blueSL

The slatted radiator grille of the 129 is vulnerable to damage from flying stones and very expensive to replace - about $700.

It turns out that the individual slats are available separately so if, as in my case, you have just one or two which have been damaged, it is much less costly to replace just the ones you need.

I replaced the top-most one, part no 129 888 0038, cost about $70.

morebhp

Wow - what a price. I damaged a few of the bars on my last R129 by driving 'too far into the garage' (hit the motorbike at the back).

I will defintely get around to putting an old motorbike tyre between the bike and the car to avoid doing the same to the latest SL.

blueSL

I use a pair of inflatable sausages (don't know what you call them) that boat owners use, suspended from the garage ceiling - has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.

As regards the bars, it's not quite the ideal solution I envisaged - there colour match is not bad but not perfect, I assume there's some change over time (8 years in my case). Also, all the bars except the top one are rivetted in place so not the easiest to replace.

Ken Silver

What about painting the grill black (for a black body)? How would this look, and has anyone done it?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate (my wife's)

eabul

Ken Silver

Hmm, looks a bit bare without the Star.

Thanks!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate (my wife's)

atomsrock

The last time that I brought my 2002 SL500 tot he dealership for service, they inadvertantly got some liquid on the front grill which stained it.

I brought it to their attention and they replaced it at no charge, no questions.

They stated that it was either wax or the protein based solvent used to detail it.



C.