W204 lower front grille question

[stupot]

Hello all,

Brand newbie here and as yet without an MB but just ordered new C-Class C220CDI SE Auto today due June 3rd.

Will be my first MB and after just turning 40, think I deserve one. Had couple of Golf TDI's last 6 years which been pleased with especially current GT with DSG but fancied a change.

My question, if someone can point me in right direction, is - I would like to mod the lower grille of my SE to look like Sports version. From pics, lookslike a kinda honeycomb or metallic mesh instead of plain plastic. Also, would like to chrome the front fogs. Would I have to get these items from dealer as OEM or are there other shops?

Have done some google searching but as W204 fairly new to UK, not finding too many mod shops. Maybe just not looking in right place.

Any help much appreciated.

Great site by the way and I look forward to many future discussions.

Cheers, Stu

 

[whitenemesis]

Hi and welcome

I would hazard a guess you will need to get any parts from MB

As you are ordering a new car, why didn't you specify these at the time?

 

[SEM]

New mods are pretty hard to come by at the moment for the W204. You are correct the lower grill is plastic and would look nice as is is in chrome.
Keep us posted on anything you find

 

[stupot]

Thanks for responses. Car is via a company lease arrangement and unfortunately exterior mods from different lines were not on the options lists. I guess though could speak to supplying dealer and enquire?

Will let you know how I get on.

 

[st13phil]

Hi Stupot, and welcome.

As far as the chrome for the foglamps goes, you could use the corresponding parts from the Elegance model. Regarding the lower grill, you can't use the part from the Sport model because the aperture is a different shape. If you look at the sides of the lower grill, on the SE and Elegance model they are closer together at the bottom than the top; on the Sport model it's the other way around, i.e. they splay out at the bottom (take a look a pictures on the Mercedes-Benz website and you'll see what I mean).

As someone else who has driven VW TDI cars for the last few years (a 130 bhp Bora then a 150 bhp Golf) who has recently moved to a C-Class I can tell you that you're in for a treat

 

[jeremytaylor]

Welcome to the forum.

The mod is a nice idea, but won't the leasing company throw a fit?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Join up to HERE and im sure one of our American friends will be able to help you.

 

[Flash]

Does the leasing company not do the Sports Edition trim model (comes with the full AMG styling and grill?)

 

[stupot]

Unfortunately, I am on a budget for the per month cost and there is also a limit I am allowed to go to (about £27.5k) so had to settle for the SE in base black with Artico and heated seats as only options.

Would be fab to afford/allowed a Sport but not to be although after test driving VW Golf 2.0 GT TDi 170 DSG and new Volvo S40 2.0d R-design Sport with Powershift, the Merc won so had to compromise on extra's a bit.

Got some AMG pedal covers though in readiness as a treat. Will wait for car to come and see how I feel about other mods then. May end up just leaving as is as like mentioned above, wouldn't want to go OTT anyway as at end of day, is a lease car.

Cheers all. Stu

 

[st13phil]

Unfortunately, I am on a budget for the per month cost and there is also a limit I am allowed to go to (about £27.5k) so had to settle for the SE in base black with Artico and heated seats as only options.

I quite understand the difficulties of getting the spec you want within the rules of a car scheme, which is why I opted for the cash alternative!

If you can squeeze it in, Parameter Steering makes a huge difference to how the car feels to drive and is worth considering. BTW, is it an auto or a manual that you've gone for?

 

[SEM]

Unfortunately, cost and there is also a limit I am allowed to go to (about £27.5k)
Cheers all. Stu

I got mine 2 months old 2k on the clock was, £35k got it less than your limit. so does have to be an new one from scratch?

 

[stupot]

Have gone for auto and does have to be a new car. Can't get cash option as job not senior enuff. Is a tool of trade car, 10k miles per year to keep but I'm not complaining as getting a brand new Merc for first time ever. Also get the option to buy car at end of lease to keep/sell on.

Hate wishing time away but can't wait for car now know is ordered.