hey, my grill(e) is cracked, and i need a replacement. the outer moulding is okay, only the insert is broken.

i keep looking at the ones on ebay wondering if they are in any way the same. anyone ever tried them? i mean the ones that are new and 50 bucks or so.

i've got a star and a couple of badges. i don't need no stinking badges.

thanks

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1984 300D "Brown (and Blue) Betty" Over 200k but the odometer isn't counting

I'd be curious about the quality of those cheap ebay grilles myself. I'm looking for one for my 300D. My last 300D's grille was oem and the plastic looked like crap after 20 some odd years of being on the road. Could these knock offs be any worse?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I got one from Car Parts Discount out of California. It came and pretty much looked like an MB grille except there were these "warts" around the moulding curves where the metal folded back out of view and joined the hood. I toyed with the idea of just taking out the insert because i needed that the most. Then I decided to send the whole shebang back. They told me that they'd seen a few with the same problem and they would check their stock for a good one and send it to me along with a reimbursement for the shipping of my return. Then a few days later I got a PayPal notice of a tr cancellation/refund. Lost about $25 in shipping for the experience.

Here's some pictures of what they sent me.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1984 300D "Brown (and Blue) Betty" Over 200k but the odometer isn't counting

I've heard of the plastic insert being repainted/coated, but, what to use escapes me at the moment. I've been using an armor-all type product with good results. Not sure if its bad for the material, but this stuff produces a nice dark grey, including turning the whitish scratches and blemishes. Works until I come accross a nice used grill.

A chrome shop should be able to fix your grill crack and recoat, not sure of the cost though. Probably for about the cost of an OEM one. Worth checking out.

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1969 220D "Berta" RIP
1982 300D turbo 250K

I bought two Tiwanese knock-offs from Potomac Auto
http://mbpartsonline.com/index.html

You might be able to find them at a pick and pull.

Both fit great. Remember to reuse or create a new rubber interface strip (innertube and contact cement) and ensure all six or eight screws are present and properly torqued.

The biggest D'oh I did was to forget to snake the plastic hood release tab through the grille BEFORE torquing all the screws down.

Good luck.

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FRANKNBENZ

1985 300D "Old Blue" 265,000 (parts car )
1985 300D "Gray Ghost" 245,000
1985 300D "Silver Bullet" 160,000
1975 914 VW/Porsche "BC Car" 125,000
2010 Prius "Shocking!" 60,000
Text Message only: 301-728-1115

What about the grills that Dieselgiant sells? Any thoughts?

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Check with Phil here, he's got the entire grill assembly for $153, I'm not sure if he has just the insert, but I've seen them at Performance Products for around $25. If the rest of your grill is original, I'd just replace the whole thing.

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Houston, Texas
1984 300CD 235K miles, Elvira, one owner
1987 300TD 180K miles
1974 TR6 78K miles Sarah Jane, one owner
OBK #27