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W166 grill upgrade with Distronic Plus in Star Emblem
Hi,
Anyone know if the factory grill on a 2015 ML 350 BT that has the Distronic Plus options (forward radar/camera/etc) can be swapped for a W166 compatible grill (diamond or waterfall type)?
The idea would be to upgrade/replace the grill and put the same Star Emblem with all the electronics back in the new grill.
Anyone know if the factory grill on a 2015 ML 350 BT that has the Distronic Plus options (forward radar/camera/etc) can be swapped for a W166 compatible grill (diamond or waterfall type)?
The idea would be to upgrade/replace the grill and put the same Star Emblem with all the electronics back in the new grill.
Thanks.
take more than just swapping the grill to get distronic
I have a 2015 ML 350 and switched to a Diamond grill. The Diamond grille came with the little round doofer under the star . But there is a problem in utilizing it ( it wasnt a problem for me since I don't have diatonic). The area for the gille on 2015 is shorter and the distronic doofer sits down and inside the cut out ie covered by body work where the grille fits. I think this is because the 2016 GLE a taller grille.
I basically, had to trim some of the tabs off the surround body work and just set the diamond grille down instead it.
I have a 2015 ML 350 and switched to a Diamond grill. The Diamond grille came with the little round doofer under the star . But there is a problem in utilizing it ( it wasnt a problem for me since I don't have diatonic). The area for the gille on 2015 is shorter and the distronic doofer sits down and inside the cut out ie covered by body work where the grille fits. I think this is because the 2016 GLE a taller grille.
I basically, had to trim some of the tabs off the surround body work and just set the diamond grille down instead it.
Diamond grille in 2015 ML without distronic.
just looks great and is exactly what it is that I want to do can you reach out to me directly and maybe give me some further instruction on how to get it assembled I need to bring it to a shop so that they can install it properly I can’t believe how fantastic it looks on
Like I mentioned before the diamond grille is a little wider and taller since it is make for 2016 GLE not 2015 ML Do you have the Grille yet. I cannot find who exactly I order the grille from , will continue to check who I purchased it from.
if you are not afraid to use hack saw and trim some plastic tabs off the grill cowling/surround you can install it yourself. The grill I order had the distronic eye, but since the grille is taller, It will set below and behind the cowling. Once I had the grille installed I had a hard time finding the right Mercedes tri-star that would sit. Ill have to research that again. I order the wrong ie smaller size initially. Just cleaned out my basement two weeks ago and threw away all the packing material and the old grille. If I still had them it would be very easy for me to tell you who I order them from.
I can take detailed pictures on my iPhone and send them to you. My cell number is 618-978-4314
Hi,
Gonna bring this up again. Has anyone changed a 2015 W166 ML350 stock OEM grill with front radar for the diamond grill? If so, were there any issues in ensuring the grill could accommodate the MB star emblem with the built-in radar sensor? A few of the threads talk about the GLE W166 diamond grill replacement (looks fantastic by the way!) but didn't have the radar sensor.
Any help or suggestions (be nice ) would be appreciated.
Hi,
Gonna bring this up again. Has anyone changed a 2015 W166 ML350 stock OEM grill with front radar for the diamond grill? If so, were there any issues in ensuring the grill could accommodate the MB star emblem with the built-in radar sensor? A few of the threads talk about the GLE W166 diamond grill replacement (looks fantastic by the way!) but didn't have the radar sensor.
Any help or suggestions (be nice ) would be appreciated.
My thinking tells me that there was a thread of someone who did it but it was very complicated process. Your looking at spending lots of money for parts and install.
Unfortunately, it seems that upgrade is only for those without Distronic. I have wanted to do this but feared of fitment and issues with the system afterwards.
Unfortunately, it seems that upgrade is only for those without Distronic. I have wanted to do this but feared of fitment and issues with the system afterwards.
I would agree. I ordered a Black Diamond grille off AliExpress that the Seller said my star emblem would fit into the grille hole. The diamond grille fit perfectly, my MB star did not. Since I have the distronic radar sensor (that is bolted on the front chassis behind the emblem) that star has three long latching tabs on the back that do not lock into the diamond grille hole (pic attached). In fact, the star seems to be a few mm to big for the hole. I've looked and asked everywhere I can think of if someone sells a twist mount star emblem that is distronic approved but have yet to find anyone. My emblem is Part # A1648880411. There is a distronic approved emblem with Part # A0008880111 that looks like it's a twist mount but the one eBay Seller I asked said they couldn't confirm the fit on an aftermarket grille which I understand. And, I didn't want to fool around trying to trim or force fit and glue my star into the diamond grille as should it fall out at some point the distronic sensor would be completely open to road debris. Alas, if someone has done this - installed a diamond grille and found a correct fitting, distronic approved star emblem I'm all ears.
As I said the diamond grille itself fit perfectly, no trimming of any kind required. The grille swap literally took about 15 minutes once I figured everything out and watched a few YouTubers. If I didn't have the adaptive cruise I'd be all done as there are a number of twist mount star emblems that would fit. Sucks really because, for me, that diamond is a really nice cosmetic upgrade to the (now) boring OEM grille. BTW, my vehicle 2015 ML350 BlueTEC, Cdn build.
BTW, for those looking, the Black Diamond grille I ordered was just under $180 Cdn delivered and, as said, was a perfect fit. From what I can tell and see, this particular grille is the same as several sold on eBay for considerably higher $. The only negative is it took about 3 weeks for the grille to arrive. It was a Free Return, postage paid, to an AE warehouse in Canada so I wasn't stuck with trying to sell it after-the-fact.
Is all I want is a plug and fit diamond grill for my 2014 ml450 every time I go to look for one it’s not a fit is there anything out there (which I’m surprised the aftermarket has not not made one from what I see) out there ? I don’t care if it tahr 3 weeks from Canada or 1 month from Hong Kong TIA
There are many Sellers on AliExpress where I bought from. You can contact them directly through the AE site, give them your vehicle specs and they'll tell you if they have a fit.
I am not recommending any specific one, the Black Diamond grille I bought fit perfectly without any additional cutting or shimming, etc. My star emblem just wouldn't fit the grille hole perfectly because I have the distronic radar sensor behind and its a special configuration so it doesn't interfere with the radar.
Hope you find what you're looking for.
I would agree. I ordered a Black Diamond grille off AliExpress that the Seller said my star emblem would fit into the grille hole. The diamond grille fit perfectly, my MB star did not. Since I have the distronic radar sensor (that is bolted on the front chassis behind the emblem) that star has three long latching tabs on the back that do not lock into the diamond grille hole (pic attached). In fact, the star seems to be a few mm to big for the hole. I've looked and asked everywhere I can think of if someone sells a twist mount star emblem that is distronic approved but have yet to find anyone. My emblem is Part # A1648880411. There is a distronic approved emblem with Part # A0008880111 that looks like it's a twist mount but the one eBay Seller I asked said they couldn't confirm the fit on an aftermarket grille which I understand. And, I didn't want to fool around trying to trim or force fit and glue my star into the diamond grille as should it fall out at some point the distronic sensor would be completely open to road debris. Alas, if someone has done this - installed a diamond grille and found a correct fitting, distronic approved star emblem I'm all ears.
As I said the diamond grille itself fit perfectly, no trimming of any kind required. The grille swap literally took about 15 minutes once I figured everything out and watched a few YouTubers. If I didn't have the adaptive cruise I'd be all done as there are a number of twist mount star emblems that would fit. Sucks really because, for me, that diamond is a really nice cosmetic upgrade to the (now) boring OEM grille. BTW, my vehicle 2015 ML350 BlueTEC, Cdn build.
First my 2015 ML does not have histrionic, secondly the grill I order even though the seller said it would fit a 2015, I had to trim some tabs off and make the grill sit behind the surround grill lip. I had a problem getting the correct star. The first one was too small )(A0008171416) and came with backing or holder plate(A0008880060). These were too small, I ordered a a larger one(A 0008172116) and it worked. It was not perfect getting it mounted on the Diamond Grill . Due to having to modify the grill I also had to make adjustment when putting the star in.. In fact I glued the chrome Mercedes trim star on. It not perfect but it has been on for over a year or so. I still have both of these . send me the measurement of yours and I will check them against mine. Id be glad to get rid of them. Maybe I have a the "lucky" star. I just measured the chrome stars, one is 8" across, the other is 71/4 inch
[QUOTE=TA Canada;8347166]Na AliExpressu, kde jsem nakupoval, je mnoho prodejců. Můžete je kontaktovat přímo prostřednictvím webu AE, poskytnout jim specifikace vašeho vozidla a oni vám řeknou, zda vyhovují.
Nedoporučuji žádnou konkrétní, mřížka Black Diamond, kterou jsem si koupil, perfektně seděla bez jakéhokoli dalšího řezání nebo lemování atd. Můj emblém hvězdy by se prostě nevešel do otvoru v mřížce, protože mám za sebou distronic radarový senzor a jeho speciální konfigurace takže neruší radar.
Doufám, že najdete to, co hledáte.
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send me a link, and distronic did you get a sign in? I also want another mask and I'm looking for where the original distronic character will go.
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) would be appreciated.
