Startech Grille problem

[300C NUTTER]

Only had the grille since sept.07 and it has already got small bubbles around the rim. Took to dealer who needs to take pics. to send to USA for approval for replacement!!

Looked at all the 300Cs that had this grille fitted on the forecourt to find they all had pitted!!! Gosh thats a big batch of bad grilles on the market.

I bought mine down south and this is a garage up north!

Anyone else have the same problem? You may want to have a close look at yours!

[Greenheugh]

Mine's the same.
G.

[billyboyblue]

Yip me too!!!!

[Grayjay]

Yes, I had the same problem. Seems more common than I thought. I recently had mine replaced under waranty. My dealer also took photographs to send to Brabus for permission to replace it. There was no problem with this and it was replaced within about 2 weeks of reporting it. Took about an hour and a half to fit and they did it while I waited in the showroom. Good luck with your claim.

Graham

[Greenheugh]

I thought I'd clean the cells of my Startech grille last Saturday - no chance. I now have a stained rim and stubborn deposits in the cells. Maybe I need something more aggressive than nylon bristles.
G.

[Stefan Tapp]

Originally Posted by Greenheugh

I thought I'd clean the cells of my Startech grille last Saturday - no chance. I now have a stained rim and stubborn deposits in the cells. Maybe I need something more aggressive than nylon bristles.
G.

Had a go yesterday cleaning my grille with a bottle brush, same conclusion, didn't make any difference, I did notice that there was a lot of pitting and bubbling in between each cell too, time for a trip to the dealer I think.

Stef

[Greenheugh]

Originally Posted by Stefan Tapp

Had a go yesterday cleaning my grille with a bottle brush, same conclusion, didn't make any difference, I did notice that there was a lot of pitting and bubbling in between each cell too, time for a trip to the dealer I think.

Stef

Mine looks like salt deposits in the cells and water staining around the rim especially at the bottom. It's always been stained but the deposits have appeared over the winter.
I will let the service agent take the photos for a warranty replacement when it goes for service next month. Not sure how to protect the replacement.
Apparently wrapping it in clingfilm will invalidate the engine warranty.

You may wish to inspect your wheelnuts. New ones are extremely shiny. Mine became dull grey so I've beadblasted and painted them. I've also had the wheels refurbished at my own expense because the factory finish is not tough enough. They're now silver and not two-tone. My new warranty replacement wheel centres have arrived. I think I'll lacquer them a bit more before fitting.
G.

[300C NUTTER]

Finally after 3 weeks or so since the dealer took digi photos and emailed them off to Germany (not USA as previously reported), they have come back agreeing to replace under warranty.

Now I just need to check a little closer at the wheels and nuts to see if same!

[evansjm]

Was in the dealer the other day looking at an 08 plate 300. Mirror chrome coming off and wheels already corroded. Had similar problems on mine. Mirror chrome replaced and awaiting decision on wheels. Not the greatest weather in Teesside, but it cant be much different to the rest of the country with snow, rain and road salt through the winter. At least it keeps the dealers in money with all the warranty claims work.

[Greenheugh]

I didn't lacquer my new Startech wheel centres - I just polished them and fitted them. I also put on some chromed valve caps (after painting the valve stems of course).
My wheelnuts are so much better now they're painted silver.
Not sure about the Startech wheels in monochrome silver instead of two-tone though.
Grille is still scruffy. It makes a difference you know. When the cells are shiny the front of the car is shiny from all angles. When the cells are dull the car is not quite as shiny from angles, although the surface of the grid is shiny.

G.