eBalita Editor

What if you told the cop that stops you would love to put it on but there are no brackets? Would he still give you a ticket?

revstriker

Yes. Your responsibility.

20FHK02

I can say that 3 out of 10 newer model year cars do not have front license plates. It'd be too busy for the cops to pull over every one of them just for a fix-it ticket. So unless you drive crazy usually they won't bother you. I've been pulled over for light problems, speeding, running red lights, etc. but never got a fix it ticket for not having a front plate.

CitronC230K_03

the only time i got a fix it ticket for not having a plate was when i was speeding at night on the freeway and my rear fog light was on. kinda asked for it if you ask me. anyways got it written off, still dont have a front plate. and i agree unless you are causing problems or something then most likely you will not get pulled over just for not having a front plate.

preyx

Yeah, the fix-it I mentioned was because I got pulled over for doing 75 first... (75 on a socal freeway at 2AM? Gimme a break! :o )

pookie

i don't have a front license plate holder. thank god! the car would look like crap if it did.

DL_AMG

Front plate holder is part of the new car preparation from the dealer when purchase new. If your purchase dealer didn't do it, you can go to any local dealer to do it, they will put the plate holder for u for free but they will bill your purchase dealer for not doing there job. Not sure about used car tho.
Anyway, I prefer to have the plate with a big screws at the front and also wish the rear plate is on furtherest point of the rear bumper so when other people try to bump my car, they get to eat the big pointy screws on there car. Ugly is one thing, getting marks on the bumper is another.

goldenbuddha

Personally, I'd rather have no hole to start off, and drill if necessary, then not given a choice at all.

CitronC230K_03

i totally agree!!!

Sailorlite

When I took delivery last week, my '05 C230K sedan had the usual black plastic lic. plate panel/bracket screwed into the middle of the painted front bumper cover. And screwed to that panel was the dealer's lic. plate frame. That makes six gaping screw holes in the front bumper.
My question is: do MB's going to other western states all have these front plate brackets, regardless of whether the state even has front plates? Are they installed at the port or does the dealer install them?
While I bought my car in Calif., I plan to transfer registration and title to New Mexico in a few months. NM does not have front license plates.
What is the best (and cheapest?) way to fill or hide those 6 holes? Unless I hear a better idea, I think I will simply install 6 smallish screws and try to paint their heads with touch up paint. Maybe that won't look too bad.

awiner

Dealer installs the brackets. The VPC Does Not !


Take a look at this thread for a solution:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/95223-cheap-fix-front-license-bumper-holes.html

Petmerctech

You can also try using body filler in the holes and applying touch-up paint on it.

wingless

There is every indication that my sales person was thoroughly annoyed by my repeated reminders to NOT mount the front plate bracket. It was even in the sales contract. Every MB on the lot had the bracket, even those that had not been to dealer preparation.

Guess what, no bracket and no holes, but it was a lot of work.

mick1

i had to write them a note saying i would take full responsibility for telling them not to mount the front plate bracket because california law requires a front license plate.

awiner

I saw my car when it was being unloaded from the truck to the dealer. I took the bracket from the trunk where they put it at the VPC. This way they had nothing to make a mistake with.

psk145

BEST THREAD EVER!!!!

I just bought some plugs to fill my 6 holes in my front bumper. Just waiting for the paint to dry!!

tommy

Just suck it up and leave the plate there. Cops have bigger issues than stopping idiots who don't comply with the law.

IL230K

After I took delivery of my 04.5 C230SS back in May, I went into service and asked if they can plug it up like the Boxster's they had on the showroom floor, the SA said "We can do better and fill it up so you don't see anything." I took them up on the offer, the sad part of this is this is when my ordeal began. Apparently they contract out their bodywork, so whoever they sent the car to, they did a terrible job. I had to take it back and forth maybe 4 or 5 times before they got it right. Anyway, to make a long story short, for my inconveniences, they got me a W203 decklid spoiler for free. A 2 for 1 deal but had to go through loops to get it done.

Looks better without the holes.

808_230K

I only had to ask my salesman one time about that HI law req's a plate, but the loophole they use is that when you take delivery, the paper plates aren't technically the liscence plate, so they are cool about customers not wanting the bracket. once the plates come in, though, you're on your own. but it seems the cops have better things to worry about than ppl not running front plates.

ended up making my own mounting bracket anyway, so it's semi-legal

punju112

Hi I don't have a front license plate bracket and am in need of one soon, can anyone recommend how to get one and is it something I can install myself? The dealership is quoting me $100 including labor which seems a little high for simply mounting a license plate.

Thanks!

Jkw

Can you just buy the part and install it yourself.

MJ50

just go to dealer where u bought ur car from and tell them ur car didn't come with front bracket. they will install it for u free of charge. btw, better off going during ur next service...

rlee02135

u shouldnt muont a front plate unless you really need one
they will drill big ugly holes in your bumper...

coin

My dealer put 2 holes on my bumper for the mounting bracket

punju112

yes it is required in Washington DC, this is really a pain; I wonder if I can get some strong magnents or something...when i purchased the plate in MD it wasn't required, i've since moved to DC...the guy i bought the car from probably won't do anything for me.