W203 4 slat Starless grille project
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Alright guys. Since we produced this part, we have sold a few but nothing to the point of where the interest was when we first started making it. As you can see from the pictures, the fitment is spot on. Let us know what we can do to help you guys get these parts!
-Ken
-Ken
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
You need to remember that the grille on the w209 is in the bumper while the grille in the w203 is part of the hood. I've attempted to clarify why the gap is needed but maybe I've not been able to explain it properly. I'm going to look into having a quick video taken when we test fit the next one so that way everyone can see how it's installed. I'm certain that the video would help clear up an issues with how it's installed and why the gap is needed for clearance.
-Ken
-Ken
Let me try to clarify what I am trying to say.
We want to make our CARS look BETTER
The GAP makes the GRILL look BAD
The BAD GRILL makes the CAR look BAD
The GRILL is HALF a GRAND
Why would we pay HALF a GRAND to make our cars look BAD??
Just because the grill is CF doesn't mean it looks good.
On your last post you mention not a lot of people are buying the grill and ask what you can help us with. We have already told you what the problem is. If you guys don't want to fix it then tell us straight up.
In all honesty it sounds like you guys put a lot of money into this grill and it looks like crap and you guys know this and come up with the GAP IS NEEDED excuse so you can sell the grills. That might not be the case but trust me behind the scenes that's what everyone is talking about..just letting you know.
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From: Fullerton, CA
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Originally Posted by Karo
On your last post you mention not a lot of people are buying the grill and ask what you can help us with. We have already told you what the problem is. If you guys don't want to fix it then tell us straight up.
Originally Posted by Karo
In all honesty it sounds like you guys put a lot of money into this grill and it looks like crap and you guys know this and come up with the GAP IS NEEDED excuse so you can sell the grills. That might not be the case but trust me behind the scenes that's what everyone is talking about..just letting you know.
-Ken
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
So far, the only person to have purchased a grille is Mikessw203, so no one has put any money out of pocket other than Mike when he bought the grille knowing that the gap was there and was satisfied with it. The only other money out of pocket was from us. We designed the grille specifically for the W203 and to your specifications. I've tried to explain to you guys why the gap is there and it's obvious that I have not been clear enough, hence the video.
Again, I've attempted to clarify why the gap is there but it seems I haven't been able to properly convey the reasoning behind it.
My apologies if you think it's an excuse. The reasoning I gave for the gap came directly from my product development director. As I've said before, I wasn't there when the grille went in so I can't speak directly on how it went in. I'm simply going off of what was relayed to me in regards to installation.
-Ken
Again, I've attempted to clarify why the gap is there but it seems I haven't been able to properly convey the reasoning behind it.
My apologies if you think it's an excuse. The reasoning I gave for the gap came directly from my product development director. As I've said before, I wasn't there when the grille went in so I can't speak directly on how it went in. I'm simply going off of what was relayed to me in regards to installation.
-Ken
If it is relay to you on how it is installed then please don't say it as if you did the install yourself and you are sure that's how it goes in. why? because to the rest of us that has a W203 all know that any grille made for this car does not need to be slide in at an angle. all you do is drop it in and line up the holes for the screws. what you said about the install just doesn't sound very convincing.
at least for me until I see a true reason for that gap I'm not even considering putting any money for this grille.
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
that's because you wouldn't even let Rollnn test fit it when he was already there. he could've tell the story better since he owns a w203 if he has a chance to do the install himself and to take pic of HOW.
If it is relay to you on how it is installed then please don't say it as if you did the install yourself and you are sure that's how it goes in. why? because to the rest of us that has a W203 all know that any grille made for this car does not need to be slide in at an angle. all you do is drop it in and line up the holes for the screws. what you said about the install just doesn't sound very convincing.
at least for me until I see a true reason for that gap I'm not even considering putting any money for this grille.
If it is relay to you on how it is installed then please don't say it as if you did the install yourself and you are sure that's how it goes in. why? because to the rest of us that has a W203 all know that any grille made for this car does not need to be slide in at an angle. all you do is drop it in and line up the holes for the screws. what you said about the install just doesn't sound very convincing.
at least for me until I see a true reason for that gap I'm not even considering putting any money for this grille.
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Fullerton, CA
Too Many To List
-Ken
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Fullerton, CA
Too Many To List
Alright guys. Got Rollnnn in so we could get a video done and a few more install pictures taken as well.
This first one is a video that I shot while our Product Development Director, Steve, installed the grille. Hopefully this will clear up any misconceptions on how we installed the grille. We installed it the proper way and then tried to install it the way a few of you had already suggested. I'll let the video speak for itself.
This picture is after we installed the carbon fiber piece. I know a couple of you wanted to see it installed on a white car so here it is:
Now for the next couple, they were taken when we attempted to install the grille straight in, without tilting it. As you can see, it's impossible to do so.
Now in this short clip, we used a Duraflex part. As you can see, Steve was easily able to flex the part to cover the gap in question. The same goes for the carbon fiber part. There is plenty of flex in either one of the parts to allow you to secure the sides and then flex the part to cover the gap.
This is a shot of the back of the grille where we drilled two small holes and then used the factory screws to secure it. We did not put the screws all the way in as they were too long and would have poked a hole in the other side of the grille.
This last picture is of the Duraflex part with the slight modification we made in order to cover the gap in question.
So, I hope this helps clear up any concerns you guys may have with the part. If you have any questions about this process or about the part in general, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you out.
-Ken
This first one is a video that I shot while our Product Development Director, Steve, installed the grille. Hopefully this will clear up any misconceptions on how we installed the grille. We installed it the proper way and then tried to install it the way a few of you had already suggested. I'll let the video speak for itself.
This picture is after we installed the carbon fiber piece. I know a couple of you wanted to see it installed on a white car so here it is:
Now for the next couple, they were taken when we attempted to install the grille straight in, without tilting it. As you can see, it's impossible to do so.
Now in this short clip, we used a Duraflex part. As you can see, Steve was easily able to flex the part to cover the gap in question. The same goes for the carbon fiber part. There is plenty of flex in either one of the parts to allow you to secure the sides and then flex the part to cover the gap.
This is a shot of the back of the grille where we drilled two small holes and then used the factory screws to secure it. We did not put the screws all the way in as they were too long and would have poked a hole in the other side of the grille.
This last picture is of the Duraflex part with the slight modification we made in order to cover the gap in question.
So, I hope this helps clear up any concerns you guys may have with the part. If you have any questions about this process or about the part in general, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you out.
-Ken
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
ok, so the reason is because you made an error on the side now you have to compensate and trim the top off. because seriously, that should not have happened or needed.
last one looks the best.
last one looks the best.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I think I'm more interested in Rollnnn's loafers. Where did you get those loafers and how much? Are they pretty comfortable?...they look like it. Can you go for the morning jog with them?
Last edited by W203E35; Jun 24, 2010 at 11:45 PM.
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2006 mercedes benz C180k Avantgarde SE
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From: Fullerton, CA
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Frank, if you want to come down today, I will be more than happy to install the grille onto your car so you can see precisely what I'm referring to. Feel free to contact me at any of the points listed in my signature.
-Ken
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
Ha, frickin Karo... actually love these shoes, got about 10 pairs in different colors. They are Ralph Lauren Polo and got them all at different spots from Nordstrom to ebay. I think they're pretty comfortable. i've always liked wearing Vans more than Nike's but i wouldn't recommend joggin in them...
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
The grille is pretty nice. You just have to make sure you install it correctly. You have to install the sides first, then push the grille up and screw the top in so it contours to the bend of the hood. Will probably take 2 people to do it right.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I DIYed my suspension pretty much with 4-jack stands. a simple grille takes two person. LOL
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
If you look at the sides when the grille is installed, it is perfect fitment in that area. There is no trimming needed. It flexes, it doesn't require cutting. I'm not sure where you came up with the thought that it needed trimming as I never once said a word about trimming anything on this part.
Frank, if you want to come down today, I will be more than happy to install the grille onto your car so you can see precisely what I'm referring to. Feel free to contact me at any of the points listed in my signature.
-Ken
Frank, if you want to come down today, I will be more than happy to install the grille onto your car so you can see precisely what I'm referring to. Feel free to contact me at any of the points listed in my signature.
-Ken
I'm referring to the mold that your guys made that made a mistake on making those two pointy ends where it has to be slide in. In doing so they compensated by trimming the top off and ended up with that gap.
honestly (probably my last post on trying to help and get this grille the way people actually want), I don't see how you can't change the mold and shape down the corner and make the top with the gap.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
i dont think explaining to everyone why the gap is necessary is going to convince anyone to buy this grill. I think ED is wasting their time in doing this. It still looks the way it looks. No one is going to pay over 600 dollars for mediocre fitment.
I also agree with Frank about just trimming the corners and adding a little to the top and Im sure people would start buying.
I think the duraflex one looks awesome though, but i i wonder if the tension created to cover the gap will eventually crack it.
I also agree with Frank about just trimming the corners and adding a little to the top and Im sure people would start buying.
I think the duraflex one looks awesome though, but i i wonder if the tension created to cover the gap will eventually crack it.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
At today's meet I saw Rollnnn's loafers in person. All I can say is "wow". Talk about craftsmanship. The fitment looked perfect but I was kind of disappointed that you would have to wear shorts with them since with pants it wont match as much.
Rollnnn told me you would need to slip them on and that to me didn't make sense so I had him show it to me. The loafers kind of looked off with the socks he had so we pushed the socks lower and it's perfect now. I took a video of him slipping them on and I also took some pics. I'll upload those later on today.
We might have a group buy on the loafers so I'll keep you guys posted.
As for the grill I saw it on Mike's car today and there is no more gap. Looks much better.
Rollnnn told me you would need to slip them on and that to me didn't make sense so I had him show it to me. The loafers kind of looked off with the socks he had so we pushed the socks lower and it's perfect now. I took a video of him slipping them on and I also took some pics. I'll upload those later on today.
We might have a group buy on the loafers so I'll keep you guys posted.
As for the grill I saw it on Mike's car today and there is no more gap. Looks much better.
Thread Starter
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From: South Coast Metro/Cerritos/Yorba Linda California
'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
Installed the grille friday so people at socaleuro can see in person and make their own judgement.
did exactly that, I drilled & screwed the sides then asked my bro to mark the 2 inner holes to drill while I pushed the top slat up.
Gap is minimal, overall I'm content with it. If I wanted a perfect fit I'd have to do some sanding. Since I am content with the outcome from just drilling and screwing in, I won't bother.
Gap is minimal, overall I'm content with it. If I wanted a perfect fit I'd have to do some sanding. Since I am content with the outcome from just drilling and screwing in, I won't bother.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Fullerton, CA
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oh no, i know what you are talking about.
I'm referring to the mold that your guys made that made a mistake on making those two pointy ends where it has to be slide in. In doing so they compensated by trimming the top off and ended up with that gap.
honestly (probably my last post on trying to help and get this grille the way people actually want), I don't see how you can't change the mold and shape down the corner and make the top with the gap.
I'm referring to the mold that your guys made that made a mistake on making those two pointy ends where it has to be slide in. In doing so they compensated by trimming the top off and ended up with that gap.
honestly (probably my last post on trying to help and get this grille the way people actually want), I don't see how you can't change the mold and shape down the corner and make the top with the gap.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Massachusetts
05 c230 kompressor SS 6MT & 07 BMW 335i
Unfortunately, epic failure on the grille. Many times in business you have to retry different solutions to get the product the "right" way; the way consumers want it to be. Obviously, the way the grille was designed to be installed was a poor idea, and thats why it looks like sh*t (no offense). And 95% of people who have seen it are saying the same thing. I think ED should stop professing about how its installed, and get back to the drawing board and try it again. They have gotten tons of feedback from the forum and from test fitting, and it seems like a redesign is in order for them to make long term sales.
Also, I question why they used overseas manufacturing for the grilles when 1) they aren't doing the volume needed to really utilize cheap overseas worksmanship, 2) the quality of the product looks like a chinese eBay knockoff but selling for $500+, and 3) they have no oversight on the product during development and are at the mercy of foreign shipping??? Maybe they should find a local manufacturer to help with the remold and redesign to get in perfect, and can have product quality oversight throughout the entire process. Only then would I consider buying the grille for that price. Just sayin....
Also, I question why they used overseas manufacturing for the grilles when 1) they aren't doing the volume needed to really utilize cheap overseas worksmanship, 2) the quality of the product looks like a chinese eBay knockoff but selling for $500+, and 3) they have no oversight on the product during development and are at the mercy of foreign shipping??? Maybe they should find a local manufacturer to help with the remold and redesign to get in perfect, and can have product quality oversight throughout the entire process. Only then would I consider buying the grille for that price. Just sayin....
