BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate G45 BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-15-2023, 04:24 PM   #1
Pool Shark
First Lieutenant
Pool Shark's Avatar
905
Rep
369
Posts

Drives: 2024 M3
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Philly Suburbs, PA

iTrader: (0)

Custom/Vanity License Plate vs Standard License Plate

Hey all. Curious to see which route people have gone for their G8x: a customized license plate or the standard, random license plate from the DMV.

Cheers!
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 06:55 PM   #2
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6965
Rep
3,289
Posts

Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

It's gotta make sense IMHO, not just random. Here's mine.

Appreciate 7
Esteban54683.00
mcsquared827.50
Llarry21670.00
xander_g1073.50
cmyx6go16869.00
wtwo319214.50
      08-15-2023, 07:02 PM   #3
mcsquared
Lieutenant
mcsquared's Avatar
United_States
828
Rep
589
Posts

Drives: '24 SSG G80 6m/t
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfisti View Post
It's gotta make sense IMHO, not just random. Here's mine.

I agree, has to make sense. I’ve seen some good ones, here on the boards, and otherwise:

M3OW
SixSpd
M3NTAL (I could not get this one, unfortunately)

Thought about getting a custom plate, just not creative enough.
Appreciate 1
      08-15-2023, 08:06 PM   #4
Maynard
Colonel
United_States
4227
Rep
2,971
Posts

Drives: 228iX & M2C
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (1)

Last track day I seriously wondered if I was the ONLY person there who hadn't gotten a personal plate. To me, they are like a tattoo - I can think of tons of things I like and think are witty in the moment, but none of them are fit to drive around with all the time on my butt.
Appreciate 4
Llarry21670.00
gatorfast5079.50
      08-15-2023, 08:09 PM   #5
Bc2005
Lieutenant
United_States
389
Rep
454
Posts

Drives: 2021 M340i
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

My deciding factor was that VA charges a yearly fee for vanity plates, on top of the normal registration. I can’t see paying a yearly upcharge for a special plate they only make once.
Appreciate 2
Llarry21670.00
      08-15-2023, 08:14 PM   #6
erickonphoenix
Captain
erickonphoenix's Avatar
2076
Rep
663
Posts

Drives: 2014 Gray 328xi Touring
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Houston TX

iTrader: (0)

my personal fave is when people spend the extra $80 a year to put the make and model of the car on the plate just inches away from where the factory put the same information.
__________________
Appreciate 6
Maynard4226.50
Torgus3798.00
Llarry21670.00
RickFLM411861.00
      08-15-2023, 08:27 PM   #7
alpineg20
Private First Class
alpineg20's Avatar
United_States
233
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: 2020 BMW m340i xDrive (Alpine)
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Mississippi

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
BIMM3R

BIMM3R
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 2
OtoPA442.50
      08-15-2023, 09:40 PM   #8
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6965
Rep
3,289
Posts

Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

OK it's a one off fee here, not yearly, i wouldn't get one if it was yearly.
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 10:15 AM   #9
vreihen16
Recovering Perfectionist
vreihen16's Avatar
20950
Rep
1,015
Posts

Drives: BMW-less :(
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Orange County, NY

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
Last track day I seriously wondered if I was the ONLY person there who hadn't gotten a personal plate. To me, they are like a tattoo - I can think of tons of things I like and think are witty in the moment, but none of them are fit to drive around with all the time on my butt.
The vanity plate that has been on my car for the last 23 years was actually the subject of an article in "Sportscar" magazine back in the day. In two more years, the car will qualify for historic plates, which under NY State DMV rules can be any state plate that was valid the year that the car was sold. NY charges a one-time fee for vanity plates, plus an additional fee at every registration renewal. Once it hits historic status, the vanity fee goes away and the registration costs drop significantly.

I have vanity plates on all three of my vehicles with a similar theme, and they aren't going out of style.....
__________________
Currently BMW-less.
Appreciate 1
      08-16-2023, 10:43 AM   #10
Watching The World Burn
Lengthy but not a Girthy Member
1292
Rep
130
Posts

Drives: 1971 Honda Civic
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Riding the high seas of your emotions

iTrader: (0)

I have both types of plates. I run the standard plates right now because we have a truck and a Jeep, nothing excites me about either one.

When the kids move out, I'll dust off the vanity plate and get it attached to the sports car that I eventually buy. I have U4IC ST8 as my vanity. Or was it U4IK ST8. Can't remember if it was a C or a K. Someone else had the other letter.
Appreciate 2
cmyx6go16869.00
      08-16-2023, 04:09 PM   #11
UncleWede
Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner
UncleWede's Avatar
United_States
18460
Rep
9,428
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oxnard, CA

iTrader: (0)

UNC WED on my bike, imagine that.

Rest of them are standard. New truck came with 247 something or other, I like it!
__________________
I have romped on her and I giggled like a drunk infant the entire time. - Sedan_Clan
Appreciate 2
cmyx6go16869.00
      08-16-2023, 06:01 PM   #12
M-technik-3
Lieutenant Colonel
2477
Rep
1,654
Posts

Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: western Ma

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1995 M3  [9.00]
2007 E91  [7.25]
1988 M3  [9.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
Last track day I seriously wondered if I was the ONLY person there who hadn't gotten a personal plate. To me, they are like a tattoo - I can think of tons of things I like and think are witty in the moment, but none of them are fit to drive around with all the time on my butt.
Not just that they are double the cost every two year, My stupid state wants me to pay to advertise I'm a Vet. I'll just continue to carry the ID in the wallet beside the license. Most cop's notice the Discrete unit patch to the left of the Plate and recognize it, not that I have been pulled over in last ten years.
Appreciate 2
Maynard4226.50
      08-16-2023, 06:21 PM   #13
cmyx6go
Colonel
cmyx6go's Avatar
16869
Rep
2,088
Posts

Drives: 2022 X6///M Comp
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2019 X6 ///M  [10.00]
Vanity plates here. Close to my user name. Model specific but may have to change after 14 years
__________________
I thought I was a good person but the way I react when people drive slowly in the left lane would suggest otherwise
Appreciate 2
vreihen1620950.00
      08-16-2023, 10:00 PM   #14
Llarry
Curently BMWless
Llarry's Avatar
21670
Rep
732
Posts

Drives: 2025 M850ix ordered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmyx6go View Post
Vanity plates here. Close to my user name. Model specific but may have to change after 14 years
So do you have your eye on a replacement for the X6 that is not another X6 or is it still too early to tell?
__________________
'25 M850ix GC (Ordered)
BMW CCA 30 years
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 10:06 PM   #15
Llarry
Curently BMWless
Llarry's Avatar
21670
Rep
732
Posts

Drives: 2025 M850ix ordered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I've only done vanity plates once and then for my Sprinter van. I used that van mostly for hauling lumber, fencing, etc., but could also load my llamas in the van, which was 73" high inside, so I called it my "llama limousine" and the plate was LLAMSN. It would've been clearer if I'd been allowed one more letter I suppose.

I also did a custom two-tone paint job on the white van, having the lowers painted BMW Estoril Blue -- an M color. An M color on a utilitarian Mercedes.
Attached Images
 
__________________
'25 M850ix GC (Ordered)
BMW CCA 30 years
Appreciate 5
dradernh4831.00
Buug95923495.50
Lady Jane82731.50
vreihen1620950.00
      08-16-2023, 10:08 PM   #16
Esteban
Major General
Esteban's Avatar
United_States
54683
Rep
7,238
Posts

Drives: a slow car fast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry View Post
So do you have your eye on a replacement for the X6 that is not another X6 or is it still too early to tell?
Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I remember her saying she might buy out her lease.

What say you cmyx6go?
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 10:37 PM   #17
M_Six
Free Thinker
M_Six's Avatar
United_States
19313
Rep
7,550
Posts

Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Foothills of Mt Level

iTrader: (0)

IL has weird rules for plates. My neighbor has the same plate (his last name) on all 4 of his vehicles. They each have a small red letter on the far right side of the plate. A,B,C, and D. I'm pretty sure vanity plates are the same as normal plates here cost-wise as long as there is a number in it somewhere. Non-number plates cost more.

Our plates are just standard.
__________________
Mark
markj.pics

"Life is uncertain, eat bacon now."
-UncleWede
Appreciate 2
vreihen1620950.00
      08-16-2023, 10:38 PM   #18
///MPhatic
The Seeker
///MPhatic's Avatar
15427
Rep
3,856
Posts

Drives: OG M2 • Exige
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [8.75]
I mean, if you care about your car you should care about your plate IMO, but who am I to say?

Down by the creek, walkin' on water. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr
Appreciate 2
Llarry21670.00
      08-16-2023, 10:41 PM   #19
dradernh
Brigadier General
dradernh's Avatar
4831
Rep
3,611
Posts

Drives: 2017 M240i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SW Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry View Post
I also did a custom two-tone paint job on the white van, having the lowers painted BMW Estoril Blue -- an M color. An M color on a utilitarian Mercedes.
Wow - your Sprinter is stylin'!

Six is certainly short when composing your own vanity plate character string. I'm not sure, but I think most states offer space for seven characters now.

-------------------------------------------------

When we lived in New Hampshire and I was paying the bills, I chose a "moose plate" for our Tundra. It cost ~$25 extra at renewal each year, and the money went, I thought, to worthy "conservation, heritage and preservation programs statewide". NH is a super low-tax state, so I looked at it as a voluntary tax that I was more than willing to pay. Once the wife took over paying the bills, however, the moose plate went by the board.

Seriously, who, living in moose country, wouldn't want a plate with a moose on it?

__________________
2017 M240i: 25.9K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; Full PPF
Appreciate 3
Esteban54683.00
Llarry21670.00
      08-16-2023, 11:40 PM   #20
OtoPA
Private First Class
443
Rep
152
Posts

Drives: 22 F150, 23 M4, JD3038E
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: OKC(ish)

iTrader: (0)

It is my ORF go-fast car...
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 3
Buug95923495.50
Llarry21670.00
      08-17-2023, 07:07 AM   #21
cmyx6go
Colonel
cmyx6go's Avatar
16869
Rep
2,088
Posts

Drives: 2022 X6///M Comp
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2019 X6 ///M  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry View Post
So do you have your eye on a replacement for the X6 that is not another X6 or is it still too early to tell?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I remember her saying she might buy out her lease.

What say you cmyx6go?
My lease is up one year from tomorrow. Normally, at this point I'd be starting to get the new car excitement and thinking about my next color. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I don't like the direction BMW and all the car manufacturers are going with all this tech and screen nonsense. I want buttons and an analog instrument cluster, damn it! As it is I feel like I'm driving a video game, the newer models are worse.

I need to go to the Porsche dealer and check out the Cayenne Coupe. I read here somewhere that Porsche was going back to some buttons after push back but I'm not sure if that was model specific or which model year. I just watched a video of a Cayenne test drive and the damn thing doesn't even have a shifter anymore, it has some stupid toggle thingy. So I'm not optimistic. I may have no other choice than to buy out my current X6 ///M so I'll be keeping my vanity plate a bit longer. Not thrilled with having a vehicle out of warranty but I don't like what's out there. We shall see.

Hijack over.
__________________
I thought I was a good person but the way I react when people drive slowly in the left lane would suggest otherwise

Last edited by cmyx6go; 08-17-2023 at 07:22 AM..
Appreciate 4
Lady Jane82731.50
vreihen1620950.00
3798j13172.50
Buug95923495.50
      08-17-2023, 07:38 AM   #22
Llarry
Curently BMWless
Llarry's Avatar
21670
Rep
732
Posts

Drives: 2025 M850ix ordered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmyx6go View Post
My lease is up one year from tomorrow. Normally, at this point I'd be starting to get the new car excitement and thinking about my next color. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I don't like the direction BMW and all the car manufacturers are going with all this tech and screen nonsense. I want buttons and an analog instrument cluster, damn it! As it is I feel like I'm driving a video game, the newer models are worse.

I need to go to the Porsche dealer and check out the Cayenne Coupe. I read here somewhere that Porsche was going back to some buttons after push back but I'm not sure if that was model specific or which model year. I just watched a video of a Cayenne test drive and the damn thing doesn't even have a shifter anymore, it has some stupid toggle thingy. So I'm not optimistic. I may have no other choice than to buy out my current X6 ///M so I'll be keeping my vanity plate a bit longer. Not thrilled with having a vehicle out of warranty but I don't like what's out there. We shall see.

Hijack over.
A couple of things:
1) All the car makers are going with screens and away from switches and buttons. Good luck trying to avoid that.
2) I haven't driven the Cayenne, but I think the Porsche driving experience is generally superior on all counts, particularly steering.
3) Extended warranty? Yes, it's big bucks. No, it doesn't cover everything. Can you get one from BMW? Otherwise, I think it is buyer beware.
4) Your X6M is gorgeous!
__________________
'25 M850ix GC (Ordered)
BMW CCA 30 years
Appreciate 1
cmyx6go16869.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 PM.




x3:
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST