SLK upgrade

[cen]

I was a little tired of the SLK320 looks believing that the new model made the old look well out of date. However, the car had only 20,000 miles on the clock and is mint. The way I looked at it was I could either sell the car and buy the new model with the smarter new look thus, costing me a lot of money and, giving the benefit of a looked after moter with no mileage to someone else or, to upgrade the looks. Therefore, I undertook the challenge.


At the beginning: http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l17




Oh shizer what have I done:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l17

The end result:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l17


Costs; Rieger Tunung front bumper upgrade £263, paint and spraying £40, eyebrow spots £45, new Merc star £12


Well I'am pleased with the result what are the members opinions?

Edited by cen on Tuesday 31st October 12:07

Edited by cen on Tuesday 31st October 12:10

[Bada Bing!]

Bumper looks good, but I think the new grille looks a bit desperate. Would look a bit better with a bonnet carrying the F1 style nose down to the grille, IMO.

[cen]

Bada Bing! said:

Bumper looks good, but I think the new grille looks a bit desperate. Would look a bit better with a bonnet carrying the F1 style nose down to the grille, IMO.

I wouldn't disagree with your comments however, the grill is intrinsic to the bumper. I would have preferred the bonnet meeting the grill myself but then, you have to use whats available.

Edited by cen on Tuesday 31st October 18:29

[Bada Bing!]

Agreed mate. I think the mesh would look better sprayed black, but again that's just personal.

[cen]

I actually fitted a black mesh in the first place. The kit came supplied with black mesh. However, I preferred the alloy/chrome look. Black really did nothing for the car but then, as you state it is a matter of personal choice. Call me old fashioned but, I like the look of chrome on motors with the right colour red, I believe compliments chrome. Just wish I could find somewhere that makes a good job of chromeing alloys.

Edited by cen on Wednesday 1st November 07:30

[PJR]

[cen]

Very good PJR, hiding behind the door now lets take a look at yours;

Coach built Mini um not quite the mini Bentley.

Turbo Mini no doubt robbed from a MG metro

Smart well maybe not so smart and,

120D Beemer (Err) is the correct answer

[PJR]

Hiding? Not familiar with Wood & Pickett either are you..

You might have noticed I didn't stoop so low as to rip in to your car, never mind 4 of them. But if you prefer honest criticism, then you wont me saying that I think it looked better before you stuck the ill fitting faux front on it.

[abarthchris]

cen said:

Very good PJR, hiding behind the door now lets take a look at yours;

Coach built Mini um not quite the mini Bentley.

Turbo Mini no doubt robbed from a MG metro

Smart well maybe not so smart and,

120D Beemer (Err) is the correct answer

you ask for comments and then get arsey when someone says they dont like it?

dont ask for comments then...

edited to say, each to their own though

i personally thought it was better before, although the new bumper is ok, i dont like the grill.

Edited by abarthchris on Thursday 2nd November 13:37

[Marki]

Dont like that at all

[cen]

dont ask for comments then...

edited to say, each to their own though



Yes, I agree and fair comment. I did indeed ask for comments and honestly apprieciate the answers both positive and negative. The world is full of cars of various types, colours, shapes etc. There are so many because people like different things.

I like the new shape Merc but dont want to part with a load of money to get it so the compromise was to do something with what I have got. Thankfully I like the new look and whilst some do and some dont I dont mind. Its what I like that's important. What I am taking into account is ideas from others to enhance it further which, is why I asked for comments.

However, I didn't request a cartoon that I interpret maybe different from others as arsy and pathetic. If you have got a comment to make then, make it dont, leave an ambiguity please.

[abarthchris]

cen said:

dont ask for comments then...

edited to say, each to their own though



Yes, I agree and fair comment. I did indeed ask for comments and honestly apprieciate the answers both positive and negative. The world is full of cars of various types, colours, shapes etc. There are so many because people like different things.

I like the new shape Merc but dont want to part with a load of money to get it so the compromise was to do something with what I have got. Thankfully I like the new look and whilst some do and some dont I dont mind. Its what I like that's important. What I am taking into account is ideas from others to enhance it further which, is why I asked for comments.

However, I didn't request a cartoon that I interpret maybe different from others as arsy and pathetic. If you have got a comment to make then, make it dont, leave an ambiguity please.

thats all good then. as long as you're happy!

looking at it again, i do like the lower bumper, its just the 'nose' bit in the grill that kind've puts me off...

have fun!

[cen]

Thank you for your comments Chris.

I do see your point about the nose and I wish that I could think of an idea to intergrate the nose to the bonnet this, would in my opinion give it an enhanced look. Any ideas?

[abarthchris]

cen said:

Thank you for your comments Chris.

I do see your point about the nose and I wish that I could think of an idea to intergrate the nose to the bonnet this, would in my opinion give it an enhanced look. Any ideas?

I dont know really, the only thing i could think of is to get a bodyshop to maybe smooth the bottom edge of the nose to lessen the effect of it. But then again, i dont think it looks bad enough to warrant that. id just leave it and enjoy it...

[PJR]

cen said:

However, I didn't request a cartoon that I interpret maybe different from others as arsy and pathetic. If you have got a comment to make then, make it dont, leave an ambiguity please.

Evidently humour isn't your bag is it.. Neither is being subtle it seems. My initial reply was simply a light hearted way to say I didn't like what you had done to the car. Its still just an opinion, which you did ask for.
There was no need to throw your toys out of the pram then make a feeble attempt at ripping into the cars I drive, which was hardly appropriate for your own thread which is about your car, not mine.

[cen]

PJR said:

Evidently humour isn't your bag is it.. Neither is being subtle it seems. My initial reply was simply a light hearted way to say I didn't like what you had done to the car. Its still just an opinion, which you did ask for.
There was no need to throw your toys out of the pram then make a feeble attempt at ripping into the cars I drive, which was hardly appropriate for your own thread which is about your car, not mine.

You may very well have meant your reply as a light hearted way to say that you didn't like what I had done. I did not interpret you reply in such a manner and, yes the cartoon did get a reaction from me for the way in which your reply was interpreted.

If you had said in a written format that you did not like what I had done then fine. Not everyone will like it. The somewhat ambiguous reply did not tell me that but, appeared to be a p1ss take. Everyone who know's me will clarify that indeed, I do like humour however, they will also state that I will not tolorate p1ss taking.

My interpretation of the forum is for like minded individuals to communicate in such a way that will be of assistance to each and everyone and to be able to give critism constructively.

[moleamol]

It looks far better standard. But then I also hate the comedy number plate lettering, chrome number plate surround, and the fact that you have your names on the number plate like some sort of modern day Essex XR3i, so we clearly have different taste. If you like it, then job done.

I think what could work quite well is getting rid of the big star in the grille altogether and just having the slats, I expect it would look quite purposeful then.

[cen]

moleamol said:

I think what could work quite well is getting rid of the big star in the grille altogether and just having the slats, I expect it would look quite purposeful then.

I agree entirely with your comments I, also don't like the star that much and left it off for a while but ot looked as if there was something mising. I am trying to think of another option to replace the star but as yet, have not come up with anything.

[ol' dirty]

need more pics, frontal and side view, type of alloy wheels could make all the difference...

Looks a little silly with the triangle in the grille stopping at the bonnet at the mo, do they do a bonnet to carry the rest of it off? Agree with above on the number plate font, get some normal ones or go euro look with some german style ones from dubmeister

Difficult, but may suit car better if it were a darker colour (e.g gun grey)

[moleamol]

cen said:

moleamol said:

I think what could work quite well is getting rid of the big star in the grille altogether and just having the slats, I expect it would look quite purposeful then.

I agree entirely with your comments I, also don't like the star that much and left it off for a while but ot looked as if there was something mising. I am trying to think of another option to replace the star but as yet, have not come up with anything.

I was thinking rather than just whip the star out, get the grille done at a bodyshop and remove the star completely and simply extend the horzontal slats through the middle. If I could use photoshop I'd try and show you but I can't. Maybe someone else will have a bash.

Edit: As in removing the whole of the 'racing nose' part, including the teardrop shape thingy. It would be much more individual as well, rather than trying to look like the new one.

Edited by moleamol on Tuesday 7th November 14:38