Mike5215

While I like black as a color for an S Class, it loses some of the contrast with the AMG body kit that a lighter color has. I decided to experiment with shooting the rear bumper diffuser a lighter shade of gray to distinguish it from the rest of the bumper.

Along the way I discovered how easy it is to remove the rear diffuser, after which it can be painted, or vinyl wrapped in carbon fiber or whatever.

The diffuser snaps into the bumper with molded-in tabs around the perimeter. Given how much of this car snaps together, I'm beginning to feel like I bought a $50,000 Lego Set. The tabs are very sturdy and require just a bit of effort to pop them out.

Before you get to the tabs around the perimeter, on the underside of the bumper there are two tabs on the diffuser that need to be pushed upward and outward. There are also two plastic clips (see hole in the pic of the bumper detail) that need to be pulled out.

It's easier to demonstrate with the parts removed. The first pic shows the "male" tabs on the underside of the diffuser, and the hole where a small plastic retaining clip lives.

BenzV12

Very neat and subtle job

Mike5215

Thanks!

Carters550

Mike you make every job seems easy .. Great work man . I have seen some people painting it little darker it looked different and eye catcher .either way great work as always.

Carters550

By the way are you a fan of these .thx

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEPO-2010-2013-MERCEDES-W221-S-CLASS-WHITE-LED-CLEAR-BUMPER-SIDE-MARKER-LIGHT-/171310289102?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e2e390ce&vxp=mtr

Mike5215

I bought a set of those in smoke. They look good and were a perfect fit. They can be installed without tools.

Start by pulling the outside of the lamp away from the bumper and you'll feel the tabs holding it to the backside of the lamp. Push them to release and then rotate the bulb to fully remove the lamp.

To install your new lamp you have to peel back the fender liner enough to get a hand in to the backside of the lamp retainer and hold it in place while you snap the new lamp in. Takes about 15 minutes total..

Carters550

So in your opinion do they look aftermarket or do they give a better look , I see the one you have ,which looks good ,but do the cool glass look and match as far as quality .as ALWYS thx

BenzV12

You're welcome
Speaking of mods, it just dawned on me how about S600 / S65 AMG's FL grill ? These look very sharp

Mike5215

I think the idea is to make them disappear so there isn't anything distracting the eye from the car's lines so they need to blend into the surrounding paint color as closely as possible. On a light color car I'd just want a clear diffusing lense rather than a bunch of tiny LEDs exposed. In terms of quality there's not much to either the OEM or aftermarket pieces...just a plastic housing and a plastic lense. The units I bought on Ebay have the same look, feel and weight of the OEM pieces.

Mike5215

Like this guy here? (Conservative)



Or this one (Sinister)



Or this (combo)

BenzV12

No, I mean this one

Mike5215

How does that one differ from the stock S550? (Hard to tell from the photo).

BenzV12

It's has three grill slats vs your stock multi slated grill .I will tr to find a better picture or you can see ChrisTheSwede's pics .
Hey, wait a minute I think I have found a better picture for you to judge

Pilk

The combo grill for sure...I think it very cool with the star exposed and visually hanging free like that.