Replacement Number Plates

[MidhurstNigel]

Apologies if there is already a thread on this ......but here goes:

I'm about to put my private number on my M3. As those of you who have had your M3s handed over will know, the number plates supplied by Tesla are thin metal ones which clip (rear) or slide (front) into a plastic holder on the car. The rear one in particular has to be a very exact fit in the holder - the clips that hold it are very small and there is very little room for variations in plate size. I've asked Tesla who they buy them from (so that I can get some of identical size), but no reply as yet.
However, when looking closely you find that the holder that the number plates clip into is held by two screws onto anther plate behind which is in turn fixed to the bodywork. The 'back' plate is perfect for fitting a standard UK size plate to using the screws that, as delivered, hold the outer holder onto the back plate plate. So, why bother with the outer holder? It appears unnecessary, and when you look at it is a truely cheap and nasty bit of c**p. The advantage of doing away with the holder and fixing the new plates direct to the car backplate is that the exact size and thickness of the number plates is irrelavant (subject to a bit of care over the screw lengths), so you can get them from any supplier. Any thoughts??

 

[Reeshar]

Apologies if there is already a thread on this ......but here goes:

I'm about to put my private number on my M3. As those of you who have had your M3s handed over will know, the number plates supplied by Tesla are thin metal ones which clip (rear) or slide (front) into a plastic holder on the car. The rear one in particular has to be a very exact fit in the holder - the clips that hold it are very small and there is very little room for variations in plate size. I've asked Tesla who they buy them from (so that I can get some of identical size), but no reply as yet.
However, when looking closely you find that the holder that the number plates clip into is held by two screws onto anther plate behind which is in turn fixed to the bodywork. The 'back' plate is perfect for fitting a standard UK size plate to using the screws that, as delivered, hold the outer holder onto the back plate plate. So, why bother with the outer holder? It appears unnecessary, and when you look at it is a truely cheap and nasty bit of c**p. The advantage of doing away with the holder and fixing the new plates direct to the car backplate is that the exact size and thickness of the number plates is irrelavant (subject to a bit of care over the screw lengths), so you can get them from any supplier. Any thoughts??

While I don't have personalised number plates I do agree that the fixing looks cheap and unbefitting what is supposed to be a luxury car. My guess is that the clip-in system is designed for speed of insertion of the plates given how many M3s they were shifting out of the Heathrow Tesla centre last week.

I'd certainly be interested in getting a smarter replacement without the plastic holder. Keep us posted here on your progress!

 

[Roy W.]

There’s also a thread here about replacing the Tesla plates with stick-on plates which might be of interest:

Stick on number plate

 

[Lx2m3]

I fitted private acrylic plates on my m3. I decided to remove the holder and the plastic bracket (which in my opinion look awful), this was easy at the rear using the same screws which held the bracket and yellow cups to hide the screw heads. The screws fit into a plastic insert.
At the front it was more of a challenge because of the concave shape and the lack of plastic inserts. Larger screws are required to bridge the void and give sufficient purchase.
I’m very pleased with the end result after a bit of a struggle.

 

[CMc1]

I got metal plates from number1plates. Fit fine. I found it easier to slip bottom portion in the clips and use flat blade screwdriver to lift the top section over the plate at each clip.

Trying to slide them was a nightmare

 

[Epico]

Has anyone got any before and after pics please...or just after...I can see the before on my car

 

[MaDProFF]

I ordered stick on ones just not got them on yet, but there are some images floating around and they look really good

 

[Keeper]

I was contemplating removing the outer plate holder and using double sided adhesive tape to attach plastic plates to the Tesla inner plate instead of screws and caps. I took the front plate off to investigate and I think it will work provided the double sided tape is good quality. The plates were previously attached directly onto the bodywork on the car they are coming from and didn’t fall off.

 

[MaDProFF]

Remove both and stick direct to the car

 

[Keeper]

Remove both and stick direct to the car

Rear, yes, maybe but front impossible with a rigid plastic plate.

 

[MaDProFF]

images I have seen all plates removed and stuck to the car direct as far as I am aware.

 

[Yev000]

The rear has 2 plastic mounts, the front is all curved and they drill 2 holes into the bumper. You can use a normal plate on the back and just screw it in, on the front stick on looks best IMO.

 

[MOBB]

I changed mine yesterday

Rear - I removed the ugly plate and surround, and also the plastic plinth attached to the body. Stuck on a plastic plate

front - removed the ugly plate and surround and left the plinth as it fits the contour of the bumper. Screwed the replacement plate to that plinth

I also bought stick ons front and rear but I am happy with the results so won’t bother with those

 

[curmudgeon]

I changed mine yesterday

Rear - I removed the ugly plate and surround, and also the plastic plinth attached to the body. Stuck on a plastic plate

front - removed the ugly plate and surround and left the plinth as it fits the contour of the bumper. Screwed the replacement plate to that plinth

I also bought stick ons front and rear but I am happy with the results so won’t bother with those

Some images?

 

[MrBadger]

How easy was it to screw plate to front plinth? Can same be done to rear instead of pads or are plinth a smooth surface?

 

[MOBB]

Some images?

excuse the dirt

Rears stuck with sticky pads to the metal, seems very well stuck

tried the same on the front plinth but the stickies wouldn’t stick to the plastic plinth so I screwed them to the plinth. Plinth is very easy to screw to

 

[pdk42]

I changed mine yesterday

Rear - I removed the ugly plate and surround, and also the plastic plinth attached to the body. Stuck on a plastic plate

front - removed the ugly plate and surround and left the plinth as it fits the contour of the bumper. Screwed the replacement plate to that plinth

I also bought stick ons front and rear but I am happy with the results so won’t bother with those

After a good inspection of the mountings today, that's the exact plan I've decided to take. Will do it next weekend. I'll also be able to re-use one of the holders for the back of the trailer.

 

[elecTED]

If you want a really flush clean look go for stick-on plates.

 

[MidhurstNigel]

That's very smart! Who supplied the stick-ons?

 

[elecTED]

That's very smart! Who supplied the stick-ons?

proplates.co.uk