C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe
View Poll Results: What to do with the grill?
Leave it stock
7
25.00%
Get a 3 slat grill like in picture 2
8
28.57%
Stock grill but flat hood emblem
13
46.43%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

New owner, help me with mods (Grill)

Old May 11, 2008 | 06:23 PM
  #1  
IntoTheBlue's Avatar
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2005 C230 Sport
New owner, help me with mods (Grill)

Hi, i just got myself a 2004 Pewter C230 and wanna start off with a few simple mods, clear side markers (euro strip is too pricey for me to consider), white city lights to match my xenons, and possibly a new grill.

Here's a photoshop i did to see how a new grill would look. I want to get a 3 slat grill in gray with chrome strips similar to how the grills are on the brand new C-Class sports. Any opinions? I photoshopped out the hood ornament for simplicity but will add a flat hood emblem if i got the grill.

Also any opinions on what wedge bulb (city lights) I should get? Either PIAA Xtreme White or Raybrigs.
Attached Thumbnails New owner, help me with mods (Grill)-at10438725-800px-p14-20080403-2.jpg   New owner, help me with mods (Grill)-frontgrill3.jpg  

Last edited by IntoTheBlue; May 11, 2008 at 06:45 PM.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 09:47 PM
  #2  
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Keep the grille stock.... at one point I was considering swapping myself, but you'll get sick of the after market grills look pretty fast.

I would definitely replace the city lights - the stockers are too dim and yellow ESPECIALLY with xenons along side 'em.

Also - clear side markers really clean up the front end - you have a choice between the frosted ones (they're identical to stock) or the see-through ones.

I prefer the frosted ones - the see through ones look kind of ricey to me.
You'll also have to buy stealth orange bulbs if you want it to remain street legal (I prefer the orange anyway).
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Old May 11, 2008 | 10:24 PM
  #3  
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Get the OEM 05+ grill.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 10:34 PM
  #4  
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Originally Posted by turbo16lbs
Get the OEM 05+ grill.
+1
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:42 PM
  #5  
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What exactly is the difference between an 04 and 05 OEM grill?
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:56 PM
  #6  
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i thought the second vote was for the 05+ 3-slats...nvm...nay to the star grille.
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Old May 13, 2008 | 06:56 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by IntoTheBlue
What exactly is the difference between an 04 and 05 OEM grill?
one has 4 horizontal slats, and the 05+ has 3 horizontal slats
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Old May 13, 2008 | 11:40 PM
  #8  
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ooh, never really noticed that about the 05+ grill, wonder if my dad will let me swap grills w/ his car. Mu9enx how do you like your big star grill? do you think your style looks better than the type i have in my photoshop?
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Old May 13, 2008 | 11:41 PM
  #9  
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Also...anyone online vendors where i can get an 05 grill, ebay doesn't have any and i rather not pay the MB dealer price for a grill that many won't notice a difference.
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Old May 13, 2008 | 11:52 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by IntoTheBlue
ooh, never really noticed that about the 05+ grill, wonder if my dad will let me swap grills w/ his car. Mu9enx how do you like your big star grill? do you think your style looks better than the type i have in my photoshop?
honestly i wouldn't be able to tell what style cl grille i have.. they all look the same to me, lol. but i like it, i love the big star. it's a hate it or love it mod, some people like it, some people don't. i'd say stick with your oem until you do some front bumper mods; the cl grille is kinda gonna stick out from the car. i have a lip and stuff, so it's not as noticable
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Old May 17, 2008 | 09:57 PM
  #11  
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for those of you that said to get an 05+ grill, should i stick with the star or get a flat hood emblem? With the 04 bumper i dunno if i can pull off that sporty look or if i should keep it luxo with the upright star...

Also, how do you guys feel about the S-class taillights on a pewter car? Played out already?
Attached Thumbnails New owner, help me with mods (Grill)-at10438725-800px-p10-20080403.jpg  
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Old May 17, 2008 | 10:13 PM
  #12  
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Flat hood badge.

And if you're looking for tail lights:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...m360051777981&

I would only recommend the OEM +05 tail lights if you know how to rewire the rear connectors.



This is how the right side of my car looks like.

Last edited by turbo16lbs; May 17, 2008 at 10:16 PM.
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Old May 18, 2008 | 12:19 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by IntoTheBlue
for those of you that said to get an 05+ grill, should i stick with the star or get a flat hood emblem? With the 04 bumper i dunno if i can pull off that sporty look or if i should keep it luxo with the upright star...

Also, how do you guys feel about the S-class taillights on a pewter car? Played out already?
If you're going to keep the stock or 05+ grille keep the star!
I really don't understand the appeal of the flat badge?
(Unless you have the star in the grille already)
Plus the star looks cool from inside the car too.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 07:37 PM
  #14  
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i lost an auction today for an 05 grill on ebay, i stopped at $80 including shipping but shoulda gone up to $100 since it was new. I've been seriously thinking about the formymercedes.com black cl-style grill although i'm afraid all that black plastic is gonna look weird...if only i could get a good deal on the Expression grill my decision would be easy.
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Old May 20, 2008 | 07:49 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by IntoTheBlue
i lost an auction today for an 05 grill on ebay, i stopped at $80 including shipping but shoulda gone up to $100 since it was new. I've been seriously thinking about the formymercedes.com black cl-style grill although i'm afraid all that black plastic is gonna look weird...if only i could get a good deal on the Expression grill my decision would be easy.
hehe i won that one
pok gei, made me spend more than i wanted to!
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Old May 20, 2008 | 07:51 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by kevblah
hehe i won that one
pok gei, made me spend more than i wanted to!
lol, jun hai pok gai
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Old May 20, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #17  
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you ******* lol, how much was your highest bid for? i was gonna do $85 max, would that have beat ya? :p
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Old May 20, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #18  
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this grill doesn't look too shabby on silver, what do you guys think?
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Old May 20, 2008 | 08:06 PM
  #19  
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keep in mind it has the amg kit, which always compliments the CL-style grilles
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Old May 20, 2008 | 09:13 PM
  #20  
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very true...



not bad in this pic either...but damn do i want an Expression grill...
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Old May 21, 2008 | 01:32 AM
  #21  
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thats a tough call.. im debating the same exact thing with my 07' c320. the best for you would be to go with your gut..
imo, i think the cl grille with 4 slashes should be implemented on only 06 and 07s. anything older then that should stay factory grille. 2005 > ( looks awkward especially with strange looking rims and the way that the 05s were designed for some reason ). but looking from the images, i wouldn't totally opt not to do it.

Last edited by europa.xii; May 21, 2008 at 01:36 AM.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 05:04 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by europa.xii
thats a tough call.. im debating the same exact thing with my 07' c320. the best for you would be to go with your gut..
imo, i think the cl grille with 4 slashes should be implemented on only 06 and 07s. anything older then that should stay factory grille. 2005 > ( looks awkward especially with strange looking rims and the way that the 05s were designed for some reason ). but looking from the images, i wouldn't totally opt not to do it.
i have an 01', what do you think of it on my car?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 06:14 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by IntoTheBlue


this grill doesn't look too shabby on silver, what do you guys think?
I think the contrasting color grille can look pretty nice. I have a silver/chrome CL grille on my black car. It's a nice contrast to set off the grille and matches silver wheels pretty well.
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Old May 21, 2008 | 06:34 PM
  #24  
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any pics benzben? most mods look good on a black W203, i'm just concerned the black grill will stand out too much on a pewter car w/out the AMG bumper and look cheap, that's the last thing i want on a benz. At this point i'm seriously considering the Expression in a few months from now, even though it costs the same as a start to a nice stereo system.

Do you forum vets know of the best place to get the Expression? I've done all the searches and know about evosport and performanceproducts, any other places to buy it pre-painted?
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Old May 21, 2008 | 09:06 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Mu9enx
i have an 01', what do you think of it on my car?
very nice, you made it work. like i said, i wouldnt opt not to do it but it would look strange with just a cl grille on a standard c class with stock options. your additional mods seem to balance it out.. but this issue is mostly dealing with personal appeal and preference.

btw, is it possible to get the star on cl grilles some how darkened or tinted? i have a feeling it might look a little better?

Last edited by europa.xii; May 21, 2008 at 09:12 PM.
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