JSwan724

Your guard looks very clean and professional.

Can you take a picture directly under the car where the electric high speed vent opening is and the trailing edge of your newly installed spoiler?

I still wonder what will happen to the factory intended air flow above 65mph when the vent scoop opens and if it will put the car in limp mode because not enough air is coming through the electric scoop air vent. Please remember this scoop vent was intended to remove under body air flow above 65 to minimize vehicle lift. None of us which includes you want to be the test dummy at high speed.

Also, it appears from the scrapes on underside of your car that you got into this project because of pulling up too far on those damned parking blocks. I mention this because I am wondering what would happen to your nice new guard which is lower if you happened to pull up too far.

I think Porsche had/has a good idea with the sensors and automatic lift option.

I was thinking of some small stainless threaded nylon roller wheels screwed into the same holes you used. The wheels especially the front one would hit first and rollup on the parking block and slightly lift the car. They wouldn’t show when walking around the car .

What were you thinking of retailing your guard for? (Bish asked first).

Thanks for asking me for my thoughts.

Best regards

Jerry

thebishman

Here is the solution for this issue that I used on my C7 Z06/7:

https://zl1addons.com/collections/co...orvette-c7-z06

They worked incredibly well at protecting the CF front splitter from just this sort of damage.

Bish

SDAutoSalon

I have photos posted on another thread in this forum with the detailed pictures including the underbody.
As for the aero vent, this scrape guard is only a .25" in thickness and is also chamfered on the front edge to reduce drag or air catching a flat front facing surface.

The guards main purpose is to absorb and be able to withstand any impact / scrapes that may occur. The material we chose is Starboard which is a marine grade material and is much stronger and more dense than ABS plastic. It is able to take a scrape and not crease or damage as easily which allows much longer use (lifetime) and does not grab or bind the same way ABS plastic would over cement. As far as testing we have thrown it, dragged it across cement, hit it with hammers (not on the car of course) and ultimately tested the durability of scraping it against a parking block while mounted on the car to ensure that it would do its job. The material not only outperformed another much cheaper option available out there but it was able to be wiped down to reduce the drag mark. As far as this particular piece, Im willing to "warranty" it or replace it if it doesnt hold up to scrapes or impacts.

This is technically our "ver.2".
Im thinking of retailing it at $465-$495 with hardware upgrade options, rounded hex or torx bolts, powder coated options etc.
(thanks for asking Bish) oddly enough Bish its funny that you brought up your Corvette as we are working on a similer concept for the Z06's (with different Z07 package options) the Grand Sports as well as Sting Rays since we have been dealing with the Corvette Owners Club of San Diego here locally.
Ill keep you posted once we get those in final stages and installed on one or two of the cars we deal with. I can send you pictures directly if you would like an update on that.

SDAutoSalon

Hey Bish, just responded to Jswan and Ill be coming up with a similar product for the C7 platforms we have had come into our shop.

matteRAT

By chance does anyone have an exploded view of the GTC bumper along with the actual MB procedure for removing the bumper as someone posted regarding other service procedures a while back. Also...if you remove the headlights will they have to be aligned by a headlight alignment machine when reinstalled? Thanks to all.

thebishman

If you choose to place 'mesh' on the back of the bumper instead of the OEM solution of a grill fitting directly on the front of the heat exchanger, you won't need to mess with the headlights at all.

Bish

matteRAT

Thank you Brother Bish. Did you remove your bumper in order to attach the mesh...and what method did you use to secure the mesh? I now have the OEM grills in hand a d may try to install them myself. Thank you for your suggestion.

thebishman

I have the parts, but it’s not something I’d be able to do myself. I’m taking the car to a high-line bodyshop I know of locally.

Bish

matteRAT

Thank you.

SDAutoSalon

thebishman

Well I heard back today that my local MB dealer has been given the go-ahead to install the OEM heat exchanger screens free of charge as long as I buy the parts. Now I’m torn between paying to have the mesh that I just purchased installed on the back of the bumper, versus going the OEM route.

Dammit! What to do! lol

Bish

ZephyrAMG

I'm telling you. The OEM plastic crap mesh does nothing. You're wasting your time. If it makes you feel better, have them put it on but you will still get nicks and dings.
I know you know that deep in the files of common sense in your brain that you know it looks like a cheap bandaid thats doesn't look like it will protect much. I would go a more robust route. Depends on if you are keeping the car I guess. I keep my cars.

JSwan724

I know you are passioniate in your position BUT in talking with the AMG TECH experts and some people from the AMG driving school (at Amelia Island this past weekend), they feel that the MB screens are up to the job based on many miles on the street and track. In fact, they are now standard on all the new 2019 AMG cars including the G63 and GTR and GTR Pro.

They do agree that a heavier option is used in professional competition (looks like zinc covered chicken wire) like the recent 24 hour Rolex and other similiar events.

Since I plan on using the AMG Driving School cars for my track fix I am good with the standard MB screenson my GTR.

In the end for all of us its our ride and our decision.

Regards

Jerry

SDAutoSalon

OEM all day long.

ZephyrAMG

Absolutely. Of course. I agree and hope that they do in fact measure up to the job. My thoughts are that cars with them on still get nicks and that the screens felt so cheap. I'm also not in the mood to remove front bumpers and headlights etc. Keep us posted!

BucsFan

Got my OEM's installed while I was at the AMG Academy for 3 days last week. I feel much better driving with them.

thebishman

Since my SA stepped up for me and I’m getting the OEM screens installed for free, I’ve decided to go that route. Pix when job completed.

Bish

JSwan724

HEADS UP LATE BREAKING NEWS

Well guys many of us who campaigned with our dealers to have the factory do a free install and have posted our frustrations on this thread can now officially be called “pioneers”.

It seems that MB has issued a official recall. They will now install the new version screens at the dealer.

The new screens have been modified so that install labor is now under an hour where as the original screens took up to 4 labor hours to install.

VERY GOOD NEWS

California John

Any details? Recall number or ???

JSwan724

ChargedMB

This is quite interesting. The other day I noticed there was an odd indent where it appeared there should have been some kind of guard. I hope they cover the 18 GTC Roadster

AMG 17GT

Seems this should give all the 2016 and 17’s an indirect warranty as it’s an obvious admission the design was left out.

thebishman

So if it was a ‘running change’ based on Model year, then the recall could legitimately only be extended to that, and subsequent years. Granted a punctured radiator in a 2016/17 is no different than one in a ‘covered’ 2018/19, so I wish MB would retro fit all GT models. But I bet they won’t.

Bish

Pete De La Mare

I hope British dealers are also going to get this recall. We probably won’t though.

AMG 17GT

I can promise you that I will not be paying for any damage to this area of my car and I will litigate myself, as this is in an admission that it is a defective design. Especially at such a low cost.