Just curious... how does the W123 look with this grille? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Cr from Texas · #16 08-01-2009, 08:16 PM

I think I saw the listing on ebay (new part).

scoodidabop · #17 08-01-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

There is an after market grill insert SL (?) style with the big MB star in the middle. Anyone have a picture of a 123 with this insert?

I think those look funny on a w123 b/c you have the big center grille star, then the hood star just above it. I love MB's but that's just too many stars too look at.

MBeige · #18 08-02-2009, 03:30 AM

W123s with the large star on the grille only work with coupes and those without the factory hood star. Other than that, they're pointless and make it look tacky.

pj67coll · #19 08-02-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Thanks Peter. Do you have pics of your car's grille? I've been looking for a better alternative to the gray I have, it's not the best I should say. If I go with a lighter shade, but still darker than a brand new factory plastic insert, I'm going for that and change the Euro headlight surrounds to the gray type (I have both).

I do. This is how it looked when I got it...

This is how it looked after cleaning up the front end...

I cleaned up the chrome and threw away the original plastic grille which was too badly damaged to repair. Sourced another one from a fellow forum member and primed it with grey primer. Then sprayed it with a can of Tamiya model paint. Not certain of the color now as this was a couple of years ago but it was either "Lufwaffe Grey Violet", "German Tank Grey" or "German Grey". I think it was probably one of the latter two which might have been the same color.

- Peter.

- Peter.

scoodidabop · #20 08-03-2009, 12:36 AM

Whoa! That looks awesome! New chrome strips?

pj67coll · #21 08-03-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoodidabop

Whoa! That looks awesome! New chrome strips?

Thanks. Not new strips. Some were from the original grille, some from the plastic insert I got from a fellow member. I just mixed and matched the best ones.

- Peter.

MBeige · #22 08-03-2009, 01:02 AM

Nice work Peter! Now you need to get new or fresh headlight covers. New ones also come in a darker shade than the faded ones, so it should match the new grille.

IMHO one of the nicest and cheapest things you can do to freshen up the look of the car is to change the plastic insert, chrome strips, MB wreath emblem and get new headlight covers (for US spec) or new lenses (for Euro models). The plastic insert is cheap enough not to do.

compu_85 · #23 08-03-2009, 01:26 AM

IMHO flat gray is the way to go.

-J

pj67coll · #24 08-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Nice work Peter! Now you need to get new or fresh headlight covers. New ones also come in a darker shade than the faded ones, so it should match the new grille. :thumbsup2

If only I could. I no longer have the car. Junked over a year ago when I tried unsuccessfully to work on the manual tranny and clutch.

- Peter.

pj67coll · #25 08-03-2009, 10:15 PM

This is how it looked with the two mileage badges. Believe me, I was not at all happy getting rid of this car

- Peter.

charmalu · #26 08-04-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

If only I could. I no longer have the car. Junked over a year ago when I tried unsuccessfully to work on the manual tranny and clutch.

- Peter.

You should have junked it my way, I accept all junk

I painted my grill black, used a flat black trim paint, really gave the front end a totaly new look.

Only draw back is the rock chips show on the plactic grill.

Charlie