desmo996

Just received my new C63 purchased out of state from a CA dealer and was pissed to find out the dealer mounted a front plate holder leaving 4 drilled holes in my brand new car's bumper!

In Vegas a front plate is not required so I don't want this ugly black plastic holder hanging there in the front.

What's the best way to fix these holes? I know of bumperplugs.com but 4 holes filled with plugs might look kind of crappy too. I am afraid to find out what a body shop would charge a C63 owner to fill and repaint these holes since they'd probably say the entire bumper needs to be repainted to match the paint. Anyone ever go this route? Is it an easier repair than I think it is?

The only other option I can think of is to get a Euro-style front plate with a Euro vanity license just for the imported look. It would probably be cheaper than a repair job.

Sincity

You and I bought from the same dealer. Ugh...I called them before I went down and they said they drill every single car because of a CA requirement. If you are going to take it to a shop to fix, you might as well have them fill in the side marker hole also. I am afraid such a job will probably cost about $500.

BTW-Congrats!

sflgator

I know your pain and frustration, guys. I bought from a VA dealer and I'm in FL where they only require the rear plate as well. There are 3 options for us...

1. The color matched bumper caps (which I currently have in now and they're not bad...see pic).

2. Get a front Euro plate to go over them.

3. Get them patched and repainted (which is of course, the most expensive option).

Right now, I'm satisfied with option #1, and I actually went to a local car enthusiast specialty shop (The Driver's Seat) and the guy gave me 2 sets for free. He said "try these, and if you don't like them, then come back and order a unique Euro plate for $40." I figured if I don't like the caps or I get sick of looking at them, then I'll do just that...option #2.

GBlansten

Option 1 seems pretty reasonable.

desmo996

Sflgator, the plugs look pretty good. Do you know id they're from bumperplugs.com?

The Euro plate idea sounds like it might work nicely as well. Anyone know where you can get these?

I also wonder if a bodyshop could just make plugs that would be flush with the holes and painted to match the car without having to repaint the whole bumper?

sflgator

The bumper plugs I have are simply the screws that came with the stupid dealer-installed front plate frame + the black plastic caps that the guy from The Driver's Seat shop gave to me; they must normally be ~$1.99/set of 2...something like that. You can get a Euro plate either off the Internet or go to a specialty car shop if you have one in your area. The guy at The Driver's Seat (maybe they have a Web site...I haven't checked ) said he can order a Euro plate with anything spelled out (your choice) for $40, so I figured that might be my second option.

Sincity

They are screw caps? I thought those were the ones from bumperplug.com?

JM

bum plugs?

i_am_amused

bumPER plugs

louiet3

My dealership in Bay Area, CA asked if I want the front plate installed or not and they had me sign a form declining the plate being installed.


Somebody posted this link a while back.

http://www.europlates.com/eec.html

Sincity

That is the way it should have been done.

MercPlease

My car was drilled in the front to. Needless to say I was pissed off. Never in 15 years have I had a front license plate - nor been pulled over for it. I'm living with it but I will probably buy the bumper plugs.

lomita

that wouldn't have been them torrance dudes now would it? however, they did unjam our middle seatbelt in the left rear seatback in about 15 seconds

got our C63 from Fresno Dealer on flatbed, tonto say no, drill em no holes in front bumper, hi oh silver ware, and they didn't...

but someone did put a rotary buffer all over our pearly paint job, time for the clay and swirl remover

desmo996

Ya I wish my dealer had offered this option before they went drill crazy.

Thanks for the Euro plates link. I'm wondering that since the C63's front bumper isn't flat but kind of angular if these flat Euro style frames and mounts will fit flush on the bumper? It seems like you might have to bend them a bit? I'm sure real European plate mounts probably provided by MB to European customers are molded to fit the front bumper like the US ones do.

sflgator

No, but I just checked out the "Bumper Plugs" from bumperplugs.com...slick little things; smaller and flatter than the painted caps I have, but for 2 sets (of 2) of those, it's $50! If I'm going to spend that for the bumper, I might just get a custom Euro Plate for $40 then...idk now.

jstefanop

iTrader: (1)

Thats why i specificaly asked for the deal to not touch the front bumper before they got the car...I live in NY and front plate is required here as well, but have not had any issues yet. Front end is so nice on this car I can live with a few tickets.

louiet3

Search for soldier2304's pics. He has a C63 with europlates.

gsrjc

I would have refused the car since the AMG doesn't come with holes already drilled into the front bumper from the factory. If you live in a state that requires a front license plate, the decision should be up to the owner. I told my dealer not to put on a front plate and they didn't do it at all. It is required also in MD.

QuadBenz

I would've refused to accept delivery if I requested no front plate as well. I live in CA, bought from a dealer in CA... My sales rep actually asked me if I wanted a front plate or not. Said no, they didn't touch it, luckily. It sucks for those whose dealers actually obey the law.

JM

Quad if you get another Merc will you get a new user name?

haha

anyways they are not suppose to drill holes unless you asked them to... seriously

i got a new bumper after an accident from MB and this time no drills I taped my front plate on instead with 3M tape

1V8C55

I agree. I also asked for no front plates and there was no issue. The dealer simply asked me to sign a waiver form stating that I requested no front plate at time of delivery. You should have been given this option. Sucks that the dealer didn't do this.

The Euro plate is nice, but unfortunately you can still get a fix it ticket since it is not a standard CA plate. This happened to one of my friends. It does look better though.

JM

wow you guys had to sign a waiver for that ?

desmo996

Well I just ordered a Euro plate online and hopefully this will take care of the eye soar. I just hope it installs easily on the curved front bumper.....

arctichaze

It's California, what do you expect? LOL

Kidding aside that's just to protect the dealership just in case the driver gets pulled over for no front plates he decided to blame the dealership for the ticket. The waiver guarantees that this is not going to happen.

Sincity

Jeff, when you got that new bumper, you should also had the body shop fill the side markers so you will have a "Euro" bumper.