What is this behind the front grill in the pic.
im thinking of buying a used car that has this option on it however i wont be using this feature so i was wondering if its possible to remove that piece.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
no - cannot be removed...if you replace the distronic grill with a regular grill your cruise control won't work too well as the distronic sensor has difficulties seeing through the grill and it will throw "clean sensor" messages.
Regardless whether you think you will use distronic or not - it is automatically engaged every single time you use your cruise control....and once you know how to use the distronic you will definitely like it; IMHO it is one of the best options a car can have!
greetingz,
Regardless whether you think you will use distronic or not - it is automatically engaged every single time you use your cruise control....and once you know how to use the distronic you will definitely like it; IMHO it is one of the best options a car can have!
greetingz,
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
In general, I would say that it isn't recommended. I have this on my car and the lens doesn't bother me at all. The only downside to it is that you can not swap to an aftermarket grill.
One thought though...I wonder if you could shut of Distronic in Star and put a standard grill on while retaining the use of the basic cruise control?
My car has distronic and I simply replaced the grille. It works fine except when its raining really hard... and in Phoenix thats like once a month. It works wonders in traffic as it doubles as a collision warning system (it beeps at you if you approach an object moving too fast that is at a much lower rate of speed than you are.. cars, bikes, joggers, construction barricades, M5 and M6 etc...).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
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From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
My car has distronic and I simply replaced the grille. It works fine except when its raining really hard... and in Phoenix thats like once a month. It works wonders in traffic as it doubles as a collision warning system (it beeps at you if you approach an object moving too fast that is at a much lower rate of speed than you are.. cars, bikes, joggers, construction barricades, M5 and M6 etc...).
What happens when it is raining?
My car has distronic and I simply replaced the grille. It works fine except when its raining really hard... and in Phoenix thats like once a month. It works wonders in traffic as it doubles as a collision warning system (it beeps at you if you approach an object moving too fast that is at a much lower rate of speed than you are.. cars, bikes, joggers, construction barricades, M5 and M6 etc...).

Nice.
When it rains cpu says that Distronic malfunctioned (or something like that) and has been deactivated. Upon restart it is fine. Cruise still works, just not adaptive cruise or collision detection. Also hit you with a more detailed PM
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From: Sydney, Australia
2017 S63 Coupe Iridium Silver
It looks far worse in the E63 or any other face lifted W211 with DISTRONIC. The whole middle of the grille is fake louvers with painted on chrome slats...yuck!



