E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

License Plate Bolts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:49 PM
  #1  
n2it's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Ohio USA
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
License Plate Bolts

It never ceases to amaze me how the most insignificant item becomes the most difficult. I have a 2000 E320 and need to replace the front and rear license plate bolts. Believe it or not, I have tried every Mercedes part supplier that I have book-marked and nobody carries them. I called several local parts stores and received the same answer. Does anyone happen to know what the screws happen to be? I have heard both M5 and M6 but I want to make sure that I get the correct ones so that I don't strip the holes.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 11:25 PM
  #2  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
They are M5
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #3  
n2it's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Ohio USA
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Originally Posted by lkchris
They are M5
M5's are way too small. This morning I went ahead and started messing with it. Somewhere along the line, the previous owner put standard threaded screws in the front but left metrics in the back. After examing the upper and lower screw holes, I was able to determine that the bottom holes in both the front and the back have either never been used or have not been used in quite some time. The bottom holes take a M7 perfectly. However, what is currently in the top are M8's (in the back); leading me to believe that the top holes have been stripped by someone using standard screws instead of the proper metric screws. I am restoring this car back to showroom condition and it is the little things like this that absolutely drive me crazy. Why would anyone force a screw in place instead of just getting the proper fit? Makes no sense.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:17 AM
  #4  
ESTJ's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
2001 E55 AMG - 2001 E320 - 1990 300CE
M5s

Look further into the mounts and you will see M5 threads, you need at least a 1 inch (24mm) long screw to reach those threads.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 04:43 PM
  #5  
n2it's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Ohio USA
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Re: M5

The screws that are present are at least an inch (although I didn't measure them). M5's would never even begin to thread in the mounts; they would be way too small. I had M6's and they were too small...

Originally Posted by ESTJ
Look further into the mounts and you will see M5 threads, you need at least a 1 inch (24mm) long screw to reach those threads.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 07:13 PM
  #6  
CKonstantin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
W210 E300D
In the front, you probably have an add-on plate atop the bumper cover, just replace it with a new one, and you won't have to guess the thread size, as to the trunk, it's a little trickier but can still be managed, there are Rivet-Nuts inserted into the trunk, you can drill out the old ones, and replace them with new ones from MB, you will however require a special rivet gun, to seat seat them(most bodyshops which work on MBs should have it).

That should permanently solve your troubles, also don't forget to use stainless screws they should be M5 or M6(I'm leaning towards M6) not bigger than that.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 09:25 PM
  #7  
n2it's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Ohio USA
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Re: Bumper

I just had the bumper cover replaced and pick the car up from the body shop tomorrow. I wll be curious to see if the M5 screws are the correct fit for the new bumper cover. I'll be posting some pics of my progress. Unlike most, I'm all about taking this car back to its show room look.

Originally Posted by CKonstantin
In the front, you probably have an add-on plate atop the bumper cover, just replace it with a new one, and you won't have to guess the thread size, as to the trunk, it's a little trickier but can still be managed, there are Rivet-Nuts inserted into the trunk, you can drill out the old ones, and replace them with new ones from MB, you will however require a special rivet gun, to seat seat them(most bodyshops which work on MBs should have it).

That should permanently solve your troubles, also don't forget to use stainless screws they should be M5 or M6(I'm leaning towards M6) not bigger than that.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2012 | 05:11 AM
  #8  
renault12ts's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 41
From: UK
W215 CL500 2005
Double sided tape?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:23 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE