Variable number of rungs on radiator grills - why?

[Cliff_G]

Not the most important thing in the world, but does anyone know if there is any rhyme or reason to the number of "rungs" that Mercedes put on the radiator grills?

My 1997 E320 Avantgarde has 5 rungs (6 spaces), whereas a neighbour's 2002 E-class Avantgarde (no badge on back so not sure of engine - but is petrol) has 4 rungs (5 spaces)

I think I've seen anything from 2 rungs (3 spaces - they look very wide and sometimes have unchromed rungs in the middle) to getting on for 7, but then it's hard to count that number when they are flying past you in the other direction.

It seems to me that a German company would have a reason for this variation.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

They are called Avantgard Grills, Elegance or classic have less 'rungs' most of us w202 owners have had them fitted

 

[Shude]

I think really it's that there is a certain distance betweem the chrome bars and that some grills are just taller than others