edgalang

I've looked into grills and even thought about the concept of modifying the existing one. However over time, I've come to the realization that ANY mods that do not contribute to functionality in any way is purely hit or miss. Personally I wouldn't consider a grill swap an upgrade unless the original was damaged. I know it sounds ironic coming from a guy who vinyl striped a body panel (front lower bumper), however looking back, I think I'll be regretting that mod since while it may look good now, I know for a fact it won't 5 years from now, and the time and effort to have that fixed/replaced/painted may not be worth the time I can use for something else.

Perhaps it is a good option for those that lease, or those that flips used cars frequently; however this will become a 10 year/200k mile car, so my outlook is slightly different than most.

In case anyone is curious...I am now 2.5 years / 39k miles into it (factory purchased new with single digit odometer at delivery), and all mods I've done to this car so far (except for the vinyl) has been functional (yes even the aluminum door pins).

JaredP

So have you calculated when that lip will pay for itself in fuel costs? haha.

I've always planned on wrapping my roof in vinyl, gloss black. Most of my mods are not functional... I guess my DEPO headlights are. But they are functional in the sense of increasing my enjoyment of the car.

edgalang

Well there's a story about the lip. It was originally purchased to cover up a chip on the lower bumper while playing pinball with what looked like a lawnmower wheel during an evening commute. This wheel was kept alive at freeway speed as it bounced from car to car and I was one of the unlucky ones to make contact. Looking back, it was actually hilarious seeing all of us drivers look at each other to see who the next victim would be (this was on a 5 mile long bridge, so the wheel would sometimes just bounce off the shoulder).

In the end, the cost of the lip was equivalent to the cost the body shop to repair/refinish the damage, and it just so happens that the "godhand" style lip covers the chip exactly. It was purely by luck did I find out it actually raised MPG figures.

BTW....(slightly off topic)....@JaredP Did you ever get the Kleeman tune? What's the story on that?

JaredP

I didn't get the tune, sort of gave up on that due to lack of any performance data.

I've considered emailing them and telling them I'll buy if they halve the price, or give me some solid performance data. Doesn't look like they care too much about their non-AMG tunes, however.

edgalang

From a financial standpoint, leaving it alone is probably best. I would of joined the Kleeman club, however the lack of a local tuner is what put me away.

anxx3

You're making me rethink swapping my grille now =/

My W204 is going to be a car that hopefully become a long term 10 year/200k mile car. I do not plan on doing any type of tune up-- just purely cosmetic. Are you saying even if I keep my cosmetic parts (front lip, diffuser, grille) in great condition, it will still be a waste of money in 5 years?

Skyline45

She's purrrty! Great job man, very classy

anxx3

Thank you, means a lot

edgalang

Not at all, if that's what makes YOU happy. The fact you had to question it, is what should give you pause. Every cosmetic mod I've done previously on other cars, I've done without having to ask others...because when you do, chances are it'll be a 50/50 split anyways since you can't cater to everyone.

For example: There has not been a SINGLE mod that my wife thinks improved the look of any of the cars. If I based my decisions on her, I'd be batting a 0. However I can only share "my" experience, and over the years I've finally determined that cosmetic mods should no longer be worth my time.

Modding can be VERY addictive. There are many who'll mod for the sake of modding (I know since I was once one). By applying the "no mods if it serves no function" rule, it saves me a lot of head aches (even though I'm still a closet modder in heart).

anxx3

Well said, thank you for sharing that.

DapperStyle

Wow this looks classy and mean at the same time. Link to the ebay diffuser? I was looking for a CF diffuser with dual exhaust (not quad) and this fits the bill.

DapperStyle

I'm getting this done tomorrow morning as a stop gap until I decide if I want to get a CF lip.

With how bad the road grades are in NYC I've already (even when being as careful as possible, coming at an angle at under 5 MPH) scratched the underside of my front fascia coming out of a parking garage and out of a gas station. Heck coming out of the gas station I tried my best to be nearly parallel with the road because the gradient was so steep and still ended up with minor scratches underneath.

I'm afraid with a lip it'll be cracked within a few months.

anxx3

Installed my single fin 507 grille. Should I keep it or go back? I honestly can't decide...

JaredP

I think it looks really good!

JaredP

I'm definitely going to do this. Just can't decide between 507 or regular chrome grille.

anxx3

Would you keep it or go back to the old grille?

Edit* nvm saw your 2nd post lol

edgalang

anxx3...don't fall into the trap. If you like it, keep it. You've done it already, so no point looking back. Remember mods are meant for YOU, not others to enjoy. Personally I think you can't go wrong either way. It looks good now (single fin), but at the same time it's not like it didn't look good already.

For what it's worth...in the event my grill ever get's involved in a front end collision, I too will be looking into a different grill. But simply because I like to change it up, not because I think one looks better than the other.

DameMD

Keep it. You have the same one I have on my car.

JaredP

Still don't know if I want to go with the chrome border or black border, or maybe even the coupe grille. Tough decision.

anxx3

Update: Added a CF trunk spoiler from RWCARBON

DameMD

Can you do me a favor and post a whole pic of your car? I have both gloss black mirrors and black spoiler on my car, and I was wondering how the rwcarbon spoiler looks on a white car with white/black theme. I may purchase and wrap the spoiler in gloss black.

FFM

Actually interested in this as well. I searched the seller name but didn't find that exact diffuser. I have no intentions of running dual tips either.



Edit: just realized the wheels were on edgalang car.

Excuse my ignorance, we pick up our C300 Sport+ Saturday, but which wheels are those and are they 19's by chance? Ours comes with the machine face black ones and I am not the biggest fan.

aznmode

Probably depends on the preparation. Mines been holding up since I plasti dipped in April and I've also had close to 20k miles on it. But with CF lip, vinyl wrap will look better since it will have the same sheen as the lip.

anxx3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19-MERCEDES-BENZ-C63-AMG-STYLE-WHEELS-C-Class-C250-C300-C350/191294238901?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28901%26meid%3D301957ea4b4b46c2b0cb4b38a569c6ab%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D201110651090&rt=nc

Can anyone tell me if these are legitimate in terms of quality? The price seems too good to be true!!

FFM

They appear to be your standard overseas wheel. I would say the price is on par with the quality, and no that isn't pertaining to finish quality (although I think some are hit and miss), I would say more manufacturing quality.

I wouldn't say I am a brand ***** either, but I would doubt they go through much testing in regards to structural integrity like others do. Thus why most of those are pretty damn heavy to comp for lack of stress testing to ensure the spokes don't bust out on you when you hit a pothole.

I saw those too, and have been looking for the originals that they replicated those from.