eBalita Editor

thought i had a deal to get a cl grill from somebody selling one here - never heard back. is anybody looking to get rid of theirs?

can you fill me in on possible problems when i switch to a non-OEM grill? thanks.

Sponger

Don't buy the cheapies from ebay. You'll end up putting the stock one back on.

eBalita Editor

thanks for the advice. i was naturally attracted to getting those because of the price. what is the best price i can get a decent one for?

i would appreciate any leads. thanks.

Sponger

Here's an alternative to getting a new grille, especially if your car is black...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=60829

eBalita Editor

thanks.. i kinda like the benz logo on the grill though.

Pancham

eBalita,

Call www.performanceproducts.com and ask for the CL Style Grill from Expression. They sell it for $629 when I bought it. It's a modified OEM MB CL Grill; carefully trimmed and reinforced at both edges to fit in place of the old C grill. There's a piece at the bottom that needs painting to match your car's color. I have since returned it because when I fitted it to my 1wk old car and looking at the side, I could see the upper portion being out by at least 1/8 - 1/4 inch which means that I would have to remove more materials behind the grill to get perfect alignment. It was also hitting the horns so that might need some relocation or modification. It might be OK for you if your not too picky but if I was spending that kind of money I want it perfect out of the box.
As I said, this grill is an original MB part modified to fit the C so you can't go wrong as far as quality is concerned.

Good luck!

eBalita Editor

thank you for your response.. but $629 is be out of my budget. it seems like a ton of money to replace something that already works. are there no other kinds that aren't so pricey?

Pancham

i agree. That's why I returned it. But!!! if you check the price of a new CL grill, it will cost between $280-$350 depending on VIN/model year plus the mod effort on Expression's part, $500 could have been a decent price. So if they could knock off another $100 bucks I think it'll be worth it. The car really looks nice with it but as I said my car was just a week old so I couldn't part with a perfectly new grill just like that. Maybe I'll revisit this idea again in another 3 years to give the car a facelift.

Performance...com also sells a $200+ grill but not as nice which could be the alternative you're looking for. Sales reps there said it's made by Schatz.

davidlavin

I just bought the one from Performance Products AND LOVE IT! Yes, it costs $629 plus tax plus I had to have a local auto body/paint shop paint the lower piece for an additional $50... total: just about $700... AND WORTH EVERY PENNY!

The quality is fantastic, the fit on my 2002 C320 is perfect and the look it give my car is so dramatically better! My kids even noticed that the car looked better!

C'mon, you've got a forty thousand dollar car... Why cheap out for the difference between quality for such a visible item on your car for only, say, 500 bucks?

Sponger

Nice, but my car only cost $30k, not 40
As long as you're satisfied with the grille, it don't matter how much you spent.

tuscanraider

You are a salesman's dream buddy!

I hope you grille is made out of something other than plastic for that price.
I should open a MB aftermarket store I'd make a killing on you suckers.....That grill probably costs about $10 to make overseas in Germany or China.

x-tian-230k

I bought the one from ebay for a couple hundred and it looks great. the quality is a lil bit flimsier but I am satisfied all in all. i will post pics when i get my 19's next week.....

oggle

Wrong. The base cl grille already costs a few hundred bucks. And if you want to talk about value you'd be driving a Civic not a MB.

Back on topic. You guys should set up a group buy and see if you can get it cheaper.

tuscanraider

read my post again bud, I said it probably COSTS about $10 to make over seas. I know what it retails for. If you could buy them direct and sell them you would make a killing.....that is what I am trying to say. Slow down, take a deep breath and read the post carefully.

oggle

These were your exact words:

Which is incorrect. "Make" includes everything from costs associated with getting the original grille, or making one up from scratch. There's no way one can buy the original CL grille, shave off the sides, then make the fiberglass piece at the bottom, all that for $10.

Rotty

You left out the overseas part..... I can't see spending over $600 for a plastic grill no matter the quality.

GixTom

Since I am working in a manufacturing company. I totally agree with what you said. Those who buy producats at retail (well sometimes including myself) would never believe how cheap it is to acutally make them. To be honest, sometimes I feel sorry for people paying so much for our products when I know it costs 10 times less than what they pay for. I guess thats why my boss is so rich
Back to the topic, not trying to be rude. We all drive a MB here, but doesnt mean we have to spend... $600 or even $700 on a grille. Whats the benefit again? For someone outside of the car to go "WOW..looks nice"...and then what? Just like rims/body kits/etc, they are all there for others to see and comment. If you like the look of the CL grille why not get some decent pricing one, at least cheaper. If quality is an issue, then forget it and spend the money on something else..maybe a better sound sys, or a TV monitor (even NAVI), or just something you can enjoy with while driving? I dont know man, I would spend money on rims and stuff, but they are at cost I am buying for. $600 for a plastic grille just sound too crazy for me.

terrorz

I saw the CL grill selling for around 8500 Baht in Bangkok and quality is good. Price still can neg.

Lenin

I just finished installing a CL style grill with the larger star on my C32 and it came out very nice. Paid $180 on ebay.

LorinserCClass

Why spend 3K-6K on wheels?? Why spend 2K on an aftermarket DVD deck? Why spend 2K on a body kit?? WHY SPEND 33K on a MB entrylevel bug ridden medicore quality C Class when you can get a more reliable AND affordable Japanese car??? Choices buddy. I see your perspective on how you know how much stuff 'costs' before its sent out and re priced for profit, so I see why you dont justify spending 600 bux on a piece of 'plastic'. But hey that's the market for you. If you think its too much then DONT BUY IT and just drop it, dont go criticizing people about it. Dont mean to come off as an a$$ but geez think before you post criticism

Daddymac

got pics of your ride with new grille?

Lenin

Sure. If I could only attach files that are larger that 1 byte.

LorinserCClass

You would have to host it at another pix hosting site. Try freepixhosting.com EASY to use but pix go down every once in a while.