K-A

I'm not 100% on doing this, but wanna see if anyone would even be interested.

I kind of find myself digging the OEM "Luxury" model grille (more of a classic look with the 4-Bars), perhaps even over the sportier 3-bar grille that comes with the Sport W212's.

Let me know if anyone would be interested. Also, I'd only want the insides of the slats to be black, and I'm almost positive that they come in gray?

220S

You're going to have a lot of work to do when you turn the car back in

K-A

LOL, I doubt those dealers will even notice a difference.

I'm up for an engine swap too, if you're down. Think about the improved MPG's! We're living in a green era now!

On another note: 3 month update. Leasing was stupid, I can barely find the time to put enough mileage on this car, in order to get my money's worth. Unless something changes in the next 3 years, I'll be using far less of the car than what I'm paying for in the 39 month Rental fee's. Too bad I didn't hear about the option to get less mileage for a decrease of monthly payments until after I Leased.

hyperion667

K-A: what keeps you so busy huh? the job huh?

K-A

Job for one, "life" and "me" for the other.

The biggest thing is, I drive some high mileage for work, etc., which I do all in my Malibu. It's a gruesome task, that will guarantee a far less than immaculate car (which I require to fulfill my hobby/obsession). As a Leasee, it doesn't make sense to not use up all the Miles I can on my car, yet, as a "Me-ee", I know that if my car starts getting beat up, then I won't care about it anymore, and there goes my hobby/obsession.

I can always buy it at the end of the Lease, but that will be yet again, another very expensive lesson!

HBerman

The turn in process is conducted at a dealership, not necessarily where you purchased the car. All of your modifications need to be reversed or you will be charged for the "restoration" to factory defaults. Grills, tailights, turning signals, headlights, non-std wheel assemblies, etc. will all be examined. Perhaps you should consider just buying out the lease now to cut your costs and just own the car. It might prove more beneficial for your ownership experience.

K-A

You mean buying the car via paying the remaining Lease payments, and the cost to buy thereafter?

I think I'll just pay it little by little for now, and keep the turn in option available . Hey, even if I do end up buying the car after the Lease, it'll cost me a decent deal over what it would have cost me to buy it from the beginning, I might as well take advantage of the one luxury that extra money allows me: The option to simply turn it in at the end of the Lease, were I to change my mind and/or habits about the car within the next few years.

I don't think I'm gonna do any more "mods" to the car though. Everything that I think might be a good/cheap/easy "mod", I end up realizing will probably detract from the car more than anything. M-B really got this car perfectly set up from the Factory, I only wish they kept the AMG Pack more exclusive. But so be it, might as well enjoy the benefits of having a car that's equipped so nicely from the factory (no need to mod!).

ipp

In my garage there is a black E250 CGI with the 'Elegance' design line and AMG-package (Avantgarde is 3 bars). With that combo you get the 4 bar grill with the gray slats. I can snap a photo of it some day if you want. It looks nice if you ask me.

Here is a pic from the mercedes.de configurator.

K-A

Nice! I'd love to see it whenever you can snap the pic.

I love the 3-bar, as it's got a more "aggressive" and sporty nature and look, but the 4-Bar is just mean in a Luxurious and classic way. I dig it. It's got a lot of pronunciation to it. It I had a silver car, I'd probably be cool with a gray slat one, but for my White w/ Black, ideally I'd be into one with black slats, which I Don't think exists OEM wise.