w116 Bumper Swap

Here's my companion post re: 1976 450SEL: Has anyone ever attempted to swap out the 5 MPH bumpers on '74-up w116's to the worldwide 1973 system (a.k.a. 1973-1980 Euro system)? Mercedes did the USA such a disservice with their cowcatcher bumpers on this model.

[Aaron]

Paul,

You have to change the brackets for the Euro bumpers but it's not too hard. Get the Euro bumpers and brackets off of another car and a competent body shop can take care of it for you.

[stevebfl]

But be sure not to remind them that its a federal crime for a professional to remove a mandated safety device. Never mind the liability issue.

[rickjordan]

I know someone who owns, along with his other 2 Benzes, an '86 560SL. He said his favorite part of his SL and the 116 cars was that they came with their own "park benches" front and rear. You're right they do stick out too far. I would actually blame the US for those bumpers. Look at any car from Europe in that period, they all had huge bumpers. Triumphs, MG, Jaguar, BMW etc. Remember those UGLY black rubber blocks Jag. had to put on the legendary E-type in the early '70's. I had read somewhere on how to modify the current bumpers to look more like the original European ones. It basicly involved removing the whole bumper and bumper shocks. You then shortened the bumper shocks and reinstalled. Of course this involved some cutting and welding.