jji

Is it possible to get real Chrome Headlight rings. All the ones I've been seeing are plastic..

Thanks

Richard / E320

All I have ever seen are cheesey plastic 'chrome' rings; I have ordered two different sets but didn't like the quality and didn't use them.

If anyone has real chrome available, please post your source.

Thanks!

Brozyniak

IMHO I never thought that the chrome rings look very nice. Maybe I've never seen the good quality ones.

I think that you can get them straight from Mercedes as a standard extra. I can't imagine that they would be very expensive. Well maybe not too expensive

paomien

the OEM part from Mercedes is $157 (for all 4 lights). It's up to you whether or not it looks good; they only look good on certain colours IMHO. Since my car is black, I think it adds a nice touch as there is already chrome on the car...

jimmydagreek

Wow, your headlight lenses look really clean paomien! I need to have mine replaced soon as they are all dull and pitted. Bekkers was $300 bucks for the set so I am trying to see if I can locate them for a cheaper price somewhere else before I commit...

Whitey

Also looks great on White (I know, its a pretty lame color but it was a great deal and I'm actively working on beefing it up.....). My chrome rings are by "Schatz" and they're of very good quality(not sure if available in the states but they costed me HK600 bucks, that's less than US$80).

jimmydagreek

Nice. IMO, you should also change your mirrors to the MY00+ blinking ones. They're tight...

Whitey

Hi again Jimmy,

I agree but it also means more $$$$!. Prob leave that till last or I might visit the local wreckers oneday (there's an abundance of Benz's and stupid Benz drivers here in HK!).

When you have time, can you also please check out my new thread on "Which Exhaust"? I've sorted out the body kit and now wanting to pick an exhaust.

Thanks buddy!

jimmydagreek

Already did. No problem...

paomien

Thanks jimmydagreek! I never realized how clear they were until after they fixed the car and I was like so that's how my car looked 4.5 years ago... hahaha

paomien

Whitey, what model year is your E?

jimmydagreek

Mine is a 1997 and the only thing (other than the front bumper which is being replaced very soon) that makes it look aged is those d*** headlights!

Whitey

Hi Paomien, its a 1998 Advantgarde, and (unfotunately) only a 240 (not available in the US?). Lowered with Eibach springs on stock AV shocks with the thinnest available spring washers in the front + 18" AMG mono II's. The lower parts have been painted the same as the body color by the last owner. Probably some other spec differences in HK, where I am (e.g. no reflector on the the corner of the front bumper) .

If this hasn't resolved your query, why?

paomien

Jimmydagreek, mine looked good pre-lincoln navigator incident except for the lights and the pitted grille

whitey - just wondering, because I see it had parktronic. Avantgarde package , if i'm not mistaken, adds blue-tinted windows in too, right?

motorsport949

I have the real chrome headlight rim for w210 E class
without the oem price
let me know if you are interested
kw

Whitey

Yep, Paomien, sure has blue tinted windows - IMO a nice compliment to the body color and light grey interiors, but a mother to find if you need replacements!

I'd highly recommend the parktronic to people who's judgement is below standard at extreme slow speeds - like me! Admittedly the Benz's proportions took a bit of getting used to after a 3-series BMW and sure comes in handy in very tight spots (still needs a bit of judgement tho' since it has a pretty big (space) allowance).

Whitey

Also has carbon-look pillars between the front and rear doors - do you guys get these in the States, if so which package?

paomien

whitey, we don't have a package that has the carbon fiber trim, it's only available on an E55... unlike our previous gen. C class which was available with the carbon trim on their sports package.
I agree with you, blue tinted windows are really nice on a light grey interior. wish i had those windows on my car....

jimmydagreek

There are carbon fiber 4-pc. kits for the B-pillars but they are adhesive (stick-on) and are applied over the OEM pillars. IMO they are not very nice and stick out compared to the OEM E55 ones from the factory. I would like to find a set like the E55 to REPLACE the OEM B-pillar covers not adhere to the top of them...

Whitey

Consider yourselves lucky, at least you can tint your windows darker - it's illegal here (yet many people do it anyway). Dark tinted windows would sure look hot on white (and of course, dark colours like your babe Paomien).

Its good news that the carbon B-pillars come standard on AMGs (never got a close enogh look to see if it is that!) - I guess my to-be AMG (E24!) would look closer to the real thing!

BTW, does anyone have any ideas about removing/replacing the "Advantgarde" logo on the small side rubber protectors behind the front real arch? Will I need to replace both of them or is there some aftermarket logos e.g. with "AMG" that I can replace the inserts with?

Whitey

Drifting away from the topic of this thread, I know - sorry!

But, guys, since we've been talking about the differences in specs, I have a black wood interior (not sure what its called but its essentially black/dark grey with some very subtle darker black woodgrain patterns) - it's only available in the Advantgarde here I understand. Do you guys get these too? I've been considering a leather/wood steering wheel but can't find anything that has that kind of wood.

jimmydagreek

As for the logos on the front fender trim, there are different logos/badges avail. that you can find on ebay. There is a place in So. Cal. here called Autowerks that I ordered my Carlsson side badges from and could possibly get different kinds for you.

Now, for the steering wheel to match the existing black wood in your car (I also forget the name of it but it comes stock in the E55) it will be very difficult to get a matching steering wheel. I personally have never seen one myself but I am pretty sure they make them because it would be an upgrade to the E55. Good luck on your hunt for one...

Whitey

Thanks Jimmy.

May be one with carbon inserts would also look good with a grey interior and the carbon b-pillers............will keep you guys posted.

paomien

whitey, that black wood trim you're talking about that comes on the avantgarde in HK comes on the E55's stateside. It's black birdseye maple, if I'm not mistaken. I really like the look, it's definitely not as common as the burl walnut you see on the rest of the mercs.
Although we can tint our windows here, you can't go past 35% on the front two doors, but you can do whatever youwant on the rear doors and rear window (this is NY, I'm sure about what other states require)
That's the next thing I'm doing to my baby, tint the windows....

Whitey

Well, I trust you're going to keep the front and back tinting similar, if not the same. I can't stand cars with imbalanced tinting, its like you've got the fronts wound down.