Just had a good laugh (called the MB dealership about a part)
 

Recently purchased a Benz from someone in PA. I live in VA. PA doesn't require front license plates (a great idea by the way), but VA does (:confused:) so needless to say there was no place to mount one (the car is an '05). Anyways... How much should a regular old piece of nothing special, black plastic, 4 holes for mounting, license plate mount cost?? Yep, you guessed it - $250. What a friggin joke! Needless to say, I will not be buying it from them.

Said license plate mount...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398358405.jpg

Don't they know this kind of stuff is insulting to your intelligence? You can probably find one from another car/junkyard/make one yourself. Probably even be of better quality.

Check out the autoparts stores online, I bet you can get something very similar to that for about $25.....90% off.

Here on Pelican Parts you can buy a brand new Targa top for a SC or Carrera for "only" 20K.

What burns my arse are the key fobs. They have a 100% monopoly. They run $300+. Porsche is also in on this racket.

Pelican carries the license plate bases too :)

How much is it on Pelican parts?

It's a disgrace really; and I'm pretty certain that if I were to call 10 different dealers I'd get just as many different prices. I was expecting like $130 (equally ridiculous) just based on what I saw on the popular online auction website, but $248+tax??? OMFG

Instead, I'm getting one from someone on MBworld for 30 bucks - still too much for what it is IMO...

Good point, but alas, I just checked and they didn't have it listed for my particular model.

The under-hood insulation pad on my DD 325i has gotten pretty knackered, Pelican lists it for $117. Hmm, so I priced a replacement from my local BMW dealer - $172! Yikes. I found an online Genuine BMW (dealer) parts place that had it for $83, much more like it.

I asked my local dealer if they would match that price and they said they would - never hurts to ask...

You're shopping at the wrong dealer. I just bought one from and had the dealer code it for $160. Still, to your point. $160 is a lot of damn money for a key fob, laser cut key or not. -J

I use to own a 1974 BMW Bavaria, and I once made the mistake of pricing parts at the dealer. I was looking for a front brake caliper, and BMW wante over 800 for it. A guy I was in line with mentioned that he picked up a cross reference CD for his old 2002 and it had saved him a fortune. Went online and found one, and found out that the brake was the same caliper as an 80's chevy product and I could get it at canadian tire under that part number for $23. No roundel stamped on the case but the exact same brake otherwise.

Oh c'mon now - think of all the jobs and multiple channels of distribution for a recycled piece of plastic produced in China.

Duct tape that plate to the plastic bumper or throw the front tag into the dumpster.

Go to a graphic sign place with your licence plate. They can scan the plate and make you a new one out of sticker material. Cost $25-$35

My truck came from a state that doesn't require front plates and GM wanted $80 for the piece of plastic. Local police didn't bother me about not having one but every time I crossed the border US Customs gave me grief about it not being there. They photograph the front of every vehicle that enters the USA. No plate they have to type it in the system. Sucks when they have to work so hard.

I had my buddy make one for the 69 E which also has no front mounting bracket.

I drove for many yrs. in VA with a radar detector and no front plate. I was pulled over twice for the no front plate and let go each time when I showed them the plate in my door pocket. They never noticed the RD detector. And the penalty for no front plate $80, so you could go for probably longer than you'll keep that car and save money over paying the stealer's price for a mounting bracket.

Make one :cool:

I have a piece of half inch CDX you can have.

It's an outrageous price but you have to admit that someone would be foolish not to search for it used under the circumstances. It's sad for the people who are not "car people" and have no idea how to source out stuff like that.

So many people I know just blindly take their vehicles to the dealership for any little problem or maintenance whether it's in warranty or not. Both my FIL, and my own Dad routinely take a vehicle in for an oil change, and can't drive away without spending $300+, or get a brake job for $800.

Genuine Porsche, $35, from our host: Porsche 911 (1974-1989) - Bumpers, Doors, Latches & Lids - Page 1