Hiding your License Plate
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Hiding your License Plate
Hey everyone,
I want to remove the front license plate bracket because I think it looks terrible. Unfortunately, like many of you, I live in a state where it is required by law. To make it worse I work on a military installation and am checked in by a guard everyday and most of the time they are in a bad mood.
My buddy has a CTS-V and didn't want holes in his bumper so he purchased a hidden, motorized license plate bracket, like this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/APR-400EU/
My question, has anyone done this on thier Mercedes? Any reason to think it wouldn't work (maybe not this exact one but one like it)? I'm thinking along the lines of clearance or mounting options.
I performed a search from the main forum page of MBWorld.org so that I would get all of the vehicle forums and I didn't come up with much other than the Two Hook bracket option, folks complaining about having a front license plate, the number of holes found behind the bracket once removed and those looking for plugs for to fill the holes.
I am not a huge fan of the Tow Hook bracket solution. I think if you have not previosuly had a plate installed on your bumper then it is a nice, simple way to avoid drilling holes (provided you don't have parktronic). For me, if I am going through the cost & effort of having the holes in my bumper filled I do not want to see a license plate at all when I am done.
Thanks,
I want to remove the front license plate bracket because I think it looks terrible. Unfortunately, like many of you, I live in a state where it is required by law. To make it worse I work on a military installation and am checked in by a guard everyday and most of the time they are in a bad mood.
My buddy has a CTS-V and didn't want holes in his bumper so he purchased a hidden, motorized license plate bracket, like this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/APR-400EU/
My question, has anyone done this on thier Mercedes? Any reason to think it wouldn't work (maybe not this exact one but one like it)? I'm thinking along the lines of clearance or mounting options.
I performed a search from the main forum page of MBWorld.org so that I would get all of the vehicle forums and I didn't come up with much other than the Two Hook bracket option, folks complaining about having a front license plate, the number of holes found behind the bracket once removed and those looking for plugs for to fill the holes.
I am not a huge fan of the Tow Hook bracket solution. I think if you have not previosuly had a plate installed on your bumper then it is a nice, simple way to avoid drilling holes (provided you don't have parktronic). For me, if I am going through the cost & effort of having the holes in my bumper filled I do not want to see a license plate at all when I am done.
Thanks,
Last edited by mhass350; Apr 7, 2012 at 09:47 PM. Reason: wrong link....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
I did that with my Mustang (when it was running) and the first time I came onto Post I rec'd a repair order because it was not properly displayed on the front of the vehicle.
l also rec'd a repair order when I had my Jeep and I broke front plate bracket one weekend while out 4wheeling.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2007 W211 E350 Saloon, 2003 BMW E46 M3 Cabrio
I had the same issue with my BMW M3 and used a mount that attached to the underside of the bumper at the top of the lower radiator vent. It had right angle aluminum brackets with rubbber bumpers so no holes in the front of the bumper.
If you are required to display the plate daily it would sound like a more practical solution for you then the hide away plate option and alot less expensive...
I can post some pics of the mount if you would like.
If you are required to display the plate daily it would sound like a more practical solution for you then the hide away plate option and alot less expensive...
I can post some pics of the mount if you would like.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
^^not a bad idea, thanks!
Now I am thinking that I could even fabricate an undermount bracket with some flat bar and a few machine bolts. It would probably be pretty simple and cheap.
I think the manual fold away mounts from the same company are $50.
In MD we are "required" to have a front plate. But, you have to get caught without one. This is what I like about the folding options, whether power or manual, because if I am caught and receive a work-order I can easily correct it.
Either way, I just ordered Gary's AMG front bumper so I will be doing something soon because I don't want any holes in it.
Now I am thinking that I could even fabricate an undermount bracket with some flat bar and a few machine bolts. It would probably be pretty simple and cheap.
I think the manual fold away mounts from the same company are $50.
In MD we are "required" to have a front plate. But, you have to get caught without one. This is what I like about the folding options, whether power or manual, because if I am caught and receive a work-order I can easily correct it.
Either way, I just ordered Gary's AMG front bumper so I will be doing something soon because I don't want any holes in it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,671
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H0njqB7W2k
You can get this remote motorized plate from my boy John @ Motorcepts.
Tell him Nick from the E60 boards sent you.
You can get this remote motorized plate from my boy John @ Motorcepts.
Tell him Nick from the E60 boards sent you.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 872
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2009 W211 E350 AMG Sport PKG
Not too sure. Email info@motorcepts.com for a quote. There are a lot of similar ones out there but I think this one's really clean.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: North OC, SoCal
2013 CLS550, 2013 GLK350 4-Matic
Looks like it is $160. But it appears to be the same unit Summit has for $130 in OP's post.
http://motorcepts.com/store/product_...products_id=30
Here in Cali we are "required" to have a front plate. I haven't had one on a car since 1990 and have never had an issue, even when stopped by the roadside to discuss other things I was "required" to do but might not have, like driving slower. But then, I don't drive on a military base like the OP.
Mike
http://motorcepts.com/store/product_...products_id=30
Here in Cali we are "required" to have a front plate. I haven't had one on a car since 1990 and have never had an issue, even when stopped by the roadside to discuss other things I was "required" to do but might not have, like driving slower. But then, I don't drive on a military base like the OP.
Mike
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Thanks for that video, it sold me on spending the extra $80 for the powered/remote version over the manual. It is the same bracket found on Summit, JEGs and eBay -- both are made by Altec.
I like the placement on the BMW in that vid but I don't think it will work like that on my (our) w211s. I'm going to go underneath the front lip. That's how my buddy has his set up on is CTS-V.
Gary's AMG style bumper came in this weekend so I just need to save a few more pennies then ill have it painted and installed.
I like the placement on the BMW in that vid but I don't think it will work like that on my (our) w211s. I'm going to go underneath the front lip. That's how my buddy has his set up on is CTS-V.
Gary's AMG style bumper came in this weekend so I just need to save a few more pennies then ill have it painted and installed.
Last edited by mhass350; Apr 7, 2012 at 09:46 PM.
