C55 AMG grille piece
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Epsom, NH
2005 E320 CDI
C55 AMG grille piece
Hi new here to the forum. Im looking for a Mercedes grille piece to the right front on my bumper of my 2005 C55. My girlfriend took the car last week and parked the nose of the car on a curb and the grill fell out 
. P/N: a203 885 06 53 according to Mercedes
. P/N: a203 885 06 53 according to Mercedes
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Eugene Oregon
C32 AMG and a 2004 Porsche Cayenne
Did you try looking in her parking spot? (never let her drive again)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Epsom, NH
2005 E320 CDI
yeah that is what I asked her but unfortunately I think the hit loosened the grille and when she got on the highway after work it fell of somewhere. She scoured the parking lot and couldn't find it. First time I let here borrow my car she smashes it and she says to me, "I thought the car was already like that" when I asked her about it so then she was trying to be nice the day after because she knew I was still pissed about the car. (she cracked the bumper as well) so she said let me go get your oil changed for you in the c55. I said ok since I had alot going on and was slammed at work. I gave here all the proper instructions about getting the oil done (because I normally aways do it myself) like make sure they ues 9 quarts of mobil 1 0-40w, undo both drain plugs, ect. So she comes back after the oil change and when I hop in my car I hear something dragging underneath. I look down and the rear cover you need to take off under the car is dragging. the guy who changed the oil snapped the rear cover and didn't say anything, not to mention it didn't even look like the oil was changed. never letting here touch the wheel of that car again
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
yeah that is what I asked her but unfortunately I think the hit loosened the grille and when she got on the highway after work it fell of somewhere. She scoured the parking lot and couldn't find it. First time I let here borrow my car she smashes it and she says to me, "I thought the car was already like that" when I asked her about it so then she was trying to be nice the day after because she knew I was still pissed about the car. (she cracked the bumper as well) so she said let me go get your oil changed for you in the c55. I said ok since I had alot going on and was slammed at work. I gave here all the proper instructions about getting the oil done (because I normally aways do it myself) like make sure they ues 9 quarts of mobil 1 0-40w, undo both drain plugs, ect. So she comes back after the oil change and when I hop in my car I hear something dragging underneath. I look down and the rear cover you need to take off under the car is dragging. the guy who changed the oil snapped the rear cover and didn't say anything, not to mention it didn't even look like the oil was changed. never letting here touch the wheel of that car again
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 29
From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I. Feel. Your. Pain. My wife did basically the exact same thing a few weeks ago, only about the second or third time she's driven the car. Cracked the bumper on a parking thing, producing a tear about 8" long. $950 later I have it repaired - very quickly, but only because a friend works in a bodyshop. Now I'm waiting another 10 days or so for the paint to cure so I can get the 3m paint protection applied again - another $300 for the whole bumper to be done again. Ai yah!
Those grilles are not cheap, mine have AMG stickers on them, so I believe they are bespoke to the C55, and not shared with other cars. May have to start calling wreckers, or else bite the bullet and buy new.
One note though - my bumper was previously replaced by a previous owner. The shop that did that work didn't use the proper clips to hold the grilles into place, they literally just ziptied them into place. There are a total of 14 clips holding the three grilles in place, part number 002 988 51 81. My indy shop (buying from the local dealer) would charge I think about $5 per clip. Clipsandfasteners.com has them in packs of 10 for about $8 each.
But I learned something new today - from reading the posts, I now know the car has two engine oil drain plugs. All this time and I didn't know! Epic fail.
Those grilles are not cheap, mine have AMG stickers on them, so I believe they are bespoke to the C55, and not shared with other cars. May have to start calling wreckers, or else bite the bullet and buy new.
One note though - my bumper was previously replaced by a previous owner. The shop that did that work didn't use the proper clips to hold the grilles into place, they literally just ziptied them into place. There are a total of 14 clips holding the three grilles in place, part number 002 988 51 81. My indy shop (buying from the local dealer) would charge I think about $5 per clip. Clipsandfasteners.com has them in packs of 10 for about $8 each.
But I learned something new today - from reading the posts, I now know the car has two engine oil drain plugs. All this time and I didn't know! Epic fail.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Sucks to hear your ride was messed up. Check GMP.com. Its an actual dealer on the east coast. But the prices are not jacked up.
Your grill is only $147.75 brand new. That's not cheap but at least it's not something you can't afford. And the clips are only a $3 a piece. Thankfully for the corner grills you only need 4 of them.
Your grill is only $147.75 brand new. That's not cheap but at least it's not something you can't afford. And the clips are only a $3 a piece. Thankfully for the corner grills you only need 4 of them.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
while you're down there... anybody price a new fog lamp?- mine is still working but has a busted lens.
I don't know if I would buy that grille new, you will stumble on a used one at some point.
I don't know if I would buy that grille new, you will stumble on a used one at some point.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2308200556-M...item1c1f120c41
When I got them they were $68 a piece.. looks like they've gone up a bit. However its made by Hella like it should be.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 29
From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I think you will either have to remove the grille, or get at it from behind. If the latter, then you need to remove the wheel and front fender liner.
The potential problem with removing the grille is that those little clips might not withstand disengaging and engaging multiple times.
The potential problem with removing the grille is that those little clips might not withstand disengaging and engaging multiple times.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Not really.. personally I seem to have a steep learning curve when it comes to stuff like this.
First time I did it, it took me an hour or so. The process to change them out is the exact same for just replacing the bulbs.
Now I can do both sides in about 20 minutes. The trick I found is to pop off the grill. Then there is a bracket that the light is attached to. Take that bracket off, it's two bolts that are 8mm or 9mm.. I forget. This is all done in that small space. So a 1/4" ratchet and a small extension gets one of them. Then the other I have a ratcheting wrench made by gearwrench to do the other.
Then the whole assembly will be free within the wheel well area.. Rotate it around and it will "pirouette" out of the front grill area. Then once the whole assembly is out you can work on it a lot easier.
I've seen other peoples write ups telling you to remove the inner fender plastic and replace the bulbs from there. That's too hard and way too involved.
So yeah I had to do this because I first got upgraded bulbs for the fogs.. then one lens fell off while I had a bunch of friends in the car. Was kind of funny but then I felt like my car was falling apart. So then I had to go in there again to replace the lamps since you can't just buy new lenses. Then I was in there one last time to put in 2x new bulbs because I'm **** and wasn't going to stick in a dirty bulb (since a lenses fell off and it rained) and I always put in matching sets.
Oh and don't forget some EXTRA long zip ties for the dust cover. And I mean long. I goofed the first time and had to double one up.. it was more of a pain to get it to fit in the bracket vs just having the right zip tie.
Hope that helps out.
First time I did it, it took me an hour or so. The process to change them out is the exact same for just replacing the bulbs.
Now I can do both sides in about 20 minutes. The trick I found is to pop off the grill. Then there is a bracket that the light is attached to. Take that bracket off, it's two bolts that are 8mm or 9mm.. I forget. This is all done in that small space. So a 1/4" ratchet and a small extension gets one of them. Then the other I have a ratcheting wrench made by gearwrench to do the other.
Then the whole assembly will be free within the wheel well area.. Rotate it around and it will "pirouette" out of the front grill area. Then once the whole assembly is out you can work on it a lot easier.
I've seen other peoples write ups telling you to remove the inner fender plastic and replace the bulbs from there. That's too hard and way too involved.
So yeah I had to do this because I first got upgraded bulbs for the fogs.. then one lens fell off while I had a bunch of friends in the car. Was kind of funny but then I felt like my car was falling apart. So then I had to go in there again to replace the lamps since you can't just buy new lenses. Then I was in there one last time to put in 2x new bulbs because I'm **** and wasn't going to stick in a dirty bulb (since a lenses fell off and it rained) and I always put in matching sets.
Oh and don't forget some EXTRA long zip ties for the dust cover. And I mean long. I goofed the first time and had to double one up.. it was more of a pain to get it to fit in the bracket vs just having the right zip tie.
Hope that helps out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
Not really.. personally I seem to have a steep learning curve when it comes to stuff like this.
First time I did it, it took me an hour or so. The process to change them out is the exact same for just replacing the bulbs.
Now I can do both sides in about 20 minutes. The trick I found is to pop off the grill. Then there is a bracket that the light is attached to. Take that bracket off, it's two bolts that are 8mm or 9mm.. I forget. This is all done in that small space. So a 1/4" ratchet and a small extension gets one of them. Then the other I have a ratcheting wrench made by gearwrench to do the other.
Then the whole assembly will be free within the wheel well area.. Rotate it around and it will "pirouette" out of the front grill area. Then once the whole assembly is out you can work on it a lot easier.
I've seen other peoples write ups telling you to remove the inner fender plastic and replace the bulbs from there. That's too hard and way too involved.
So yeah I had to do this because I first got upgraded bulbs for the fogs.. then one lens fell off while I had a bunch of friends in the car. Was kind of funny but then I felt like my car was falling apart. So then I had to go in there again to replace the lamps since you can't just buy new lenses. Then I was in there one last time to put in 2x new bulbs because I'm **** and wasn't going to stick in a dirty bulb (since a lenses fell off and it rained) and I always put in matching sets.
Oh and don't forget some EXTRA long zip ties for the dust cover. And I mean long. I goofed the first time and had to double one up.. it was more of a pain to get it to fit in the bracket vs just having the right zip tie.
Hope that helps out.
First time I did it, it took me an hour or so. The process to change them out is the exact same for just replacing the bulbs.
Now I can do both sides in about 20 minutes. The trick I found is to pop off the grill. Then there is a bracket that the light is attached to. Take that bracket off, it's two bolts that are 8mm or 9mm.. I forget. This is all done in that small space. So a 1/4" ratchet and a small extension gets one of them. Then the other I have a ratcheting wrench made by gearwrench to do the other.
Then the whole assembly will be free within the wheel well area.. Rotate it around and it will "pirouette" out of the front grill area. Then once the whole assembly is out you can work on it a lot easier.
I've seen other peoples write ups telling you to remove the inner fender plastic and replace the bulbs from there. That's too hard and way too involved.
So yeah I had to do this because I first got upgraded bulbs for the fogs.. then one lens fell off while I had a bunch of friends in the car. Was kind of funny but then I felt like my car was falling apart. So then I had to go in there again to replace the lamps since you can't just buy new lenses. Then I was in there one last time to put in 2x new bulbs because I'm **** and wasn't going to stick in a dirty bulb (since a lenses fell off and it rained) and I always put in matching sets.
Oh and don't forget some EXTRA long zip ties for the dust cover. And I mean long. I goofed the first time and had to double one up.. it was more of a pain to get it to fit in the bracket vs just having the right zip tie.
Hope that helps out.
Great writeup! Now I know what my next project is- thanks man
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
Yeah so BEFORE you do that.. let me give you a tidbit of what I want to do.. and MAYBE you may want to do the same. =)
I want HID lights in the fog lights. BUT I don't want to use some chepo china who knows who makes the bulb or the ballast setup. AND I want the bulbs to match identical to my standard HID's.
Hella makes our fogs. Here they are.
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...ules/90mm-fog/
BUT I want to see about making an adapter that takes either one of these two:
Low Beam setup:
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...n-de-low-beam/
High Beam setup:
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...-de-high-beam/
Chances are I'm going to go with the high beam lamp. Anyways.. If I can make an adapter that allows me to mount theses HID's in the fog location. I accomplish 3 things.
1) I can match bulbs EXACTLY.. bot the low bream and these use a standard D2S bulb.
2} The lens is the same as the fog so when off you can't tell that I have HID's installed. And is a true 90mm replacement so will fit perfectly behind the fog grills.
3) The ballast is made by hella.. not some cheap knock off so no flickering or any other usual problems.
So since I'm now in Boston and no longer in Mountain View. This is what I want to build while the car is in the garage for the winter.
I figure I need to build an adapter to mount to the existing bracket. Then I will also need to make some wiring that will interact with the stock fog light harness. I'd like to make this as clean as possible. I'm just wondering if the draw that is needed for the standard halogen bulb will be enough to power the ballast and the hid bulb. At this point I have more questions than answers but what else am I going to do while is cold as hell outside. =)
I want HID lights in the fog lights. BUT I don't want to use some chepo china who knows who makes the bulb or the ballast setup. AND I want the bulbs to match identical to my standard HID's.
Hella makes our fogs. Here they are.
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...ules/90mm-fog/
BUT I want to see about making an adapter that takes either one of these two:
Low Beam setup:
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...n-de-low-beam/
High Beam setup:
http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...-de-high-beam/
Chances are I'm going to go with the high beam lamp. Anyways.. If I can make an adapter that allows me to mount theses HID's in the fog location. I accomplish 3 things.
1) I can match bulbs EXACTLY.. bot the low bream and these use a standard D2S bulb.
2} The lens is the same as the fog so when off you can't tell that I have HID's installed. And is a true 90mm replacement so will fit perfectly behind the fog grills.
3) The ballast is made by hella.. not some cheap knock off so no flickering or any other usual problems.
So since I'm now in Boston and no longer in Mountain View. This is what I want to build while the car is in the garage for the winter.
I figure I need to build an adapter to mount to the existing bracket. Then I will also need to make some wiring that will interact with the stock fog light harness. I'd like to make this as clean as possible. I'm just wondering if the draw that is needed for the standard halogen bulb will be enough to power the ballast and the hid bulb. At this point I have more questions than answers but what else am I going to do while is cold as hell outside. =)
Last edited by speed7; Nov 9, 2012 at 05:35 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
Never noticed until a few days later but they where long gone.
Very costly AMG parts.......
