Hello All!

I aquired a 1982 300CD. I tried to attach the license plate in the front, but there are only a couple of unthreaded holes in in the rubber trim.
Is there a specific fixture or insert that fits the holes, in order to screw/bolt the plate/frame to the front bumper?

If pics are needed I can take one.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I found the OEM bracket on ebay new for a whooping $114.-, yep its a Mercedes!
Anybody has alternative suggestions?

As you may have figured out, the two unthreaded holes in the rubber trim (aka front bumper rubber strip) are there for the purpose of accommodating the shafts of the top two screws that secure the license plate to the OEM bracket.

Having owned and maintained two 300CD-Ts, I am only familiar with using the OEM bracket for securing the front plate. The way that the bracket attaches to the bumper, well, it does seem like a rather complicated (though effective) design. Overcoming this for mounting a plate doesn't seem feasible to my way of thinking.

I would think however, that you could find a bracket through a parts recycler for significantly less than $114.

Yep, for the W123 they are pretty pricey. If you have any salvage yards near you, I bet you could probably get one for a song.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Where are you located? Some states that issue front and rear plates have an exemption for vehicles originally sold in rear-plate only states without a provision for a front plate. Nevada is that way.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Wow, I got mine for $35 at my local dealer. Maybe $45 if you don't know the parts guy. I think I sold my old used one for $25 to a friend.

They use sheet metal screws, not machine screws. You'll also need 2 additional bolts to fasten the mount to the bumper.

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Hello guys, thank you for the answers.
I won't buy 1 for ~$ 120.-, that's out of line. For now I attached the plate with 14' black electrical zip ties to the rubber trim and 2 below through the mounting holes.
It's sharply slanted backwards and about 1" lower then normal but attached very firmly. I kind of like it this way, a little unorthodox, but effective.

It's a blue CA plate, I don't want to loose it. This way I won't.
And yes, I am in CA, front plate is required. Chances might be slim to get a ticket, with a car like this, but then again, not worth the worry.

I'll keep my eyes open for an OEM used & inexpensive.

Not sure where in CA you are, but yes keep those blue CA plates!

Here are a few I found locally that may have the front plate bracket you need.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/pts/5189941925.html

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/5177587574.html

Alternatively folks here might have what you need also.

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Hey, thank you again!
I am in LA County, but right on the far West LA/Ventura county line.

Sorry for that crushed wagon! I might contact them, as soon as I have time.
Maybe they got something else I might need, to make it worth the trip.

I also have a 1981 SD for which I may need a couple of small parts.

Btw, since we're discussing here, is there a right side rearview mirror for the Coupe?
My very experienced mechanic told me, MB never made one. But maybe there is an aftermarket designed for this window. Just mechanically adjustable mirror would be fine.

The earlier ones may not have had them standard. I don't recall, I don't own a coupe. But the later ones should. If you're to retrofit one, make sure it's from a coupe. These are coupe specific parts due to the design of the window/door. Sedan/wagon mirrors will not fit in a coupe.

Edit: If you really trust your mechanic, have him do the repairs. But perhaps do not consult him with chassis-specific questions

Also, here is somebody parting out a coupe.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-items-sale-wanted-trade/2460225-1982-300cdt-parting-out.html

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I used a couple of 8mm U-nuts (also called spring nuts) to attach my front plate to the rubber impact strip. U-nuts are the hardware that's used to attach machine screws to sheet metal -- some of the larger ones have a pretty good space between the prongs. Push the two prongs of the U-nut over the part of the impact strip where the hole in the strip is and line up the holes so you can install a screw. The impact strip is flexible enough to allow you to one of the prongs between it and the bumper. Good, permanent fix that costs only a couple bucks.

My 1982 300CD has a manually operated right side mirror. As MBeige said, the mirrors on coupes are specific to coupes, sedan/wagon mirrors will not fit a coupe. Contact forum member Hogweed for a front license plate bracket.

My 1983 (no longer have it) and 1985 300CD-Ts (Calif.) have a right side (door-mounted) electrically operated rear view mirror. The mirror was standard, not optional. For the 1985, see the attached window sticker and the yellow highlighting. A copy of the window sticker for your vehicle is available from MBNA if you do not possess it and desire it.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Hey guys,

thank you for the info on the passenger side mirror.
I figured there's got to be something. It's a coupe alright. There is certainly none on my car and it's never been there. The little chrome triangles are original install.

It makes sense, that on the later model years a power mirror was standard.
However, on the earlier ones, it most likely was an option for a mechanical mirror.
Which would be perfectly fine, primarily for esthetically reasons.

I have to say, driving without the mirror, such as changing lanes, etc. is no problem at all. The coupe has superior visibility just by looking over the shoulder. Still the best and most reliable way to check who's there.
I always look over my shoulder before changing lanes or else, never rely entirely on the mirrors. But not having one, certainly leaves no other choice and eliminates the temptation of relying on the mirror.
Only thing the bugs me: I can't spot the curb when parking. That's how much I'm out of shape with my parking skills.

My statement about my mechanic saying this, was not correct.
It actually was his sister, who runs the front office, phone, scheduling etc.
She knows a thing or 2, but apparently not everything.

My mechanic is the best. Second generation father/son operation.
Dad is German, opened the shop in 1972 after migrating to CA. Son is my age (mid 50's) who does most the work, but also employs a mechanic.
Dad is now 82, still coming thru every day, checking on everything and having meetings with the son. Dieter's Imports in Oxnard off the 101 exit Rice Ave.

The famous Mr. MB Motors, Enrique Rodriguez in Reseda was my exclusive mechanic for 10 years. He retired earlier this year. Good for him.