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W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
OEM Front License Plate bracket install on 14+ Sport - Am I really supposed to drill?
Recently purchased a CPO MB 2015 E400 sport from a state that didn't have a front plate requirement. I'm stuck in Virginia and unfortunately have to use one, and am interested in installing the OEM bracket that was included in the spare tire area ( A 2128851681). My understanding is that every MB sold in the US comes with this in the trunk and then the dealer installs if required by law. However, it came with no documentation or hardware, and the basic stuff I can find on EPC implies that I'm supposed to actually drill this bracket through the front bumper (!)? I'd rather not use a tow-hook bracket and can't seem to find another great aftermarket solution, so I was wondering if anyone could share the safest steps or alternative methods they used to get their front plate attached. I've searched this and the W212 AMG forum and read through most of those already.
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Originally Posted by DubVBenz
Recently purchased a CPO MB 2015 E400 sport from a state that didn't have a front plate requirement. I'm stuck in Virginia and unfortunately have to use one, and am interested in installing the OEM bracket that was included in the spare tire area ( A 2128851681). My understanding is that every MB sold in the US comes with this in the trunk and then the dealer installs if required by law. However, it came with no documentation or hardware, and the basic stuff I can find on EPC implies that I'm supposed to actually drill this bracket through the front bumper (!)? I'd rather not use a tow-hook bracket and can't seem to find another great aftermarket solution, so I was wondering if anyone could share the safest steps or alternative methods they used to get their front plate attached. I've searched this and the W212 AMG forum and read through most of those already.
There is a tow plug on passenger side of front bumper (small square plug. You can buy a bracket that goes inside there that will hold your plate. This way you do not have to drill. Ebay sells them. Be careful taking off the plug so you can use it again if needed.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by dbldpr
There is a tow plug on passenger side of front bumper (small square plug. You can buy a bracket that goes inside there that will hold your plate. This way you do not have to drill. Ebay sells them. Be careful taking off the plug so you can use it again if needed.
I've seen that suggestion but would really prefer a symmetrical/OEM look.
I also live in Virginia and was in the same situation as you. When I purchased my used 2016 E350 Sport, I decided NOT to use the OEM license plate bracket to avoid drilling my front bumper. I securely mounted mine in the lower grille by using this $5 accessory from Amazon (
) and two zip ties. The only mod to my license plate was folding over part of the lower half of the plate to fit it into the grille which did not obscure the plate numbers. Mounting my license plate this way has not affected engine cooling.
Hope this helps.
- Longroof
Last edited by Longroof; Apr 25, 2019 at 02:04 PM.
$60 fine here and they will get you if parked on the street or at the airport. Not worth it. The bracket comes with self tapping screws, so you can just drill a pilot hole. Buy the largest diameter that fits in the hole of the bracket. 1” long I think. It just needs to bite through the plastic of the bumper. There are 4 holes and I would use all 4. I started out with the top 2 only and ran over a Xmas tree that fell off someone’s roof and that tree pulled my whole plate and bracket right off. I kid you not.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by KEY08
$60 fine here and they will get you if parked on the street or at the airport. Not worth it. The bracket comes with self tapping screws, so you can just drill a pilot hole. Buy the largest diameter that fits in the hole of the bracket. 1” long I think. It just needs to bite through the plastic of the bumper. There are 4 holes and I would use all 4. I started out with the top 2 only and ran over a Xmas tree that fell off someone’s roof and that tree pulled my whole plate and bracket right off. I kid you not.
The self tapping screws, are you simply referring to the built-in plastic screws on the bracket itself, or are there additional pieces of metal hardware that I maybe don't have? The bracket was in a plastic bag so I assumed it was undisturbed, but maybe I'm missing something.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by Longroof
I also live in Virginia and was in the same situation as you. When I purchased my used 2016 E350 Sport, I decided NOT to use the OEM license plate bracket to avoid drilling my front bumper. I securely mounted mine in the lower grille by using this $5 accessory from Amazon (Cruiser Accessories 79050 License Plate Bracket, Black) and two zip ties. The only mod to my license plate was folding over part of the lower half of the plate to fit it into the grille which did not obscure the plate numbers. Mounting my license plate this way has not affected engine cooling.
Hope this helps.
- Longroof
Not a bad idea, have the police given you and grief about the plate not being the correct size?
Ah, I see those fasteners on that Ebay listing photo. Mine just had the holes in those locations. I guess it’s 5 total with the one in the center. I’m not sure if you are supposed to drill a specific size hole for those and snap the whole thing in place. I think it’s easier to get large head self-tapping screws in place of those. Mine is on good now. My bracket also has a bend to follow the bumper and hence my plate is slightly bent. Not sure if you can see that in my photo.
Yeah, pretty stupid that Mercedes can't give you a little bracket that mounts up under the bumper somewhere like a Honda or any other car. I bought my car from TX, I think they have front plates because it had a bracket with the dealer logo plate in it, I was astonished that it was drilled straight through the bumper. I decided to add a european vanity plate with another appropriate holder purchased from somewhere in Europe on Ebay. Now I have 4 holes in my bumper! But the authentic Germany plate on front gets mainly positive comments.
Not a bad idea, have the police given you and grief about the plate not being the correct size?
I've had this license plate setup for over 18 months and have never been stopped or questioned by law enforcement for it. Probably because the setup does not obscure the plate number, state of issue, and month and year of registration expiration.
Snip off the plastic tabs that protrude ,so the plate holder can sit flush with the bumper and center up the plate bracket, drill 1 hole and litghtly screw it down, THEN DRILL THE OTHER 3 , ONLY USE 4 SCREWS.
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