Drop-a-Daimler

Is there a blacked-out mesh grille for the C55 (CLK) front? I can't imagine there would be any way to access the hood latch but I am interested in finding something. Like this ...

spr

looks funny. If you're going to change the grill the 3 slat star grill is the only one to consider.

rlee02135

looks like an Mitsu Evo

bugsydad

It looks interesting to me, I might like to see the large star from the sport grills on it.

Drop-a-Daimler

I agree the mesh looks weird. How about this third option I just added, blacked-out stock "bar" grille? I actually kinda like this look.

rlee02135

go for the blacked out one! (flat black)

Quicktwinturbo

Flat black one looks nice...
However, someone should make Brabus Rocket style grill for our car..

that would look SICK.. IMo

lauer87

kinda reminds me of some sort of bentley at first glance

Drop-a-Daimler

Yeah, Brabus should! No doubt. That's the look I want! And then send the wheels out for a black "anodized" look. The Brabus C55 Rocket or maybe C55 Black Series.

TruTaing

Do the mesh for uniqueness

14cue

OEM looks best IMO/

sdsilverm3

JDC55

Personally I like this option.

Color matched to body color.

Drop-a-Daimler

Oh yeah, I had this in Iridium for my C350 and really liked it. Is this a CLK grille? I am having much better luck finding nice looking grilles for the CLK thinking they will fit the unique C55 front clip. Is that true?

lauer87

yes it is true, the c55 front clip is a clk front clip.

Drop-a-Daimler

So any CLK grille will work on the C55? I have seen a few on Ebay that look pretty good and are all black except for the star. This is very similar to the one I got on Ebay from 55tech.com that was Iridium paint matched. It was from Taiwan but it fit great, was well made, used OEM stars and held up very well. For under $150 delivered I'd do it again. But will this one fit I wonder. I thought the secondary latch release was offset to the driver's side on the C55. How would you access that with one of these "CLK" grilles? Or does that need to be relocated somehow?

PC Valkyrie

Make sure the grill you get fits a W209 CLK, NOT the previous W208 CLK.

JDC55

Spend the extra money and get the OE grill not the lame Ebay one.

fivepointfivev8

The mesh grille looks very trick. I remember back in the day, you could get a grille like that for the A4s (made by Abt??), they had a hole in the mesh to access the latch. If you decide to do mesh, what color would you paint it, like a flat back or really dark grey? It would be nice to have a color to contrast the black body color, just a little. One advantage of silver or white on the C55, the front end looks meaner IMO.

Drop-a-Daimler

I agree, I liked my Iridium sport model because the aggressive front valance panel is highlighted against the black mesh inserts. On black models the sporty aerodynamics are more understated because they blend in so well. But I'd probably paint the mesh the same color as the lower mesh panels. Just plain black.Thanks, that helps clarify what I have been seeing out there.I agree 100% that it would be best to use an OEM grille. But I was pretty happy with my Taiwanese knock-off junk off of Ebay which was surprising. But what I may do is order a W209 black grille and then have my OEM take-off grille paint-matched Diamond Black Metallic at my Benz body shop. And then just use whichever I think looks best. Win-win (beside the extra $200)?

Drop-a-Daimler

This is a good thread about the fit of a W209 CLK grille noting the need for the hood latch and grille support kits for the W209 as well. And some good pics too ... 3 bar ... 4 bar ... and stock.

JDC55

It just seems wrong to spend so much on a car and treat it like it's a Civic or a Dodge Neon.

Drop-a-Daimler

True!