The 86 190d that I bought about a month ago didn't come with plates and know that I have the plates I don't know what size screws/bolts will work.
Right know the plates in the back window, and doesn't look good.

Small problem, I know but if someone could help me out as to the size of the bolts/screws I'd apprieciate it.

Thanks,
BioBubbs

Don't know the exact size, but have seen them sold in packages in auto stores, WalMart etc, and they fit. They come in different material, from plastic to stainless steel.

Call a MB dealer Parts Department. They should know the correct size.

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Fred Hoelzle

I would make sure you get the size recommended by the dealer, rather than buying them off the shelf at an auto parts place. The MB license plate screws are metric where most of the generic ones are not.

They should give you a size like "M5x10mm". You can go to Home Depot and buy screws there in the proper metric size. I don't recall the exact size I bought, but do remember they were readily available at HD.

Neal

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'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

Similar problem with my 260E. The MB parts guy was no help, I had to listen to his bs excuses for too long. Basically, the front screws go into a rubber insert in the bumper cover. They're self tapping screws that look like the cheapos that come with knock-down furniture. They're 2 mm dia by 1.5 mm pitch (very coarse) and (guess) 15 mm long. Not at all critical as they go into those rubber inserts.

He had no clue about the rears screws that go into the plate holder. I wound up taking the plate holder off, drilling out the holes and tapping for 1/4" x 28 x 1/2" long. I used stainless capscrews (bolts) and plactic washers over & under the plate. Be sure to not use too long a screw as it will hit the painted trunk surface.

The way he handed me the obvoiusly cheap screws with the offhand comment, "Here, take these." I thought he was giving me some junk screws (freebie). Then he called me back & handed me a bill for $5 for four junk screws that probably cost a penny total. Whatta guy.

BTW, I looked in the typical car parts stores, the license plate screws they have don't fit. If you have to use the right screws, remove the plate bracket (4 phillips screws) and take it into the store & try a few sizes. Get washers to cover the holes in the plate & not so long that they touch the painted surface under the bracket.

Enjoy,

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Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles

Tonight I pulled the screws from my car (bought at dealer and they installed the plates). I found that the screws are different front vs rear. Front ones have a pointed tip, and the threads are spaced further apart. Rear ones have a flat tip, and the threads are spaced much closer.

Yes it would make a lot more sense to buy the right screws from the dealer. Thanks for pointing that out.

It's funny, on my SL I had to go to the hardware store and pick up a bunch of different screws to test out to fine the right ones - on mine at least the back plate mount uses threaded holes, I was able to find some stainless screws that fit (was not a metric size as I recall), but only after some trial and error.

Sorry mine does not have a front plate, didn't come with one and I can't bring myself to drill holes in the pristine front bumper to add one.....

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1999 SL500

The screws for the rear license plate have a machine thread while the screws for the front plate are likely a sheet metal thread.

The 1999 SL's should have come with a matching color front license plate bracket that mounts on the front bumper. I'm sure the bracket is available from a MB dealer, but you'll have to get it painted to match your car color.

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Fred Hoelzle

Yellow pages. Nut and bolt supply. Drive car there. I've never failed to have one of the sales people refuse to find the right nut/boly/screw for the application. Go Stainless steel...no rusting.

Tim

Thanks, I've seen the front plate mount on other cars (mine came from a state where the front plate was not required), but I believe installing the mounting bracket still involves adding holes to the bumper, which I'd rather not do at this time

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1999 SL500

HitParader, you're right. Installing the front plate mounting bracket does require drilling holes in the front bumper. Our 1998 E320 came with the bracket (color to match the car) loose in the trunk. Until I just checked I would have sworn that the front bumper had several discrete holes for mounting the mounting bracket ... no such luck. I also would be reluctant to drill holes in the front bumper. Fortunately PA doesn't require a front license plate.

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Fred Hoelzle

Have a 2000 MB E320. Tried to change license plate on rear but screws seem frozen or stuck and will not turn. Just got car. The round receptical that the screws turn into rotates when I try to remove screw. Any Idea on how I can get screws out to put on license plate. Appreciate any help here. Thanks

Spray some WD40 beneath the screw head and let it soak in for 10 minutes or so. Try using a cordless drill with a Philips head bit to remove the screws. Some vibration/tapping on the screw heads may help also.

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Fred Hoelzle

I would pull the liner of the trunk and grab the ends with a pair of pliers after soaking the screw. These things are like pop rivets installed and drawn epanded up by installing the screw.

I had the same problems freeing the rear license plate screws despite ample WD-40. I removed the trunk liner, and secured the rear of the screw mounts with a 7mm wrench. Then used vice-grips on the screws, and was able to free them. Trying to unscrew them with a cordless drill only stripped the philips slots.