Front License Plate

[66andBlue]

Michael,
why do you think Bud's holder is too small for a standard US license plate? Does Michigan issue plates on steroids?  
The only very minor issue I can see is that the holder doesn't cover the slits in the bumpers completely.

[mdsalemi]

Michael,
why do you think Bud's holder is too small for a standard US license plate? Does Michigan issue plates on steroids?  
The only very minor issue I can see is that the holder doesn't cover the slits in the bumpers completely.

There you go with the insults again, Alfred.  I don't THINK the Bud's holder is too small, it is too small for me.  When I invest in a costly front plate (either the EU vanity plate I have, or an optional standard sized Michigan front plate) I want this plate protected from bending.  This requires, for me, backing.  Full backing, not some partial backing.

As you can see from what Bud's sent me, the backing/mounting plate is NOT the same size as a US standard plate; it isn't nearly as tall in the height. There's no reason why they could not make it the size of a standard US plate.  When I asked them about it they said, "yeah, the plate will hang over...no big deal".  Well, it was for me--particularly since I was using a wider EU plate.

In my particular case, I also wanted a chrome/metal (not plastic) frame for the front EU plate.  The only one I could find was one that had metal tabs that bent around the plate and backing. Also, I did not want any advertising frame, such as what you have, or one advertising a dealer or anything. Just a simple, plain, thin chrome metal frame which is what I have front (EU) and back (USA).  My own personal choice.

If I chose to have a duplicate front US plate, OR I lived in a state that required one, I would have done things exactly the same way, but had a backing plate cut to size to match a US plate instead of the EU plate I have.

If anybody wants that off-sized Bud's Plate, let me know...

[66andBlue]

Michael,
I am sorry if I insulted the Michigan DMV - it was meant as a joke.
Good luck in your quest finding THE perfect license plate holder.

[Cees Klumper]

Seems like Michael found his perfect plate, only in two different places with some homework in addition. The Buds plate looks like it may be just about ok for Swiss front plates, these are pretty small (though not quite as small as the Italian ones).

[KevinC]

I purchased this holder and am very pleased. It attaches via the "euro" slots in our front bumpers and adapts to a US plate hiding nicely behind it.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search.cgi?SUPERCAT_FLAG=Y&make=MBZ&please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&command=DWsearch&description=126-817-02-11-M22++++&I1.x=6&I1.y=12

[mdsalemi]

Seems like Michael found his perfect plate, only in two different places with some homework in addition. The Buds plate looks like it may be just about ok for Swiss front plates, these are pretty small (though not quite as small as the Italian ones).

Cees, my neighbor bought a Porsche Caymen on Euro delivery, and still has his "tourist plate".  I think the tourist plate is the same as the Bud's plate size.

Yes, what I did works for me, though I can tell you that the aluminum I fabricated it out of was some kind of hardened plate aluminum, and is pretty tough stuff.

Bud's ought to sell just their hardware!

Alfred, I have had my license plates in order for about 10 years now...all is well. 

Curiously, US-standard sized license plate backers of varying kinds are available, solid--in metal and plastic in a variety of styles and forms.  Nearly all are the full size of the US standard plate, which had me puzzled as to what Bud's was doing...no matter, as Cees said--I did it myself.

Hardware is first class, by the way.

[cospinner]

Kevin,
     Thanks for the lead.  I went to the local MB dealer and used my MBCA discount to get the MB part 126-817-02-11 directly from them, for a grand total of $8.50 + tax.
It fit perfectly on installation, and is completely hidden by the U.S. license plate, but backs it completely for support.

Chip

[Flyair]

Michael,
if you want to have a nice metal holder for your EU front plate, have a look at the Mercedes-Benz Classic store page. These are metal frames with the Mercedes Benz Classic name on it. Not cheap, but good quality and I think they latch well our Pagoda style

http://www.mercedes-benz-classic-store.com/Licence-Plate-Brackets-Mercedes-Benz-Classic.htm?websale8=classic-store.English&pi=B66055631

[stickandrudderman]

PLASTIC NUMBER PLATE HOLDERS? ARE YOU SURE?

[mdsalemi]

Stan,

The front license plate issue was solved a long time ago. However--thank you for the link. The only issue with MB Classic stuff for us here, is the shipping I would guess. It was hard enough for me to subscribe to the MB Classic Magazine (they had my credit card information I sent them on the form but chose not to process it; instead, they just kept sending warning notices about overdue invoices!) that I am not sure I want to try mail-order hard goods!

It looks very nice, and the quality as described should be fine. My solution is just a bit less elegant, but works just fine.  I don't know if I'd have to do this again!

I still have the plastic plate holder, for another car at another time, I guess...

[Flyair]

Michael,

Your welcome. As for the MB Classic Magazine, I had exactly the same issues. I felt like major debt offender. . Then I could a very pleasant alternative: if you become member of the MB Club of the UK, not only you get their superb monthly Magazine (which is about all, usually vintage, Mercedes cars), but you also get the MB Classic Magazine included in the package. The dues (in the case of overseas members) are 48 GBP for 1 year or 88 GBP for 2 years. Not that it is some kind of crypto-advertising, but this works great and I consider it a decent value for money.

https://www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

[FloridaBill]

I live in a state that does not require a front plate.  This is fine with me, although when I took a field assignment in New Jersey for my job I drove my daily driver up to NJ (not the SL) and used it in Atlantic City (Ventnor beach to be exact) where I worked.  I have never been tailed by so many police in my life, in coastal NJ when they see no front plate so they automatically swing around to see if they can get you for not having a front plate ($$$ for the city coffers) or if you were from out of state.  I was constantly tailed all the way home many times by beachside police waiting for me to break any driving law.  I guess they figure if you are from out of state the likelyhood is you will pay a ticket rather than come back to their courthouse to contest it.  My advice from living beachside NJ is if you have NJ car and visit Atlantic City area you had better have both plates on at all times.

Interesting enough, I do have a front license plate on my 250SL the original one from Germany looks great and gives the car that original European look.

[mmizesko]

On this site, there is a bill of materials for a license plate holder (could be from a 107) that I ordered from the local MB dealer.  With all of the screws spacers and the plate, I think it came to $14.00.

Looks great and I stay out of trouble with these pesky Ohio plate laws.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus OH

[mdsalemi]

Then I could a very pleasant alternative: if you become member of the MB Club of the UK, not only you get their superb monthly Magazine (which is about all, usually vintage, Mercedes cars), but you also get the MB Classic Magazine included in the package.

So, for this UK membership, you get TWO magazines? MB Classic PLUS their monthly Gazette? If that's the case it sounds like a deal...

[Flyair]

So, for this UK membership, you get TWO magazines? MB Classic PLUS their monthly Gazette? If that's the case it sounds like a deal...

That's absolutely right