Mercedes why do you do this?
Discussion
Use 4 very shiny metal fixing screws/bolts for each of the number plates ? I don’t know of any other manufacturer who does this, looks bloody awful in my opinion, not all are like this so I’m now wondering if this is optional? So makes it even worse if people are choosing this method of fixing! First world problem I know but just ruined a nice car.
All Mercedes use screws for factory. The first thing I do when I put my private plate on is of course replace with sticky pads.
Sometimes takes a while at the front to get right! As mentioned, normally the plate is curved inwards and this can be a pain to stick and will keep peeling off, I find once you've got the pads in the right places though and it hasn't moved for a few days, it's generally ok for years then.
As mentioned also, it's quite helpful these are normally fitted to a removal plinth - This means if you're really struggling you could actually just superglue them on if needed! No damage to the actual car when they are ripped off.
Sometimes takes a while at the front to get right! As mentioned, normally the plate is curved inwards and this can be a pain to stick and will keep peeling off, I find once you've got the pads in the right places though and it hasn't moved for a few days, it's generally ok for years then.
As mentioned also, it's quite helpful these are normally fitted to a removal plinth - This means if you're really struggling you could actually just superglue them on if needed! No damage to the actual car when they are ripped off.
gregpot2000 said:
All Mercedes use screws for factory. The first thing I do when I put my private plate on is of course replace with sticky pads.
Sometimes takes a while at the front to get right! As mentioned, normally the plate is curved inwards and this can be a pain to stick and will keep peeling off, I find once you've got the pads in the right places though and it hasn't moved for a few days, it's generally ok for years then.
As mentioned also, it's quite helpful these are normally fitted to a removal plinth - This means if you're really struggling you could actually just superglue them on if needed! No damage to the actual car when they are ripped off.
Yes sticky pads are ok if done correctly, I use Velcro ones on my vx so I can easy remove the plate to clean, or at MOT time when the full size plate goes back on for an hour !
Sometimes takes a while at the front to get right! As mentioned, normally the plate is curved inwards and this can be a pain to stick and will keep peeling off, I find once you've got the pads in the right places though and it hasn't moved for a few days, it's generally ok for years then.
As mentioned also, it's quite helpful these are normally fitted to a removal plinth - This means if you're really struggling you could actually just superglue them on if needed! No damage to the actual car when they are ripped off.
Yes sticky pads are ok if done correctly, I use Velcro ones on my vx so I can easy remove the plate to clean, or at MOT time when the full size plate goes back on for an hour !
The four screws are for attaching the number plate holder. The number plate then goes into the holder and there are no visible screws.
Unfortunately, some people just screw the number plate directly to the car, leaving the four screws on show. Never quite understood why people do this.
Unfortunately, some people just screw the number plate directly to the car, leaving the four screws on show. Never quite understood why people do this.
Neilbolts. said:
Use 4 very shiny metal fixing screws/bolts for each of the number plates ? I don’t know of any other manufacturer who does this, looks bloody awful in my opinion, not all are like this so I’m now wondering if this is optional? So makes it even worse if people are choosing this method of fixing! First world problem I know but just ruined a nice car.
Do you mean like this?
That was on a 2024 A35 demo car i was lent two weeks back.
All eight of those are drilled right in to the plastic bumper on the front, and metal bootlid on the rear.
Pretty raw looking and unnecessary IMHO.
The tailgate has plastic inserts that you drill into - you can see them on this eBay listing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356518786879
The front plate in screwed to a plinth mounted to the bumper
I quite like what they do - far more consistent than some solutions
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356518786879
The front plate in screwed to a plinth mounted to the bumper
I quite like what they do - far more consistent than some solutions
mwstewart said:
It pre-dates plate holders by decades. I always think it's intentional as a visible sign of quality, where most manufacturers use two per plate.
I recently moved a set of number plates from a year 2000 CLK 320, to a 2022 E200 (rare petrol model, a surprise to me that diesels still dominate).
During those 22 years, the front 4 screw arrangement is still used but annoyingly, the screw positions are very slightly different.
The plate is in place, but looking downwards, I can see an outward bow.
Not very exciting news for you, but I was surprised that Mercedes-Benz had continued the same type of fitting for such a long time.
For the rear of the E200 and my other cars, I have used sticky retention pads, so no holes at all in the number plates. None of them have ever fallen off.
595Heaven said:
The tailgate has plastic inserts that you drill into - you can see them on this eBay listing
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356518786879
The front plate in screwed to a plinth mounted to the bumper
I quite like what they do - far more consistent than some solutions
Ah. Interesting. Not so bad then. Though i'd be getting the little white / yellow plastic caps if it was my car.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356518786879
The front plate in screwed to a plinth mounted to the bumper
I quite like what they do - far more consistent than some solutions
Contrary to what feels like common belief reading this thread, Mercedes themselves dont fit your numberplates to your cars... Instead its up to your individual franchise dealer to fit them how they see fit. My local dealers fit black plastic plinths and then the plate onto the plinth. They do have white and yellow screws should you prefer though.
Mercedes UK supply all the demonstrators and service loan cars and they do indeed register and fit the plates to their cars. They dont use plinths, but rather the four silver screws as noticed above. This is why you see a lot of Mercs with number plates begining with a K, the designation for Milton Keynes.
Any metal body panel that has a plate screwed into it should have 4 plastic cups for the screws. Plastic bumpers on the other hand do get screws fitted direct.
The (exceptionally dull) nerd strikes again!
Mercedes UK supply all the demonstrators and service loan cars and they do indeed register and fit the plates to their cars. They dont use plinths, but rather the four silver screws as noticed above. This is why you see a lot of Mercs with number plates begining with a K, the designation for Milton Keynes.
Any metal body panel that has a plate screwed into it should have 4 plastic cups for the screws. Plastic bumpers on the other hand do get screws fitted direct.
The (exceptionally dull) nerd strikes again!
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