kmsbenz

Hello, I was wondering what people with 98 SLKs are doing about the black molding at on the bottom sides. I know of somebody who painted the black to match the body color (silver), but I don't know how that would hold up in harsh Ohio winters. I was also looking at the body kits but didn't really want to do that if possible. What is everyone's experience with the black strip? kevin

apricotscrub

dont mess with it dude

Brian_R170

Here's something that's reasonably cheap and easy and looks good.

Remove the black front and rear bumper skirt and have them sanded, primed, and painted to match the rest of the body, then reinstall. Then buy a pair of side skirts from the Mercedes dealer for an '01 or newer SLK. Have them painted to match the rest of the body. Make sure you use and experienced body shop that will use the correct (flexible) paint, etc. Total cost should be under $1000.

Another option would be to keep an eye out for a set of used front and rear bumper aprons and side skirts from an '01 or newer SLK. They show up on ebay and in the classified forums every once in awhile because somebody upgrades to an aftermarket body kit.

Supra

by replacing the front bumper , do we need to have a new set of fog light to replace the old one ..... ???

thank you very much

Brian_R170

Yes. The fog lights from a '98-'00 are different from the '01-'04.

I don't know if they come with the bumper when you buy it from Mercedes. I know the AMG bumpers used to include the fog lamps.

Supra

ic , thx a lot

CAR4TWO

Shoot an email to my SLK4Fun address and I will forward pictures of what I did to skirt my 1999 SLK..

I'm new here and don't know how to post pictures.

Dan

Brian_R170

Hey Dan, haven't seen you on the forums in a couple years. Here's some pics of your car linked from Torsten's page (mbslk.de).

Brian UK

Looks like Dan has put a Brabus front skirt Lorrenser sils and an AMG rear assembley together to make a very smart rig.

Brian_R170

Dan, I'd say that's a tribute to the quality of the work you had done.

Brian UK, the side skirts are Lorinser, but the front and rear skirts are just the stock black plastic skirts on pre-facelift SLKs. Dan had them professionally sanded and painted to match the body.

This is very similar to what I suggested in my original reply to this thread, except that I suggested buying OEM side skirts from a post-facelift SLK.

It's a big improvement over the look of the pre-facelift non-sport SLKs. Maybe Dan can fill us in on the cost of his modification. I doubt it was much higher than my estimate of $1000 using OEM post-facelift side skirts.

Brian UK

Yes would be very interested to hear about costings and dont forget effort. Have to log off now - early start tomorrow - will be takeing my SLK on a trip from Hampshire up to the English Lake district - look in when I return from the holiday (best part for me is the journey )