C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 04:30 PM
  #1  
Beaver's Benz's Avatar
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
Constructive Criticism Welcome

Greetings All,
I'm a new member as well as MB owner. I feel like I've finally made enough changes to my car worthy enough to post some pictures and get some feed back. Unfortunately, it's all cosmetic, but hope to get to the performance upgrades soon. All opinions and advice are welcome and appriciated.
Thanks, Erin.

You'll have to forgive me, I don't know if the pictures are loaded properly. I tried to insert them directly, but ended up in Manage Attachments. If you can't see them, would someone be kind enough to instruct me how to attach them.

How about this. Amazing what a little research can do.




Forgot this one.

Last edited by Beaver's Benz; Nov 13, 2006 at 05:30 PM. Reason: Adding Pictures
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 04:32 PM
  #2  
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cant see them.
use photobucket.com to upload and copy the IMG part here
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:22 PM
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is SOLD
i already notice the color matched bumper lens, which i like much better than getting the clear ones. also, the debadge is very clean. the little things count, so next would be flat hood emblem. and if $$$ is an issue get some h&r springs and save for wheels.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:25 PM
  #4  
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
I like the flat hood emblem very much, I'll be changing that next. I feel the same way about the little things, notice the chrome trim under the windows and around the car has been blacked out.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:28 PM
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oh snap i just noticed the trim. was it hard to do? did you have to take the molding off? was it a do it yourself job or at a bodyshop?
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:31 PM
  #6  
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Granite gray looks so good
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Beaver's Benz
I like the flat hood emblem very much, I'll be changing that next. I feel the same way about the little things, notice the chrome trim under the windows and around the car has been blacked out.
nice! black out the grill next too! how did you do the blackout?
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:35 PM
  #8  
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
Not too difficult, just time consuming. I used 5/8" 3M gloss black striping from the local body supply shop. Took about a half day after trimming everything to fit exact. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out, especially for $30.
Plus power coating the tail pipe black is another inexpensive difference.

Last edited by Beaver's Benz; Nov 13, 2006 at 05:47 PM. Reason: Add comments
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:41 PM
  #9  
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
Thanks rlee02135, I like the color more after each change I make.

nlpamg, it's hard to notice in these pictures, but I've actually separated the grill and painted the chrome part body color and left the back part black. It was a difficult decision not to paint the entire thing black, but I like the contrast of the two colors better.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:43 PM
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wow. i love your engine cover.
how much did it cost, and are you worried about chipping?
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 05:52 PM
  #11  
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
One of my golf buddies has a body shop, so I feel like I got a more than fair deal. The grill, marker lights and all engine covers were painted for $100. As far as chipping goes, nothing comes in contact with the parts under the hood and I just had a service B completed and all is still perfect. I wish I could say the same about the grill.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:01 PM
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I like the black trim around the car instead of the chrome ones. Very creative. Nice looking car. You need rims and suspensions now..

Regards

Darwin W
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:20 PM
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Very nice looking engine pieces. The price you got for painting everything is a steal of a price (considering how many pieces were done.

Keep it up. Looks very nice.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:23 PM
  #14  
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From: Sherman, TX
'05 C230K SS Granite Grey Metallic
I'm shopping for rims, black of course, but I live in podunk Texas and the streets are clearly ment for trucks only, so I doubt I'll be lowering the car. That's why I can't decide on 18" or 19" wheels.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:29 PM
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Looks awesome! I'm going to have to try that chrome trim black out. I like it because it's reversible, so if i get tired of it, i'm not screwed.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:30 PM
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I like the shot under the hood - Looks great.

The black accents are very subtle - pretty unique if ya ask me!

As for everyone's advice of what ya do next - I think ya should just do what ever fancies ya and not what everyone else is thinking. Not to say there suggestions are bad, but It seems that ya have plenty of unique and "untainted" ideas already. Who knows, Ya might create the next trend for us w203 drivers!

Keep up the good work!

-j0hn
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:39 PM
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From: www.carlabms.com Santa Clara, CA
Originally Posted by Beaver's Benz
I'm shopping for rims, black of course, but I live in podunk Texas and the streets are clearly ment for trucks only, so I doubt I'll be lowering the car. That's why I can't decide on 18" or 19" wheels.
Considering the road conditions you mention in your area. I think 18" is your best bet. Mandrus wheels makes some high quality rims that are direct bolt on for mercedes for decent price.

We have a set of Mandrus Millenium in 18 staggered with a decent size lip that can be powdercoated black.

Pm me if you need some pricing.

Regards

Darwin W
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:48 PM
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I was thinking about this blackout trim thing. For those who are curious how it looks on a black car, here you go:
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Ryanr317
I was thinking about this blackout trim thing. For those who are curious how it looks on a black car, here you go:
yeah it looks nice, that trim is standard on some cars (not in US)
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 06:54 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by TruTaing
I like the shot under the hood - Looks great.

Keep up the good work!

-j0hn
I like the body-colored battery and electrical covers, near the firewall. Nice touch.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:15 PM
  #21  
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nice i like the black striping...def need black wheels now...if ur not gonna lower then get 18's, or lower with coilovers like the pss9, im sure itll be comfy enuff...ive yet to see black on a granite grey..itll look nice for sure..subtle mods, but very clean and eye catching to a everyday w203 owner. thumbs up.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:20 PM
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Granite Grey FTW!!!!! awesome car
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:45 PM
  #23  
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Your car is nicely dressed. I enjoyed the under hood accents.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:57 PM
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I like how you painted your engine bay.

maybe you should go for a body-colored CL style grill.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Ryanr317
I was thinking about this blackout trim thing. For those who are curious how it looks on a black car, here you go:
Do anyone know where we can get the trim without the chrome strip for the entire car?
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