R171 SLK280 MB Mud Flaps Fitted!

[Chrishazle]

Acquired a genuine set of brand new genuine MB mud flaps for my R171 facelift SLK280 a while ago, managed to remove the little "winglets" from the rear of the wheel arches (first part of the fitting instructions) OK, tried to fit the rear OS flap, no success so handed the job to local vaillage garage, he succeeded where I had failed.

Originally the rears had SLK in shiny black, but I got a small tube of touch-up paint and lacquer in Fire Opal Red, gave the letters a couple of coats of each, rather pleased with the result.

 

[SmartAmg]

Yep, like um!

 

[Chrishazle]

Ooooh, praise indeed from the King of Bling!! Thanks Tony!

Main reason is that we do a lot of country lane driving where you often have to get close to the hedge, resulting in loads of mud splatters on the NS bodywork, and even the OS can get mud splatters - we lost the rear OS flap on the S204 some time ago, so it quickly becomes obvious how much the rear flap protects from such things!

 

[sl500amgsport]

Like the red wheel centre caps, nice touch!

Mercedes SL500 R231

 

[Chrishazle]

The ones the car came with were a bit manky, especially as I was replacing the wheel bolts with shiny new no-rust ones, so I went looking - as soon as I saw these it was an easy choice, especially as they were cheap!

 

[ajlsl600]

Aint it great 50 to 80 grand cars come with wheel bolts that rot in 2 yr ,or less !!!

 

[JBell]

The mud flaps look good, the red looks a bit "Sparco" to me

 

[Chrishazle]

Not sure what you mean by "Sparco", not even Google helps! Please explain! Personally, I had a choice between leaving the original shiny black letters (compared to the matt black finish of the rest of the flap) or painting then to match the car, I have no idea how long the paint job will last, but I prefer it to shiny black on my car.

 

[Blobcat]

“Sparco” is the race equipment of choice as fitted to the clapped out Saxo’s and Corsa’s. Normally you hear them first then see the webbing “Sparco” towing eye attachments. They’re trying to make you believe they’re fresh from the race track...

 

[Chrishazle]

You won't see my car on a track - I was tempted many times to track my 968, but only on a PCGB Brands Hatch afternoon session when those were novices only, by the time I'd almost decided to try it they'd changed the format so only the first 3 20 minute sessions were based on track experience, the remaining 2 hours of track time were open pit lane, and I did not fancy being out there with 991 GT3's with experienced drivers going a hell of a lot faster than me (although it was amusing watching the 911's (of whatever variety) blasting back close to the FE Porsches on the straight bits then loosing out through the twisty bits of Brands Indie circuit!!).

Anyway, the SLK280 is more a cruiser than a sports car - it's quick enough, but not a car I would track, plus advancing age means that's probably an experience I will never experience.