Mercedes-Benz CLS C257 Body Kit & Aero Parts Review

Elevate Your Mercedes-Benz CLS C257's Exterior with a Body Kit

When considering exterior upgrades for your vehicle, wrapping might be the first thing that comes to mind. However, installing a body kit, such as a Mercedes-Benz CLS vertical grille or a rear diffuser, is a crucial element for transforming your car's appearance. This review details a body kit project for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS C257, featuring a GT vertical grille for the front and a CLS 53 AMG rear diffuser with muffler tips for the rear. A well-executed body kit installation can dramatically alter a vehicle's image, rivaling the impact of a paint wrap.

Choosing the Right Aero Parts for Your CLS C257

The owner of this CLS C257 consulted with us about body kit options even before taking delivery of their new car. While considering various styles like the CLS 63 AMG, Brabus, and AMG GT63 looks, they ultimately desired a "popular and sophisticated aesthetic." This led to the decision to combine the GT vertical grille with the CLS 53 AMG rear diffuser and muffler tips, ensuring a balanced and refined look for both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Before installation, we inspected the components. The GT vertical grille and CLS 53 AMG rear diffuser are constructed from high-quality ABS material, ensuring excellent integration with the car's body. ABS is a common choice for automotive exterior parts due to its robust durability and resistance to color fading. The CLS 53 AMG muffler tips are made from premium stainless steel, guaranteeing they won't rust even with prolonged use. The quality of these parts is immediately apparent.

Body Kit Installation Process: Precision from Start to Finish

The installation begins with the careful removal of the factory bumper. A critical step here is meticulous masking to prevent any scratches on the vehicle's body during the process. Our technicians meticulously cover the areas around the bumper before safely removing bolts and clips. For luxury vehicles like a Mercedes-Benz, such detailed preparation is paramount.

Installation process:

1. Careful removal of the original bumper, ensuring all sensors and clips are safely detached.
2. Precise alignment and secure attachment of the new GT vertical grille, ensuring a perfect fit and seal.
3. Transferring necessary sensors and components to the new CLS 53 AMG rear diffuser.
4. Securely mounting the rear diffuser and stainless steel muffler tips using brackets for stability.

Once the factory bumper is off, the new GT vertical grille is installed using a 1:1 replacement method. While seemingly straightforward, precise alignment and secure fastening are essential to prevent water ingress or wind noise later on. Our technicians ensured the grille was perfectly positioned and fixed.

Transforming the Rear: Sensor Integration and Secure Mounting

The rear section involves replacing the existing diffuser and muffler tips. This requires careful attention, as sensors and other components are interconnected. Our technician skillfully detached the original parts and integrated the sensors and components into the new CLS 53 AMG rear diffuser. This step is vital to avoid dashboard warning lights.

Properly securing the muffler tips is another key point. They are not merely inserted but firmly attached with brackets to prevent any shaking or vibration during driving. This fundamental step is crucial to avoid issues reported in some aftermarket installations. Finally, the rear diffuser is securely fitted to the vehicle, completing the transformation.

The Result: A Strikingly Transformed Mercedes-Benz CLS C257

The completed installation results in a dramatically different look for the CLS C257. The GT vertical grille replaces the original design with a sporty, refined aesthetic characterized by its distinct vertical slats. This is the true appeal of a body kit – it doesn't just change the color; it fundamentally alters the vehicle's character, giving it a more aggressive and sophisticated presence.