Styling LED number plate lights

[Redblade]

Hi all

Has anyone fitted LED numberplate bulbs WITHOUT getting a dash warning?

Have tried 3 different kinds now - all work fine, but ‘check number plate bulb’ warning comes up on dash.

The last ones I tried have a heat sink on the back of the bulb. With one LED and one standard bulb fitted = no warning - Both LED’s fitted = warning!

Redblade

 

[multispoke]

Hi all

Has anyone fitted LED numberplate bulbs WITHOUT getting a dash warning?

Have tried 3 different kinds now - all work fine, but ‘check number plate bulb’ warning comes up on dash.

The last ones I tried have a heat sink on the back of the bulb. With one LED and one standard bulb fitted = no warning - Both LED’s fitted = warning!

Redblade

What's the reason behind LED bulbs on the registration plate ?
Is it for effect, less draw on the battery or easier identification of your registration plate ?

 

[RobinPJ]

What's the reason behind LED bulbs on the registration plate ?
Is it for effect, less draw on the battery or easier identification of your registration plate ?

It is coz it is well wicked, innit, check it, man, bro (etc).

 

[306maxi]

aaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!

 

[RUI]

I have looked in to it as I was going to sell them but I could not get any to work without putting a resistor in.
I have to say i would not want them on my car....BUT I have on for the interior light and it is very good...much brighter.

 

[306maxi]

the silly thing is that if you put a resistor in then it just uses the same amount of power.

 

[RUI]

I know that but people just want them for the look.

 

[Redblade]

What's the reason behind LED bulbs on the registration plate ?
Is it for effect, less draw on the battery or easier identification of your registration plate ?

It just looks better and gives a more crisp modern looking light - as fitted to most high end cars like Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar etc. (as well as the reasons quoted above).

 

[RUI]

The funny thing is when I was a young boy racer the thing to do was take out the numberplate lights...

 

[306maxi]

But if I took the led ones out of your car and put incandescent ones in then you'd be none the wiser

 

[RUI]

I only have an LED for the interior light so I would see it...

 

[306maxi]

sorry, I was replying to redblade. On my phone so quoting isn't so easy

 

[loveshandbags]

It just looks better and gives a more crisp modern looking light - as fitted to most high end cars like Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar etc. (as well as the reasons quoted above).

Reviving an old thread...

Came across these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280512942110&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
on the AF and it's claimed by their members that they work on their mitos. These supposedly work WITHOUT resistors. Unsure if they would still work on the 500s.

Picture of a Beamer attached with LEDs on the number plate. It matches up with the brighter whiter rear lights. In the 'flesh' they looked well - only concern is that the registration number is easily 'picked up'.

EDIT: Sorry to get your hopes up but the 500 isn't on the compatibility list

 

[frupi]

I can honestly say that in the 26 short years I've been driving, I've never sat behind any vehicle at night and thought 'Wow, look at those fantastic rear number plate lights!'
I can also truthfully say, I've never given a moments thought about any rear number plate lights on any vehicle I've ever owned, except for MOT time. The longest I'ver personally owned a car for, is ten years and the rear number plate bulbs never failed the whole time I had the car.

I just don't see the point of changing something as dull as number plate lights for aesthetic reasons. And like with any mod to any vehicle which isn't standard for that particular car, depending on what the mod is, can attract the wrong sort of attention from the boyz in blue, which is a hassle probably most of us can do without. Still I accept there are people who feel the need to constantly tinker. Tinker on

 

[loveshandbags]

I can honestly say that in the 26 short years I've been driving, I've never sat behind any vehicle at night and thought 'Wow, look at those fantastic rear number plate lights!'
I can also truthfully say, I've never given a moments thought about any rear number plate lights on any vehicle I've ever owned, except for MOT time. The longest I'ver personally owned a car for, is ten years and the rear number plate bulbs never failed the whole time I had the car.

I just don't see the point of changing something as dull as number plate lights for aesthetic reasons. And like with any mod to any vehicle which isn't standard for that particular car, depending on what the mod is, can attract the wrong sort of attention from the boyz in blue, which is a hassle probably most of us can do without. Still I accept there are people who feel the need to constantly tinker. Tinker on

I was of the same opinion until I had a good look at that Beamer in the photograph. Given that its white - the new black - it worked well. Unlikely I will put them on my 'haven't got it yet' mito but I thought the link might be useful to some on here who would be inclined to give it a go.

Appreciate feedback if they work or otherwise on their 500s.

EDIT: See edit on post #13

 

[306maxi]

I can honestly say that in the 26 short years I've been driving, I've never sat behind any vehicle at night and thought 'Wow, look at those fantastic rear number plate lights!'
I can also truthfully say, I've never given a moments thought about any rear number plate lights on any vehicle I've ever owned, except for MOT time. The longest I'ver personally owned a car for, is ten years and the rear number plate bulbs never failed the whole time I had the car.

I just don't see the point of changing something as dull as number plate lights for aesthetic reasons. And like with any mod to any vehicle which isn't standard for that particular car, depending on what the mod is, can attract the wrong sort of attention from the boyz in blue, which is a hassle probably most of us can do without. Still I accept there are people who feel the need to constantly tinker. Tinker on

Ditto. Then again it takes all sorts

 

[SiliconS]

I can honestly say that in the 26 short years I've been driving, I've never sat behind any vehicle at night and thought 'Wow, look at those fantastic rear number plate lights!'

Fair point, but most of us probably don't notice many of the little design touches that designers build into cars to create an impression. For example there are usually many small differences between a 'vanilla' version of a car and the special edition or sporty versions. These little differences are trivial in isolation but overall they create an impression. You might not notice whether a car has LED number plate lights but if they're part of an overall 'look' then they can create a difference.

You might say "Hey, that car looks good" but you wouldn't necessarily be able to point out exactly what specific aspects of its appearance give you that impression.

My daily driver (S-Line Audi A6) has LED lights front and rear and in constrast to the sharp, modern tail the incandescent number plate bulbs look a bit yellow. Would I consider replacing them with whiter versions? Yes, absolutely.

 

[306maxi]

Fair point, but most of us probably don't notice many of the little design touches that designers build into cars to create an impression. For example there are usually many small differences between a 'vanilla' version of a car and the special edition or sporty versions. These little differences are trivial in isolation but overall they create an impression. You might not notice whether a car has LED number plate lights but if they're part of an overall 'look' then they can create a difference.

You might say "Hey, that car looks good" but you wouldn't necessarily be able to point out exactly what specific aspects of its appearance give you that impression.

My daily driver (S-Line Audi A6) has LED lights front and rear and in constrast to the sharp, modern tail the incandescent number plate bulbs look a bit yellow. Would I consider replacing them with whiter versions? Yes, absolutely.

But you won't see them?

 

[frupi]

My daily driver (S-Line Audi A6) has LED lights front and rear and in constrast to the sharp, modern tail the incandescent number plate bulbs look a bit yellow. Would I consider replacing them with whiter versions? Yes, absolutely.

Yes, but will they be legal? There are some Traffic Officers out there who would probably love to raise the issue. And don't forget, they're never wrong! Are they?....

 

[eco sTAr]

It's a pity we don't see more TO's out there, but they're never to be seen.
That's why so many people don't care about using mobiles, not wearing seat belts etc.
In reality, depending on where you live of course, there's not much chance of getting caught, is there?