Black Roof?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, NJ
2011 E340 4 Matic Sport
Black Roof?
Hey guys, I just picked up a new E350 Sport in White, but I need some help.
I didn't get the panoramic roof, but I love the look on the white car. It looks like some of you have put an acrylic skin on the roof. Where can I buy this? I'd like to do the glossy black.
Also, I couldn't afford a car w/ a P2 package, but really want Xenon headlights. Does anybody know if there's an aftermarket kit that closely resembles the factory xenon look?
And last, but not least. 50% or 35% tint on the White car?
I didn't get the panoramic roof, but I love the look on the white car. It looks like some of you have put an acrylic skin on the roof. Where can I buy this? I'd like to do the glossy black.
Also, I couldn't afford a car w/ a P2 package, but really want Xenon headlights. Does anybody know if there's an aftermarket kit that closely resembles the factory xenon look?
And last, but not least. 50% or 35% tint on the White car?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Search for "3M Wrap", I used their gloss black.
My 2010 E had a Pano roof, and when I traded in for my 2011, the lack of the blackened roof depressed me. The Vinyl Wrap has probably 90% lifted my spirits back, with maybe 10% of me missing the actual glass aspect. However, my new car felt a little tighter and noticeably lighter, plus less creaks, not to mention probable safety enhancements of a steel roof, so I'm happy with this setup.
I had a professional install mine, and the only thing I can say to watch out for with the Gloss Wrap, is actually two things: You can see lines and imperfections via any substances that make it under the wrap while installing, namely when the car is under hard garage lighting (try not to expect perfection under all lighting and it'll be easier on you). Also, like black paint, but probably more-so, watch out to not swirl it. Finally, like black paint, it'll look a lot dirtier than your white car faster (simple solutions to the last two points).
I kept my roof rails and antenna white, so I don't look like I'm trying to have a Pano (not trying to fool anyone, just want my roof to be the color black), I also left my OEM rear window/roof spoiler on (white), to further differentiate from the Pano setup (all black). However, for the ultimate clean look, you'd want all those to be black, and no roof spoiler, like the Pano setup (I've really come to like mine as well).
My 2010 E had a Pano roof, and when I traded in for my 2011, the lack of the blackened roof depressed me. The Vinyl Wrap has probably 90% lifted my spirits back, with maybe 10% of me missing the actual glass aspect. However, my new car felt a little tighter and noticeably lighter, plus less creaks, not to mention probable safety enhancements of a steel roof, so I'm happy with this setup.
I had a professional install mine, and the only thing I can say to watch out for with the Gloss Wrap, is actually two things: You can see lines and imperfections via any substances that make it under the wrap while installing, namely when the car is under hard garage lighting (try not to expect perfection under all lighting and it'll be easier on you). Also, like black paint, but probably more-so, watch out to not swirl it. Finally, like black paint, it'll look a lot dirtier than your white car faster (simple solutions to the last two points).
I kept my roof rails and antenna white, so I don't look like I'm trying to have a Pano (not trying to fool anyone, just want my roof to be the color black), I also left my OEM rear window/roof spoiler on (white), to further differentiate from the Pano setup (all black). However, for the ultimate clean look, you'd want all those to be black, and no roof spoiler, like the Pano setup (I've really come to like mine as well).
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 39
From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
For the OP, what color is your interior? If it is dark, go with the 35% tint, if it is light color, go even a little darker tint. I have black interior and 35% and I think its just right. As for the HID, there are plenty of kits out there for you, maybe someone on here can give you some part numbers and suppliers where to get them.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 39
From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
+1 on that. KA, I think it would look badass with the stock grill painted black and the star still on the hood. It would just go with your theme so good IMO. I purchased a second stock grill on ebay for $145.oo, so I can have stock chrome and stock painted black to change it up once in a while. I also have a chrome grille with the star in it, and a black one of the same. Yes, I have 4 different grills to change from here and there.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I've toyed with getting a black grille, just never really fallen in love with it. I'm a sucker for the chrome face, and IMO a black grille brings the "class" level of the front down some, but that's of course subject to the setup at hand as well.
I wrapped the middle diffuser so I can get some black contrast up front in hopes that I wouldn't have to black the grille out. So far I'm happy with it, but have no doubts that a black grille will really push my car over the edge in a pretty sinister "mod" look.
I still toy with it, so who knows. I'd love to come across a good price on a stock grille, so I can maybe swap and see how I like it if I ever get the itch.
For the Xenons, 5K is what the newest M-B Xenons are (my car has them), and they look AWESOME. My 2010 E had the old Xenons which were 4300K. IMO the 5K's are perfect, pure white with a touch of blue. 6K's go too blue usually, IMO.
I wrapped the middle diffuser so I can get some black contrast up front in hopes that I wouldn't have to black the grille out. So far I'm happy with it, but have no doubts that a black grille will really push my car over the edge in a pretty sinister "mod" look.
I still toy with it, so who knows. I'd love to come across a good price on a stock grille, so I can maybe swap and see how I like it if I ever get the itch.
For the Xenons, 5K is what the newest M-B Xenons are (my car has them), and they look AWESOME. My 2010 E had the old Xenons which were 4300K. IMO the 5K's are perfect, pure white with a touch of blue. 6K's go too blue usually, IMO.
Last edited by K-A; Feb 18, 2012 at 10:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, NJ
2011 E340 4 Matic Sport
Great advice guys - you're almost as quick to respond as the guys on my Corvette forum! JK
OK, I'm dropping the car off to get tint now. Gonna go with 50% The interior is tan w/ black carpet, and I'd still like to see it a bit as I think it looks great against the white.
I'm located in central NJ and am having trouble finding somebody willing to do the roof wrap. I don't want my car to be the first time a shop works with it!
Time to start researching 5000K HID's...
One more question, can the lighted door sills be done aftermarket, or is that a factory option ONLY?
OK, I'm dropping the car off to get tint now. Gonna go with 50% The interior is tan w/ black carpet, and I'd still like to see it a bit as I think it looks great against the white.
I'm located in central NJ and am having trouble finding somebody willing to do the roof wrap. I don't want my car to be the first time a shop works with it!
Time to start researching 5000K HID's...
One more question, can the lighted door sills be done aftermarket, or is that a factory option ONLY?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 3
2014 W212 E350 4M
Great advice guys - you're almost as quick to respond as the guys on my Corvette forum! JK
OK, I'm dropping the car off to get tint now. Gonna go with 50% The interior is tan w/ black carpet, and I'd still like to see it a bit as I think it looks great against the white.
I'm located in central NJ and am having trouble finding somebody willing to do the roof wrap. I don't want my car to be the first time a shop works with it!
Time to start researching 5000K HID's...
One more question, can the lighted door sills be done aftermarket, or is that a factory option ONLY?
OK, I'm dropping the car off to get tint now. Gonna go with 50% The interior is tan w/ black carpet, and I'd still like to see it a bit as I think it looks great against the white.
I'm located in central NJ and am having trouble finding somebody willing to do the roof wrap. I don't want my car to be the first time a shop works with it!
Time to start researching 5000K HID's...
One more question, can the lighted door sills be done aftermarket, or is that a factory option ONLY?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
K-A on the ball!!
FWIW, I think going to a black grille would look ok but it definitely takes away from the "classiness" of that E-Class look. MB nailed our grille.
FWIW, I think going to a black grille would look ok but it definitely takes away from the "classiness" of that E-Class look. MB nailed our grille.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yup, I agree. IMO the W212 grille is the biggest front end masterpiece since M-B's of the 70's and prior. Absolutely love it, so it's tough to modify it (hard enough to try and keep it free of rock chip dings..... which btw would pit the black paint as well). I love the chrome with the gloss black slats inside contrasting it as well.
Annnnd, if I did a black grille, I'd be to the point of enough black accents where I'd have to dechrome everything or almost everything (rear trunk bar, lower chrome door strip, aluminum greenhosue treatment, upper chrome door handle trim which I payed for to get with/exclusive to P2, etc. are included), which I definitely don't wanna do.
We'll see, if I get bored. Hopefully I won't.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 2
From: Florida
2019 CLS450 4 Matic 2011 E550
You can get 5k stock color or 6k which I have either will work. The one thing I recommend highly is to get the 35 watt kit and only do the low beams with the hid kit. The high beams don't have a projector, they have a reflector and the light will scatter and blind on coming traffic.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 39
From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
It's the aftermarket Star grille. That's definitely and completely off the table on my car.
The matte color looks pretty sharp there. Would definitely match my lower diffuser.
The matte color looks pretty sharp there. Would definitely match my lower diffuser.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
2012 E350
my grill is matte black. along with the chrome around the LED's, rear chrome strip, rear spoiler, badge and emblem. ive also done a side chrome delete, as well as a 'BlueTec' badge delete and 15% front tints and 5% limo rear tint. next up black wheels. car looks mean, and i love it!
second pic taken just now so its not the best lighting.
second pic taken just now so its not the best lighting.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
c-240
my grill is matte black. along with the chrome around the LED's, rear chrome strip, rear spoiler, badge and emblem. ive also done a side chrome delete, as well as a 'BlueTec' badge delete and 15% front tints and 5% limo rear tint. next up black wheels. car looks mean, and i love it!
second pic taken just now so its not the best lighting.
second pic taken just now so its not the best lighting.
