SL/R231: Grill

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Jun 14, 2023 | 08:59 AM

Hornet2CV

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550SL

Grill

Has anyone changed a SL 550 grill to the GT style grill? I am told it is the exact fit. I have seen one on Autotrader and it looked fantastic. They are shown on eBay but quality is of course questionable. Thanks

Jun 14, 2023 | 02:53 PM

billvp218

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Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 693

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From: USA

m157 SL63

I would have tried the Panamerica grill by now on my car, but they don't make one for the pre-facelift SL63.

Jun 14, 2023 | 04:10 PM

Hornet2CV

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550SL

I think it totally changes the personality of the car. I was shocked to learn that they are (supposed) to be interchangeable. I am trying to research more and hope someone on the forum has experience. With this.

Jun 14, 2023 | 04:33 PM

Jcrew

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From: Rochester NY & Naples FL

SL 400, GLC300, C300

Following

Jun 14, 2023 | 05:10 PM

Hornet2CV

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550SL

From what I have found so far, the Panamericana style grill will fit R231 2012-2016. There is a question about 2017 since there was a mild facelift. I’m still researching. Would appreciate anything anyone can add. The R231 I saw it in was a 2016.

Jun 14, 2023 | 05:51 PM

hornethandler

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Joined: Oct 2019

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From: Nova Scotia, Canada

2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

This claims to be: "Suitable for R231 SL models Facelift Models after April 2016."
https://global.cksperformance.com/pr...gle%20Shopping

Last edited by hornethandler; Jun 14, 2023 at 05:54 PM.

Jun 14, 2023 | 07:53 PM

Hornet2CV

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550SL

Thanks! This is great information. I must add that your Hornet is more impressive than mine which is an antique Citroen 2CV which I nicknamed after the Pink Panther reference to zehornet.🥴

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Jun 14, 2023 | 09:03 PM

Hornet2CV

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550SL

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklybenz

Looks great! Thanks! Is your car 2017? Also, do you recal which eBay site. There are several offering the grill.

Jun 14, 2023 | 09:47 PM

#10

blacklybenz

Newbie

Joined: Jun 2023

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2015 Sl550

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

Looks great! Thanks! Is your car 2017? Also, do you recal which eBay site. There are several offering the grill.

No, it’s a 2015. I didn’t find much info on installing a the grill on a 2015. It was fairly simple. Just don’t break the upper clips on the top of the bumper.

I removed the bumper and the wiring on one side. Then I walked behind the bumper and removed the Distronic parts from the old grill and installed the grill. All of the parts swap over. Super easy!

Jun 15, 2023 | 10:25 AM

#11

hornethandler

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Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 291

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From: Nova Scotia, Canada

2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

Thanks! This is great information. I must add that your Hornet is more impressive than mine which is an antique Citroen 2CV which I nicknamed after the Pink Panther reference to zehornet.🥴

That's one cool little car. I friend drove his from Texas to Nova Scotia back in the 70's.

Jun 15, 2023 | 10:42 AM

#12

Hornet2CV

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550SL

I might have done that as well back in the 70’s when I was young and dumb, now I don’t think I would even want to drive the Benz that far!

Jun 15, 2023 | 11:15 AM

#13

hornethandler

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 291

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From: Nova Scotia, Canada

2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

I might have done that as well back in the 70’s when I was young and dumb, now I don’t think I would even want to drive the Benz that far!

There are very few nicer places to be than inside an SL.

Jun 15, 2023 | 11:46 AM

#14

Wolfman

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From: Land of 10,000 lakes

AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

Nothing is interchangeable here. They are simply aftermarket grills made in China...

Here is a quick size/shape comparison between the facelifted SL and AMG GTC.

Last edited by Wolfman; Jun 15, 2023 at 11:53 AM.

Jun 15, 2023 | 12:08 PM

#15

Hornet2CV

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550SL

Wolfman, thanks for the photo. I guess the question is will the after,ARKit work on 2017 +. It seems a lot of 2016 and earlier work but I can’t get confirmation on 2017 onward. There was a mild facelift in 2017.

Jun 15, 2023 | 12:20 PM

#16

Wolfman

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From: Land of 10,000 lakes

AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

The grill from CKS in the link that hornet handler showed will work on the facelift SL. The silver SL in my pic is a 2017. Keep in mind CKS seems to be in the UK. In Europe the facelift was the 2016 model year as they don't future date model years...

Last edited by Wolfman; Jun 15, 2023 at 12:25 PM.

Jun 15, 2023 | 09:13 PM

#17

rmorin49

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Joined: Dec 2015

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From: Hagerstown MD

2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfman

So it will NOT work on the US pre-facelift models, 2013-2016?

Jun 15, 2023 | 09:33 PM

#18

billvp218

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Joined: Nov 2010

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From: USA

m157 SL63

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorin49

So it will NOT work on the US pre-facelift models, 2013-2016?

there are different ones available that work for those non-AMG models

Jun 15, 2023 | 09:43 PM

#19

rmorin49

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From: Hagerstown MD

2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by billvp218

there are different ones available that work for those non-AMG models

If someone could post a link to a reputable vendor's listing of a grille that will work on a 2015 SL400 I would be most grateful. Thanks.

Jun 15, 2023 | 09:59 PM

#20

Hornet2CV

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550SL

If you will look in EBay there are several there for under $200. I have no idea of the quality but it appears some members have had success with them (see the previous postings). The issue for me is that I have a 2017 and most adds show 2012-2016. You should be ok since you are 2015.

Jun 15, 2023 | 10:22 PM

#21

rmorin49

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From: Hagerstown MD

2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hornet2CV

Thanks. I'm perusing the listings now and looking at feedback. A bit concerned about installing myself. I hae a good family run body shop that repainted my front fascia and did a great job. I'm going to ask what they would charge to replace the grille.

Jun 15, 2023 | 11:24 PM

#22

Hornet2CV

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550SL

I love to wrench a little but I would not attempt this. Let me know the estimate. I have my XKR in the body shop now ( an employee backed into me) and I am going to get a quote from them as well. I am guessing $300-500 labor.