jmbaker3

Can the chrome side molding be removed? Is is taped on, or drilled thru the door panels?

Steel.Grey.MB

looks to me like they are just double sided taped.

moparrbust

taped on.............you can take them off with a credit card.

jmbaker3

fishing line will do it then.

K-A

Are you talking about the chrome surrounding the greenhouse/windows? I'd think it might indeed look better blacked out, or perhaps monochromatic with the color of the car, but I'd be careful before yanking it all off.... It might look "off" and not right possibly.

220S

fwiw, the W212 sedan has a thin chrome side door and bumper strip.

K-A

Yeah. I wonder which one O/P is thinking of removing.

jmbaker3

The lower door molding... on the Luxury version it continues on the rear bumper. On the sport it is just on the doors... I think on the E63 it is not present. Personally I think it makes the car look like a wedge... more so on darker colors.

K-A

Ah, gotcha. Yeah I'm not big on it myself. I feel it doesn't really make sense (especially the way it angles down) all so much (which is why it probably give that ultimate wedge look), it almost seems as if they included it just for the sake of tradition (ex E's that have it, etc.).

I'd be curious to see how it looks without it as well, might look better?

jmbaker3

I'd be curious to see how it looks without it as well, might look better? [/quote]

see attached... photos from doing search.

K-A

Ah, so the 63 doesn't use it?

Looks more fitting with the vibe of the car, the chrome worked great on the 211 and the style it conveys, the 212 just seems like it doesn't work with that piece of chrome as well (again it seems the designers had to incorporate it due to traditional, etc. elements IMO).

I posted a Thread showing a 212 with single fog-lights, which look better than the doubles IMO. I think there's a lot going on with the 212's look, if I owned one personally, I'd find ways to clean/simplify it (chrome off the door, single fogs), I think it might make it look a bit cleaner and on top of that you'll have a more unique car.

jbean114

jmbaker3... just curious if you have since tried to remove the molding and if so, could you post pics on how it looks?

jmbaker3

I am still shopping for a car. I like the car from different angles, but can not warm up to the car "side on". So have been looking and reading and seeing what I could do to make it more appealing to me. I like the E63 look, but not the price. Personally, I think the chrome strip makes the E look "Passat" like. Too much of a wedge. Even the wheels match up. See photos.( I own a 1991 350SD TURBO... which I bought new... now has 208,000 miles on it... plus an engine replacement at 83,000 miles. But, time has come to find a replacement and have an interest in the new E. )

jbean114

Interesting comparison... Thanks for the pics too.

I think we might be able to see what the E350/550 sans chrome side molding would look like if we could just convince bigevil to match the side molding to his grill... What do ya think bigevil?

jmbaker3

Agree.

ocellaris

Yes, it is taped on -- there are no holes in the door. I just purchased a black/black/black E350 4matic sedan w/sport. I asked the dealer to remove the chrome side trim, which they did for free. The crease is still there -- exactly like the AMG -- but no chrome. In my opinion, it looks MUCH better. Much sportier/edgier. Unfortunately, no pics yet.

rnhagan

I took my side molding off with fishing line. It worked great and fast.

ipp

Are you happy with the result?

Pics?

rnhagan

See pic - Yes I am happy with it. I have never been a big chrome trim fan. I think MB put it on as an afterthought to make it more american like.

K-A

Looks much cleaner like that actually. Less busy.

jmbaker3

Looks so much more aggressive.

DHI

Tell us about the wheels in that picture.

K-A

Are they E63's?

The wheels and lack of chrome trim on the side gives the car an E63-ish look. Nice.

K-A

Actually just re-looked and it seems they are not E63 wheels. Look good though.

rnhagan

They are actually knock off E63 type wheels I got from rimsusa.com (model#610). They are staggered (8.5x18 and 9.5x18) and correct offset (45MM) for w212. I put my stock tires and TPMS's on them. For the cost (~$700 plus $200 to mount and bal.), I am happy the way they look and drive.