Cheap Mods
04-01-2002, 02:29 PM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Cheap Mods
Sorry if this has been covered earlier...
I was flipping through an accessory catalog at the dealer's parts desk last week when I noticed the nice-looking chrome rings to go around the 4 headlights. The dealer wanted about $160 for the set.
So I hopped on ebay just for the hell of it, and sure enough, there were several sets listed. I did a 'buy it now' for $50, and got the delivery 2 days later.
I put on the first pair and didn't like the fit, as the gap between the ring and body was uneven. Then I realized that they had a right and left designation stamped inside. Once I made the switch, they fit perfectly.
On a white car, they stand out nicely. I'd imagine a darker color would contrast them even better.
-Just an fyi if you're looking for quick and cheap enhancement (assuming you consider it as such)
I was flipping through an accessory catalog at the dealer's parts desk last week when I noticed the nice-looking chrome rings to go around the 4 headlights. The dealer wanted about $160 for the set.
So I hopped on ebay just for the hell of it, and sure enough, there were several sets listed. I did a 'buy it now' for $50, and got the delivery 2 days later.
I put on the first pair and didn't like the fit, as the gap between the ring and body was uneven. Then I realized that they had a right and left designation stamped inside. Once I made the switch, they fit perfectly.
On a white car, they stand out nicely. I'd imagine a darker color would contrast them even better.
-Just an fyi if you're looking for quick and cheap enhancement (assuming you consider it as such)
04-01-2002, 03:32 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
RBrenton88,
Did the ones you have come in a Mercedes Box or package with a Mercedes part number. I lot of companies sell the knock-offs. These rings are also made by other companys. I had the cheaper ones on my 98 E430 and the fit was just ok, when I examined a set from the dealer they were better with a deeper fit. The cheap ones are made by Schatz in Germany. The cheap ones only had a few strips of double-sided tape and the Mercedes ones had double-sided tape completely around the back.
Did the ones you have come in a Mercedes Box or package with a Mercedes part number. I lot of companies sell the knock-offs. These rings are also made by other companys. I had the cheaper ones on my 98 E430 and the fit was just ok, when I examined a set from the dealer they were better with a deeper fit. The cheap ones are made by Schatz in Germany. The cheap ones only had a few strips of double-sided tape and the Mercedes ones had double-sided tape completely around the back.
04-01-2002, 03:39 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Good point. I don't know if they are genuine or not. The box was rather plain blue with a photo of the front quarter of an E with the rims attached, and not much else on it.
The 3m tape on the back is a continuous strip all the way around, actually 4 segments but full coverage, with the width of a pencil.
They seemed deep enough, but I'd have to ask the dealer for a casual look-see to be sure.
The 3m tape on the back is a continuous strip all the way around, actually 4 segments but full coverage, with the width of a pencil.
They seemed deep enough, but I'd have to ask the dealer for a casual look-see to be sure.
04-02-2002, 02:45 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah, the ones made by Schatz come in the Navy blue box with the picture in the lower corner. The Mercedes ones do not come in the fancy box. I had a hard time getting one of the larger ones to fully stick. When I saw someone with the Mercedes one they looked to be of better quality and I purchased the more expensive set from my Mercedes dealer.
04-02-2002, 02:51 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Yea, I think you're right. I checked the box again last night, and the odd wording of the instructions didn't sound like a MB product. Something like "You now done installation"
Anyway, the autoclass.net site offers the same ones for $119. They look exactly like mine.
I'm able to locate chrome door sill covers. Do you think that would be crossing the line into tacky-ville? I don't want to reach the point where neon underbody lights would be a natural extension. <heh>
Anyway, the autoclass.net site offers the same ones for $119. They look exactly like mine.
I'm able to locate chrome door sill covers. Do you think that would be crossing the line into tacky-ville? I don't want to reach the point where neon underbody lights would be a natural extension. <heh>
