Grille replacement
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Grille replacement
Hello forum friends.
The chrome finish on my ‘15 S grill (4 bar) is bubbling in a few places. No big deal in the big scheme of things but it got me to thinking.
I like the look of the newer, post facelift three bar grill. Is it called the Maybach style grill? Are the ‘18 and later grills compatible with my ‘15?
I have YouTubed grill removal and it looks simple and easy.
If compatible, any suggestions on sourcing a replacement will be appreciated. I see them offered on EBay for about $200 free shipping.
Thanks all!
Chuck
The chrome finish on my ‘15 S grill (4 bar) is bubbling in a few places. No big deal in the big scheme of things but it got me to thinking.
I like the look of the newer, post facelift three bar grill. Is it called the Maybach style grill? Are the ‘18 and later grills compatible with my ‘15?
I have YouTubed grill removal and it looks simple and easy.
If compatible, any suggestions on sourcing a replacement will be appreciated. I see them offered on EBay for about $200 free shipping.
Thanks all!
Chuck
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Aug 20, 2025 at 03:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Thanks for the head’s up…The compatibility charts for the grilles on EBay show that they will fit.
I’ll contact a couple of sellers to confirm that. Chill get back with what they say.
Be well
I’ll contact a couple of sellers to confirm that. Chill get back with what they say.
Be well
Last edited by SSBN629 Seattle; Aug 20, 2025 at 07:21 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,310
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
I don't know that the eBay ones are OEM, they may be aftermarket grilles. The design of the bumper and the shape of the grille is different between the pre refresh and the refresh.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I messaged each seller asking if the grilles for the ‘15-‘17 are different than the ones for ‘18-20.
Will let you know what I find out.
thanks again
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I had the exact same issue as you 4 years ago with the peeling chrome. I got one of the Chinese aftermarket face-lift style grilles and it has worked perfectly on my 2015. If your car has the camera in the grille, you'll need to take that off the original and mount it to the new one. It was a pretty simple process. I swapped out the grille in less than 30 minutes, including the camera swap.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I had the exact same issue as you 4 years ago with the peeling chrome. I got one of the Chinese aftermarket face-lift style grilles and it has worked perfectly on my 2015. If your car has the camera in the grille, you'll need to take that off the original and mount it to the new one. It was a pretty simple process. I swapped out the grille in less than 30 minutes, including the camera swap.
Interestingly, Amazon has them for $150. I’ll go with Amazon for sure…less $, quick delivery and easy return if it doesn’t fit.
I YouTubed the grille removal videos and it looks like a piece of cake.
take care
Chuck
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Thanks Dave. Very nice to know. There are a few eBay sellers offering the post facelift grill at an average of $200.
Interestingly, Amazon has them for $150. I’ll go with Amazon for sure…less $, quick delivery and easy return if it doesn’t fit.
I YouTubed the grille removal videos and it looks like a piece of cake.
take care
Chuck
Interestingly, Amazon has them for $150. I’ll go with Amazon for sure…less $, quick delivery and easy return if it doesn’t fit.
I YouTubed the grille removal videos and it looks like a piece of cake.
take care
Chuck
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
The quality of aftermarket grills are extremely subpar. If you live in a sunny, rainy, snowy area (earth) that grill will be done in a year and a half, two years max.. I went through 2 “high quality” grills in three years, then back to stock. Looked great, for a minute. This was for an E 63pfl to a panAmericana Grill but same difference. This was using the car for about 6k a year
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 1,225
From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
It was by the time I replaced the aftermarket grill for the third time that I just went back to stock. LOVED the loo and got lots of compliments. My stock grill was still perfect when I reinstalled it so it’s a little bit different of a situation. In theory I tried two of the best, 55tech, and CKM. CKM lasted better. Whereas the stock grill can get a little bubbling on the edges, that aftermarket grills delaminated all over the entire grill. It was not from Stone chips, just poor quality construction. I’ll also throw in that even though I have distronic and did not get a grill with a flat plastic star, it’s still worked out fine, but just needed to be cleaned more frequently because of the recess of the star (do at your own risk).
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 41
Likes: 15
2014 S550
Had the same bubbling problem with the grill on my 2014 S550. Ordered a replacement through a Mercedes dealer to make sure it was OEM and had a local body shop install it. Going through the dealer and my car having both the camera and night vision made it pretty expensive. I still have the old grill.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
I agree it will be OK It was by the time I replaced the aftermarket grill for the third time that I just went back to stock. LOVED the loo and got lots of compliments. My stock grill was still perfect when I reinstalled it so it’s a little bit different of a situation. In theory I tried two of the best, 55tech, and CKM. CKM lasted better. Whereas the stock grill can get a little bubbling on the edges, that aftermarket grills delaminated all over the entire grill. It was not from Stone chips, just poor quality construction. I’ll also throw in that even though I have distronic and did not get a grill with a flat plastic star, it’s still worked out fine, but just needed to be cleaned more frequently because of the recess of the star (do at your own risk).
It was by the time I replaced the aftermarket grill for the third time that I just went back to stock. LOVED the loo and got lots of compliments. My stock grill was still perfect when I reinstalled it so it’s a little bit different of a situation. In theory I tried two of the best, 55tech, and CKM. CKM lasted better. Whereas the stock grill can get a little bubbling on the edges, that aftermarket grills delaminated all over the entire grill. It was not from Stone chips, just poor quality construction. I’ll also throw in that even though I have distronic and did not get a grill with a flat plastic star, it’s still worked out fine, but just needed to be cleaned more frequently because of the recess of the star (do at your own risk).The bubbling on my stock grill is in just one small place, however it is enough to trigger my “let’s do something fun and new to this beautiful car”. I love to tinker.
The facelift grille is a newer look and will at least start off with a better finish than the 10 year old road worn grille.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
thanks again
Chuck
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 268
Likes: 92
From: Seattle
Currently ‘2015 S550 4matic. Previously 03 E320, ‘06 S430, ‘08 S550 4matic
Had the same bubbling problem with the grill on my 2014 S550. Ordered a replacement through a Mercedes dealer to make sure it was OEM and had a local body shop install it. Going through the dealer and my car having both the camera and night vision made it pretty expensive. I still have the old grill.
This I actually more of a “tinkering” thing than anything else. I’m too old to do the more labor intensive projects on my car.
how much was the MB OEM grille?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,310
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
Personally I think a car gets to a certain age and some things don't make sense anymore. Its 10 years old, an aftermarket grille is going to be way better than the existing pitted and bubbling and peeling OEM grille, so I would go for it. If it has to be replaced again in a couple years, then replace it again. Spending $1,000 on an OEM grille that is identical makes no sense.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 7
w222
I have one off of ebay, took about an hour to install with me never having done it.
no bubbling, been on for over a year now. It's not perfect but unless you're 3 feet away, you can't tell any difference between now and new.
no bubbling, been on for over a year now. It's not perfect but unless you're 3 feet away, you can't tell any difference between now and new.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
The quality of aftermarket grills are extremely subpar. If you live in a sunny, rainy, snowy area (earth) that grill will be done in a year and a half, two years max.. I went through 2 “high quality” grills in three years, then back to stock. Looked great, for a minute. This was for an E 63pfl to a panAmericana Grill but same difference. This was using the car for about 6k a year
