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This is simply "for the record" for any other folks like me who are in the market for a replacement grille for a vintage Mercedes. I used 55tech.com, and when transacting, my card was charged immediately. I received an automated confirmation email after, but its been radio silence 12 days since, no shipping notifications or updates. I've reached out to the support email twice but with no responses thus far.
Reading posts on other forums, I am currently surmising 55tech may be a "middle-man drop shipper" type of outfit, which suggests they may keep no stock, but rather forwards orders to a manufacturer in the East and has them ship it direct.
I have had past experiences with products coming directly from a manufacturer in the East that take a long time to ship, and have no notifications unless you ask or go looking for it expressly.
Finally, I saw many similar grille products on eBay for a significantly lower price, and I suspect it may be the same fabricator, if not the same person. I do know that 55tech has an eBay Store.
So buyer beware with 55tech....clearly we choose to be in a market where this kind of thing can happen and dealing with probable overseas fabricators is not the same as dealing with
. As a R170 owner, Its no Toyota Camry. I'll stick with my current assumption that the part is coming directly from the East and give it another week or so before initiating a chargeback. 4 weeks with no status or prouct is unacceptable in today's marketplace. I'll report back for full disclosure.
so reporting back. The shipment arrived 2 weeks after the order, and for this I am grateful. 55tech.com did have enough of a good/bad reputation ratio to give them the benefit of the doubt, hence my willingness to wait 4 weeks total, but I'm quite used to more instant updates and communications nowadays. So its now "buyer BE aware"......that you may order and not hear anything until it arrives at your door...and for me it took 2 weeks.
Regarding the grille itself, it mounts via 6 holes, and one of them was NOT present. I had to drill a hole (carefully) so as to not crack the plastic. The mounting screws were a bit short as the mounting tab plastic seems to be a bit thicker. I think I'll use rubber washers above/below the tabs and a bit longer screw fasteners to guard against long term fatigue cracking.
Regarding the fit, its a bit flimsy plastic so its not a perfect fit, but it "bends into shape" easy enough and with the fasteners secure seems to be a nice fit. Overall I'm quiet pleased with the product and glad we have this alternative for our aging grilles.
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.
