WTB: Chrome METAL Euro plate frame.

[dolebludger]

Does anybody here know where I could buy a METAL, chrome plated Eruo size license plate frame/holder? There are PLASTIC ones (some with chrome plating) generally available, but I find that these are not very durable, and the chrome plating comes off very easily. That's why I seek a metal one.

Thanks,
Richard

for what model do you need it for? i ordered one from germany for my 230TE
it arrived in 12 days.
let me know which model i can give you the part number, i can also get you a new one from germany if need be. do you need any germany licence plates? i have 2 or 3 with plasic holders.

[dolebludger]

Ray:

Our car is an '04 C 320 sedan. We live in Oklahoma City, OK, and our state does not require front plates. So we had a "German vanity plate" made up for our car. It is currently mounted on our front bumper via some "L" brackets I fashioned to avoid drilling the front of the bumper. The "L" brackets are mounted to the bumper via screws on the underside of the bumper, and are made to fit those "standard" plastic Euro plate holders. I'm using one of those now, and have it painted body color. But I do want a chrome plated metal one instead, to avoid rock chipping and the like.

You can email me at richhruth@aol.com if you wish. I note from your email address that you may also live in Oklahoma City.

Please let me know.

Thanks,
Richard

[dolebludger]

I called Tom Hanson, who is a real expert Benz "parts guy" who now works at the MB Classic Center in CA. He recommended MB part number 1108850081 for my front Euro plate application. I ordered one from a parts supplier for $43 plus shipping. This part is basically a stainless steel "tray" where the recessed part is the size and shape of the Euro plate and is surrounded by a raised and rolled area forming the "frame". This part has a slight "V" in the middle to accomodate bumpers with a "V" in the middle. I pulled out some of the "V" using clamps and bent in the proper curvature to match the bumper by rolling the part over the workbench edge. Easy to do. I then drilled the part for my "L" brackets which attach in holes out of sight underneath the bumper. To avoid having the bolt heads in the "tray" being too high and creating "lumps" under the plate, I ground down the tops of the bolt heads with an air grinder, and used this tool to also cut off the threaded parts of the bolts that stuch out beyond the nut on the back to prevent bumper scratching. I then screwed the "L" brackets (with plate holder attached) into the holes beneath the bumper. To attach the top of the plate holder to the top surface of the bumper, I used 3M double adhesive mounting tape. Used the same stuff to secure the plate on the plate holder, after first shaping the plate to the correct curvature.

The result is very "tight" mechanically and appearance-wise. It looks just like those cars in car mags that are given road tests in Europe. Just a properly mounted front Euro plate surrounded by a thin chrome look frame (that is really stainless steel).

Thanks,
Richard