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 16:26

What do you all think are they worth while or is it just a snobbery thing.

I would'nt mind one,but with my initials D.A.D or D.D its not going to be cheap .

Cheers.

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 16:40

I would consider paying a few hunderd, possibly 7-£800 for a N.I. CCZ 3- something number, as CC are my initials.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 17:28

It's not snobbery just personalisation.

I've had my GAZ24 51 for about 10 years and I paid £480 inc.

I could have bought GAZ24 52 from the same guy for £100 but i think that would have been snobbery, plus her indoors said her name isn't GAZZA and didn't want it on her/my car.

Gazza.

Alex L · Post by **Alex L** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 17:39

I've been too lazy to take mine off retention and stick it on the Zed, perhaps next week

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 17:42

I have my initials, so my answers obvious I'd of thought

I wanted one, infact so does the wife-more so than a new car (phew

)
For what you pay against your whole driving career its not that expensive..
If you buy the right plate then its not actually going to lose money, so if you have some spare££ and you enjoy it.. why not.. unless the DVLA does something to screw it up and I doubt that being as the amount of money they are making from personalised plates, then it could be worth more when you come so sell it, so you then owned it for your driving life for free

garyw

Tourniquet · Post by **Tourniquet** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 17:45

If the plate relates to the car I think it's a nice touch. Not too keen on name or word plates otherwise (although I did see N117 TER on a bike once, that made me smile)

oakley6691 · Post by **oakley6691** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 18:09

I paid £399(inc. the transfer fee) from the DVLA direct for M14ROB about 10 years ago. M is the initial for my second name, and obviously the ROB is my first, bargain when you consider the new type plates are a lot more for just initials.

TonyCal · Post by **TonyCal** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 18:14

I paid £250 for my plate 3 years ago when I got my first Z.

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 19:39

Personally I think personalised plates are only any good when they don't have to have yellow dots added, or characters manipulated to make them read something they actually don't.

ACZ3 was the best plate I ever owned, although I did adjust the spacing to read AC Z3.

The CSL plate is straight from the box - G1 CSL and at £500 was real steal. When the CSL goes I'll keep the plate.

As for the future I might resurrect GBZ 30, I think it's quite a striking plate even if it doesn't sit on a Z3!

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 20:14

I have S70OFS as my surname is Stuhlfelder and my nickname is STOOFS!

Cost £480, got it for my 21st

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 21:47

I love 'em!
It's a whole new interest, almost a hobby, shopping for your perfect number!

I reckon if you drive an audatious motor like a Zed, then a personal, cherished or private plate goes really well. Many people see them as a pointless waste of money, but they probably drive a Passat. To be honest, I can't really disagree, but who cares???

Something related solely to the car will never loose you money. At least that's what I kept telling myself when I spent a reasonable sum on RED 111M....
If I ever sell that, I think I could probably retire on the proceeds!

Something relating to you personally like your initials, name or birthday is nice, but doesn't mean much to anyone who doesn't know you. I have B19 PRD (BIG + my real initials) on my 323i cab which cost about £300 all in, and I reckon will probably appreciate slowly. To anyone who knows me, it looks great!

But IMHO, don't spend loads on a plate which is personal to you AND your car. I originally looked at PDZ 30 which was up for about £1800 (all in) I think, but decided that it would probably have low resale value and wouldn't be much good on anything but a Z3. (Sorry Giles!)

I agree with CW Giles that whatever you buy should achieve the desired effect with the MINIMUM of manipulation. Changing characters beyond recognition looks naff and could cost you a fine and points, and an MoT failure.

So, if you had a crappy everyday boring cheap car, then personal plates look stoopid, but on a special car, I think you should go for it!

A.

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 22:04

I'm gonna call you Palfie from now on :p

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Sun 04 Jun, 2006 22:12

I think they're great! if you can find one related to you or the car for a decent amount, then go for it.

Toucanbird · Post by **Toucanbird** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 07:14

Great, but only like them when they refer to the vehicle. Am fortunate enough to have EAZ1 on the Z1, GBZ8 on guess what, and V8CAR on XK.
With the way prices seem to be going I look on them as investments and would rather have them than the money siiting in a bank!!

R80TER · Post by **R80TER** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 07:21

I like them, my surname is Roots, so with a nickname of Rooter, R80TER for £250 was too tempting to turn down!

Only bad side is everyone knows you locally, although there are not many estoril M Roadsters round here either!!! But you cut someone up and they remember!!

Gimlet · Post by **Gimlet** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 07:44

For me they are just an opportunity to finish a car off.

On my Volvo I have S60SEB combining the car with my initials, and I paid £250.00 for this.

On my Alpina Roaster S I have E85ALP that is really self-explanatory. I contacted the DVLA to release this plate which they did at auction. I travelled to Yorkshire to bid in person and was worried the start price of £270.00 would escallate as following my initial bid a telephone bidder came in. However, they only made a single bid and I got the plate for £390.00 excluding taxes and I thought this was a bargain.

I've previously owned Subaru Imprezas, and bought 3 "Scooby" plates for £250.00 each from the DVLA. (S300BEY, S300BYS and S500BYS)
The first two I sold on and doubled my money, and I still have the third on retention.
I have recently sold S400TVR after trading in a 4.0L TVR Tuscan against the Alpina, and made £500.00 on the plate.

I don't think that personal plates will ever lose money, particularly if there is a clear reference to a specific type of car.

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 08:05

R80TER wrote:But you cut someone up and they remember!!

If they can read the plate in time

djrobbier · Post by **djrobbier** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 09:02

Nothing wrong with them at all. Just a little bit of fun. I got a rather good steal from the DVLA R10 ERB, my surname being Rider and my first Rob/Bob. So I was well impressed at picking up R1DER B for £250 from DVLA inc the transfer fee. Happy days!

R80TER · Post by **R80TER** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 10:17

Paul.Stuhlfelder wrote:
R80TER wrote:But you cut someone up and they remember!!
If they can read the plate in time

Hehe!! thats true! just spray some gravel up so they have to shield their eyes!!

mangetout · Post by **mangetout** » Mon 05 Jun, 2006 11:51

Surely the main reason for owning one is not having to memorise a new number every time you change vehicle, especially when you get to my age and beyond. Have had my reg. for 32 years now and still have no trouble recalling it!

Was a wedding day gift from Father in-law, on a derelict '63 Zodiac he had lying about. Came with a ' If I get her back the number comes back too' -must be why we're still together.

Those were the days. £10 transfer fee, no need for the donor to be a going concern; they even sent out a policeman to check it was actually there.

Ahhh!

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Tue 06 Jun, 2006 07:24

Am fortunate enough to have EAZ1 on the Z1

I nearly got run over by EAS1. It was on a truck

Best place for plates is definitely DVLA

http://www.dvla-som.co.uk/home/

I got the one I wanted for £250 (incl transfer fee + VAT).

Elite et al will charge £250 for the same plate, but then tell you you need to part with anothe £80 for the Transfer Fee and then another 17.5% on it all (£387.75).

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Tue 06 Jun, 2006 11:52

Yep, always start your search at DVLA.
If they've got it, it'll be cheapest, and VAT and transfer are included.

Pingu, I thought the £80 already included VAT?
They shouldn't be charging you VAT on top of that.

A.

oakley6691 · Post by **oakley6691** » Tue 06 Jun, 2006 12:31

Alfie wrote:
Pingu, I thought the £80 already included VAT?
They shouldn't be charging you VAT on top of that.

A.

There is no VAT on the transfer fee £80 it's at zero rate

risquenun · Post by **risquenun** » Tue 06 Jun, 2006 12:50

I paid £250 for my plate from DVLA 5 yrs ago H3LJA
My wife chose H4SBA and that cost the same.
Great for making the cars dateless.
I previously had R44AUD on my A4 Audi Quattro.
a bit of fun for not too much money

Goz21 · Post by **Goz21** » Tue 06 Jun, 2006 16:02

Mine was a present for my 21st! It's something that you can keep and personalise your car.

Thumbs up from me

Cora

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Thu 08 Jun, 2006 15:32

Pingu, I thought the £80 already included VAT?
They shouldn't be charging you VAT on top of that.

You are quite correct. Below is the price of a plate from Reg Transfers...

Base Price of C1 GBP:
£994.00 + £173.95 VAT
Department Of Transport Fee (DOT Fee): £80.00 No VAT
Total Payable: £1,247.95

Price for the same plate from DVLA = £999 (all inclusive)

£248.95 for the shareholders' bubbly.

Paul.Stuhlfelder · Post by **Paul.Stuhlfelder** » Thu 08 Jun, 2006 16:12

Indeed, amazing how much you save sometimes cutting out the middle man!

hornel Z3M · Post by **hornel Z3M** » Thu 08 Jun, 2006 16:33

I got C5 PBT which are my 3 initials and if one looks quickly one thinks its a new registration

£250 + 80 trans fee

Daneborough · Post by **Daneborough** » Sun 11 Jun, 2006 08:24

Coming in a little late on this, but thought I'd add some useless information from the Australian end - through our BMW Club we've arranged personalised plates carrying the name of the Club and Logo that are available in 3-alpha 2-numeric combinations I have RLP 40 on my Z3 (had that number for 20+ years on several cars) and RLP 04 on my Z4 (initials plus inclusion of the number 4 only because I like it) - in my State there are numerous combinations and colours available - I've seen some of the "collector" combinations sell for in excess of $250,000 - if anyone is interested check out what's available and cost at http://www.ppq.com.au.

mark_n84 · Post by **mark_n84** » Mon 12 Jun, 2006 15:16

I recently bought G14 VFC, but display it as G1 4VFC because i'm a villa fan, AVFC!!!!! £500 all in from DVLA, think it was around £640 on other sites so it pays to know where to shop

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 12 Jun, 2006 17:18

My parents bought me a personalised plate when I got my Z. I deliberately went for one that is not so obvious - actual reg year, my favourite number and my initials - to most people it will read like an ordinary plate - only those that know my initials or know that numbers 1-20 are now only issued to order will know.

I do like the ones that relate to the car and the funnies though - it's always quite amusing to read what the DVLA have just withdrawn on the grounds of "public decency"

Boysie · Post by **Boysie** » Wed 21 Jun, 2006 21:44

Hi

I saw a brilliant plate
It was on a Ferrari
AWE50M
very clever i thought

Ray

gorgeous · Post by **gorgeous** » Wed 21 Jun, 2006 21:44

My wife & I both have plates with our initials. Personally, I think anything that needs bizarre re-spacing or uses numbers to look like letters misses the point a bit... but anything that makes you laugh is fine! Just don't go too obscure!

Had mine for over 10 years, it's an unusual format (2 characters& 4 numbers). One of the best things I ever bought, got it for life. If I'd bought a car related one, it would be long gone by now!

exdos · Post by **exdos** » Thu 22 Jun, 2006 07:43

I have on retention:
P12SED
P13SED
P4ONE
P4ONES
When someone offers me megabucks they will be sold.

Icecube · Post by **Icecube** » Thu 22 Jun, 2006 17:53

My second name is SLOPER. Can get SL 03 PER for £499 from the DVLA. Problem is my car is a 51 plate! Might buy it all the same.

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Fri 23 Jun, 2006 13:47

Boysie wrote:Hi

I saw a brilliant plate
It was on a Ferrari
AWE50M
very clever i thought

Ray

Indeed a brilliant plate.

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