Notes on front grill chrome wrinkle repairs
 

My MY14 had some wrinkles in the chrome grill surround.. several notes for the repair to remedy wrinkles or peeling chrome grill

The part number (222-888-00-51)for the grill surround did not show for 2014, only the entire grill assembly.
For the newer year w222 it does show separately as a part. Well Of course the chrome surround is a separate part even if MB didn't list as such for the first w222's

The separate grill surround was actually very inexpensive at less than $200US. (NEVER use aftermarket chrome)

To remove the surround you will need to unclip more than a dozen tabs... well how can you get them all loose/unclipped at the same time??....

solution,
since the original part is now rubbish, I carefully used a heat gun.
you will heat the grill surround tabs (and the grill insert tab even if careful)... use a suitable flathead screwdriver and quickly push the (old) grill surround tab far away from the clip point as it will spring back a bit.
DO NOT TOUCH the inner insert tab and it will just cool in place (if it happens to heat up)

Did this a dozen+ times and the surround literally fell off when I lifted the assembly

The new surround snaps in place. I laid the assembly on a soft surface and pushed the surround tab into each clip point. In my case, for two of the larger tabs, i needed to push the insert plastic tab with the tool to get it to snap under the grill surround tab.. be careful...and if you can't carefully handle a heat gun, then don't attempt this..

It's an easy job and the new chrome surround gives the front-end the new car look again..

This is a great post. My 15 grill is doing the same thing both bubbling and chipping off. If I read you correct, the Grill Surround you purchased was listed for later model 222s, not our early ones, but it does fit on our grill frame.

Thanks for the info, im having some light peeling myself and will look into this replacement.

Fits perfectly

For the correct full grill assembly "with surround view, with auto cruise, etc" it is listed at over $750 for MY14
yet, the 2018-2020 grill surround is under $200

The part number is in the post... it fits MY14 and likely all w222's....

I'm getting ready to order the Grill surround and I already removed the grill as a practice run to make sure I can do it as you described, and then popped it back in, no problem removing and I see the chrome clips that need to be bent to facilitate removal. Does the round Mercedes logo come off the old surround to be used on the new one and if so, is there a special way of handling it. Thanks for the input.

Great post, and it looks like the small emblem for the surround is pretty cheap to buy if necessary: https://www.mbonlineparts.com/v-2020...and-components

OK, I did it!!! Thank you Kafklatsch for your original post and thoughts about this replacement. I purchased the part from AutoNation Parts for $166.75 plus shipping and tax for a total of $196.91 I didn't use your heat gun suggestion, instead used a couple of flat head screwdrivers to pry at each chrome tab and black pinch point and some wedges to hold the separation of the outside edge of the Surround after they popped. Worked like a charm. As far as the center emblem, you can push it through the cream colored pin grommets and slowly wiggle it out. Then remove the grommets and place them in the new grill and wedge in the logo VWALA , brand new front. Anyone who has a bad chrome surround should definitely do this job, it really isn't hard, just take your time. Thanks again, ED