Just confirming...if only swapping the Panamericana grille (and not the FL lower pieces) there aren't any protector screens necessary, correct? It looks like there would be some exposure to debris through the Panamericana grille as it is more open and not as protective vs the Pre-FL 2 thronged mesh grille. But I guess at that height there is less concern for damaging debris flying through the Panamericana grille?
That's right, no additional protective mesh needed if just changing the grille
I am finally moving forward with the grill but still undecided if I want to do the bottom inserts. Seems doing bottom inserts requires 3 additional screen protector for coolers and radiator which is additional work and costs. I think the preface bottom part looks pretty good with panamericana grill. You guys think this will look odd?
Also the panamericana grill is the same for coupe and sedan right?
i called my local mb service dealership and said just to install panamericana grill only will cost $510 ($170/hr). A little steep just to the grill only. Perhaps I should look at independent auto body shops.
I am finally moving forward with the grill but still undecided if I want to do the bottom inserts. Seems doing bottom inserts requires 3 additional screen protector for coolers and radiator which is additional work and costs. I think the preface bottom part looks pretty good with panamericana grill. You guys think this will look odd?
Also the panamericana grill is the same for coupe and sedan right?
i called my local mb service dealership and said just to install panamericana grill only will cost $510 ($170/hr). A little steep just to the grill only. Perhaps I should look at independent auto body shops.
Ah, your sale fell through?
I am planning to do the swap in the next few weeks and am not doing the lower portion for the same reasons you cited. Moderate additional cost for the parts, but a lot more labor cost to remove the coolers. And I happen to prefer the PFL lower part anyway and think it looks fine with the panamericana grille. I know some here think it looks off with the PFL lowers. I'm just not a fan of how busy the FL lower part looks with all of the horizontal lines.
I got install quotes from my MB dealer and two well regarded independent shops that specialize in German cars. Dealer is in the "high dollar" area of Atlanta and they just increased their hourly rates so they quoted $190/hr. The two independents were $130/hr and $160/hr. My primary concern with the swap is making sure my distronic and 360 camera functions don't get screwed up and getting the panel fit done well when the bumper is reinstalled. So I think I've decided it's worth it to me to pay an extra couple hundred dollars to have the dealer do it and minimize the risk for those electronics and the dealer has uninstalled/reinstalled this specific bumper much more than the indys.
I am having slight second thoughts on installing as I can't decide if the PFL grille looks a little sportier/more aggressive with the horizontal lines making the car look a little wider. On the W205, the chrome panamericana grille looks a little more on the luxury end to me. But on the AMG GT I do think the panamericana grille looks very aggressive. Perhaps because the actual grille is much larger on the GT.
Not 100%, but pretty sure the grille is the same for coupe and sedan.
I am finally moving forward with the grill but still undecided if I want to do the bottom inserts. Seems doing bottom inserts requires 3 additional screen protector for coolers and radiator which is additional work and costs. I think the preface bottom part looks pretty good with panamericana grill. You guys think this will look odd?
Also the panamericana grill is the same for coupe and sedan right?
i called my local mb service dealership and said just to install panamericana grill only will cost $510 ($170/hr). A little steep just to the grill only. Perhaps I should look at independent auto body shops.
Man.. it's all entirely personal preference. I bet the answers you'd get would be split 50/50.
Personally, I do not like how the FL grille looks without the inserts. Again, all that really matters is what you like.
I am planning to do the swap in the next few weeks and am not doing the lower portion for the same reasons you cited. Moderate additional cost for the parts, but a lot more labor cost to remove the coolers. And I happen to prefer the PFL lower part anyway and think it looks fine with the panamericana grille. I know some here think it looks off with the PFL lowers. I'm just not a fan of how busy the FL lower part looks with all of the horizontal lines.
I got install quotes from my MB dealer and two well regarded independent shops that specialize in German cars. Dealer is in the "high dollar" area of Atlanta and they just increased their hourly rates so they quoted $190/hr. The two independents were $130/hr and $160/hr. My primary concern with the swap is making sure my distronic and 360 camera functions don't get screwed up and getting the panel fit done well when the bumper is reinstalled. So I think I've decided it's worth it to me to pay an extra couple hundred dollars to have the dealer do it and minimize the risk for those electronics and the dealer has uninstalled/reinstalled this specific bumper much more than the indys.
I am having slight second thoughts on installing as I can't decide if the PFL grille looks a little sportier/more aggressive with the horizontal lines making the car look a little wider. On the W205, the chrome panamericana grille looks a little more on the luxury end to me. But on the AMG GT I do think the panamericana grille looks very aggressive. Perhaps because the actual grille is much larger on the GT.
Not 100%, but pretty sure the grille is the same for coupe and sedan.
Sale? I wasn’t selling my car. Think you might be thinking of the other member selling his grill because he’s buying another car.
I think the FL grill looks more updated and goes well with C63. I just want a change too, after 2 years of ownership. I recently wrapped the spoiler in gloss black and it really makes the rear of the car look better. I’m looking forward to changing the grill, just not decided on the lower parts.
Costs is probably why I am hesitant. If not too much I’ll do the lower parts.
I don’t have distronic so I don’t have to worry about that. I don’t even have 360 camera.
By the way anyone know the part# for non-distronic Star for FL?
I saw somewhere in this thread there is part that can also fit where camera is supposed to be to fill that hole however I don’t I’m getting that.
Good to know coupe and sedan uses the same grill.
Good luck with your install, I’ll post my pictures when done.
Man.. it's all entirely personal preference. I bet the answers you'd get would be split 50/50.
Personally, I do not like how the FL grille looks without the inserts. Again, all that really matters is what you like.
Yeah I prefer the lower FL inserts as well. The FL grill with PFL doesn’t look bad in the pictures but haven’t seen one in person to judge for myself.
Keep in mind the front of my 2020 is, to me, way too complex. Too many layered pieces with the fact it's a 'rhymes with witch' to really get in there to clean it properly. I like the simplicity of the PFL. Mine reminds me a lot of an AMG GT with the panamera grill. Guess it's personal choice. This is what she wanted. This is what we drive. Happy wife...
Keep in mind the front of my 2020 is, to me, way too complex. Too many layered pieces with the fact it's a 'rhymes with witch' to really get in there to clean it properly. I like the simplicity of the PFL. Mine reminds me a lot of an AMG GT with the panamera grill. Guess it's personal choice. This is what she wanted. This is what we drive. Happy wife...
Your wife has great taste. My wife prefers PFL but she also thinks it’s a waste of money to change the grill 😊
Just did my grill update for my pfl today after having thought about it since it came out... and DAMN why didnt i do this earlier.. Fully transforms and completes the total look of the car. It was the missing piece for the front in my opinion that looked way to soft before
Just did my grill update for my pfl today after having thought about it since it came out... and DAMN why didnt i do this earlier.. Fully transforms and completes the total look of the car. It was the missing piece for the front in my opinion that looked way to soft before
Pics or it didn't happen. Just kidding, but do post a pic! Glad to hear you're so pleased with it. I'm doing the swap in the next week or so and was waffling a bit so it's good to see you're very happy about doing it. Do you have distronic and/or 360 camera? If so, everything working after the swap? How's the bumper panel fit after reinstalling? Panel gaps look about as straight and minimal as before?
Pics or it didn't happen. Just kidding, but do post a pic! Glad to hear you're so pleased with it. I'm doing the swap in the next week or so and was waffling a bit so it's good to see you're very happy about doing it. Do you have distronic and/or 360 camera? If so, everything working after the swap? How's the bumper panel fit after reinstalling? Panel gaps look about as straight and minimal as before?
Non distronic star, same star as previous (didnt have to pay for a new) and no bottom inserts (looks cleaner to me without them).
Very happy that the car now looks and matches how it performs.. beast!
Dealer has all the part nos you need.
one more:
Looks good! I did the same conversion but with black and I’m really happy with how it turned out to freshen things up. Looking at doing the FL rear diffuser and tips next!
Add me to the list of successful grille swaps. Just installed the grille, a RW Carbon CF spoiler and the RennTech Exhaust Valve Module. Same as above, I didn't install the lower grille parts as I prefer the cleaner look without them. Very pleased with all parts and I think the grille and CF spoiler look great on the Steel Grey Metallic.
Add me to the list of successful grille swaps. Just installed the grille, a RW Carbon CF spoiler and the RennTech Exhaust Valve Module. Same as above, I didn't install the lower grille parts as I prefer the cleaner look without them. Very pleased with all parts and I think the grille and CF spoiler look great on the Steel Grey Metallic.
Looking good and refreshed. Spoiler is awesome. I gotta get one of those.
I just got my grill only as well. Will not be doing bottom inserts at this time. Perhaps in the future. I’m wanting to wrap the grill in black chrome (similar to new 2021 E63s & GTR black series grill that comes with night package) but can’t seem to find a shop that has this color wrap.
I will have an independent body shop install my grill.
How long did your grill take to install and how much to install your grill?
Looking good and refreshed. Spoiler is awesome. I gotta get one of those.
I just got my grill only as well. Will not be doing bottom inserts at this time. Perhaps in the future. I’m wanting to wrap the grill in black chrome (similar to new 2021 E63s & GTR black series grill that comes with night package) but can’t seem to find a shop that has this color wrap.
I will have an independent body shop install my grill.
How long did your grill take to install and how much to install your grill?
I had my dealer do the grille install because I'm neurotic and wanted to make sure I didn't run into any problems with the electronics (distronic and 360 camera) and that the panel fit looked good when they reinstalled the bumper. Figured the dealer has removed/installed this specific bumper many times so was willing to pay a little more (vs an independent shop) for the peace of mind.
The dealer recently increased their hourly rate and it's already the most expensive MB shop in town because of its location. So install was $600 with tax for 3 hours labor. The performance/accessories manager said it was a real ***** to do and next time he's asked to do it he'd charge 5.5 hours.
I did get a couple quotes from good independent shops before deciding to go with the dealer. One of those shops was $130/hr and the other was $160/hr. Don't know how long it would've ended up taking those shops to do the work.
I had my dealer do the grille install because I'm neurotic and wanted to make sure I didn't run into any problems with the electronics (distronic and 360 camera) and that the panel fit looked good when they reinstalled the bumper. Figured the dealer has removed/installed this specific bumper many times so was willing to pay a little more (vs an independent shop) for the peace of mind.
The dealer recently increased their hourly rate and it's already the most expensive MB shop in town because of its location. So install was $600 with tax for 3 hours labor. The performance/accessories manager said it was a real ***** to do and next time he's asked to do it he'd charge 5.5 hours.
I did get a couple quotes from good independent shops before deciding to go with the dealer. One of those shops was $130/hr and the other was $160/hr. Don't know how long it would've ended up taking those shops to do the work.
$600 is a tad bit pricey but peace mind costs extra. I don’t have none of those options like distronic or 360 so installation shouldn’t be too bad. I wish they could tighten the front bumper to body as there is a decent size gap. Sides are good but front has a gap.
i called around and am getting $50 to $60/hr. Hoping it runs me $150 to install.
5.5 hrs is way too long to install imo.
I had my dealer do the grille install because I'm neurotic and wanted to make sure I didn't run into any problems with the electronics (distronic and 360 camera) and that the panel fit looked good when they reinstalled the bumper. Figured the dealer has removed/installed this specific bumper many times so was willing to pay a little more (vs an independent shop) for the peace of mind.
The dealer recently increased their hourly rate and it's already the most expensive MB shop in town because of its location. So install was $600 with tax for 3 hours labor. The performance/accessories manager said it was a real ***** to do and next time he's asked to do it he'd charge 5.5 hours.
I did get a couple quotes from good independent shops before deciding to go with the dealer. One of those shops was $130/hr and the other was $160/hr. Don't know how long it would've ended up taking those shops to do the work.
My independent shop ran by former AMG techs at dealerships did it in with one tech in 2 hours. I don’t buy for a second it’d take anywhere near 5.5 hours. That’s just laughable.
Well a little late to the party but better late than never. I got the grill only on my sedan. I didn’t opt for the bottom inserts however I’m pretty happy with just the grill change. The bottom looks less busy and more open which is nice. I took it to an independent Autobody shop and they did it 2 hours. I don’t have distronic or 360 so install was probably easier. The whole install only cost me $120 cash.
The 3 parts I bought from Helms Bro’s Mercedes online costs me like $680.
Just an FYI for anyone doing the conversion, you need the new star whether you have distronic or not. Can’t use the older star on new grill (for Mercedes OEM grill)
Here are some pics:
If anyone needs a front star, I have an extra one laying around that is just taking up space. It's brand new never used. $55 shipped in the lower 48 states. PM me.
If anyone needs a front star, I have an extra one laying around that is just taking up space. $55 shipped in the lower 48 states. PM me.
You posted the wrong part number mate, might want to correct that in case someone who's looking for the Distronic one comes across your post and accidentally buys yours.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
