SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: QUESTION ABOUT FRONT BUMPERS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 25, 2019 | 08:19 PM
  #1  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
QUESTION ABOUT FRONT BUMPERS

does anyone know if the 2007-2008 front bumper of the SL550 also installs on a 2003-2006 SL500 AMG sports package?

Last edited by goth; Mar 26, 2019 at 06:00 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2019 | 11:47 PM
  #2  
Ghostty's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
From what i know - yes, it's a direct fit. Anything before the facelift should fit. But i've never swapped myself. Always wanted to change the bumper for an AMG one, but the price (!) and the clear bra on my SL stopped me from doing it


Regards
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2019 | 06:00 AM
  #3  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Ghostty
From what i know - yes, it's a direct fit. Anything before the facelift should fit. But i've never swapped myself. Always wanted to change the bumper for an AMG one, but the price (!) and the clear bra on my SL stopped me from doing it


Regards
i guess this would help


Reply
Old Mar 26, 2019 | 06:01 AM
  #4  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
the SL changed their bumpers for 2007. mine is the blue car and i am wondering if i can swap it with the newer version. and change foglights of course
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2019 | 11:27 PM
  #5  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Your best bet would be to buy a used bumper with all the parts intact. If you are gong to buy new parts, there's actually a lot to a bumper. It consists of the outer painted skin, several inner pieces of energy absorbing foam, a plastic stiffener, the grille panels, fog lights, side markers, some wiring, and a few other support pieces. It's a bit of a pain to assemble. The actual metal "frame" behind the bumper is all the same.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 05:27 AM
  #6  
Frederick NL's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
CAUTION: BRACE FOR OPINION
Goth - why not spend all that time cruisin’ around in your pretty face SL in stead of getting dirty hands and a sore back for a trivial make over... nothing wrong with either front end, but what the heck....
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 06:04 AM
  #7  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Frederick NL
CAUTION: BRACE FOR OPINION
Goth - why not spend all that time cruisin’ around in your pretty face SL in stead of getting dirty hands and a sore back for a trivial make over... nothing wrong with either front end, but what the heck....
i had an accident i need a new bumper
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 06:06 AM
  #8  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
Your best bet would be to buy a used bumper with all the parts intact. If you are gong to buy new parts, there's actually a lot to a bumper. It consists of the outer painted skin, several inner pieces of energy absorbing foam, a plastic stiffener, the grille panels, fog lights, side markers, some wiring, and a few other support pieces. It's a bit of a pain to assemble. The actual metal "frame" behind the bumper is all the same.
totally understand your point however let's assume that i had the total package bumper huh? but it was the 07-08 model
and yet i have the old style currently..... will it work?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 10:27 AM
  #9  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
totally understand your point however let's assume that i had the total package bumper huh? but it was the 07-08 model
and yet i have the old style currently..... will it work?
The inner frame, fenders and headlights are all the same, so it should be bolt-on and you're done.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2019 | 06:49 PM
  #10  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
The inner frame, fenders and headlights are all the same, so it should be bolt-on and you're done.
ok thank you
Reply
Old May 17, 2019 | 09:41 PM
  #11  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
The inner frame, fenders and headlights are all the same, so it should be bolt-on and you're done.
hey guys, i like to give an update on this as i love giving updates. this is NOT an easy swap
there are i don't wanna say completely but they are different cars or bumpers. totally different.
i won't say it's impossible but there have to be some radical changes
07-08 fog lights receive a different set of connectors or they won't work
also the side markers are way too larger above all fender liners on 07-08 model are different as well. 03-06 fender liners are way too big for the 07-08 bumper.
Reply
Old May 17, 2019 | 09:44 PM
  #12  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
The inner frame, fenders and headlights are all the same, so it should be bolt-on and you're done.
hey guys, i like to give an update on this as i love giving updates. this is NOT an easy swap
there are i don't wanna say completely but they are different cars or bumpers. totally different.
i won't say it's impossible but there have to be some radical changes
07-08 fog lights receive a different set of connectors or they won't work
the front grills fit differently on these two models. i am not sure which model has a steeper angle but i have looked online i can't pull up the original 07-08 front grille all i see are modifications and upgrades
also the side markers are way too larger above all fender liners on 07-08 model are different as well. 03-06 fender liners are way too big for the 07-08 bumper.
Reply
Old May 17, 2019 | 10:43 PM
  #13  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
If you had the entire bumper with all parts, it would be a bolt on as the metal frame parts and headlights and mounts points are all the same. If you are trying to adapt just the skin, then yes, you need lots of parts.
Reply
Old May 20, 2019 | 08:44 AM
  #14  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Angry

Originally Posted by Rudeney
If you had the entire bumper with all parts, it would be a bolt on as the metal frame parts and headlights and mounts points are all the same. If you are trying to adapt just the skin, then yes, you need lots of parts.
Rodney of course you are right i hate to argue because you are always right however i am probably pointing out the problems with such a swap
everything has to go. or everything has to be upgraded to 07-08 for it to work.
Reply
Old May 20, 2019 | 02:22 PM
  #15  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Originally Posted by goth
Rodney of course you are right i hate to argue because you are always right
Can you please tell my wife that!

however i am probably pointing out the problems with such a swap
everything has to go. or everything has to be upgraded to 07-08 for it to work.
And another note in that respect is working with all of those internal bumper parts is quite a pain. I've done several, and they plastic stiffeners and foam impact absorbers never seem to fit right, but of course once they are properly placed, it all snaps together. You just have to be careful with the painted skin so you don't damage its finish.
Reply
Old May 31, 2019 | 09:02 PM
  #16  
goth's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2003 SL 500
Originally Posted by Rudeney
Can you please tell my wife that!



And another note in that respect is working with all of those internal bumper parts is quite a pain. I've done several, and they plastic stiffeners and foam impact absorbers never seem to fit right, but of course once they are properly placed, it all snaps together. You just have to be careful with the painted skin so you don't damage its finish.
I will. what's her user ID? lol
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:29 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE