US spec rear bumber
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
If it's anything like what used to be on Porsche's, you're gonna need a lot more work than just a rear bumper swap. Those bumperettes usually have reinforced steel attached to the rear crash bar (removing them won't just leave a hole).
In all likelihood, you'll have to cut off those steel bumper supports and do a euro bumper swap too... that's a lot of work.
In all likelihood, you'll have to cut off those steel bumper supports and do a euro bumper swap too... that's a lot of work.
#4
Newbie
Anyone have any info? BTW dealer has no clue. I'll be doing a Euro Delivery later this summer and to accommodate the Euro plates the rear bumper of the 2017 C Class coupe must be Euro spec. If so, will the bumper have to replaced before the car is shipped back to the USA? Or will I be a beneficiary and receive a euro spec without bumper-ettes?
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Anyone have any info? BTW dealer has no clue. I'll be doing a Euro Delivery later this summer and to accommodate the Euro plates the rear bumper of the 2017 C Class coupe must be Euro spec. If so, will the bumper have to replaced before the car is shipped back to the USA? Or will I be a beneficiary and receive a euro spec without bumper-ettes?
#6
Newbie
Mikey53 appreciate the comment. If the bumper-ettes preformed a vital function, surely they would be applied before being exported. However they appear to be nothing more than a design element used to frame North American License plates. For reasons not explained German auto-makers have a tendency to over compensate when it comes to accommodating the proportion of the plate. Looking at the BMW 3 series, introduced in 2013, they applied the same element to the front bumper. After consumers complained the addition resembled a wart, BMW soon backed off from the application. I feel the bumer-ettes are inconsistent and a distraction to the overall design of the C205.
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#8
Newbie
Ah' the 5 MHP crash can't cause significant damage requirement. Should have known. Before putting the issue to rest compare photos of the rear of sedan to the coupe and it appears the bummer-ettes on the coupe are applied to frame the plate, looking at the sedan the plate is mounted up into the trunk. Not sure where the extra 5 MHP crash protection is located for the sedan. Until official information confirms the bumper-ettes purpose lets leave the topic open for speculation. Thanks for the reply
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auditoamg (08-26-2016)
#9
Senior Member
Forgot where I read it, but it is really a big deal to get rid of the bumper warts...like having to change the whole bumper and doing some metal cutting (if I remember correctly.)
#10
Newbie
In most cases you're correct, but looking at the bumper-ettes on C205 North American export, they appear to be glued to main bumper.
#11
Junior Member
Anyone have any info? BTW dealer has no clue. I'll be doing a Euro Delivery later this summer and to accommodate the Euro plates the rear bumper of the 2017 C Class coupe must be Euro spec. If so, will the bumper have to replaced before the car is shipped back to the USA? Or will I be a beneficiary and receive a euro spec without bumper-ettes?
You will get US bumpers at European Delivery.
The ED license plate is "short" - not the same as a long european license plate.
Here's what it looks:
#12
Newbie
Thanks Flanker for the reply, returned from our Euro Delivery a month ago, and yes you're correct, the plates are not as wide standard Euro plate. I was hoping for hope the car would have a proper Euro spec rear bumper and not have the ugly bumper-ettes to accommodate North American Plates.
Last edited by Vektor-Pilot; 08-26-2016 at 03:23 PM.
#15
Newbie
Regarding the rear of the C205, love or hate it, at least it's not generic or boring. As for the topic being discussed, US spec rear bumper accommodating standard Euro plate, attached photos have laid that issue to rest.
Last edited by Vektor-Pilot; 08-29-2016 at 01:27 AM.
#17
Newbie
Thanks for sharing the info, and good to know they can be removed. With that being said I'll be looking into to having the procedure performed.
Cheers!
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Vektor-Pilot (09-10-2016)
#19
Newbie
Thanks for posting the diagram Tvall13. Hm' patching four holes on each side requires a bodyshop, not sure if it's worth the effort to satisfy an annoying level of aesthetics.
#20
This is extremely confusing. I contacted my dealership today and requested to have the bumper guards removed for my build. I also referred to this response sent by MBUSA. However, I was told that it is not possible due to a government safety requirement. This was after they consulted with their master tech.
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Vektor-Pilot (09-10-2016)
#21
Newbie
The relationship between MBUSA and their dealers seems to conflict on many levels and the issue of the bumper-ettes is no different. Researching the topic it's become clear the bumper-ettes are there for a specific reason and if a MB dealer were to remove them it may violate original specification of the product. As for MBUSA, it appears they wish not to get involved so they request consumers to contact their dealer to resolve the issue.
#22
Hey guys, pictures speak for themselves but there is a huge hole behind each bumperette. I paid my local body shop $1000 (quotes ranged from $600 to $1200 so do your homework and go to a trusted body shop since it is not an easy project) to use the covers of the bumperettes to cut them out in the shape of the hole and solder it and coat with fiberglass (at least this is what they told me they needed to do since soldering plastic on plastic can become brittle with extreme temperature changes and thus crack). In any case they gave me a 6 month warranty on the whole project so I just bit the bullet and went with it. No problems since and it looks much better IMO. Let me know if you have questions.
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AMG C43 3LV6 (11-29-2018)
#24
Hey guys, pictures speak for themselves but there is a huge hole behind each bumperette. I paid my local body shop $1000 (quotes ranged from $600 to $1200 so do your homework and go to a trusted body shop since it is not an easy project) to use the covers of the bumperettes to cut them out in the shape of the hole and solder it and coat with fiberglass (at least this is what they told me they needed to do since soldering plastic on plastic can become brittle with extreme temperature changes and thus crack). In any case they gave me a 6 month warranty on the whole project so I just bit the bullet and went with it. No problems since and it looks much better IMO. Let me know if you have questions.
#25
Newbie
Result looks great but requires extensive modification by a bodyshop that's up to the task. Recommend to anyone considering the procedure look before you leap.