DoubleA

Has anyone thought of painting their rear valance to match the color of the car? (for those of you without a black car).

I've always liked the solid color look. Probably MB will change that in the next few years like they did with the W210.

Any thoughts?

hyperion667

I agree, that would be a good mod, I thought that was where a diffuser could go too.....
CF would be good down there too......
I do wonder why it's there as MB seems to have a reason for every nook and cranny
you know? airflow of some sort I'd assume?

K-A

Well a black "diffuser" area is the "trend", so M-B does it as a looks-upgrade from the Standard W212's, which come with monochromatic valances. However, of course, since they ***** out the Sport Packages, all W212's have the black valance, so now that naturally becomes the "standard" look to our eyes.

I was thinking of getting mine wrapped in CF or something, but I thought it might be a pointless mod, as you couldn't really notice it much, or maybe the exhaust fumes could "melt"/peel off the sides.

There are aftermarket more aggressive valances out there, like CF diffusers, etc. (The E63 has a slightly different style as well, although very subtle).

I think having it blacked looks good with my setup, but I was recently toying with ideas on whether anything can be done there.

JP465NY

I say keep it black. This is not like the W210 when it was black all around the vehicle. I got a 1999 E430 and kicked myself at the time for not getting the sport package which eliminated the black trim. And as a matter of bad timing the 2000 model eliminated the black trim anyway.

K-A

Lol. Comparing it with the 210's "old school" black plastic going all around the car is soo far from what the 212's blacked out valance is. The 212 does it for the reason of "fashion", while the pre F.L 210's was part of an old guard of 80's/90's styling, which was modernized when cars came with 1 piece stylized bumpers (including the W210 Facelift).

DoubleA

My 210 was a facelifted 2001 so I didnt have that but my cousin did and he had his painted to match the rest of the car. I think its just a cleaner look. Ive seen the CF diffusers and other kits but I'm not too kean on those now.