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Tracy: wattage like this coming through the AAM is asking for trouble later on. There, you've been warned, I can sleep well tonight.
Nick: The style 1 brush guard is pretty tough. I can sit on it and it won't move at all, so no ideal why it won't support the "weight" of any foglights you care to install. I haven't seen or heard of any damage due to minor impacts. The condensor for the A/C would be damaged before the radiator would, but at any rate, if the brush guard would cause any damage to the radiator or condensor, the front end is going to be pretty trashed regardless of if the brush guard is there or not.
What I believe I mentioned is the center bracket, not the center bar. I don't see it in the picture you attached. It goes behind the top of the bar, goes through the black plastic mesh insert, then bends downward and bolts to the back side of the actual metal bumper, not the plastic cover. It uses a special fastener to attach to the bumper, it would be almost impossible to bolt the center bracket to the bumper without this special fastener, it's hard enough as is.
If you decide you don't like the guard, the plastic mesh insert would need to be replaced, a section has to be cut out to install the center bracket. I don't think the mesh insert is very expensive to replace, though. Other than that you wouldn't be able to tell it was there.
The whole job, when new, is about 3 hours to do. I would plan on about the same amount to install a used one.
Price is "OK", not a super buy, but not bad.
A new style 1 black brushguard BQ6880075 retails for $450, I believe this includes the skid plate, I don't see a seperate listing for the skid plate. A chrome one BQ6880076 is $500. Shipping would be included, price is at the parts counter.
The hardware kit less gaskets is $20, BQ6880066, I don't know what is all included, probably not the center bracket, but maybe the bolt and fastener for the center bracket.
You could check with MercedesShop on prices, they may be able to give you a better price, but don't forget shipping costs as compared to your dealer.
The style 2 guards are a bit more and include no skid plate. The skid plates for style 2 is pretty pricey.
Also about license plates, on the style 1, the original bracket is used, don't have to move it at all.
I already looked, so far I can find no installation instructions.
I would try to find out if the seller has ALL the hardware to install this, as I also don't see a bracket that is needed on one of the side brackets where it attaches to the frame.
Gilly
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