Cyan

I totaled my c36 AMG a few years ago and bought the best little c280 in town. Mechanically the c280 is a gem but cosmetically is a geek compared to your awesome vehicles, so I decided to upgrade the grill.

I have Bosch clear corners from Bekker, who sells a replica black/chrome Avant-garde grill and a now offer a new “carbon-look” grill (contact-paper?) for W202. Is the Bekker grill a good idea? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advanced.

e harmon

I have the Bekker carbon look grille on my bordeaux red W202. From a distance, the effect (versus black) is pretty sutble, but a very nice touch against darker cars IMO. There are some minor dimples in the carbon finish that you can only see from certain angles and up close; not sure if this is generally the case with this shape of grille. I am generally happy with the quality and the service from them is great.

e harmon

(edit: spelling)

Cyan

Received my Avantgarde grille yesterday. Aesthetically, the black/chrome grille looks incredibly cool, but it’s made of a soft rubber-plastic, not high-impact like original. Unable to mount it myself, I went to auto body shop where we agreed it does not provide any mounting capabilities that remotely match the bolt assembly in the W202 chassis.

It could be “improvised” into the W202, but I opted to return it. My ugly (ding riddled) and outdated OEM grille will have to stay for a while longer. Thanks.

e harmon

Was this new grille from Bekkers as well? I am surprised that the fit was not right. The carbon grille went on my car with no fitment problems at all.

e harmon

ProjectC55

Any pics?

e harmon

Here are some pictures.

I know that gap is painful to look at--the car has been lowered since taking this though





e harmon

ProjectC55

Wow nice color.Is that a C43 and where did you purchase your grill?

e harmon

Thanks. Yes, it is a C43, and the grille is the carbon look model from Bekkers.

e harmon

knvs

can you take a closer pic of the gap. I'm interested in the fit where the slates meet up with the frame of the grill. I know the cheap ones on ebay have horrible fit there.

e harmon

The gap I was referring to is between the front tire and the wheel well :p . I will get a close-up of the grille for you, no problem. Might be a few days if Tropical Depression #6 hits anywhere in Florida.

e harmon

knvs

heh i knew that. I ment the gap between teh slates and the grill frame. Like I said, I've seen the fitment of the cheap ones on ebay and they're horrible. I've heard that the OEM one is the only one with perfect fit, but they're $475 from the dealer. I'm hoping that the bekkers one with fit more like the OEM one.

e harmon

Here is the close-up of the grille. My apologies for the delay:

ProjectC55

I got mine from the dealer for 135.00 my price ,frame and insert.No way could it cost that much!

ProjectC55

People want to see if there is a gap between the actual insert and the frame either from the top or bottom!I know that since I installed mine(bekker) it was a semi ***** to put in.You could not use all the clamps unless you modified(cut) some of the black plastic,and dissapointingly it still leaves a minor gap between itself and the frame.I'm a lil dissapointed but I spent 240.00 shipping incld,modded it and installed it.From a distance the gap is virtually unoticeable.I think they need to come way down on the price since it has to be modded just for clamp fitment.I mean what the hell are we spending 215.00 dollars for?

Cyan

I ordered mine and soon realized I had made a mistake. It looked terrific in the front, but the back did not match the assembly in my 99 W202 body.

This is the original part number for the OE AvantGuarde grill:
AVANTGARDE GRILL W202: B6 688 01 27
(Listed as some radiator part)
...But be ready to dish out $450 ... out of my league...

In all, you did a great job getting it in there and it looks a lot better than the lame OE standard grille.

ProjectC55

What's the difference between the stck grill and the grill you mentioned above?

I only paid 135.00 frame +insert for an original C-class setup.QWhat actually cost 450.00?

Cyan

The dealership here wants $450.

ProjectC55

Dude I just bought this one last week because I only needed the frame? Is the parts guy definitely looking at one for the W202?That does not make sense!I guarantee you he's DEAD wrng! Unless I was not charged for something.

e harmon

For whatever reason, I had no problems mounting the grille--no modifications, no fuss.

Now that you mention it, there is a slight gap at the top of the vertical "spine":



You have to get pretty close (and be looking for it) to notice. Everything else looks (and fits) factory, IMO.

Not sure why my experience was different. I got my grille early in 2005.

e harmon