When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anyone fitted a car bra to their W212/S212 and can you post pics? I've used a Colgan bra on our ML350 for protection from flying rocks and I think it makes the vehicle look better, but the E-class is another matter.
umm, what? I know looks are subjective but man, that front bra just looks excessive on your ML. I have an XPEL ultimate clear bra on the entire front end of my W212 and its been great. Highly recommend that route (or 3M clear bra) unless you specifically want the black vinyl bra look.
OK for a pick-up truck with an extended roof, extra seats, windows and doors (you know...,an SUV).
But I would gladly pay the bodyshop at my Mercedes Dealership (at stealership rates) to repaint my E-Sedan TEN times before I would install that on it. But that's just me.
umm, what? I know looks are subjective but man, that front bra just looks excessive on your ML. I have an XPEL ultimate clear bra on the entire front end of my W212 and its been great. Highly recommend that route (or 3M clear bra) unless you specifically want the black vinyl bra look.
I second the use of XPEL ultimate clear bra on the entire front end of my W212 too. Lots of highway gravel around CA, and no chips to date after 5 years.
OK I get it, no love for the bra. LOL, even if someone has one on their W212, they'd be afraid to reveal it here. I will continue to use it on the ML for longish highway trips, just for the bugs and rocks. We go to Banff and Jasper National Parks frequently during the winter and they use gravel on the roads; can never get through a trip without some humongous rock chips, usually thrown up by speeding semis.
I could see using this for long trips to keep the bugs and rocks off if you're not going to do the clear bra. Other than that, best to leave it off. You have a beautiful looking Mercedes - show it off.
I have a friend who's retired to a secluded, Blue Ridge mountain top in North Carolina... the 3-mile road to his home entirely paved with gravel. A bra on his Suburu Outback makes perfect sense in this case (silimar to your description, need2speed). But I wouldn't buy any Mercedes to climb hills on gravel roads on a daily basis.
As mentioned by others, some have really good luck with the clear bras up front.
We used the clear Xpel film for 3 years on a previous vehicle with great results. Barely a ding on the front end area, until somebody ran into the fender. Film didn't defend that lol. I actually don't have it on my E350 though, no particular reason, maybe since I drive much less these days.
When I got my 2014 W212 in 2017,
Since I had the new car smell, I was excited to get it. Also, the front of the car had only a mustard sized rock chips. I contacted ceramic pro guys to get a quote on clear bra. The guy simply said, it had to be a new car or newly painted front end to get a clear bra. Clear bra on old car doesn't make sense.
I tried persuading him saying, I can stop more damage, but he denied and didn't look for it again.
After watching some videos of vehicles that are been in accident after having clear bra, I prefer that over the leather/cloth ones any day. Anyway, anyone had clear bra installed on an old vehicle which is not newly painted?
Another vote here for Xpel. Have had it on mine for 3 years and still looks great in a severe Vegas and rural southwest driving environment. I've also heard a lot of positive reviews for the Suntek self-healing clearbra. I got the bikini cut front as opposed to the full front and have no regrets. My car is silver and you have to look hard to see the bikini lines. Bikini was much cheaper than a full front and I've had no chips on the unprotected areas.
When I got my 2014 W212 in 2017,
Since I had the new car smell, I was excited to get it. Also, the front of the car had only a mustard sized rock chips. I contacted ceramic pro guys to get a quote on clear bra. The guy simply said, it had to be a new car or newly painted front end to get a clear bra. Clear bra on old car doesn't make sense.
I tried persuading him saying, I can stop more damage, but he denied and didn't look for it again.
After watching some videos of vehicles that are been in accident after having clear bra, I prefer that over the leather/cloth ones any day. Anyway, anyone had clear bra installed on an old vehicle which is not newly painted?
You really need to install the Xpel when you pick up the car new or after having the entire front resprayed. Even small chips will still show and have a potential to trap moisture or break the bond that the film has on the paint. Xpel Ultimate is warrantied for 10 years now and that is all I use. I'm sure you can find an installer that would apply the material to a paint surface that is less than perfect, but they won't warranty the installation. This is such any easy way to keep your car looking great for many years and avoid most road rash. It is worth it on all high end cars. My Shelby is protected and this stuff stands up to high speed track use with no issue (150 mph +)
But I wouldn't buy any Mercedes to climb hills on gravel roads on a daily basis.
Wouldn't underestimate the capabilities of the W163, the last body-on-frame ML, it's a tough nut! Ours is approaching 150k miles so I'm not worried about residual value ;-) We just returned from a 3k+ road trip to the Northwest Territories, posted here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...knife-nwt.html.
You asked if anyone would put one of those thingies on a W212, remember? hehe...
OK I get you and agree, I'd drive a looooong way to avoid a gravel road with the E400. But I still think this wouldn't look too bad on Selenite Grey...
You really need to install the Xpel when you pick up the car new or after having the entire front resprayed. Even small chips will still show and have a potential to trap moisture or break the bond that the film has on the paint. Xpel Ultimate is warrantied for 10 years now and that is all I use. I'm sure you can find an installer that would apply the material to a paint surface that is less than perfect, but they won't warranty the installation. This is such any easy way to keep your car looking great for many years and avoid most road rash. It is worth it on all high end cars. My Shelby is protected and this stuff stands up to high speed track use with no issue (150 mph +)
Hopefully I would be rich enough be a first owner of a luxury car and then I'll definitely use those products.
Will check with Xpel on my used car and see what they will say about warranty etc.
Whoh man! That's horrid!! Clear bra's are the way of today. May look into that ASAP. While I respect the idea to protect the front of one's car.......those bra's of the old are so hilarious!!
+1 on clear bra Xpel or 3M. With some practice you might even be able to do the hood yourself. Front bumper has too many curves and contours, I would recommend a professional do it.
Anyone fitted a car bra to their W212/S212 and can you post pics? I've used a Colgan bra on our ML350 for protection from flying rocks and I think it makes the vehicle look better, but the E-class is another matter.
NO!
Those things are horrid and using them on a W212 should be punishable by mandatory ownership of a Fiat Multipla (or Datsun Micra) and a permanent ban from buying an MB.
NO!
Those things are horrid and using them on a W212 should be punishable by mandatory ownership of a Fiat Multipla (or Datsun Micra) and a permanent ban from buying an MB.
Hmmmm, that is a hideous thought (the Fiat, that is). Did you ever stick your tongue on a metal post in winter after your mother said don't? I can't help it, your rant only makes me want one more :-0
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
