I have a 1983 which came with black air intake vent grilles (right near the windshield wiper arms) but after seeing the chrome ones on an older car, I'd much rather have those. Are they interchangable? If so, are the chrome ones easy to find? They look so much better than the black grilles in my opinion. Thanks

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Diesel Head
I would guess the parts are interchangeable because I believe your car was built with the chrome ones unless it is a Euro version. Chrome on these little things and chrome strips below the tail lights were the trim differences on US 240D's and 300D's, meaning 240D's do not have the extra chrome. So it looks like someone already changed yours. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

The chrome ones from older cars are interchangeable. I found a pair on an older car and put on my 85 300D. The problem with these is that almost all of them exhibit peeling of the chrome from the underlying plastic. Mine were about 95% good when I put them on, and now (a couple years later) I see a little more peeling. They do look great...but up close you see peeling. My understanding is that they are not made any more, so anyones you find will be about 20 years old!!! Good luck. If you find some, dont throw your black ones away!!

Mark