Rattle Can Grill
07-17-2005, 08:54 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
2010 VW Golf TDI
I painted mine too, but I did it after I tried 2 avantguard grilles from 2 different vendors. Both of the avantguard grilles were real junk. They both arrived slightly broken from shipping, they mounted poorly, and they slapped around when I closed the hood. I hated them. Don't get me wrong, the grilles did look nice from a distance and they looked good in pictures, but they were no where near as solid as the OEM grille insert. I also noticed that I was getting more water and debris passing through with the aftermarket insert. The OEM style insert does a better job of protecting the fans. I can't say that I am not still interested in getting the look, but I just don't think I could be happy with a poor quality part mounted on my awesome car.
I should also say that I think the avantguard insert that is designed for the earlier style grille may be a little less flimsy than the one I used for my 1995 W124. From pictures, it looks like the one for the older bigger grille has tabs to connect the outer edges of the horizontal fins. Both of the ones I tried had flimsy fins that had nothing to hold them securely at the outer edges. As a result, the fins tended to flap around and both grilles I tried were slightly broken when they arrived from shipping. I even got a third grille as a replacement from the place the Germany. The third grille was broken too. I finally gave up on those grilles and then painted my OEM grille black.
I wouldn't get the late-model hood and grille, if I had the earlier style. The original grille is such a signature item for the older cars. They look great. I love mine too, but I would also love it if it were the older style.
Fresh black paint makes the OEM insert look much better. It also has new chrome strips.
Not painted, but it is hard to tell from a distance.
My avantguard looked good from a distance, but it was junk!
I should also say that I think the avantguard insert that is designed for the earlier style grille may be a little less flimsy than the one I used for my 1995 W124. From pictures, it looks like the one for the older bigger grille has tabs to connect the outer edges of the horizontal fins. Both of the ones I tried had flimsy fins that had nothing to hold them securely at the outer edges. As a result, the fins tended to flap around and both grilles I tried were slightly broken when they arrived from shipping. I even got a third grille as a replacement from the place the Germany. The third grille was broken too. I finally gave up on those grilles and then painted my OEM grille black.
I wouldn't get the late-model hood and grille, if I had the earlier style. The original grille is such a signature item for the older cars. They look great. I love mine too, but I would also love it if it were the older style.
Fresh black paint makes the OEM insert look much better. It also has new chrome strips.
Not painted, but it is hard to tell from a distance.
My avantguard looked good from a distance, but it was junk!
07-17-2005, 02:28 PM
#52
MBWorld Fanatic!
i do agree the black paint is a must to bring out that grille. could you please post the places you purchased your grille from? i want to make sure i dont buy from the same suppliers. no sense in having a headache especially when i can be avoided.
07-17-2005, 04:57 PM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
2010 VW Golf TDI
Good Luck
The first grille was from Mercantile Europarts Inc., but I think they changed their name. They were located in Florida. They also double-charged my VISA and I had to get VISA involved to have the charge removed. I definitely would not go back to that vendor. Their grille insert was rigid plastic and it was black.
My second grille insert was from Matrixcar.de in Germany. I think Matrixcar is a reputable company and I know some guys are driving around happy with inserts they purchased from Matrixcar. They really did try to make me happy by sending a second grille to replace the first one, which arrived broken just like the one from Mercantile Imports. The only problem was that the second grille was broken too. Then the guy just got mad at me. Their grille was gray flexible plastic. I think the first black rigid one was better, even though it also arrived with a broken fin. I would definitely want a black one, rather than another gray one, even if it were an avantguard style insert. I should say again that I think the insert for the older grille may be a little sturdier than the one that seems to be cut for the later W124 grille.
After receiving 3 broken grilles, I just decided to forget about it., although I occasionally think about trying it one more time.
My second grille insert was from Matrixcar.de in Germany. I think Matrixcar is a reputable company and I know some guys are driving around happy with inserts they purchased from Matrixcar. They really did try to make me happy by sending a second grille to replace the first one, which arrived broken just like the one from Mercantile Imports. The only problem was that the second grille was broken too. Then the guy just got mad at me. Their grille was gray flexible plastic. I think the first black rigid one was better, even though it also arrived with a broken fin. I would definitely want a black one, rather than another gray one, even if it were an avantguard style insert. I should say again that I think the insert for the older grille may be a little sturdier than the one that seems to be cut for the later W124 grille.
After receiving 3 broken grilles, I just decided to forget about it., although I occasionally think about trying it one more time.
09-21-2005, 08:48 PM
#54
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1992 300e
Ok I know it's a old thread but... I painted mine today and though someone else with the Same color Benz would like to see it. I also used some Maas polish on the chrome surround to clean it up. My old hood star would not shine up, so I replaced it. I used some high temp paint I had laying around.
Enjoy,
Ron
Enjoy,
Ron
09-22-2005, 01:01 AM
#55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes-Benz w124
hmm that color paint of the car is similar to mine and the grill looks too dark...i dont' know yet. i don't know what to do first. headlights or suspension. oh and a while ago i was thinking of going to bmw 328is but i turned back to my benz. hope it was the better decision! oh and anybody know how hard it would be to mount some projectors into the car? and i would think those crystal clear headlights would be better if i got projectors... but those only come in the 94-95 style 
. i have about 450 right now, spent a few bucks for gifts, and not sure how much im gonna spend.
. i have about 450 right now, spent a few bucks for gifts, and not sure how much im gonna spend.
09-22-2005, 01:49 AM
#56
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1992 300e
Yeah, the grill is Darker in the Photo than it really is if you were here looking at it. I used high temp flat black I already had to paint it. I also am planning to add the euro lights (not the Crystal clear ones) with the smoked clears. Then I will roll the rears and lower her down.
Ron
Ron
09-22-2005, 11:47 AM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sherman Oaks
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
1992 300CE AMG Hammer Replica, 2004 C240, 2015 ML350
The first time I painted my grill I used hard hat paint in flat black.
the second time I used regular semi gloss black paint.
The last time I did it, I used Flexible bumper and trim paint from pep boys, worked like a charm, Not really semi gloss, not flat, not glossy, but just right in my opinion, and not one chip after 2 years on it.
the second time I used regular semi gloss black paint.
The last time I did it, I used Flexible bumper and trim paint from pep boys, worked like a charm, Not really semi gloss, not flat, not glossy, but just right in my opinion, and not one chip after 2 years on it.
Last edited by ashman; 09-22-2005 at 11:50 AM.
09-22-2005, 02:47 PM
#59
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I painted my grill black almost a year ago and it still looks new with no chips. Although, I might just buy a brand new grill along with the chrome inserts and do it over again. All I used was black primer and black auto paint.
TheDoughBoy, you should look into some smoked Euro Headlights because those will fit the smoked corners and your car perfectly.
Freddie, I still think you should just get EURO's for now and worry about the suspension later. With $450 dollars you can get a good set of Euro's along with the light bulbs and etc. I know of a place that retrofits projectors from Audi's/BMW's/etc into pretty much any headlight but its really expensive. I'm talking about $900 expensive and I believe that includes all the parts and etc. Anyways, you can't go wrong with PIAA's anyways and you can always get HID's later for cheap for around 200 something.
TheDoughBoy, you should look into some smoked Euro Headlights because those will fit the smoked corners and your car perfectly.
Freddie, I still think you should just get EURO's for now and worry about the suspension later. With $450 dollars you can get a good set of Euro's along with the light bulbs and etc. I know of a place that retrofits projectors from Audi's/BMW's/etc into pretty much any headlight but its really expensive. I'm talking about $900 expensive and I believe that includes all the parts and etc. Anyways, you can't go wrong with PIAA's anyways and you can always get HID's later for cheap for around 200 something.
09-22-2005, 11:32 PM
#60
MBWorld Fanatic!
my euros were 350. my hid conversion was another 300. i would also buy some clear side markers for another 50 bux delivered.
suspension mods are expensive. you also may have to roll fenders and for sure you will have to 4 wheel align your car again. lights are instant gratification and improve your night driving. everytime i see my lights i think what a great investment why didnt i do it earlier?
suspension mods are expensive. you also may have to roll fenders and for sure you will have to 4 wheel align your car again. lights are instant gratification and improve your night driving. everytime i see my lights i think what a great investment why didnt i do it earlier?
09-23-2005, 12:12 AM
#61
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1992 300e
[QUOTE=One2Four]TheDoughBoy, you should look into some smoked Euro Headlights because those will fit the smoked corners and your car perfectly.QUOTE]
That sounds good, are those the smoked ones in the pic you attached? If so do you have more you can email me? I don't really recall seeing the smoked euros Before, and now I will have to look for pics of them
Thanks!
Ron
That sounds good, are those the smoked ones in the pic you attached? If so do you have more you can email me? I don't really recall seeing the smoked euros Before, and now I will have to look for pics of them
Thanks!
Ron
09-23-2005, 12:41 AM
#62
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, those are smoked Euro's I have on my car. Here are more pictures I took back in April.
You won't be able to find smoked Euro's here in the US. Unless you're really lucky and find a set on ebay but thats rare and from my experience I've only seen one set on ebay USA. You'll have to order them from ebay.de (german ebay). I'll search and find the headlights for you are really interested. Just let me know. I paid around 270 shipped and it took almost a month to get them. Also, the seller sent me the wrong headlights. He sent me headlights for the 94-95 W124's with the updated hood. Thats why there is a groove in the headlights incase you're wondering.
You won't be able to find smoked Euro's here in the US. Unless you're really lucky and find a set on ebay but thats rare and from my experience I've only seen one set on ebay USA. You'll have to order them from ebay.de (german ebay). I'll search and find the headlights for you are really interested. Just let me know. I paid around 270 shipped and it took almost a month to get them. Also, the seller sent me the wrong headlights. He sent me headlights for the 94-95 W124's with the updated hood. Thats why there is a groove in the headlights incase you're wondering.
09-23-2005, 01:07 AM
#63
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1992 300e
Yeah those do look good. Thanks for the offer to find some, just not ready to buy just yet. I might need to do the trans before anything else, reverse is making the grinding noise now.
09-23-2005, 07:03 PM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: So CAli/L.A
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
88 260 E
Actually they're different then yours. Mine were the Monoblock IV style, see how they're bigger faced and have wider spokes then yours. Here's my new set-up till I find some nice 19's...
~Cali
~Cali
