Murray Woo

The long black plastic grill between the foglights in the front bumper. The one right below the front license plate housing. What's it called? A stone has managed punch a neat sizable hole fright through it. When my lease is up I don't know if I'll get charged for it or not. It is smaller than a credit card. If I get charged I'll replace it, it doesn't seem to be an expensive part. If you know what it's called let me know, thanks.

Boris0126

Is call the lower mesh bumper grill, I had to get mine replaced

Murray Woo

Thanks! How much did it cost you? Were you able to get it done yourself?

Boris0126

I don't exactly remember cause my friend at the bodyshop order i for me but i think it was on like $70 or $80 and he changed it for me

Azn_C300

Talk to your service manager. I was able to negotiate with them and have them cover it under warranty

Carsy

I would complain to MB US . This is a weakness in the US import.

We have a very strong solid lower grill in Australia.

Americans, it is time to tell the importers.

Peabody

I don't think it's a weakness in the US import, I just think US roads have a lot more rocks. I've been thinking about this lately, and considering I drive 100 MPH faster on German roads than US roads, if this was an issue of strength then I would have easily blown a hole through my grill.

Carsy

I beg to differ. From the photos I have seen on this website the US lower grill is a lot less robust than the grill on Australian W 204's. Please see the photo below looking beyond the fitted insect screen.

andrusha

Im kind of pissed off about the lower grill. The mesh is so cheap. Mine cracked and the dealer wont cover it under waranty

Peabody

Well that's just weird looking, I really don't like the aesthetic. In any case, I've got about a dozen small chips and nicks where I've hit rocks with my bumper but I haven't had any problems with my mesh grill. Also, the pics I've seen look like they hit a fairly large sized rock. If I do have to replace it, I'll be using the Carlsson metal grille mesh instead of buying the plastic again.

Derspeed

Carsy, do you have the sport? In the US the lower grille on the lux is slats and not the plastic mesh. Looks as if yours is similar to the lux.

EASYDOES1T

Murray, if you don't mind me asking what part of Queens are you from?

Carsy

Hello Derspeed,

The C Class comes in 3 equipment levels here in Australia.. There is the Classic, Elegance, & Avantgarde. The Classic & Elegance has the Star raised on the bonnet. Yes , You could describe the undergrill as slats.

The Avantgarde comes with the mesh.

The slat type seems to be much more durable & less prone to damage.

Attached is the Elegance from the Sales brochure.