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SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
Facelift front grille
Hey guys,
Has anyone seen any aftermarket front grills that look similar to the facelift model that will fit the pre-facelift? Personally, I really like it compared with the original and I'd like to change mine. I haven't been able to find one so thought I'd throw it out there. Cheers.
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
@Streamliner Yes, I realize that. It was the grille style I like not necessarily the shape. My personal taste is that I prefer that style over the original. I'm sure it's not for everyone...
Yep - I realise that (I mentioned them ). I had the same setup on my R172 SLK and hated the look. A member mentioned that he did not like the silver bling on the facelift.
Personally, I would have the grille on the Facelift R231 SL over the DRLs on the pre-facelift. They look like an afterthought.
Don’t like the zillion silver stars on the grill? Go to the hardware store and get a spray can of Rustoleum! 😁
You might be joking, but I'm half planning on doing just that...at least to the non-chrome part of the (here insert whatever you call that huge silver ugly thing that holds the giant tri-star). When I find my car, that is...
I'd really like to see one of these with a plain, all-black grill just once. I think it would make the car look much more serious. But then, I'd also like to see one just once with chrome wire wheels too, so don't pay any attention to me.
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Jan 15, 2020 at 06:46 PM.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’ve been thinking of trying to modify the front end of my car, using the SL65AMG chrome trim pieces. The front bumper for the AMG cars has a different part number from the one used on the non-AMG cars, but I suspect it is only because of mounting holes for the trim pieces. The more I look at the AMG bumpers, shown on three AMG cars here, the more I think I am right. What does it look like to you folks? Do the bumpers themselves look the same to you? The white car in the middle is an SL63AMG with the black trim, but the shape is the same. My car is the last photo.
Last edited by Streamliner; Jan 16, 2020 at 12:43 AM.
Those huge 'air intake holes' on each side of the lower grille, (see the blue car pic in Post #13 above), just don't look right to my eye!
Attempts to 'dress up 'the huge holes' by adding those chrome 'eyebrow strips' above is understandable, but the original 'AMG-inspired grille design is still so much better looking... Would have preferred that MB keep the original 231 grille design, (both upper and lower), and changed only the headlights design for the 231 facelift done in 2017. Not a fan of the 'silver bullets' that MB added to the upper grille in 2017 either, but at least you can 'black those out' with some flat black paint if you don't like them!
Those huge 'air intake holes' on each side of the lower grille, (see the blue car pic in Post #13 above), just don't look right to my eye!
Attempts to 'dress up 'the huge holes' by adding those chrome 'eyebrow strips' above is understandable, but the original 'AMG-inspired grille design is still so much better looking... Would have preferred that MB keep the original 231 grille design, (both upper and lower), and changed only the headlights design for the 231 facelift done in 2017. Not a fan of the 'silver bullets' that MB added to the upper grille in 2017 either, but at least you can 'black those out' with some flat black paint if you don't like them!
The air intake design is AMG’s current design language and can be found on every AMG. This is what people pay for to some extend.
The first gen. R231 SL’s featured AMG’s prior design language which used to be known for their split sideskirts and pronounced lower bumper lips.
Unlike the SL550, the AMG’s have more oil coolers/radiators and these engines need air to cool. The new design increased the airflow and have a practical purpose too.
I like the AMG grill insert better (twin horizontal bars). I believe they are exchangeable on the facelift model, on the first.gen It is not.
Stream, the primary difference between the bumpers is the lower bumper guard and oil cooler opening/inserts. The easy route for you maybe the edition model bumper chrome insert. If the edition model bumper has the same part number, the chrome strip can be added without any modifications
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I guess I wasn’t clear in my post.
The big question, is do we think that the design of the bumper covers are the same? If they are, other than trim mounting holes, then one could obtain the additional trim pieces and mount them on their existing, non-AMG bumpers. I guess the only way I’m going to find out, is to buy the pieces and see if I can make them work.
I guess I wasn’t clear in my post.
The big question, is do we think that the design of the bumper covers are the same? If they are, other than trim mounting holes, then one could obtain the additional trim pieces and mount them on their existing, non-AMG bumpers. I guess the only way I’m going to find out, is to buy the pieces and see if I can make them work.
It's not the same bumper. So no. The chrome trim around the air intakes may work but the bottom bumper trim will not.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Wolfman
It's not the same bumper. So no. The chrome trim around the air intakes may work but the bottom bumper trim will not.
You know that I always respect your opinions and your wealth of information, but how do you know this? I have scrutinized the two bumpers as best I can and the more I look at them,
the more I believe they are the same shape and proportions. Can you think of anyway to absolutely know for sure, without actually holding those bottom trim pieces up to it and seeing
if they will fit?
You know that I always respect your opinions and your wealth of information, but how do you know this? I have scrutinized the two bumpers as best I can and the more I look at them,
the more I believe they are the same shape and proportions. Can you think of anyway to absolutely know for sure, without actually holding those bottom trim pieces up to it and seeing
if they will fit?
I understand your concern. But yes, I am certain.
Here are the part numbers (MY17+):
The SL63 & 65 bumpers are the same (231-885-76-00-9999)
The SL450 & 550 bumpers are the same (231-885-19-00-9999)
EDIT: I corrected the post as the bumper lip on the SL550 also appears removable, so the lower lip could fit... SL450-550 SL63-65
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.
). I had the same setup on my R172 SLK and hated the look. A member mentioned that he did not like the silver bling on the facelift.
