kingofire

FTB, yes the fit is perfect. It is a 45mm size. Base is heavy metal and the enblem itself is a sticky with hard plastic I believe. I will try to take daytime pics but it is supposed to rain all week here. Here is the Ebay link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

kingofire

I just wanted to pass this on to others that might be as picky or detailed like I am. I was supposed to get an all chrome grille with chrome mesh in the back that I was going to have painted flat to match the mesh that is on the bottom of the under body spoiler(sports pkg). Well the Ebay guy I bought it from made a mistake and sent me the chrome with black insert. I decided to just keep the grille as it originated from Taiwan and it is a hassle sending a big item back there. The good part is that the grill goes really well since I have a white car and have the windows tinted 30% all around and also have my signal turns on the side view mirror blacked out and the side markers on the front fenders blacked out. The BAD is that the mesh on the grill is GLOSS black and does NOT match with the sports under body mesh which is FLAT. So now I am going to go and get my under body mesh glossed so it matches. I am picky guys.

K-A

Isn't the turn indicator on the side mirror already blacked out?

kingofire

No, mine was not.

Tjdehya

I think the Flat looks better. Why not just paint the grille Flat? You were planning on painting it anyway?

kingofire

Yes I agree the flat looks better. I was planning on painting the grille that I wanted because it was chrome mesh. This mesh is already painted gloss black and am not sure if I can get it painted flat black. I will have to consult my painter at the body shop.

Gloss black might look good though, or at least I am trying to convince myself of this. LoL

K-A

That's very weird. My sideview mirror LED's are tinted from the factory, although they blink orange.

Waitzar

Yeah, I have 2010 E550 and my side mirror LEDs are already tinted from factory. I have Sport package (instead of Luxury package) so I don't know if that has anything to do with it?

kingofire

Are they blacked out or just a slight tint? I don't remember if mine had a slight tint or not but they definitely were not blacked out.

Waitzar

I just went to look at my car. It looks like slight tint. Definitely not blackout. IMO, slight tint is better than blacked out at least on my car since I have black ext color.

kingofire

Hey Waitzar, thanks for checking. I am usually good at noticing the smallest detail but somehow missed this.

I agree with what you said about not blacking out the mirrors on your car. Too much black and it would just blend in with the housing IMO. I really like the two prong look so I like the contrast with the white.

hyperion667

my owners guide is saying there is a sensor in my grill....or behind it?
does anyone know from already changing their grill if this would compromise
anything already in place?

or is it an issue?

Westwind

My guess is, this applies only to Distronic PLUS option vehicles. I could be wrong.

mbfoup

All right. I am totally unsure about the grille. I have seen the one from (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2010-...cessories#shId) here but I am wondering if there could be nicer options.

The other day I asked my MB dealer and he quoted me a star grille (NS 88-1028) for $561+taxes. I don't know how that grille looks like, if it looks like the ebay one or if it looks like the Coupe one. However it is pretty certain this is a plastic grille painted chrome (like the one on ebay).

When I look at the Coupe grille I really prefer it (see photo). I am wondering if that grille fits the Sedan and if the quote I got was from the Coupe one. I will need to investigate. In the meanwhile, I think I prefer the Coupe look much more than the ebay look, Coupe look seems more modern. Any feedback? Thanks.

Arrie

2011 E350 Palladium Silver.

1st picture original grille.
2nd picture 55Tech star grille (black) with dfwdude white star badge.
3rd picture dfwdude white star badge.

hyperion667

looks nice, have some fun huh??

Zinny

I am doing exactly what you originally where going to do. I ordered a Chrome silver grill with silver mesh and taking it to a.body shop to have the mesh painted flat black.

Will send pics.

kingofire

Zinny, eagerly waiting for the pics. If yours looks much better then the chrome/black grille, I might just have to order one and bite the bullet.

Zinny

Just ordered last week. Should get it this week and will take it in to thw shop for paining ASAP.

I am also thinking of covering my side mirror that polished silver look that the S4 has. I have a Steel Grey on order and I think polished chrome mirrors (silver) would be a nice contrast.

Westwind

Installed the Star Grille and flat hood emblem today. May thanks to all who posted tips and pictures. The DIY link posted by altec18 is worth '1000 words'. Kids are happy with the transition from 'old peoples' to 'sporty' car. Whatever that means

BenzE350

Looks awesome.

MB should make this standard with the sport option.

K-A

They should make it an option with the sport package. Please not standard.

Arrie

It ain't bad for $350 parts and very easy 20 min installation. Installation would be only 5 min now after I did it once...

SKYKING44

Arrie, in your original post you said you went with the 55tech Grill. In your secnd post you mention "$350 isn't bad" Please confirm if you have the 55tech grill for about $149 and if so, are you happy with the quality, fit, finish or do you have another vendor and what about their quality, fit, finish.
Thanks

Arrie

It is 55Tech grille (black). The price was $229. Was delivered in 4 days from Korea. Packaging reads German all over it. Guess it is German design...

The fit was not perfect as at the bottom of the grille the gap to bumper is just slightly bigger than at edges. I would say 2 mm wider.

You can judge yourself in the cicture I posted. I think it looks awsome and cannot even see that gap difference if you don't go look for it.

Quality seems ok. Of course, time will tell if chrome / paint will flake off ower time and how fast.

Another thing is the star mounting in the middle. The black center cylinder and star mount with plastic pins that don't hold it very tight. I used 2-component epoxy and glued the pins from inside, which made it feel solid.

Do not order the badge from 55Tech site. It is far too big in diameter. It does not fit in the mounting depression on the hood. I bought dfwdude badge, which fits perfectly and looks very good. Go see his sticky posts.