C43 Bumpers / Wheel Arch Extenders / W202 rear light lens

[converse120]

Hello everyone, just joined, first post.

Just bought my first MB, a 1999 C43, which I’m delighted with. I’ve got a few questions that I hope someone can answer; I’ve checked in the forums and can’t find obvious answers.

1. Bumpers. I’ve seen pictures of others’ C43s where the bumpers, and especially at the sides, seem to be a tighter fit to the rest of the body than mine. It’s possible to wobble them a fair bit. Question is – should there be any play and can I adjust them to bring the top of the bumper closer to the rest of the body? Would it be an easy DIY job?

2. Rear Light Cluster. I need a new one (driver’s side), as the current one has some damage. Local MB parts counter wants £82 for one. Any suggestions for alternatives?

3. I’ve got the rubbery wheel arch extenders, which I'm not personally very keen on. They seem to be stick-on, so should I remove them using the same method as I will for the badges – hairdryer, dental floss and Autoglym tar remover? My only doubt about this is the condition of the metal/paint underneath.

Other questions on different subjects to follow in due course, in the correct forums.

Thanks in anticipation

Ian

 

[Mambo]

Welcome and congrats on your good choice of car . As for your questions,

1. My bumpers have no play in them at all, I'd check to see if they have worked themselves loose over time. I think there has recently been a HOW TO posted that describes the method to remove the rear bumpers

2. Mercman may be able to help you out:

E-Mail : [email protected]
Tel : 023 8078 4444
Fax: 023 8078 2444
url : http://www.mercman.net

3. I had mine removed by the dealer when I bought my car, IMHO ligher colour cars look better without these strips. As far as I recall they are only stuck on with glue so I presume the hairdryer technique will work although I couldn't say 100%. I do remember the dealer saying that it was a pig of a job though....

Hope that helps! Post some pics of your new toy

 

[faizy]

hi, have u still got them rubbery wheel arch extenders???

 

[Koolvin]

Congrats on purchase! the wheel arches are just stuck on! you removal methods should be fine.

 

[Thmsshaun]

3. I’ve got the rubbery wheel arch extenders, which I'm not personally very keen on. They seem to be stick-on, so should I remove them using the same method as I will for the badges – hairdryer, dental floss and Autoglym tar remover? My only doubt about this is the condition of the metal/paint underneath.

Ian

Superb Purchase

I removed the rubber strips. Paintwork was fine underneath. They just peeled off without too much trouble and I used WD40 to remove the sticky crud left over. Tar aremover should do the job I imagine.

 

[C43AMG]

My bumper on the C43 was loose on the off side corner front, i got my bodywork man to have a look, it was the frame under the bumper that had cracked which he replaced. it is as firm as a rock now.Congrats on the C43.

As for the rubber arches because my car is Obsidian Black i have kept mine as they don't stick out, if yours is silver i can undestand why you want to take them off.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I have been trying to source the plastic wheel arch extensions used for years! If they come off in good condition, let me know what you want for them.

 

[c13tay]

Everyone

Same as Graham

Wanted these for ages - if anyone has them lying around ??????

Chris

 

[High-Lo]

For Q2 here is a new drivers rear cluster on eBay for BIN £47 inc delivery.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-C-Class-Rear-Light_W0QQitemZ4615854932QQcategoryZ10398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Personally though I'd recommend sourcing the smoked OEM ones for not much more.

 

[Koolvin]

For Q2 here is a new drivers rear cluster on eBay for BIN £47 inc delivery.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-C-Class-Rear-Light_W0QQitemZ4615854932QQcategoryZ10398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Personally though I'd recommend sourcing the smoked OEM ones for not much more.

That would look really odd!, he needs a facelift, facelift smoked one! that one is from the early W202's 1994-95 (there were 3 styles of tail lights)

 

[Thmsshaun]

They should come off ok. Mine were perfect but I binned then.

 

[High-Lo]

That would look really odd!, he needs a facelift, facelift smoked one! that one is from the early W202's 1994-95 (there were 3 styles of tail lights)

Koolvin that would be a direct replacement for what Ian already has. Check this thread for pics

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=217411#post217411

I'm sure they should have been red/clear though for the C43 and not red/clear/amber. The smoked ones would look much better. I thought the amber ones were only used on the 'Classic' and 'Esprit' model W202's at that time.

 

[converse120]

Thanks guys for the replies, but you'll see that I posted the question last year, round about June !

The answer to the questions about the rubber wheel arch strips is that I took them off, but they were a bit of a b*gger, and got a bit messed up in the process, so they got binned.

Regarding the rear light clusters, I posted a couple of days ago about this, and it turns out I've got non-standard (for the C43) unsmoked red, amber, white clusters. I will get round to putting the correct items on at some point, but yesterday's B service put my car maintenance fund into debit. Had the B service, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, coolant, brake fluid, new steering damper, new control arm bushes & new battery.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Koolvin]

thanks H-L

yikes!!!!

what's your car doing with those old school lights?

 

[Koolvin]

Thanks guys for the replies, but you'll see that I posted the question last year, round about June !

Cheers

Ian

 

[converse120]

thanks H-L

yikes!!!!

what's your car doing with those old school lights?

Don't know, but it did worry me a bit when my esteemed forum colleagues made me aware. I'm over it now though ! Now I've had it serviced for the first time I know the car is basically sound and I'm relishing the prospect of getting the car into tip-top condition as and when funds allow.

 

[GrahamC230K]

It's funny when an old thread gets woken up an nobody clocks how old it is!

Converse - can you make the Warwickshire GTG?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=23338&page=2

 

[converse120]

Thanks for the prompt about the GTG, I hadn't seen the post about it. Don't know yet, will reply to the thread proper when I know more.

Cheers

Ian

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Another wheel arch extender wanter!