SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: front license plate
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Glen Carbon, Illinois
RED 2005 SL65
front license plate
I know no one wants to run a front license plate on their cars, but the state of Illinois requires it and I am not going to give the police another excuse to pull me over. My 2005 SL65 is missing the front plate bracket and I would like to hear from those who might still have their original front plate bracket from the factory. Upon delivery when new, did the 2005 SL65 have a black plastic front license plate bracket or was it painted to match the color of the car? I want to try to keep my car as factory correct as possible. Thank again for your guys help, Chris 
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
2007 SL55 AMG
IMO
First, i have no idea what if any bracket comes factory. I also understand the desire to avoid being stopped, but i would never ruin the appearance of the car with a front plate. I am from Ohio originally and live in WA state now, both require a front plate. I never had one on any of my cars, for the last 20 years. The only time they bothered me was when i was stopped for not being able to see a temp tag in the rear tinted window of a past car. It is totally a personal decision, but it has never been a problem, for me. I got my SL last week, no front plate, and it won't get one unless i am forced to do so. While it is an excuse to pull you over, it's a lame one and the one time they mentioned it, it was a warning.
I know you didn't ask for an opinion on it, but it is a bone of contention for me, couldn't help myself. Good luck.
I know you didn't ask for an opinion on it, but it is a bone of contention for me, couldn't help myself. Good luck.
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From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
I use this, http://www.gominigo.com/MB.html
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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2007 S550
I'm in the same boat in NJ. This state is the worst for that stuff (or everything for that matter). I would get pulled over in a second! I has a Saleen that fortunately someone made a custom bracket that mounted from underneath to hole the front plate. I did see the one listed above, but I think the plate off to one side looks horrible.......Going to be a tough decision when my car gets here!
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
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From: Glen Carbon, Illinois
RED 2005 SL65
I am still trying to find out if the front license plate bracket that came with 2005 SL65's to America, was it painted to match the car or is it plain black plastic like I have seen in some pictures? Thanks Chris 
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Glen Carbon, Illinois
RED 2005 SL65
Well, I have the part the Mercedes Dealership said the vin # designates for the front plate bracket and it is very smooth and sure appears that is should be painted to match the car. I will install it after it is painted Mars Red to match the car, I'm sure it will look much better color coded. Thanks for everyones help, Chris.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 252
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From: Jersey
SL55
I'm in the same boat in NJ. This state is the worst for that stuff (or everything for that matter). I would get pulled over in a second! I has a Saleen that fortunately someone made a custom bracket that mounted from underneath to hole the front plate. I did see the one listed above, but I think the plate off to one side looks horrible.......Going to be a tough decision when my car gets here!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 30
From: Texas
M6 Gran Coupe
When I picked my 55 up this summer, the license plate holder was unused and in the trunk....it was the same silver color as the car. I don't recall seeing the SL with a black one unless it was something aftermarket.
Cops up here stopped me for that, too. I don't care....I'll take the $50 ticket over drilling into a $2000 bumper on a $130k car. I'm in Illinois all the time....your local cops must really be bored if they would pull you over for this unless they needed it as a pre-tense to pulling you over for something else (say such as driving drunk at 2am)....especially in the upper class areas.
Cops up here stopped me for that, too. I don't care....I'll take the $50 ticket over drilling into a $2000 bumper on a $130k car. I'm in Illinois all the time....your local cops must really be bored if they would pull you over for this unless they needed it as a pre-tense to pulling you over for something else (say such as driving drunk at 2am)....especially in the upper class areas.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Mine came with front plates. Never gave a thought as to what it would look like without, but I don't think it detracts. Pretty sure the frame is not painted to match the bumper. If I am mistaken, I will update.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Glen Carbon, Illinois
RED 2005 SL65
Thanks for answer. I have already sent the part to painted to match the Mars Red paint. I find it strange that many R230's have the front license plate bracket painted to match, but the flagship SL65 comes in plain black plastic. I guess if it doesn't look great, I can always replace it with a black plastic one? I think the painted to match will look better! Thanks for everyones help, Chris.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 211
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From: SF Bay Area
2001 Lamborghini Diablo, 2009 SL65 (sold), 1998 CL600 (sold), 1989 560SEL (sold)
If it was installed at the factory it would be body color or carbon fiber if the car had the AMG carbon fiber exterior option.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
C32
I live in Illinois and I'm not running a front license plate, It is legal to just put it on the dashboard while driving (I researched this a lot because i did not want to ruin the front look of my C32) So what i do is i have one on the back of the car but i put the front one in my glove box and when i get pulled over ill put it up onto the dash and if the officer asks where it was I just tell them i forgot to put it up. They have always let me go, and since I'm a 19 year old driving a c32 i get pulled over a lot. It works pretty well.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2005 sl500
Hello All, so my 2005 sl55 front bracket has been destroyed by some genius back into me. The OEM from Benz is 180 bucks! Seems steer for a piece of plastic. Since the bumper is pointed I know I have limited options. If anyone has suggestions on a replacement I would appreciate it. Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,032
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From: Wash. D.C.
'20 S63
Problem solved: http://www.hidetheplate.com/
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
My SL55 had one included with the car new... They definitely came Painted to match.
On the shelf I have 2 new R230 license brackets both a painted and non-painted, both are plastic but they are somewhat different in shape.
The painted bracket still has the stickers from the factory with the words (USA)- SMARAGD-SCHARTZ (Black Opal) and correct paint code 00009-189 production date on the sticker 11/2003. There is absolutely no question that this one was definitely Painted at the factory!
From memory-
I think the painted one was from my 2003 SL55 (production date 1/2003) that had a new front license plate bracket wrapped up in the trunk and it was painted the car color Black Opal #189 which is a very rare color...
BUT! My SL65 is also Black Opal..
The production date on the painted bracket is Nov. 2002. But Black Opal is a very rare color on the R230 SLs (probably less then 50) so it is entirely possible that it was still on the shelf when my SL65 was built 2 1/2 years later and was shipped with my SL65?.
(See PHOTO)
The painted bracket still has the stickers from the factory with the words (USA)- SMARAGD-SCHARTZ (Black Opal) and correct paint code 00009-189 production date on the sticker 11/2003. There is absolutely no question that this one was definitely Painted at the factory!
From memory-
I think the painted one was from my 2003 SL55 (production date 1/2003) that had a new front license plate bracket wrapped up in the trunk and it was painted the car color Black Opal #189 which is a very rare color...
BUT! My SL65 is also Black Opal..
The production date on the painted bracket is Nov. 2002. But Black Opal is a very rare color on the R230 SLs (probably less then 50) so it is entirely possible that it was still on the shelf when my SL65 was built 2 1/2 years later and was shipped with my SL65?.
(See PHOTO)
Last edited by EXECMALIBU; Mar 13, 2014 at 12:26 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
SL55
MB used to sell the plate holders painted to match. I bought one a few years ago and they used the vin to order the exact color bracket... not anymore. Now they are sold unpainted, black.
Search the internet amazon, ebay, etc, you may luck up and find one .
Search the internet amazon, ebay, etc, you may luck up and find one .
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
'03 SL55 AMG, '12 ML350
On the shelf I have 2 new R230 license brackets both a painted and non-painted, both are plastic but they are somewhat different in shape.
The painted bracket still has the stickers from the factory with the words (USA)- SMARAGD-SCHARTZ (Black Opal) and correct paint code 00009-189 production date on the sticker 11/2003. There is absolutely no question that this one was definitely Painted at the factory!
From memory-
I think the painted one was from my 2003 SL55 (production date 1/2003) that had a new front license plate bracket wrapped up in the trunk and it was painted the car color Black Opal #189 which is a very rare color...
BUT! My SL65 is also Black Opal..
The production date on the painted bracket is Nov. 2002. But Black Opal is a very rare color on the R230 SLs (probably less then 50) so it is entirely possible that it was still on the shelf when my SL65 was built 2 1/2 years later and was shipped with my SL65?.
(See PHOTO)
The painted bracket still has the stickers from the factory with the words (USA)- SMARAGD-SCHARTZ (Black Opal) and correct paint code 00009-189 production date on the sticker 11/2003. There is absolutely no question that this one was definitely Painted at the factory!
From memory-
I think the painted one was from my 2003 SL55 (production date 1/2003) that had a new front license plate bracket wrapped up in the trunk and it was painted the car color Black Opal #189 which is a very rare color...
BUT! My SL65 is also Black Opal..
The production date on the painted bracket is Nov. 2002. But Black Opal is a very rare color on the R230 SLs (probably less then 50) so it is entirely possible that it was still on the shelf when my SL65 was built 2 1/2 years later and was shipped with my SL65?.
(See PHOTO)
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
CLK 320
I was told that in Texas it is technically not required in the front if you really look into the law - you can pass inspections etc - but cops don't know that and will stop you anyway. I don't live in TX full time, and I will NOT put holes into the front of my car for the f-ing cops. I was stopped once and given a warning though recently, so I may look into those no-hole kits that are linked to above for when I do go back.
