SL/R230: 07 Grill for Pre-07 SL
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07 Grill for Pre-07 SL
OK, as someone had mentioned previously, the 07 grill is NOT compatible w/ previous SLs, but after some surgery I did, I managed to fit it on my SL.
Basically just compare side by side with your original girll, and cut away part of the lower plastic lip on the 07 grill, based on the difference. I also had to cut down the two bulging tabs on the front bumper a little bit. Top of the grill is the same so you can safety fasten the top. Overall, thumbs down for MB for making these unnecessary changes to make our lives a bit more difficult.
Sorry I don't have step-by-step pictures, but you will know what I am saying once you have the two side by side.
Here are a couple of pics to show you the new look -- in Aegean blue.
Basically just compare side by side with your original girll, and cut away part of the lower plastic lip on the 07 grill, based on the difference. I also had to cut down the two bulging tabs on the front bumper a little bit. Top of the grill is the same so you can safety fasten the top. Overall, thumbs down for MB for making these unnecessary changes to make our lives a bit more difficult.
Sorry I don't have step-by-step pictures, but you will know what I am saying once you have the two side by side.
Here are a couple of pics to show you the new look -- in Aegean blue.
Last edited by elviento; Jun 3, 2008 at 10:37 AM.
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
how easy is it to remove the factory grille on my '03 SL and paint it to match the car (black) with exception of the star, then put it back on...would that me a pretty easy process. Should I get it done at a body shop?
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From: Texas
M6 Gran Coupe
I was the one who tried this a few years ago and it did not fit. Then some moron body-shop guy came on and said he did it.
Exactly...he probably did...with surgery. I'm not cutting stuff off a $100k car and rigging in a grille "hoping it doesn't fall off while driving."
Exactly...he probably did...with surgery. I'm not cutting stuff off a $100k car and rigging in a grille "hoping it doesn't fall off while driving."
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SLK55AMG
So I thought I'd give this a try and will add some thoughts.
Bought the OEM part from EBay.
The grill slats are definitely nicer (chrome edged), the center star is actually a downgrade in quality from the star on the four-slat version. But overall the appearance is an improvement (obviously subjective opinion). The net effect is also a slight extension of the trunk line in front, making the nose look longer.
Sunir, the removal couldn't be easier. Four screws on top and pull up, so about 2 minutes.
The '07 grill can be installed without "surgery" to the part or car and secure fit achieved. Elviento, I understand why you did what you did to the part, but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'll also add that I think cutting down the "two bulging tabs" on the bumper would depend on the color of the car and the owner's **** retentiveness. My car is silver and the tabs protrude about 1 mm, so I opted not to.
I really want to emphasize how easy this was to do and the secure fit afterwards, because it seems some owners are interested in doing this but have been discouraged by what they've heard. There is no reason NOT to do this, if you're so inclined.
Thanks Elviento, for being the guinea pig and posting your comments, otherwise I wouldn't have tried it myself.
Bought the OEM part from EBay.
The grill slats are definitely nicer (chrome edged), the center star is actually a downgrade in quality from the star on the four-slat version. But overall the appearance is an improvement (obviously subjective opinion). The net effect is also a slight extension of the trunk line in front, making the nose look longer.
Sunir, the removal couldn't be easier. Four screws on top and pull up, so about 2 minutes.
The '07 grill can be installed without "surgery" to the part or car and secure fit achieved. Elviento, I understand why you did what you did to the part, but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'll also add that I think cutting down the "two bulging tabs" on the bumper would depend on the color of the car and the owner's **** retentiveness. My car is silver and the tabs protrude about 1 mm, so I opted not to.
I really want to emphasize how easy this was to do and the secure fit afterwards, because it seems some owners are interested in doing this but have been discouraged by what they've heard. There is no reason NOT to do this, if you're so inclined.
Thanks Elviento, for being the guinea pig and posting your comments, otherwise I wouldn't have tried it myself.
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SLK55AMG
Here ya go...
You have to be standing close and actively looking for the tabs to see them. The first picture is from about two feet away, the second, about a foot.
You have to be standing close and actively looking for the tabs to see them. The first picture is from about two feet away, the second, about a foot.
Last edited by SDSL; Jun 23, 2008 at 11:51 PM.
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SLK55AMG
Like any other specialty item it's hit or miss on EBay. Obviously listings came up within two weeks of each other for Elviento and me, so they aren't that rare. I'm sure you could source it from the dealer at three times the EBay price or perhaps from a body shop at a discount. I recommend searching on "Mercedes SL550", which also returns some other interesting items from time to time.
Last edited by SDSL; Jul 11, 2008 at 12:33 AM.
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C63S coupe, X5M
Anyone have pics of the bottom of the 07 grill? I got the top screws off but I couldn't figure out the tabs, tried to pry it out with no luck. So instead I put on my blacked out grill and I like it
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From: In a VAN down by the river
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
So I thought I'd give this a try and will add some thoughts.
Bought the OEM part from EBay.
The grill slats are definitely nicer (chrome edged), the center star is actually a downgrade in quality from the star on the four-slat version. But overall the appearance is an improvement (obviously subjective opinion). The net effect is also a slight extension of the trunk line in front, making the nose look longer.
Sunir, the removal couldn't be easier. Four screws on top and pull up, so about 2 minutes.
The '07 grill can be installed without "surgery" to the part or car and secure fit achieved. Elviento, I understand why you did what you did to the part, but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'll also add that I think cutting down the "two bulging tabs" on the bumper would depend on the color of the car and the owner's **** retentiveness. My car is silver and the tabs protrude about 1 mm, so I opted not to.
I really want to emphasize how easy this was to do and the secure fit afterwards, because it seems some owners are interested in doing this but have been discouraged by what they've heard. There is no reason NOT to do this, if you're so inclined.
Thanks Elviento, for being the guinea pig and posting your comments, otherwise I wouldn't have tried it myself.
Bought the OEM part from EBay.
The grill slats are definitely nicer (chrome edged), the center star is actually a downgrade in quality from the star on the four-slat version. But overall the appearance is an improvement (obviously subjective opinion). The net effect is also a slight extension of the trunk line in front, making the nose look longer.
Sunir, the removal couldn't be easier. Four screws on top and pull up, so about 2 minutes.
The '07 grill can be installed without "surgery" to the part or car and secure fit achieved. Elviento, I understand why you did what you did to the part, but in my opinion, it's not necessary. I'll also add that I think cutting down the "two bulging tabs" on the bumper would depend on the color of the car and the owner's **** retentiveness. My car is silver and the tabs protrude about 1 mm, so I opted not to.
I really want to emphasize how easy this was to do and the secure fit afterwards, because it seems some owners are interested in doing this but have been discouraged by what they've heard. There is no reason NOT to do this, if you're so inclined.
Thanks Elviento, for being the guinea pig and posting your comments, otherwise I wouldn't have tried it myself.
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Awesome! I can see why you trimmed the plastic -- that is a really tight fit! Well done.
As a fellow Aegean blue driver, may I congratulate you on your excellent color taste?
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From: In a VAN down by the river
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
I have it listed for sale. But nobody buys a expensive car here private. I will enjoy it till I sell or trade in. A few hundred $ won't kill me on a car i'm 50k + into.
Last edited by VendettaMB; Aug 14, 2009 at 01:15 PM.
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
SDSL, great pictures. You appear to have the Distronic compatible version of this grill. It looks identical (minus one slat) to the grill in my 2005 SL600 with Distronic. It does look good.
