Front license plate installation
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 25
From: CA, USA
E300 P03
Front license plate installation
Greetings,
I found what seems to be a license plate holder in the trunk of the E300. It has multiple tabs on the back side that seems to match up with the openings located in the grill area under the front bumper. I can push the tabs through the holes and the holder fits the area nicely. However, it's not secured there unless there are some other mechanism exists to lock it in place.
Do you have the same license plate holder? If so, any comment?
Regards
I found what seems to be a license plate holder in the trunk of the E300. It has multiple tabs on the back side that seems to match up with the openings located in the grill area under the front bumper. I can push the tabs through the holes and the holder fits the area nicely. However, it's not secured there unless there are some other mechanism exists to lock it in place.
Do you have the same license plate holder? If so, any comment?
Regards
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Hi, did you figure it out? I have the same issue. Based on experience with previous cars, I think it straddles the front bumper and hangs partway down over the lower grille. But it involves drilling holes in the bumper and screwing the mount to the bumper (yikes). I'm planning on playing with it in the next few days - or chicken out and let the dealer do it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 25
From: CA, USA
E300 P03
I wen to the dealer and they confirmed that they'd need to drill the front bumper. The sales person said that he had been driving for the past 10 years without a front license plate. I saw may premium/luxury cars in my area without the front license plate either. Even the loaners I've been driving the last week have only the rear plate installed. So I plan to go without the front one. However, if push come to shove, I think the plastic holder can be zip tied to the perforated screen under the front bumper.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Thank you, ADD. I appreciate the response. And yes, it seems that the front license plate laws are rarely enforced. I read that in other posts from CA drivers and from drivers from other states. It seems that in Texas that they've gotten a little more aggressive, so we'll see. It's now a $200 fine here.
Happy driving!
Happy driving!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 25
From: CA, USA
E300 P03
Thank you, ADD. I appreciate the response. And yes, it seems that the front license plate laws are rarely enforced. I read that in other posts from CA drivers and from drivers from other states. It seems that in Texas that they've gotten a little more aggressive, so we'll see. It's now a $200 fine here.
Happy driving!
Happy driving!
Alan
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E300 2017
Just bought a 2017 E300 with the front plate holder in the trunk. When trying to install the top clips hold OK but bottom locks are too short to make contact with the grill. The bottom clips are designed to spread open and lock to the grill when screwed in. Called the national service center, told them it was a design flaw and of course they didn't know anything. Referred me back to dealer because they had special diagrams to show how it should be installed. Called dealer, they don't have special diagrams and would just screw the holder into the bumper. Appears that it was overlooked by the MB designers or they're trying to save a couple of bucks by using old inventory. Either way it mess up the car's appearance. I'm open for suggestions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,382
Likes: 1,104
.
Move to one of the 19 states that don't require a front plate. j/k
All the images I've seen have the plate mounted directly to the bumper. Perhaps your holder is for the wrong model - luxury/sport. I'd visit the dealer to compare holders on demo cars.
All the images I've seen have the plate mounted directly to the bumper. Perhaps your holder is for the wrong model - luxury/sport. I'd visit the dealer to compare holders on demo cars.
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 619
Likes: 34
From: East part of Texas
2017 CLS550
There is no way to install a plate on the front of my 2017 CLS550 without drilling and that I will not do as the car is simply too beautiful. It sounds like the E is the same.
I live in Texas and yes, I hear they are getting a little more aggressive in enforcing that law. The solution is to put aside a slush fund to pay the fine if caught, not only once but however many times they fine me. The only time I would obey this law is when my record shows enough fines that the next one will result in a court appearance. Then, and only then will I consider drilling into that gorgeous front end.
I live in Texas and yes, I hear they are getting a little more aggressive in enforcing that law. The solution is to put aside a slush fund to pay the fine if caught, not only once but however many times they fine me. The only time I would obey this law is when my record shows enough fines that the next one will result in a court appearance. Then, and only then will I consider drilling into that gorgeous front end.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 25
From: South MS
2017 E300 Sport, 2017 GLC300 Sport/Night
What about a tow-hook mount? Something like https://www.amazon.com/Platypus-Hole...6PKV7B2MRCRPAS? There seem to be several brands to choose from on Amazon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 85
From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
There is no way to install a plate on the front of my 2017 CLS550 without drilling and that I will not do as the car is simply too beautiful. It sounds like the E is the same.
I live in Texas and yes, I hear they are getting a little more aggressive in enforcing that law. The solution is to put aside a slush fund to pay the fine if caught, not only once but however many times they fine me. The only time I would obey this law is when my record shows enough fines that the next one will result in a court appearance. Then, and only then will I consider drilling into that gorgeous front end.
I live in Texas and yes, I hear they are getting a little more aggressive in enforcing that law. The solution is to put aside a slush fund to pay the fine if caught, not only once but however many times they fine me. The only time I would obey this law is when my record shows enough fines that the next one will result in a court appearance. Then, and only then will I consider drilling into that gorgeous front end.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 8
From: Chicago IL Area
2017 300E
Greetings,
I found what seems to be a license plate holder in the trunk of the E300. It has multiple tabs on the back side that seems to match up with the openings located in the grill area under the front bumper. I can push the tabs through the holes and the holder fits the area nicely. However, it's not secured there unless there are some other mechanism exists to lock it in place.
Do you have the same license plate holder? If so, any comment?
Regards
I found what seems to be a license plate holder in the trunk of the E300. It has multiple tabs on the back side that seems to match up with the openings located in the grill area under the front bumper. I can push the tabs through the holes and the holder fits the area nicely. However, it's not secured there unless there are some other mechanism exists to lock it in place.
Do you have the same license plate holder? If so, any comment?
Regards
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 25
From: CA, USA
E300 P03
Each E300 comes with a plastic front license plate holder. MB tech will drill 2 holes on the front bumper then mount the holder with crews to the bumper.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 13
From: Texas
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450; 2010 Chevy Corvette Convertible
I too live in North Texas, and when I got my first Mercedes in 2012 ... an E350 ... my dealer had me sign a waiver that I declined having the front plate holder installed ... I didn't want holes drilled nor the pretty front lines to be messed up. With the CLS 550 that followed two years later, the salesman asked me, but didn't require any signed form. And when I took delivery of my E300 in November, the salesman and the concierge didn't even ask. If the police are getting more aggressive, I haven't seen it (I hope that doesn't jinx me!). I keep the plate in the trunk just in case...
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 741
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
Not sure they come pre-installed on any MB unless dealer does it automatically. My W212 and W166 didn't.
In CA it is required but loosely enforced. CHP and Sheriff don't seem to care. Cities with lots of red-light cams might (I'm not in one). Anyway, it's a "fix it" ticket, so zip tie or tow hook might get you out of the fine. The referenced tow hook supplier states it does not block sensors, but has no W213 application yet.
Last edited by Cao Black; Feb 6, 2017 at 09:34 AM. Reason: typo
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Galveston, Texas
2001 E430 Designo Edition, 2002 C230K Sport Coupe & 2006 C230 SS
I drilled 4 small holes near each corner and used black zip ties to secure the plate holder to the mesh below the bumper. Looks great and the bumper is not drilled.
Last edited by Benzalot; Feb 24, 2017 at 09:08 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 67
Likes: 13
From: San Diego, California
2017 Mercedes E300 w/P1 and Sport Wheel pkgs
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 67
Likes: 13
From: San Diego, California
2017 Mercedes E300 w/P1 and Sport Wheel pkgs
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 741
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
Many examples on YouTube, some available in stores or online, some home made. Search "no drill license plate" or similar. Didn't see any zip tie application, but drywall toggles looks interesting, inexpensive and simple. If anyone finds a solution, please post a picture.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2015 ML-350
Top view of toggle bolt
Back view of license plate holder
Many examples on YouTube, some available in stores or online, some home made. Search "no drill license plate" or similar. Didn't see any zip tie application, but drywall toggles looks interesting, inexpensive and simple. If anyone finds a solution, please post a picture.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 968
Likes: 77
From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
Top view of toggle bolt
Back view of license plate holder
Here's an option to mounting the front plate on an ML-350. I used two drywall toggle screws and connected thru the honey combed grill The plate sits a little lower than normal, but works fine. I also painted the toggles black just in case they needed to be hidden. Did not know if I can see them with the plate holder mounted. I drilled 3/16 inch holes for the bolts and used 3//16 x 3 inch screws
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 968
Likes: 77
From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
Does anyone have a photo of the plate mounted below the front bumper with zip ties or with toggle bolts?
Last edited by Long Islander; Nov 13, 2017 at 03:57 PM.
