SL/R231: Front License Bracket Removal...
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Front License Bracket Removal...
Could someone tell me whether or not there would be visible holes in the front facia of a facelift SL if the factory-supplied license bracket was removed? I'm seeing cars in my search that have front brackets mounted, and if I find one of these with ABC, I'll be wanting to allow for potential body work if it will be necessary.
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Honestly, only an hour later and I just got a tip on another thread of a 450 at an out of state dealership that has a front plate bracket installed! Now I really have to know if I should avoid the front bracket or not...
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Bob, ask the dealer!! If folks are right about the difficulty in reselling these cars with that expensive option you may have some wiggle room, price-wise. Heck, even if they simply BELIEVE that canard (which evidently most dealers do) that may give you some leverage!
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
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Wish I could help on the facelifted SL as I never bothered to install the license plate.
On the original 2013 model the plate holder is screwed into the bumper leaving two holes.
That has been normal business with Mercedes as well so my money is on holes in the bumper.
That said, it will cost a few hundred with a body shop to fix this or a couple of bucks to plug the holes (not invisible).
On the original 2013 model the plate holder is screwed into the bumper leaving two holes.
That has been normal business with Mercedes as well so my money is on holes in the bumper.
That said, it will cost a few hundred with a body shop to fix this or a couple of bucks to plug the holes (not invisible).
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From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
My CPO SL550 had a front license plate bracket, which I removed. I went to Home Depot, found two flat end rubber plugs the same size as the holes, plugged them in, used touch up paint and you literally cannot tell they are there. The holes are not that big, at least mine were not.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
My CPO SL550 had a front license plate bracket, which I removed. I went to Home Depot, found two flat end rubber plugs the same size as the holes, plugged them in, used touch up paint and you literally cannot tell they are there. The holes are not that big, at least mine were not.
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From: Philadelphia area
2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
I asked the dealer to remove the bracket and fix the holes as part of the purchase deal. The idiots who installed the bracket used what were basically long wood screws and so it not only had two holes in the bumper from that but also scrapes on the top of the bumper from the upper plate screws being too long. Their body shop did the fix. It turned out OK.
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From: Western NY
2016 SL400
I asked the dealer to remove the bracket and fix the holes as part of the purchase deal. The idiots who installed the bracket used what were basically long wood screws and so it not only had two holes in the bumper from that but also scrapes on the top of the bumper from the upper plate screws being too long. Their body shop did the fix. It turned out OK.
My SL has the holes and I can see them there but it hasn't been a big deal for me (and I'm surprised by that). I probably should get them filled next time I get a doll up job.
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2017 SL550
FWIW We just purchased a 2017 550 SL from North Carolina where they do not require a front license plate. Unfortunately, here in Virginia they are required. The original owner still had the factory bracket in the trunk but I was reluctant to drill the bumper. Eventually, I used a no drill front mount from Sly Brackets. Before I found these folks I was looking for how I could plug the holes in the bumper if I used the factory supplied bracket and later wanted to sell the car.
I found a company called Bumper Plugs that will sell you a set of two plugs for this purpose painted to match your cars factory color for $29.95.
I found a company called Bumper Plugs that will sell you a set of two plugs for this purpose painted to match your cars factory color for $29.95.
Last edited by RobertF; Jul 5, 2020 at 10:19 PM.
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From: Western NY
2016 SL400
Weelllll, I also live in a state that requires front plates. But starting in around 2014 when I bought a car that just didn't look right with a front plate, I have been leaving them off. I have never been ticketed, 4 cars later (hopefully I didn't just jinx myself). I figure if I get pulled over I'll just respectfully say "Officer, if this was your car would you put a front plate on it?". If that doesn't do it I'll pay the fix-it ticket. Maybe my state is more forgiving than others, but I'd be surprised it's a royal pain for a lot of other things...
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
FWIW We just purchased a 2017 550 SL from North Carolina where they do not require a front license plate. Unfortunately, here in Virginia they are required. The original owner still had the factory bracket in the trunk but I was reluctant to drill the bumper. Eventually, I used a no drill front mount from Sly Brackets. Before I found these folks I was looking for how I could plug the holes in the bumper if I used the factory supplied bracket and later wanted to sell the car.
I found a company called Bumper Plugs that will sell you a set of two plugs for this purpose painted to match your cars factory color for $29.95.
I found a company called Bumper Plugs that will sell you a set of two plugs for this purpose painted to match your cars factory color for $29.95.
I should say that I finally purchased my SL a little over a month ago from a dealership in TN. The car was local to the dealer and TN does not require front plates, so the car is clean in the front. My original home state of WI does do front plates, but like .LMS., I haven't mounted front plates on any of my cars there in decades and haven't had a problem. The SL is being registered in GA, where they don't do the fronts either, so I'm home free. As my wife is fond of saying, "all that worry, for nothing"...
Thread Starter
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I went through the same thing when my then-new 2011 Golf TDI arrived at the dealer. I had gone through the whole "no front bracket" conversation with the sales person...twice. I was there when they pulled it off of the delivery truck (without a front bracket). I went home and came back the next day to take delivery, and viola...there it was. And not only did some boob install it, but whoever it was decided to "eyeball it", and it ended up over two inches off-center!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
