W203 European-plate Trunk Insert thread
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Saprissa
no worries....
photo-shoot will be happening throughout the day 11 AM - 4 PM
So just get there already !!
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
photo-shoot will be happening throughout the day 11 AM - 4 PM
So just get there already !!
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Question for anybody that's had to go back in to the DMV for renewal (in Cali). It doesn't indicate that I will need to re-take the written exam in the paperwork that was sent to me. Does that mean I don't have to take it or is it pretty much standard that I'll have to re-take the written exam?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Before and After
Hey everybody. Here are some before (OEM taillights and US Trunklid) and after (LED S Class "style" taillights and Euro Trunklid) shots of my car.
To answer your question about the bracket, Flip - Yes, in fact, I found something that worked even better (Plastic Universal License Plate Bracket). It had to be fabricated a little, but definitely works VERY solid for our needs. I'll post pics when I get my new digital camera (hopefully soon).
To answer your question about the bracket, Flip - Yes, in fact, I found something that worked even better (Plastic Universal License Plate Bracket). It had to be fabricated a little, but definitely works VERY solid for our needs. I'll post pics when I get my new digital camera (hopefully soon).
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Blake P
Wow...that looks awesome Drex! I think those tails are such an improvement over the OEM ones. I need to get one of those euro plate holders...
Good news, everybody. Turns out I might be getting 2 digital cameras. One for my parents Sony DSC-T1 and one for me Sony DSC-T7. Hopefully I'll have them by the weekend.
Doug, thanks for checking on the discount for the t7 and t5. I don't think I'm gonna need that though.
drex
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Originally Posted by drexappeal
Thanks, Blake! Hurry up and get your Euro trunklid from Steve! Just have him email you when they get one in your color - Pewter Silver, right?
Good news, everybody. Turns out I might be getting 2 digital cameras. One for my parents Sony DSC-T1 and one for me Sony DSC-T7. Hopefully I'll have them by the weekend.
Doug, thanks for checking on the discount for the t7 and t5. I don't think I'm gonna need that though.
drex
Good news, everybody. Turns out I might be getting 2 digital cameras. One for my parents Sony DSC-T1 and one for me Sony DSC-T7. Hopefully I'll have them by the weekend.
Doug, thanks for checking on the discount for the t7 and t5. I don't think I'm gonna need that though.
drex
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by nlpamg
two cameras now? and no discount needed from doug? are you getting a buy one get one free? hook it up! haha :p
My homeboy owns a couple electronics stores, but when he told me what his discount would be (he's a Sony distributor), it wasn't that great, so I figured I'd just try getting it on my own and figured that whatever discount Doug could get me through his hook up wouldn't be that far off from what my friend was offering.
Needless to say, I'll have to Sony Digital cams sometime soon. One is on it's way, the other will be shortly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: bay area, CA
'06 E350 Iridium Silver with pano
First of all, thanks to Steve/Wanda for selling me a brilliant silver euro trunk lid. This was my first purchase with MBENZL and service was outstanding.
Just some notes, I have an 05 c230 and the 4 euro tabs of the insert at the bottom didn't match up to the US trunk. However, as mention by 1LOP2K5C, I had to shave off the tabs in order for it to fit. This is what delayed me the most to install it. Since there are 2 tabs at the top and the middle screw, it holds in fairly well though. I'll probably put some 3M too if needed in the future.
Flip (mig888), thanks for your visual illustrations and answering those questions by Drex. It certainly helped me get thru those steps fairly quickly! Also, thanks for your offer to help me out with the license plate mount. I went with the mount which Drex did on his car.
Drex(drexappeal) , bro, thanks for your continous emails of the "how to". I would certainly still be clueless on ideas to mount a US plate onto that euro insert. I got my license plate fastener at Kragen which seemed similar to the Napaonline part. Many thanks again! I'll post pics on how I made it straight on the insert. The only thing though is that there is the rattle upon closing the trunk. It's probably because of the license plate fastener, the actual license plate, and my license plate frame hitting each other. I'm probably going to put some 3M tape to hold them in place with each other.
Just FYI, the stoppers weren't too bad. I used a adjustable wrench to unscrew counterclockwise. I too used a very small flathead screw driver to remove those 2 torx screws. Aside from that thing went pretty well. Of course, I wouldn't have been able to do it all by myself with all you guys on here. Thanks again!!!
Just some notes, I have an 05 c230 and the 4 euro tabs of the insert at the bottom didn't match up to the US trunk. However, as mention by 1LOP2K5C, I had to shave off the tabs in order for it to fit. This is what delayed me the most to install it. Since there are 2 tabs at the top and the middle screw, it holds in fairly well though. I'll probably put some 3M too if needed in the future.
Flip (mig888), thanks for your visual illustrations and answering those questions by Drex. It certainly helped me get thru those steps fairly quickly! Also, thanks for your offer to help me out with the license plate mount. I went with the mount which Drex did on his car.
Drex(drexappeal) , bro, thanks for your continous emails of the "how to". I would certainly still be clueless on ideas to mount a US plate onto that euro insert. I got my license plate fastener at Kragen which seemed similar to the Napaonline part. Many thanks again! I'll post pics on how I made it straight on the insert. The only thing though is that there is the rattle upon closing the trunk. It's probably because of the license plate fastener, the actual license plate, and my license plate frame hitting each other. I'm probably going to put some 3M tape to hold them in place with each other.
Just FYI, the stoppers weren't too bad. I used a adjustable wrench to unscrew counterclockwise. I too used a very small flathead screw driver to remove those 2 torx screws. Aside from that thing went pretty well. Of course, I wouldn't have been able to do it all by myself with all you guys on here. Thanks again!!!
Last edited by NO_WUR_E; Feb 12, 2006 at 12:38 AM.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by NO_WUR_E
First of all, thanks to Steve/Wanda for selling me a brilliant silver euro trunk lid. This was my first purchase with MBENZL and service was outstanding.
Just some notes, I have an 05 c230 and the 4 euro tabs of the insert at the bottom didn't match up to the US trunk. However, as mention by 1LOP2K5C, I had to shave off the tabs in order for it to fit. This is what delayed me the most to install it. Since there are 2 tabs at the top and the middle screw, it holds in fairly well though. I'll probably put some 3M too if needed in the future.
Flip (mig888), thanks for your visual illustrations and answering those questions by Drex. It certainly helped me get thru those steps fairly quickly! Also, thanks for your offer to help me out with the license plate mount. I went with the mount which Drex did on his car.
Drex(drexappeal) , bro, thanks for your continous emails of the "how to". I would certainly still be clueless on ideas to mount a US plate onto that euro insert. I got my license plate fastener at Kragen which seemed similar to the Napaonline part. Many thanks again! I'll post pics on how I made it straight on the insert. The only thing though is that there is the rattle upon closing the trunk. It's probably because of the license plate fastener, the actual license plate, and my license plate frame hitting each other. I'm probably going to put some 3M tape to hold them in place with each other.
Just FYI, the stoppers weren't too bad. I used a adjustable wrench to unscrew counterclockwise. I too used a very small flathead screw driver to remove those 2 torx screws. Aside from that thing went pretty well. Of course, I would hav ebeen able to do it all by myself with all you guys on here. Thanks again!!!
Just some notes, I have an 05 c230 and the 4 euro tabs of the insert at the bottom didn't match up to the US trunk. However, as mention by 1LOP2K5C, I had to shave off the tabs in order for it to fit. This is what delayed me the most to install it. Since there are 2 tabs at the top and the middle screw, it holds in fairly well though. I'll probably put some 3M too if needed in the future.
Flip (mig888), thanks for your visual illustrations and answering those questions by Drex. It certainly helped me get thru those steps fairly quickly! Also, thanks for your offer to help me out with the license plate mount. I went with the mount which Drex did on his car.
Drex(drexappeal) , bro, thanks for your continous emails of the "how to". I would certainly still be clueless on ideas to mount a US plate onto that euro insert. I got my license plate fastener at Kragen which seemed similar to the Napaonline part. Many thanks again! I'll post pics on how I made it straight on the insert. The only thing though is that there is the rattle upon closing the trunk. It's probably because of the license plate fastener, the actual license plate, and my license plate frame hitting each other. I'm probably going to put some 3M tape to hold them in place with each other.
Just FYI, the stoppers weren't too bad. I used a adjustable wrench to unscrew counterclockwise. I too used a very small flathead screw driver to remove those 2 torx screws. Aside from that thing went pretty well. Of course, I would hav ebeen able to do it all by myself with all you guys on here. Thanks again!!!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: bay area, CA
'06 E350 Iridium Silver with pano
Originally Posted by drexappeal
Arnold, you got exactly the bracket you needed. What you need to do now is drill screws into that plastic bracket where the 4 holes in the euro trunklid are. Just make sure you measure first before you screw the bracket into the euro trunklid. I'll try taking some pics tomorrow and post asap. Got busy doing errands today, so couldn't send you anything.
My 2 and 3 pics are of the completed project.Thanks again for your help!
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by NO_WUR_E
Hey Drex, actually I'm done! My 2 and 3 pics are of the completed project.
Thanks again for your help!
My 2 and 3 pics are of the completed project.Thanks again for your help!
So you used double-sided tape, instead of screwing the bracket in?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: bay area, CA
'06 E350 Iridium Silver with pano
Originally Posted by drexappeal
So you used double-sided tape, instead of screwing the bracket in?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by NO_WUR_E
Drex, I screwed in the license plate fastener to the euro trunk lid using the new holes I made. Then I screwed in my US plate to the license plate faster using the original those pre-existing holes~just the bottom. Lastly, I screwed in my "Mercedes" frame to the top pre-existing holes. However, there still is some rattle upon closing. That's why I might use double sided tape to hold in frame more to the US plate. I thought of buying those small round stoppers. I'll have to go to Home Depot tomorrow to see what I can find. This probably sounds confusing, huh.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
I finally took down my license plate and took pics of the bracket and where holes need to be drilled in the bracket to make this work. The bracket is actually upside down from how it normally would be, but for the purposes of the Euro Trunklid, it was a better fit to flip it upside down. Technically, there are 4 holes that you can screw in (where the euro holes are). I showed pics of the top screws only. Post questions, if you guys have any.
drex
drex
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
2004 SL 350 & E class 200K avantgarde
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
...I only have one left at home (if I remember correctly) and that is in 744 silver
greetingz,
greetingz,
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
Originally Posted by drexappeal
I finally took down my license plate and took pics of the bracket and where holes need to be drilled in the bracket to make this work. The bracket is actually upside down from how it normally would be, but for the purposes of the Euro Trunklid, it was a better fit to flip it upside down. Technically, there are 4 holes that you can screw in (where the euro holes are). I showed pics of the top screws only. Post questions, if you guys have any.
drex
drex
As far as the license plate mounting, there is a factory option to that. On the 219, 164, 251 and 221 they are using one decklid, or hatch for both sides of the pond. And the decklid/hatch has the euro plate pattern on it. So, they came up with a nice stainless (I think it's stainless) adaptor plate that has the euro pattern with 6mm threads bored in it for the US plate. I'm traveling right now, but let me see if I can get a picture and a part number, if anyone is interested.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
2004 SL 350 & E class 200K avantgarde
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
yes - we do...but you already have that right?
greetingz,
greetingz,
I will send you a pictures.
Check it out.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
Hey Drex, that looks really nice!
As far as the license plate mounting, there is a factory option to that. On the 219, 164, 251 and 221 they are using one decklid, or hatch for both sides of the pond. And the decklid/hatch has the euro plate pattern on it. So, they came up with a nice stainless (I think it's stainless) adaptor plate that has the euro pattern with 6mm threads bored in it for the US plate. I'm traveling right now, but let me see if I can get a picture and a part number, if anyone is interested.
As far as the license plate mounting, there is a factory option to that. On the 219, 164, 251 and 221 they are using one decklid, or hatch for both sides of the pond. And the decklid/hatch has the euro plate pattern on it. So, they came up with a nice stainless (I think it's stainless) adaptor plate that has the euro pattern with 6mm threads bored in it for the US plate. I'm traveling right now, but let me see if I can get a picture and a part number, if anyone is interested.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
...I only have one left at home (if I remember correctly) and that is in 744 silver
greetingz,
greetingz,
If you can get one, I would probably get the Euro impact strips at the same time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: bay area, CA
'06 E350 Iridium Silver with pano
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
...I only have one left at home (if I remember correctly) and that is in 744 silver
greetingz,
greetingz,
