zibby43

I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere. I ran a couple of unsuccessful searches. Perhaps my search criteria were/are to blame.

In any event, how does one acquire the solid front Mercedes-Benz grill badge?

The pictures below demonstrate what I'm referring to. My car came with what is featured in the first photo. While I like both badges, I prefer the one featured in the second photo.

Thanks in advance. I hope Mode Carbon does not mind my using their outstanding photos. I'll be ordering one of their front lips shortly.

ilumunus

That's the distronic grille star I believe. It comes at a cost! It's like $500 or so at dealer, I was thinking about getting one done, but yeah the price was a deal breaker.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-Mercedes-W219-CLS-W216-CL-R230-SL-W209-CLK-W164-M-Grille-Star-Distronic-/231040991977?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35cb1dc2e9&vxp=mtr
This one is for $199, probably a replica, I seriously doubt it's OEM as they say.

You might also be able to get a used one for less.

Might have to get it fitted specially though, but I doubt it will take much work.

ilumunus

Upon further review, you can get the whole grill for $170-180, but there's a catch. It's for W207, so I have no idea how/if you can get it fitted.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-W207-E350-E550-COUPE-Grille-Grill-SLS-AMG-Black-Distronic-/360590243546?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f4da76da&vxp=mtr
EDIT: SORRY FOR DOUBLE POSTING

jordanaf

That grille is for an option that is distronic. It is a drivers assistance feature. I guess you could get the grille and not "hook it up", but that is the difference.

zibby43

Thanks for putting in the research there to help me out. I sincerely appreciate it. Very helpful! Cheers.

Many thanks for the info! What an added benefit by opting for that feature. I think that badge is simply beautiful.

Bardman

Lol - I specifically avoided distronic because I don't like the look of the filled in badge.

noodleman

me too. looks like a "fake" star since the 3d shape is actually flat.

callmiro

The solid front looks like the knock-offs on eBay

The open star looks more slick

jordanaf

For what it's worth and one more opinion against............

I definitely like the look of the "standard" star more. the one you are looking for just seems cheap, as others have said, and not that impactful or aggressive. Obviously we all have different tastes and that's the one you like, but I'd like your car slightly more without that grille.

Mort

Another vote for the open star. I remember when I first saw the distronic star and thinking that it really looked out of place. When I discovered it was for the distronic feature I was disappointed MB did not find a more stealthy way to package the sensors for that feature. Fortunately I am not a big fan of all these nanny features on cars today and I will just avoid the option if I can.

zibby43

Taking into account the cost and the substantial number of dissenting opinions, I think I'm going to pass on the distronic star and stick with the "open" one.

It must look much worse in person than it does in photographs. I've never seen the distronic star in person. I came to the C63 from the Dark Side (BMW).

VividRacing

You learn something every day on this forum! Great question Zibby!

rage2

Ditto. I specifically made sure I got my CLS without Distronic. Although, I am starting to get convinced otherwise, the Distronic plus with steering assist pretty much drives itself in rush hour. Thinking about it when I go E63.


See 6:15 mark of this one in action, pretty cool.

callmiro

My 2013 QX56 has the same features....it steers and brakes for me on the highway just in case i have to look down. Its great for rush hour stop and go as well

noodleman

distronic is an awesome feature, but it's just placed onto the car in about the ugliest way possible haha.