AvantGarde grille - Bekkers vs E-bay

**BrazBenz** · 03-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Please help me on deciding this.
Bekkers:
Avantgarde Grille C-Class W202 '93-'00 , Black Gloss W Chrome Strips, replica"
Code: 202-74226
Price: $149.00

Vs

e-bay (65.00 to 110.00)

I like the e-bay insert approach as it preserves part of the original grill and is easier to install.
In fact I was no able to show here the e-bay link for the W202 (currently not offered)

Key question though: how about quality? Bekkers is more expensive but I dont plan to ruine the front of my car with a cheap look.

It is always better to pay less... but if Bekkers is the way to go so it be !

In general: any judgement on this ?
Also: Are the e-bay offerings the same? Some to be avoided ? I read am mention to Shatz being the manufacturer. Is this good?
Thanks in advance, Jorge

**jnolte** · 03-05-2007, 12:39 PM

bekkers and ebay could be the same thing. Bekkers parts are not even high quality most are made in taiwan along with the same stuff on ebay.

**unHookt** · 03-05-2007, 01:52 PM

You might get better service from the eBay seller, too. My bekkers purchase was a nightmare, and I know I'm not the only one.

All other things being equal, you might want to grab the eBay grill...

**vcruiser** · 03-05-2007, 02:28 PM

if u wante a chrome one go for ebay

but the black one on ebay i got was not even glossy.. it was flat black and had a few chips on it also.

so yeah.

**benzonline** · 03-05-2007, 02:31 PM

Im still llooking for a OEM QUALITY Avantguarde grille without spending the $500 at the dealer for it. Anyone know of where I can find one? I dont want one such as ShatZ which to me is SHIAT and all flimsy.

**bish0p** · 03-05-2007, 03:14 PM

i got mine off of ebay and it works great for me. Quality doesnt look cheap at all. i believe it was 80 dollars or something like that

you can only see part of my grill but that's the only picture i have right now.

**jnolte** · 03-05-2007, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by vcruiser
if u wante a chrome one go for ebay

but the black one on ebay i got was not even glossy.. it was flat black and had a few chips on it also.

so yeah.

the black one isnt supposed to be shiny, its a powder coated grill, hence powder coating is flat black

**BrazBenz** · 03-05-2007, 05:59 PM

Thank you all for your support.
I will go with e-bay, no doubt. (I'm looking for chrome)
Every day my enthusiam on the value of this forum grows!
Best Regards, Jorge

**c280nz** · 03-05-2007, 08:59 PM

well looks like youve already decided but il throw in an extra vote of confidance. i got a ebay one and was very happy with the quality and fit of the grill. and the price was cheap too. go for it

**BrazBenz** · 07-10-2007, 05:10 AM

Well, the e-bay grille was acquired and installed.
Final result: GREAT !!!!
I had in installed during another service by my MB workshop. No charge ! (they said: 15 minutes would be enough)
Going with the e-bay alternative was definitely a great advice.
Also, I like the idea of just changing the insert.
THANKS !

**sensoryx** · 07-10-2007, 06:47 PM

mine wasnt for bekkers of ebay, but the company I bought it from probably shipped it from taiwan or something

The fitment was utter shit. I had so much troulbe, I only managed to get in all the clips that hold the grille in except two.

check my sig if you wanna see pics. It looks great from the outside, just really bad fitment

**BrazBenz** · 07-11-2007, 05:26 AM

To be frank I don't know if they really spent just 15 minutes... (they could have said that based in a perfect grille replacement).
Your car is outstandind.
What impresses me in this simple upgrade is that it brings a modern look to the car keeping intact the classic Mercedes look.
Also, it is definitely harmonic. Sometimes this kind of change has an ugly and unbalanced outcome.

**benzofanatic** · 07-12-2007, 10:16 PM

just to make sure, this is the specific e-bay item we are refering to right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/S600-...28849617QQrdZ1

**BrazBenz** · 07-21-2007, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by benzofanatic
just to make sure, this is the specific e-bay item we are refering to right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/S600-...28849617QQrdZ1

Devon,
Precisely !
Rgds, Jorge

**omeyhomey** · 08-13-2007, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by bish0p
i got mine off of ebay and it works great for me. Quality doesnt look cheap at all. i believe it was 80 dollars or something like that

you can only see part of my grill but that's the only picture i have right now.

Wow how did you do that to your headlights? dual projector looks tight but its not available anywhere.

**kaiserh** · 08-26-2007, 02:16 AM

I have been looking to get a chrome grille
for a while now,I have checked so many,and locked on advantgrade,unstil I saw this thread, I have decided I will get this one.Its cheaper than most I saw on the net,and sounds like it is easy to install.thanks for all the info here.I will use it on my black 1997 c280.post again after I install it.

**kaiserh** · 08-26-2007, 02:23 AM

.

**Logic** · 09-19-2007, 01:47 PM

i didn't want to bring up a old trend but i bought a insert from ebay for about 80 bucks and till now( i got it around fathers day) everything was ok but i noticed the fins near the edge looks like one of them looks like it has melted a little and is disformed...although you cant see it far away i did noticed it that last week...my fins are glossy black with like a silver chrome edge...so again to save some money you might run into problems like me but hey what do you expect for 80.00 doallrs

**DynoXG** · 09-19-2007, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by omeyhomey
Wow how did you do that to your headlights? dual projector looks tight but its not available anywhere.

He bought those from ebay and custom modded them for the large projector. You cannot buy those.

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