Replacing Illuminated Star if you already have one?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2011 BMW 328i Xdrive
Replacing Illuminated Star if you already have one?
Hi everyone, first post here. Just got a W205 last month!
When going up very close to the star in the grille, I noticed there is a small crack near the light tube, fixed with superglue. The star still lights up, but it is a softer glow than my friend’s W205 when we parked them next to each other.
I have watched the videos on people installing illuminated stars when their car didn’t already have one before. They had to do some electrical stuff with the fuse box and things of that nature.
My question is if my car already has a star and I’m simply looking to replace it, will my process be any easier than someone that doesn’t have a star to begin with? Is there just a simple plug adapter I plug into since MB’s factory did the initial star install and not a DIY person?
Or will I have the exact same process where I have to create the electrical connection? (I have zero experience with electrical concepts, so I’m just wondering if it’s worth the replacement just due to a little light leakage).
Also, and maybe this is the most important question, if I choose to get a new grille in a few months (the black Diamond grill), will this star work for that? Or will I just find myself going through this process again for the star that would fit in that grille? Maybe you can’t answer this without knowing the exact model I may buy, and that’s okay, if so. Maybe it’s a dumb question I’m advance).
Thanks for any insight! I’ve never done a single modification to a car before this, hence why you’re probably wondering “why is he asking if his process will be the same as a quick 8 minute YouTube video or if it will be even easier? Both should be easy either way…” lol.
When going up very close to the star in the grille, I noticed there is a small crack near the light tube, fixed with superglue. The star still lights up, but it is a softer glow than my friend’s W205 when we parked them next to each other.
I have watched the videos on people installing illuminated stars when their car didn’t already have one before. They had to do some electrical stuff with the fuse box and things of that nature.
My question is if my car already has a star and I’m simply looking to replace it, will my process be any easier than someone that doesn’t have a star to begin with? Is there just a simple plug adapter I plug into since MB’s factory did the initial star install and not a DIY person?
Or will I have the exact same process where I have to create the electrical connection? (I have zero experience with electrical concepts, so I’m just wondering if it’s worth the replacement just due to a little light leakage).
Also, and maybe this is the most important question, if I choose to get a new grille in a few months (the black Diamond grill), will this star work for that? Or will I just find myself going through this process again for the star that would fit in that grille? Maybe you can’t answer this without knowing the exact model I may buy, and that’s okay, if so. Maybe it’s a dumb question I’m advance).
Thanks for any insight! I’ve never done a single modification to a car before this, hence why you’re probably wondering “why is he asking if his process will be the same as a quick 8 minute YouTube video or if it will be even easier? Both should be easy either way…” lol.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 17
2018 C300 Sedan
Hi everyone, first post here. Just got a W205 last month!
When going up very close to the star in the grille, I noticed there is a small crack near the light tube, fixed with superglue. The star still lights up, but it is a softer glow than my friend’s W205 when we parked them next to each other.
I have watched the videos on people installing illuminated stars when their car didn’t already have one before. They had to do some electrical stuff with the fuse box and things of that nature.
My question is if my car already has a star and I’m simply looking to replace it, will my process be any easier than someone that doesn’t have a star to begin with? Is there just a simple plug adapter I plug into since MB’s factory did the initial star install and not a DIY person?
Or will I have the exact same process where I have to create the electrical connection? (I have zero experience with electrical concepts, so I’m just wondering if it’s worth the replacement just due to a little light leakage).
Also, and maybe this is the most important question, if I choose to get a new grille in a few months (the black Diamond grill), will this star work for that? Or will I just find myself going through this process again for the star that would fit in that grille? Maybe you can’t answer this without knowing the exact model I may buy, and that’s okay, if so. Maybe it’s a dumb question I’m advance).
Thanks for any insight! I’ve never done a single modification to a car before this, hence why you’re probably wondering “why is he asking if his process will be the same as a quick 8 minute YouTube video or if it will be even easier? Both should be easy either way…” lol.
When going up very close to the star in the grille, I noticed there is a small crack near the light tube, fixed with superglue. The star still lights up, but it is a softer glow than my friend’s W205 when we parked them next to each other.
I have watched the videos on people installing illuminated stars when their car didn’t already have one before. They had to do some electrical stuff with the fuse box and things of that nature.
My question is if my car already has a star and I’m simply looking to replace it, will my process be any easier than someone that doesn’t have a star to begin with? Is there just a simple plug adapter I plug into since MB’s factory did the initial star install and not a DIY person?
Or will I have the exact same process where I have to create the electrical connection? (I have zero experience with electrical concepts, so I’m just wondering if it’s worth the replacement just due to a little light leakage).
Also, and maybe this is the most important question, if I choose to get a new grille in a few months (the black Diamond grill), will this star work for that? Or will I just find myself going through this process again for the star that would fit in that grille? Maybe you can’t answer this without knowing the exact model I may buy, and that’s okay, if so. Maybe it’s a dumb question I’m advance).
Thanks for any insight! I’ve never done a single modification to a car before this, hence why you’re probably wondering “why is he asking if his process will be the same as a quick 8 minute YouTube video or if it will be even easier? Both should be easy either way…” lol.
As for the grille, it shouldn't matter what order you do it in. As long as you get a grille and star appropriate for your year, the star will fit fine. Btw if your considering upgrading the headlights (ie, halogen to LED), do it the same time as the grille as they need to remove bumper.
Welcome to the w205 world! Be careful, the modding slope is slippery
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2011 BMW 328i Xdrive
If it's just replacing the factory illuminated star, you have 2 options. Replace with new factory star and the plug will match perfectly, but I'm guessing it will be several hundred dollars. If you replace with aftermarket (< $100), you would likely have to splice two wires together. If you're uncomfortable with car wiring, any body/audio shop would do it for cheap.
As for the grille, it shouldn't matter what order you do it in. As long as you get a grille and star appropriate for your year, the star will fit fine. Btw if your considering upgrading the headlights (ie, halogen to LED), do it the same time as the grille as they need to remove bumper.
Welcome to the w205 world! Be careful, the modding slope is slippery
As for the grille, it shouldn't matter what order you do it in. As long as you get a grille and star appropriate for your year, the star will fit fine. Btw if your considering upgrading the headlights (ie, halogen to LED), do it the same time as the grille as they need to remove bumper.
Welcome to the w205 world! Be careful, the modding slope is slippery
