[ab3]

Well contrary to my request, the dealership delivered my car with the front license plate bracket drilled into the front bumper on my new CLK 350 (2006).

I was annoyed but now that I look around it seems that about half the MBs here in So.Cal have them mounted, the other half don't. I did take it off but am left with two small holes which just don't look good to me (although probably hardly noticeable to anyone else!).

Instead of dishing out money to get these holes fixed (how much would that cost?), i thought I could put something less intrusive on the front bumper. Suggestions from anyone here are VERY welcome! (european plate, thin chrome guard, etc.).

Thanks!

 

[heckflosse_uk]

Have you mentioned this to the dealer? It shouln't cost much to fill and match and the might do it free as a customer courtesy. Failing that a good body shop should beable to do it cheaply. I expect it's similar costs to having a scraped bumper repaired.

 

[ravenr1]

you could put an aftermarket parktronic in there

 

[Kirill]

put a hole plug.

 

[190Evoluzione]

dude, you've just spent a ton of money with Mercedes, and they ignored a basic request.

get back down the dealership and don't even entertain the idea of paying to have this rectified.
it's their mistake, it will cost them next to nothing.

 

[JBeans]

May I boldly suggest the following?

First, test the water with your dealer (see the Sales Manager if you want to) to see if it is possible for them to replace or fix (if you're ok with that) the bumper. I would prefer replacement over fixing since I would like my car to be in perfect condition. Afterall, it's their fault to drill the holes since you had specifically asked them not to. If they are nice and value your business (tell them that you're going to service your car there), they should try their best effort to make you happy. I had a similar experience with my dealer in Ontario where I complained about discolouration on one of the interior door panels. Since the car was still <1 yr old, they replaced the entire door panel for me free of charge. I think they have ways to write off something under warranty if they want/have to.

If the above did not work to your satisfaction, worst case scenario, find a 'fault' with the front bumper and ask them to replace it since the car is still under warranty. You would have a year (?, but confirm with the dealer) to find this 'fault' from the delivery date. This time, I would inform the Service Manager about your previous issue regarding the holes and insist that they not drill any holes this time, otherwise .........

I would be rather upset if this had happened to me. I don't like the fact that people can't even follow simple instructions, like they don't pay attention to what you say. I would insist that it's their fault and make them rectify the situation to your satisfaction.

 

[Check Codes]

Since you're in CA, why don't you just wait until you're pulled over for not having the plate, then you can mount it up and have the fix-it ticket erased? In the meanwhile you could see about finding some body-color plugs you could pop in there and then easily remove to mount the plate and bracket when the need noted above arises.

 

[deathrattle]

When did they change the regs Gregs?-I never had a front plate on my Cal car.

Incidently,even if they are now required,I would mount it with double sided stickers (the waterproof ones for mounting bathroom mirrors)rather than drilling my bumper.

 

[Marsden]

I have often wished there were a list somewhere of rear-plate-only states. I'd move to one if it were convenient [8D] I *HATE* front plates. They look ugly, get beat up, and on certain cars, look worse than ugly, e.g. Jaguar XK, most Chryslers, etc. which have a prominent grille and no bumper to affix the plate to..

 

[vwbuge]

I live on the opposite coast and I thought that CA ALWAYS issued 2 plates.

 

[jdc1244]

Marsden - 3/17/2006 10:49 PM

I have often wished there were a list somewhere of rear-plate-only states.

http://home.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/misclaw.html

Nice thing about the UK is the number is painted on the front of cars like the classic Jags.

 

[Andrzejek]

Cal always required front plates, but that was hardly enforced until cameras started being installed at intersections.

I got cited a few weeks after moving to SoCal from NJ. I could not remove the front plate bolts from the bumper (NJ winters) & had to break the NJ plate to get it off the car. I had to remove the front bumber to mount the Cal plate.

The Officer was not very sympathetic to my problem.

But then again, my brother has been driving in SoCal with only the rear plate on his car for years without any problems -- go figure.

The dealer might be required by law to deliver your car with two plates.

 

[jdc1244]

Andrzejek - 3/18/2006 1:26 AM
The dealer might be required by law to deliver your car with two plates.

That’s more than likely the case. In Florida – and perhaps this is true in California – the car is actually registered at the dealership.

 

[ab3]

THANKS to all of you who have replied!

I decided to contact the dealer asking if they would be willing to repair it and they were very gracious in offering to fix it. It's pretty common and the Business Development Manager who I talked to said they would be happy to take care of it.

I'll let you know you if they in fact do it when I bring the car in.

Thanks everyone. It's one of those little annoyances which stick in the back of your mind and piss you off as time wears on.

AB3

 

[JBeans]

Yeah, let us know once you have this rectified and perhaps take a picture when it's done. Good luck, ab3.

 

[asianml]

Marsden - 3/17/2006 10:49 PM

I have often wished there were a list somewhere of rear-plate-only states. I'd move to one if it were convenient [8D] I *HATE* front plates. They look ugly, get beat up, and on certain cars, look worse than ugly, e.g. Jaguar XK, most Chryslers, etc. which have a prominent grille and no bumper to affix the plate to..

Michigan only requires 1 plate.[]

 

[Marsden]

jdc1244a - 3/18/2006 12:50 AM

http://home.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/misclaw.html

Thanks! I just saw this now. []