a custom billet grill insert?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
a custom billet grill insert?
I am thinking seriously about designing and having built a few goodies for my W124. The most involved of them would be a billit aluminum grill insert. It would be machined from one or two pieces of aluminum and then finished to taste. In my case, it will likely be hard anodized and black in color. You may want it brushed with a clear coat...or polished fins, etc.? BTW: I am also considering stuff like a shift knob, lock pins, a cup holder, etc.
Obviously, it will be tasteful and may or may not make provision for mounting a badge or logo. My question is this: If it comes out well ( I will publish a 3-D model here) would any of you be interested if the price is not too tough to swallow? My guess would be something like $250. Remember, it would be a drop in piece, made from one or two pieces and much stronger and more attractive than what is being currently offered.
Food for thought. I should have a model done by the weekend.
Obviously, it will be tasteful and may or may not make provision for mounting a badge or logo. My question is this: If it comes out well ( I will publish a 3-D model here) would any of you be interested if the price is not too tough to swallow? My guess would be something like $250. Remember, it would be a drop in piece, made from one or two pieces and much stronger and more attractive than what is being currently offered.
Food for thought. I should have a model done by the weekend.
Last edited by ShanMan; Nov 30, 2007 at 04:06 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
I will get the model made up this weekend and post it as soon as I can. BTW: if there is something you all have been thinking would be cool to have made, shoot me a PM and I'll see what I can come up with.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
I'll do these models in SolidWorks, but could use Catia or Pro E if needed (class A surface modeling). AutoCad...haven't used it in about 9 years! LOL. Hit me up with what you have in mind Chris.
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From: Vancouver, BC
Enzo, my Benzo
Uhhhhhh.....if you are not a mechanical engineer, I HIGHLY recommend you DON'T make pieces for your suspension
K thanks
EDIT: Forgot that Shanman is an automotive engineer but I still wouldn't be messing with suspension without the proper R&D
K thanks
EDIT: Forgot that Shanman is an automotive engineer but I still wouldn't be messing with suspension without the proper R&D
Last edited by ZorroAMG; Nov 30, 2007 at 05:25 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
I have no plans to be doing suspension work at this point, unless it's got Chris Pham's name on it and he accepts all liability....bwahahahaha!
At this point I am considering billet stuff only, i.e. the stuff I already mentioned and maybe a couple of other do-dad's. First up will be the grill insert however.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
you would need a fine fine black mesh behind it to fill in the large gaps but that would look CLEAN. I'm interested in this alot, I've always wanted a truly custom wellmade grill for my 300E..... basically something ebay dosent have and still encompasses that wonderfull mercedes front end image. Count me in! Lookin forward to the models
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
update:
I am about 80% through the model, but I have to say this: Unless we commissioned 100 pieces or more to be made, this is going to be a VERY expensive part to have made the way I originally envisioned. I would venture to guess that to have anything less than 20 fabricated would cost upwards of $750 each to machine and finish. I may have gotten a bit overly-enthusiastic about the feasibility of this. I will probably still get one made because I have connections. That said, I will know more about just how much it might cost once one is made. After that, I will post the cost and maybe make the drawings/models available for those that want to tackle the machining and finishing locally.
I have done this same thing many times in the past for other hobby/projects i.e. vintage Mustang restoration, dirt bikes and kart racing. I should have a model for you to see soon.
I am about 80% through the model, but I have to say this: Unless we commissioned 100 pieces or more to be made, this is going to be a VERY expensive part to have made the way I originally envisioned. I would venture to guess that to have anything less than 20 fabricated would cost upwards of $750 each to machine and finish. I may have gotten a bit overly-enthusiastic about the feasibility of this. I will probably still get one made because I have connections. That said, I will know more about just how much it might cost once one is made. After that, I will post the cost and maybe make the drawings/models available for those that want to tackle the machining and finishing locally.
I have done this same thing many times in the past for other hobby/projects i.e. vintage Mustang restoration, dirt bikes and kart racing. I should have a model for you to see soon.
........ soon.
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
Your lucky the junk yards where you live have 300E's I feel lucky when I find 190E's in Connecticut other than that Im sheet out of luck. Maybe I should look for some yards while I'm in Pennsylvania, though European cars seem to be far and few between here compared to Connecticut. 
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From: Boston
is a German Tank
Your lucky the junk yards where you live have 300E's I feel lucky when I find 190E's in Connecticut other than that Im sheet out of luck. Maybe I should look for some yards while I'm in Pennsylvania, though European cars seem to be far and few between here compared to Connecticut.
they have a nice collection of 300E's, 190E's, and W126's as well.
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! Thats part of my Christmas vacation then =]. Are they pretty fair pricewise? I need little odd and end stuff like antenna and interior plastics ect.
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From: Boston
is a German Tank
they're freakin' awesome! I LOVE going there...but the mrs. is always naggin about me taking too long when I'm there 
I got my lower alternator harness from them for 5 bux, it was BRAND SPANKING NEW!
I got my lower alternator harness from them for 5 bux, it was BRAND SPANKING NEW!
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
