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I am slowly taking care of a few of the cosmetic items that were lagging on my '06 SL500, my next target are the bumper inserts; I'm not sure what you call them actually, I've been googling around and can't find much. It looks like they just pop out, but I don't want to go into this blindly, 3 of the 4 are scuffed and have been touched up- I was thinking that I could just buy 4 new ones, have them painted to match and snap them in....if it's that easy. Insight to the front and rear appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I attempted to touch these inserts on my 2005 SL500 once. I broke two clips with almost no pressure, so I'd be careful trying to remove them. The plastic is exceedingly brittle.
I feared/assumed that-- That's why before I tried to remove them I wanted to have the new ones on hand and painted. I can't seem to find a part #, mine does not have parking sensors.
anything is hard for me, not too handy-- but even if I paid someone they'd still have to pop them out to paint, correct? It seems like the "corner pieces" should be something not too hard to find, but not my experience so far.
if you scroll down a bit on the page in this link, you will find it listed as #24 . It looks like you can still get it already painted (in some colors, but mostly for "parktronic" cars). It is arouind $100 each. I think I have an extra set (cubanite silver/parktronic) . https://www.mbdirectparts.com/v-2003...mponents-front
thanks for the link- looks like slim pickings on the non-parktronic; I guess I could use parktronic ones, there will just be nothing connected to them. Also, the image don't show a space for the light, I wonder if that is just an oversight in the drawing.
thanks for the link- looks like slim pickings on the non-parktronic; I guess I could use parktronic ones, there will just be nothing connected to them. Also, the image don't show a space for the light, I wonder if that is just an oversight in the drawing.
While the lack of parking light in the graphic(s) may be an oversite (in some or all of the drawings), I believe they all came with the light omitted in some markets - so best to make sure before ordering anything.
Worth looking into, Bumper rejuvination companies (who supply repaired bumpers to body shops which are obligated by insurers to explore "refurbs" first) could have these laying around (from bumpers that were otherwise unsalvageable - or from bumpers that needed parktronic inserts). So, you might try contacting some of these guys (you could get a set already sanded/primed for a fair price if they have them).
thanks so much Chris, do you have any specific companies you've dealt with for bumpers?
There was a bumper refurber near me (in Santa Clara Ca) that I had worked with some years ago ... but their facility was devoured by a server farm (and I don't know where they went). Over the years, (before and since) I have had several (4?) sl55 and slk32 bumpers replaced by the body shop (not my fault, I swear : ) and they ALWAYS check for refurbs first (SO, you could check with any body shop for a local refurber).
Or, you can do a google search for "refurbished bumpers", etc . Here is one that I just found and then I clicked on a link for SL500 bumper and got this. (see below) of course, it is pricey, but if you look closely you will see the inserts do NOT seem to be included - which could suggest that they are available separately. http://www.1stqualitybumper.com/deta...71&Model=Sl500