Facelifting our cars (17'-20' to > New 2021)

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Jul 20, 2020 | 04:14 PM
  #1  
My other car is a E400 with lots of upgrades (performance, interior full LED screens, etc) and sentimental value and I plan to keep for a long time. I notice that MB kept the previous generation E- class hood and front fenders and changed the lights and bumper.

see picture below as the cut lines are the same (hood and fender). This is exactly the same method they used in the last generation e class coupe and sedan, and there are a lot of examples online where people have done the facelift conversion themselves.

I am wondering if anyone will attempt to do this either off the bat or when the parts are available either online as 2nd hand parts or salvage yard. I am assuming that the items that would be needed would be head lights, brackets for headlights, bumper, grills (upper and lower) and all necessary clips, bumper foam and ancillary parts.

As it stands the 3 major parts would be headlights and bumper.






Reply 1
Jul 20, 2020 | 07:57 PM
  #2  
ahh so the hood and fender stays the same but the headlight and bumper changes, correct? Because yea, i think the size of the headlights definitely changed... but it might be only like on the lower par that the bumper touches.
Reply 0
Jul 20, 2020 | 08:15 PM
  #3  
To be honest...... W212 pre-facelift to facelift was a massive jump, it almost looked like a new model................. but with W213, the facelift at the front doesn't look that different to the pre-facelift other than the grille being turned 180 degrees............ The main change really is at the back.
Reply 3
Jul 20, 2020 | 10:51 PM
  #4  
To me the FL front looks more taught and sharp and in line with the design language they are adopting for the next 7-10 years. But you are correct that the back is where its at.

The pre-FL looks a bit flat on the nose.
(also to note that the AMG-Line and E53 have the dual vertical dome hood and its not exclusive to the top tier Model anymore)





Reply 1
Jul 21, 2020 | 12:31 AM
  #5  
sounds expensive, and I would venture to say that the new headlights would not be plug and play...
Reply 1
Jul 21, 2020 | 07:22 AM
  #6  
I suppose a good thing to do is wait to see what the facelift looks like in person so you can assess if you really like it or not.
new bumper is standard with power domes on AMG line and my take on it is like yours: new headlights (different shape), new bumper, grille. The rear is also a new lights, boot and bumper.
Consideration also do you change the interior from the COMAND controller to the touch pad and do you perhaps install MBUX etc
It did cross my mind when i was intently studying the cut out lines of the bonnet to see if i would and i thought for the expense i might as well wait for the new generation and just sell my current car.
Reply 0
Jul 21, 2020 | 07:31 AM
  #7  
Just buy a new car if it's that important. Don't be cheap.
Reply 3
Jul 21, 2020 | 02:49 PM
  #8  
Quote: The pre-FL looks a bit flat on the nose.
(also to note that the AMG-Line and E53 have the dual vertical dome hood and its not exclusive to the top tier Model anymore)
My pre-facelift W213 2019 E53 AMG saloon has a dual dome hood, but I think the E43 didn't.
That's one way you can tell an E53 from an E43 from the front.

Quote: To me the FL front looks more taught and sharp and in line with the design language they are adopting for the next 7-10 years. But you are correct that the back is where its at.
Yes, the subtle changes at the front, and the more obvious changes at the back, definitely aligns the W213 FL with the visual looks of the other Mercedes models being announced from now on, whereas the pre-facelift W213 was very much visually of the 2014-2020 era (starting from the W222 S-class).

I think the new C-class saloon will end up looking like a mini version of the W213 facelift.
Reply 0

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Jul 23, 2020 | 08:34 PM
  #9  
Quote: My other car is a C400 with lots of upgrades (performance, interior full LED screens, etc) and sentimental value and I plan to keep for a long time. I notice that MB kept the previous generation E- class hood and front fenders and changed the lights and bumper.

see picture below as the cut lines are the same (hood and fender). This is exactly the same method they used in the last generation e class coupe and sedan, and there are a lot of examples online where people have done the facelift conversion themselves.

I am wondering if anyone will attempt to do this either off the bat or when the parts are available either online as 2nd hand parts or salvage yard. I am assuming that the items that would be needed would be head lights, brackets for headlights, bumper, grills (upper and lower) and all necessary clips, bumper foam and ancillary parts.

As it stands the 3 major parts would be headlights and bumper.


I had the luxury of seeing the new E Class in person, and I was wondering what the differences were. The new LED Headlights WILL NOT fit the 2017-2020 style. The headlights are way too thin near the bumper to fit. you'd have a gap if you didn't change out the bumper. That being said, i don't think the bumper would be able to fit on the old E class anyways.

With that being said, the headlights (with programming) + the front bumper and paint... You're looking at over $9,000+ dollars there. That's almost a brand new Kia or Nissan Versa lol
Reply 0
Jul 23, 2020 | 09:19 PM
  #10  
Yes thats right the headlights will NOT fit the older style bumpers as stated in the original post. Te new bumper will be able to fit as long as the one has all the hardware.

$9k....thats assuming someone is going to order the parts fresh from a dealership or at retail. I was able to facelift my previous Gen E-coupe (before I sold it) for $4000 from a rear ended FL E-coupe from a junk yard. got everything needed, and paid a local guy to code the lights.

a good conversion, if researched and procured strategically will be around 5k with the most expensive item being the headlights of course. All of this is assuming the FL has been out a couple of years and depreciated a little.

Reply 0
May 29, 2021 | 03:15 PM
  #11  
There’s someone on one of the Mercedes Facebook groups who apparently did it. He replaced the front and rear lights, front and rear bumpers, bonnet and boot. I don’t think the bonnet needs to be changed as the shape is the same although the facelift AMG Package has the two power domes like the 53. With the boot the only piece that’s different is the lower piece below the chrome strip, isn’t this just a plastic piece which can be removed? Regarding the lights are the connectors the same for the headlights and taillights and what about the piece that’s on the boot itself, where would you plug that into? I’ve messaged the guy that did it for more details but haven’t heard back as yet.
Reply 0
May 29, 2021 | 03:19 PM
  #12  
you dont really need to replace the hood unless you reaaaaallly wanted the power domes. i dont know how this person replaced the taillights as they are not plug and play. thats all new sheet metal back there as the lights are a completely different shape.
Reply 0
May 29, 2021 | 03:24 PM
  #13  
The lights actually aren’t a different shape. If you look closely you’ll see that the top is the same shape but it just stops higher up as it’s shorter and the bumper then fills the gap, I initially thought that they’re a different shape but if you look at them closely side by side the lines match up. Yeah the lights would need to be programmed ofc but just wondering where he connected the piece on the boot.
Reply 1
May 29, 2021 | 03:42 PM
  #14  


The piece on the boot where the new light goes is plastic and can be removed separately.
Reply 0
May 29, 2021 | 05:38 PM
  #15  
Never mind
Reply 0
May 29, 2021 | 07:59 PM
  #16  
If I do it then I’ll be doing it on a car that requires a new bumper and headlights anyway. So might as well put the new ones. The W212 prefacelift could be coded to work with the facelift headlights and that was quite more of a change than this.
Reply 0
Sep 15, 2021 | 05:23 AM
  #17  
Quote: There’s someone on one of the Mercedes Facebook groups who apparently did it. He replaced the front and rear lights, front and rear bumpers, bonnet and boot. I don’t think the bonnet needs to be changed as the shape is the same although the facelift AMG Package has the two power domes like the 53. With the boot the only piece that’s different is the lower piece below the chrome strip, isn’t this just a plastic piece which can be removed? Regarding the lights are the connectors the same for the headlights and taillights and what about the piece that’s on the boot itself, where would you plug that into? I’ve messaged the guy that did it for more details but haven’t heard back as yet.
HI Junaid, can u share the details of this conversion performed. Eager to see the results.
Reply 1
Feb 27, 2022 | 07:51 AM
  #18  
Hello,





I'm already at the end of the project. I replaced the headlights, front bumper, rear bumper, rear and front cover and brake lights. the headlights are multi-beam and work perfectly, I have to code and connect the taillights and the car will be ready without any mistakes I sold the old parts and so the investment is smaller.
Reply 6
Feb 27, 2022 | 09:00 AM
  #19  
Quote: Hello,





I'm already at the end of the project. I replaced the headlights, front bumper, rear bumper, rear and front cover and brake lights. the headlights are multi-beam and work perfectly, I have to code and connect the taillights and the car will be ready without any mistakes I sold the old parts and so the investment is smaller.
Wow, thanks for sharing and I am glad to hear that you got all the coding done and everything working like factory, how do you like the results so far?
I don't remember asking or anyone else asking (or I think I totally missed it) how do you enjoy the facelift design over the pre-facelift?
Reply 1
Mar 4, 2022 | 04:42 AM
  #20  
Hi,
The conversion looks great, just wondering how the tail lights were connected, because now you have two piece tail lights so assuming it needs it two connectors?

Thanks
Reply 0
Mar 4, 2022 | 10:25 PM
  #21  
Quote: Hello,





I'm already at the end of the project. I replaced the headlights, front bumper, rear bumper, rear and front cover and brake lights. the headlights are multi-beam and work perfectly, I have to code and connect the taillights and the car will be ready without any mistakes I sold the old parts and so the investment is smaller.

Amazing, I can only imagine how expensive that must have been if all OEM, good thing you sold the other parts to recuperate some of the cost. Congratulations on your achievement.
Reply 1
Mar 12, 2022 | 01:04 PM
  #22  
Quote: Hello,





I'm already at the end of the project. I replaced the headlights, front bumper, rear bumper, rear and front cover and brake lights. the headlights are multi-beam and work perfectly, I have to code and connect the taillights and the car will be ready without any mistakes I sold the old parts and so the investment is smaller.
The conversion looks really good, I've got a few questions about it.
Did the lights use the same connectors or did you have to add new ones or use adapters?
How did you get the rear fog on the boot to work?
Were any of the lights plug and play or did you have to program all of them?
Reply 1
Jul 17, 2022 | 06:41 AM
  #23  
Where did you find your parts for the facelift?
Reply 0
Jul 17, 2022 | 07:54 AM
  #24  
Quote: The conversion looks really good, I've got a few questions about it.
Did the lights use the same connectors or did you have to add new ones or use adapters?
How did you get the rear fog on the boot to work?
Were any of the lights plug and play or did you have to program all of them?
I don't use any adapters or adapters. it's all just coding. for the headlights it depends what level yours were and what you will put. it works according to a scheme and is quite easy. at the back, mainly the straight cables are used and 1-2 cables are added for the new trunk . it's very fast. overall the conversion is easy. it just depends on where you buy the parts from. and sold my old ones quickly
Reply 1
Jul 17, 2022 | 07:58 AM
  #25  
Quote: Where did you find your parts for the facelift?
the front cover is brand new, the headlights are brand new, I bought the rear cover from Mercedes Division second-hand, complete with the brake lights. the rear bumper is from 63 AMG, the front from 53 AMG. the cameras are the original ones. all fasteners are the same. if someone wants, I can ask about multibeam headlights - this is the most expensive part I bought mine for 2500€ complete with the modules (brand new) I sold the old ones for 1400€
Reply 2
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