[cmorosco]

I've had my car since December and I've been able to modify a few things to make it look a little nicer.

The things I've changed so far are listed below

* 2003 SL500 antenna cap and base prepainted Obsidian Black (from the dealer)
* 2003 CLK Black and Chrome Grill (from the dealer)
* E v o S p o r t side marker lights pre painted Obsidian Black
* in.Pro smoked side repeater lights
* Removed all the stickers on the visors, shift plate and door jams
* Replaced the stock bulbs with VisionPlus bulbs
* Added another handle on the left side of the trunk. (Filled the empty hole with a platic handle from the dealer)
* Installed brackets (from the dealer) behind the side marker lights to better secure them.

I've also bought a replacement rear third brake light lens and side repeater lenses. I've already sanded them smooth to remove the dimple and lettering and am in the process of smoking them. They look much better than the in.Pro ones and simply disapear into the side of my car.

After that I plan to upgrade the brakes and suspension when they eventually need attention. I may also consider some body kits in the future.

The picture below shows my car before and what it looks like now. What do you think?

Sorry the car isn't cleaner. I usually detail it on the weekend but it's sprinkling today and there is a big storm coming all week next week so why bother.

 

[cmorosco]

Here is the before and after from the back. Only the antenna has changed but it makes a big difference.

 

[cmorosco]

Here's a closeup of the SL antenna. It looks great but gets lousy reception. Good thing I mostly listen to CDs.

 

[cmorosco]

Here's a good view of the CLK grill from the side and the E v o S p o r t side marker lights. I mounted the grill myself and if I do say so myself it turned out pretty good. No cutting or drilling of my car required and it fits really good.

 

[cmorosco]

Here's a front view of the grill.

 

[cmorosco]

Here's the in.Pro smoked side repeater lights. They look better than the white ones on my black car but the smoked stock ones I'm working on look much better. I'll post pics when I have those finished.

 

[DA_SURG]

It looks great so far!

The painted bumper inserts look great on a black car...i can't even see them in the first picture...but I've been looking for the whole insert painted to match my car (magma).

Here are some other things I suggest you consider:

- Tint windows
- New wheels
- Debadge
- Tint foglights and headlights...you can get covers
- If not the above, then eyelids
- If not a body kit...since they are expensive, most are tacky, hard to fit, etc....maybe just putting on updated bumpers...or 320 bumpers maybe. Put I suppose that would be poserish, and yeah...

Lookin' good, good luck.

- Nik

 

[dbrimhall]

Looks great! One of the first things I did was to loose the stock grill and replace it with one like yours. Other than wheels, the best mod I've made. Inquiry though, how did you remove the stickers from your visors? I hate the damn things!!

 

[cmorosco]

dbrimhall,

Thanks, I love the CLK grill too. I'm still getting used to it though.

Inquiry though, how did you remove the stickers from your visors? I hate the damn things!!

I removed the two on the visors, the one on the shift plate, and the two on the door frames. The two on the visor were easy. They pealed right off. I then used some nondeluted Citra-Solv to remove the left over adhesive. Once it was all gone I used some water to clean it off. Any adhesive remover should work though. Just make sure it isn't too strong that it'll damage the plastic or your paint. I've seen this kind of stuff take varnish off of hardwood floors before so be careful. The Citra-Solv didn't do any damage at all and seems very gentle. Just be sure not too leave it on too long.

The stickers on the door frame were the hardest. It took a lot of patience and pealing. They eventualy came off though. It does look much better without all the stickers. Most people probably don't notice but it looks much cleaner.

 

[cleblanc]

If you have the clear third brake light lense I suggest you smoke it from the inside for durability.

 

[cmorosco]

If you have the clear third brake light lense I suggest you smoke it from the inside for durability.

I actually bought it but it didn't look good on my car. I put some black paper behind it too see how it would look smoked from the back and it didn't look that good to me. I returned it and bout the red one from the dealership instead. It was much cheaper ($24 instead of $150)and I can smoke it from the outside with some clearcoat on top for protection.

 

[fredrice]

Your ride looks sweet! Some addtional considerations could be a body kit, rear AMG style trunk spoiler(lip)and maybe some smoked tailamps? []

 

[CLK3.GS3]

I wish that CLK grill would fit my CLK. Looks good, especially getting rid of that orange side marker. That has been on my mind all week. I was trying to determine if it served a purpose. Like if I remove it, is the car more like to get hit from the side (minus this reflector). I'm paranoid, I was rearended on the1st day & 8th hour of ownership of my car.

I usually think tinted out black Benzes are best, but not in this case. Perhaps if were larger. Same for yours wheels, I actually like that style. Nice conservative mods.

 

[cmorosco]

Thanks, I think an AMG trunk spoiler would look pretty good. I may have to get that too. []

 

[cmorosco]

Looks good, especially getting rid of that orange side marker. That has been on my mind all week. I was trying to determine if it served a purpose. Like if I remove it, is the car more like to get hit from the side (minus this reflector). I'm paranoid, I was rearended on the1st day & 8th hour of ownership of my car.

Thanks. Removing those side marker lights made a huge difference. I wouldn't worry about removing them. The EU version of the cars don't have them and if you look around you'll notice that most other cars in the U.S. don't have them either. I think removing them is safe.

Sorry to hear about your accident. You must have been really upset after just picking up your new car. I'm not sure I would have been able to handle it well.

Same for yours wheels, I actually like that style. Nice conservative mods.

Yeah, I like the rims too. People keep suggesting I get new rims. Maybe if I went to 18's but I'm not sure I'm willing to sacrifice the ride quality. Otherwise I like the rims. They look good and have that old school race car style to them. A classic style that still looks good in my opinion.

I'm trying to keep the car looking like it's a nice Mercedes and not obviously modded. I hope it looks good but looks like it could have come from the factory that way.

 

[beverage]

The CLK grill on your SLK is sweet - it really sets off the front end. [8D] Especially with you having a black car!! []

I agree that the AMG Trunk Spoiler is needed, just to finish off the back. It was the first thing I got from my dealership when I bought my car, and I just think it looks fab!!!! [8D]

The only problem I've had with it, is that the glue tends to come away on one side. I've had it in, and the guys removed it and then refitted it, but still the same thing happens. I now actually think that it's caused by the trunk lid being shut and it joggling it lose!!! [] [V]