W221 (2012) replacement grille?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA
2012 S550V
W221 (2012) replacement grille?
After 7 years and 70k miles, the grille on my W221 isn't anywhere near as nice as it once was, due to the accumulated dings, cracks, scratches, etc. Has anyone here purchased and installed a replacement grill for purely cosmetic reasons?
I see the grilles on Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress for $100-300 USD.
Which have you purchased and/or which would you recommend?
I see the grilles on Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress for $100-300 USD.
Which have you purchased and/or which would you recommend?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA
2012 S550V
Anybody think that this $84 eBay grille would look ok? It's price is much, much less than all the OEM grilles that I see online.
eBay item: 133271885847
eBay item: 133271885847
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 686
Likes: 293
From: Omaha, NE
2023 S500
I needed a new grille, and the aftermarket items I saw all were for non-Distronic cars. You can find genuine M-B parts significantly discounted from some dealers, like mbpartsource.com. I was happy to see that mine came complete with the badge and all... paying the $300-plus for a new factory part only hurts for a little while. 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA
2012 S550V
$159
I see that I can buy it for $159 plus tax and shipping, so about $200 USD all-in.
However, I'm not sure I have the right part number:
221-880-02-05-7370
Because the catalog seems to indicate that the grille's on the 2012 base-model S550's have body-colored grilles...…..however, by own grille doesn't appear to have any body-colored paint on it, only bright chrome plating.
Any guesses as to what the catalog sees in the grills that I don't see?
https://www.mbpartsource.com/oem-par...QtNmwtdjgtZ2Fz
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 686
Likes: 293
From: Omaha, NE
2023 S500
Wrong part -- that's the vent grille on top of the hood, just forward of the windshield. I believe you need one from this page:
https://www.mbpartsource.com/v-2012-...and-components
https://www.mbpartsource.com/v-2012-...and-components
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA
2012 S550V
Many thanks, but yours is comparable to my existing grille; I was looking for something flawless, to really make the front of the car stand out and sparkle like new.
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