elviento

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.

SDSL

Good job, it looks nice !

Where did you source the part and how much was it? Would you call the final jury-rigged fit "secure"?

elviento

Thanks. Bought on ebay. The fit is "reasonably secure". I can't imagine it flying off while driving at least.

Sunir

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?

mjr24

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."

SDSL

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.

OUTCAST

SDSL can you take a pic of the tab your talking about. I am interested in the mod and my car is black. thanks in advance.

SDSL

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.

OUTCAST

Thanks for the pics and it looks great too.

jcjblo

Where on Ebay can you find the 07 R230 SL Grill to purchase? I can only find grills for the previous model (up to 2002 SLs) for sale.

SDSL

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.

Murtaza

Thanks for the info guys, I'll be doing transferring the 07 grill from my 500 onto my 55 sometime next week after painting it black

Murtaza

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

VendettaMB

might be doing soon..good info!

GFEAR

i thought you were selling it?

mlandis

Heh -- almost as bad as the 91 Accord I had back in the day. The 90 and 91 rear bumpers were identical -- except one had the bolts attached to the bumper, while the other had the bolts attached to the frame. Go figure.

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?

VendettaMB

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.

Quadrobenz

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.