Pan Am grille question
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 13
From: MA
Mosselman 190E 16V+ C63S+ Abarth 595
Pan Am grille question
About to order ‘19 grille and inserts from CKS. Noted they have the oem grille w/oem badge and emblem & for $230 less an aftermarket grille with oem badge and oem emblem. The aftermarket utilizing oem parts intrigued me as I would love to know if the grille is equivalent in quality. If materials and fit don’t match with the oem, I’d much rather spend the extra than having to purchase another one down the line due to easily breakable tabs or poor chroming. What do you all think?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
2018 C63S Coupe
About to order ‘19 grille and inserts from CKS. Noted they have the oem grille w/oem badge and emblem & for $230 less an aftermarket grille with oem badge and oem emblem. The aftermarket utilizing oem parts intrigued me as I would love to know if the grille is equivalent in quality. If materials and fit don’t match with the oem, I’d much rather spend the extra than having to purchase another one down the line due to easily breakable tabs or poor chroming. What do you all think?
Also wondering the same thing. I want to do the entire front conversion to my 2018 C63s Coupe.
Is the lower priced (the after market option) of the two for pre-facelift models only for fitment issues?
From my understanding, the more expensive (OEM) of the two is a replacement for the 2019+ model year only and won’t fit anything older than 2019. I could be wrong though...
Another question I had was if the CKS aftermarket Pan Am grill comes with the glass star that is needed for the adaptive cruise control/radar or if I need to buy this separate?
Last edited by CCMoney; Jun 17, 2019 at 09:55 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 90
From: Edmonton AB
2015 C63S ,DME Tune, KW Has ,Kmac Bushings,BC Forged wheels,Gt Rotors,Porterfield R4S,Modal Intake
The aftermarket grille uses your pre 2019 emblems which are slightly smaller in size . The 2019 factory glass star fills the whole centre and there is no chrome bar in the middle below the star , the aftermarket does have a bar . The factory 2019 grille and lower grilles will fit any 2015- up bumper but the factory grille has a opening for a camera so if you don't have a camera you will need to figure out how to fill the hole . You will need the plastic camera housing and then either order a blank , pt number is in another thread or go to local home depot or auto part store and get a black plastic push in plug to fill the hole . The aftermarket grille I believe has a option for with or without camera
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
2018 C63S Coupe
The aftermarket grille uses your pre 2019 emblems which are slightly smaller in size . The 2019 factory glass star fills the whole centre and there is no chrome bar in the middle below the star , the aftermarket does have a bar . The factory 2019 grille and lower grilles will fit any 2015- up bumper but the factory grille has a opening for a camera so if you don't have a camera you will need to figure out how to fill the hole . You will need the plastic camera housing and then either order a blank , pt number is in another thread or go to local home depot or auto part store and get a black plastic push in plug to fill the hole . The aftermarket grille I believe has a option for with or without camera
Got it. Thanks for clarifying.
I saw your pictures on the other thread and it has me convinced! Where did you you end up getting your parts? How much did it run you?
I have a 2018 C63s with the 360 camera and distronic.
Where do you recommend I get all the pieces to make this happen? Dealer or aftermarket shop like CKS or any other you recommend?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 90
From: Edmonton AB
2015 C63S ,DME Tune, KW Has ,Kmac Bushings,BC Forged wheels,Gt Rotors,Porterfield R4S,Modal Intake
Well , I work for Mercedes so I get better pricing than most but there is CKS in the UK that everyone seems to be buying from that may be the better option. You need to make sure you get the star made for distronic as there are 2 different versions
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
2018 C63S Coupe
Did you say the OEM 2019 grill fits the pre-facelift without fitment issues?
Thank you answering all of my questions! Really appreciate it.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 90
From: Edmonton AB
2015 C63S ,DME Tune, KW Has ,Kmac Bushings,BC Forged wheels,Gt Rotors,Porterfield R4S,Modal Intake
Yes the 2019 fits all 2015-2018 . The only issue will be if you have a ft camera or not . The new grille is meant for a camera so you will need to buy the camera housing ( it's cheap) and then buy a black push in plug ( aval at local auto parts stores ) to fill the hole or order the gem dummy plug ( seen in another thread) and modify it to fit ....or some guys have just left the new grille opening above the star
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 207
2019 AMG GT R
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
2018 C63S Coupe
