Best number plate / plate holder style

[lawsy82]

Sorry 372 x 100?

[dave_r]

I'm not sure I get the point, changing one oversized bracket for another? If the look is that much of an issue, surely the extra cost of full size euro plates would be a lot easier?

[elisiX]

Dave one is a big plastic plate holder, the other is a gloss, smaller plate holder which covers the holes left by the OEM holder.

it's night and day as far as I am concerned. I've gotta get off my ass and get mine sorted - still got my plate cable tied to the grille.

[Corey_R]

I'm not sure I get the point, changing one oversized bracket for another? If the look is that much of an issue, surely the extra cost of full size euro plates would be a lot easier?

The full size Euro in Australia doesn't quite fit the standard plate holder properly either. Also, it then cannot have a plate cover, or if it does, the plate and its cover sits "out" from the holder by about 1cm at the sides. The Lakin plate holders allows the attachment of a slimline, and as elisiX said, is gloss, smaller and covers the holes left by the OEM holder.

[AdamD]

I'm not sure I get the point, changing one oversized bracket for another? If the look is that much of an issue, surely the extra cost of full size euro plates would be a lot easier?

Just a point of comparision: the original adapter fitted to the GTI is 540mm x 130mm x 18mm. (The depth is measured at the centrepoint, where it is widest, and obviously doesn't include the numberplate itself.) My new bracket is 485mm x 83mm x 5mm. The height is exactly the same as my plate, so there's no lip at all. And that 5mm depth is measured from the bumper to the face of the bracket, including the gap. That's a pretty big difference! The high-gloss black finish definitely gives the car a more premium look too.

As for the plate style... I've had my plates for 13 years now, and prefer to stick with the number I have. So the full-sized (and massively overpriced) Euro wasn't really an option for me. In SA I can't even choose a white-on-black premium plate and retain my number - that's the only reason I've still got a white plate on a red car!

[dave_r]

Just a point of comparision: the original adapter fitted to the GTI is 540mm x 130mm x 18mm. (The depth is measured at the centrepoint, where it is widest, and obviously doesn't include the numberplate itself.) My new bracket is 485mm x 83mm x 5mm. The height is exactly the same as my plate, so there's no lip at all. And that 5mm depth is measured from the bumper to the face of the bracket, including the gap. That's a pretty big difference! The high-gloss black finish definitely gives the car a more premium look too.

Yeah I get you know, guess i never really looked at the pics that much to notice/care. But the measurements show a huge difference. I'm on board now

[VeedubTSI]

I say the smaller the plate the better unless you really want to advertise yourself to everyone by having a personalised plate get the full sized personalised plates or Euro plates.

For those aerodynamically conscious/hypermillers , the smallest plate with the smallest bracket not interfering with the front air intake would suit them That extra 'interference' with the air coming into the car may just make that difference...

Really it comes down to personal taste but I say a small slimline Euro plate for Euro cars make them look like they're in Europe. You pay that extra ~$600 (in Victoria) for something special as it suits the car's origin and to a certain extent a statement ("Hey look at me I can drop $600 on a plate") =P

This is just my own opinion as opinions are like assholes and everyone has one just that they think that everyone else's stinks....

[elisiX]

Has anyone done the old "rear plate for stolen" to get another issued for use on the front?

Not sure why people would bother with the Larkin offering but am just curious as to whether that actually works.

[Corey_R]

Has anyone done the old "rear plate for stolen" to get another issued for use on the front?

Not sure why people would bother with the Larkin offering but am just curious as to whether that actually works.

I was thinking about that until I found that the Australian "European plate" size doesn't exactly fit the standard plate holder properly either. The plate is not quite quite enough and slightly too tall. Plus, check out what it looks like from above when you have a plate cover on it:

Sorry about the darkness, it was taken on a phone camera, really early in the morning in complete shadow. Note how bulky the holder is, how much curvature there is in the holder, and then how much the plate sticks out at either side when you have a 'cover' on it.

Compare this to the Lakin solution (keep in mind that this is a much closer photo than the one above!)


It's night and day. The stock holder looks crap anyway you look at it, whereas the Lakin Plate holders is a much more elegate and professiona looking solution.