ADD0514

Greetings,
I found what seems to be a license plate holder in the trunk of the E300. It has multiple tabs on the back side that seems to match up with the openings located in the grill area under the front bumper. I can push the tabs through the holes and the holder fits the area nicely. However, it's not secured there unless there are some other mechanism exists to lock it in place.
Do you have the same license plate holder? If so, any comment?

Regards

mlmoose

Hi, did you figure it out? I have the same issue. Based on experience with previous cars, I think it straddles the front bumper and hangs partway down over the lower grille. But it involves drilling holes in the bumper and screwing the mount to the bumper (yikes). I'm planning on playing with it in the next few days - or chicken out and let the dealer do it.

ADD0514

I wen to the dealer and they confirmed that they'd need to drill the front bumper. The sales person said that he had been driving for the past 10 years without a front license plate. I saw may premium/luxury cars in my area without the front license plate either. Even the loaners I've been driving the last week have only the rear plate installed. So I plan to go without the front one. However, if push come to shove, I think the plastic holder can be zip tied to the perforated screen under the front bumper.
Hope this helps.

mlmoose

Thank you, ADD. I appreciate the response. And yes, it seems that the front license plate laws are rarely enforced. I read that in other posts from CA drivers and from drivers from other states. It seems that in Texas that they've gotten a little more aggressive, so we'll see. It's now a $200 fine here.

Happy driving!

ADD0514

In that case, I'd definitely install the front plate. I've looked the options, you can install the holder without drilling holes. I'd zip tie the holder in place, very do-able with just a power drill.

Alan

Howdy

Just bought a 2017 E300 with the front plate holder in the trunk. When trying to install the top clips hold OK but bottom locks are too short to make contact with the grill. The bottom clips are designed to spread open and lock to the grill when screwed in. Called the national service center, told them it was a design flaw and of course they didn't know anything. Referred me back to dealer because they had special diagrams to show how it should be installed. Called dealer, they don't have special diagrams and would just screw the holder into the bumper. Appears that it was overlooked by the MB designers or they're trying to save a couple of bucks by using old inventory. Either way it mess up the car's appearance. I'm open for suggestions.

ua549

Move to one of the 19 states that don't require a front plate. j/k

All the images I've seen have the plate mounted directly to the bumper. Perhaps your holder is for the wrong model - luxury/sport. I'd visit the dealer to compare holders on demo cars.

shortspark

There is no way to install a plate on the front of my 2017 CLS550 without drilling and that I will not do as the car is simply too beautiful. It sounds like the E is the same.

I live in Texas and yes, I hear they are getting a little more aggressive in enforcing that law. The solution is to put aside a slush fund to pay the fine if caught, not only once but however many times they fine me. The only time I would obey this law is when my record shows enough fines that the next one will result in a court appearance. Then, and only then will I consider drilling into that gorgeous front end.

midesaka

What about a tow-hook mount? Something like https://www.amazon.com/Platypus-Hole...6PKV7B2MRCRPAS? There seem to be several brands to choose from on Amazon.

joshg1001

There is always a way. Really the easiest way is to just zip tie it to the mesh lower grill. I would avoid the tow hook because it would disrupt the parking sensors.

johnmc1

Picked up my E300 yesterday...dealer asked if I wanted front plate installed. Since its a requirement in IL, I just told him to 'do it'. Don't know where he got the plate holder from...sorry.

ADD0514

Each E300 comes with a plastic front license plate holder. MB tech will drill 2 holes on the front bumper then mount the holder with crews to the bumper.

Drgolf131

I too live in North Texas, and when I got my first Mercedes in 2012 ... an E350 ... my dealer had me sign a waiver that I declined having the front plate holder installed ... I didn't want holes drilled nor the pretty front lines to be messed up. With the CLS 550 that followed two years later, the salesman asked me, but didn't require any signed form. And when I took delivery of my E300 in November, the salesman and the concierge didn't even ask. If the police are getting more aggressive, I haven't seen it (I hope that doesn't jinx me!). I keep the plate in the trunk just in case...

Cao Black

Has anyone got a picture of zip tied application?

Not sure they come pre-installed on any MB unless dealer does it automatically. My W212 and W166 didn't.

In CA it is required but loosely enforced. CHP and Sheriff don't seem to care. Cities with lots of red-light cams might (I'm not in one). Anyway, it's a "fix it" ticket, so zip tie or tow hook might get you out of the fine. The referenced tow hook supplier states it does not block sensors, but has no W213 application yet.

expresspotato

It could just be a guide for where they drill the holes.

garyxu711

I do figure out a way to install the base of the plate without drill holes on the bumper, tie it with two cable ties, an d it's pretty much secure. Drive with it for three month, nothing happened.

Benzalot

I drilled 4 small holes near each corner and used black zip ties to secure the plate holder to the mesh below the bumper. Looks great and the bumper is not drilled.

ardenne90

Can you please post photos? Thanks.

ardenne90

Can you please post photos, including closeups? Thanks.

jamesmhood

I ordered a 2017 E wagon today. I had the sales manager agree to no front license plate holder. Dealer told me it is not required in Iowa.

Cao Black

Many examples on YouTube, some available in stores or online, some home made. Search "no drill license plate" or similar. Didn't see any zip tie application, but drywall toggles looks interesting, inexpensive and simple. If anyone finds a solution, please post a picture.

Texed

Top view of toggle bolt


Back view of license plate holder
Here's an option to mounting the front plate on an ML-350. I used two drywall toggle screws and connected thru the honey combed grill The plate sits a little lower than normal, but works fine. I also painted the toggles black just in case they needed to be hidden. Did not know if I can see them with the plate holder mounted. I drilled 3/16 inch holes for the bolts and used 3//16 x 3 inch screws

Long Islander

This sounds like a viable option given that there is so much vertical distance beneath the front bumper. Did you use the OEM plastic license plate holder or did you just screw in the license plate using the toggle bolts? Thanks.

Sunrose305

I lived in Connecticut for 24 years. They "require" a front plate but I never had one. Not once was it an issue, even when I was occasionally stopped for speeding, etc.

Long Islander

I once had a local cop make a U-turn and pull me over because he thought I was missing my NYS inspection sticker. I have a feeling I would have gotten pulled over if I had no front license plate. I'd rather not give anyone an easy reason to pull me over since a front plate is required.

Does anyone have a photo of the plate mounted below the front bumper with zip ties or with toggle bolts?