I use autoglym HD wax, by far the best/easiest to to use for the money imo. If you check reviews on it it'll say it's hard to beat. And 2 coats every 5-6 months will do it.
I think private reg plates are great, had mine for 12 years. What I would say though is get it personal to you and not the car because you'll have a different car one day and then it's just wasted.
Looks like you've got a recon gearbox fitted going by all the paint markings on it. Could just be an aftermarket slave that's fitted so might just be the way it sits.
If it was in the 'one click out' position you'd have no clutch because the fluid would be coming out.
For what it's worth I drove the 200 EDC and i thought it was great tbh. I think it's just a marmite car for some people so your always going to get haters, personally it's not my cup of tea with the auto box (hence why I bought the 265) but I wouldn't say its crap.