Brian_I.

Okay, I couldn't take it anymore. I just placed my order for the silver star grill. I actually ordered the flat hood ornament from Jerry on Tuesday and got it in the mail today! Talk about fast shipping and great customer service. I am hoping to have the grill in the mail by Saturday and maybe installed by Sunday. I'm so excited it's pathetic.

Nevada Jack

Congrats on the new grill! If you get it Saturday you will install it Saturday...it is so easy and simple it is scarry! MB must have made a mistake when they designed the grille install...it should just be more intricate and German...:-)

moa4r

hey, congrats samoan, is this ur first mod? post pictures when u get it

LIONHEAD

Congrats......Jerry is a stand up guy. What I've seen,not only does he takes care of his customers but also his vendors.

Brian_I.

Thanks guys! And yes this is my first official mod so I'm really excited. I was thinking about doing the airmatic lowering too but I'm not sure I'll be able to buy a dremel tool and figure out how to use it in one day. I'm glad to hear that this mod won't be brain surgery like every other retrofit on these cars.

Oh and yes, Jerry is on top of everything!

W211 Ryda

Hey Samoan, will you be keeping your stock grill? I'm willing to buy it off of you.

Brian_I.

I need some help installing the flat hood ornament. Anyone know how to take the original one off?

locomercedes

Not to steal the thread, but I just installed the grill in black. I love it! It makes the car look more sporty but still elegant. Ive gotten lots of compliments and stares. I got it for $180 from ebay.

Nevada Jack

Take a pari of pliers (2 pair) and hold the two wings firmly and turn them counter clockwise about a quarter of a turn. The entire unit will loosen and can be lifted out the top. Make sure you put a towel around the unit so it doesn't fall off on to the hood.

Brian_I.

Thanks Jack! I got everything installed in around 25 minutes or so. I still can't believe this installation was so easy. I couldn't even change the billet grill on my old Expedition by myself.

I'll post pics later but for reference you can just refer to Mortenstein's pics above, looks exactly like it.

Brian_I.

Okay, here are some pics...

Brian_I.

Did I scare you with the first pic of both the CL grill and the stand up hood ornament? :p


I actually kinda miss the hood ornament but I have to keep reminding myself that it looks so much better from the front of the car. I never realized how much the front star helped me judge how close I was to whatever is in front of me, like when parking. But I think I gained about .02mpg with the more aerodynamic emblem and I feel like I gained at least 6hp with the CL-style grill.

Now I have to update my sig. Thanks for all your help guys!

Nevada Jack

I felt the same way but you get used to the flat emblem. Looks great Samoan...! Good luck with your new car.

topspin4hand

Looks nice! Took me a couple weeks to get used to the absent star hood ornament.

MB4Fun

locomerdedes...your call looks great. Which ebay seller did you buy from. Have been looking at the various grills and am ready to buy. Can you let me know which one?

Thanks Jeff

locomercedes

I bought from mancouver. The last I saw he did increase the prices for the grills to 189 + shipping(there must be an increasing demand), but I think he's still lower than most other sellers.

see here

e350

Do the grills come in all colors. I'd be interested in seeing one in Platinium Blue. The look is begining to grow on me.

Brav

Am I the only one that thinks the CL grill looks goofy on the W211? Its like there are just one too many "circles" in the front of the car. If that gaudy star wasnt so big, maybe smaller than the inner lights, would look better. I think a star-less CL grill would look best. I love the look of the grill itself, but hate the big star.

Not trying to hate, just doesnt sit right through my eyes. Do they make a CL grill without the star?

lorinserbenz

I am right there with you Brav.. I think the grill looks gaudy and goofy.

The front of the E is to small for such a large emblem... but just as people continue to buy chrome fender trim, neon kits, headlight covers etc... people will continue to buy the CL grills

plocjim

I have the CL grille and love it, but until you mentioned this I really never really focused on how many circles were on the front of the car - the double lights, the CL grill and the flat emblem - it's like one of those optical illusions - it depends on what you focus on. I love the look on my car, but when I focus on the circles I can definitely see what you're saying. Needless to say, I'm not focusing on the circles anymore!

There's definitely a split among my friends - I'd say 50/50 love it/think it's an abomination!

SAguirre

I don't think that it is terrible, but I would not put it on my car.

Steve

LIONHEAD

after putting on the stock grill back on for winter.....the car looks too plain IMO. my friends say my car went back to an old man's car again with my stock grill and stock appearance wheels....LOL (I don't agree with them but that's their opinion). Have another CL grill coming (another tester grill) so I can use one for winter and one for summer. that's what's great about aftermarket parts...."choices".

saffrontiger

I think we should all trade in our W211's for the Kia Amanti and put the CL grill on it. I will call it the Emanti.

Brian_I.

Here is my take on it... The main reason I changed the grill was because the OEM grill is much too plain jane. It looks so boring and old fashioned. I mean it's the same grill I had on my CLK and it's the same grill that has been on the E for nearly the last decade. I wanted a change and when I saw the silver grill and how it had the larger "fins" I knew it was meant to be. I do agree that the star is a tad bit on the gaudy side but the pros of this grill definitely outweigh the one slight con.

If they made a silver grill exactly like the one I installed without the star I would have bought that in a heartbeat. Maybe you need to see it in person to really appreciate it. When looking at the pictures it does look a little busy but staring at a picture doesn't do this modification any justice.

To each his own I guess.

jdhoang

Sorry about re-opening this thread, but I was thinking about getting a CL-style grill and was wondering which color one would look better on my white e320. Would appreciate any opinions. TIA.