Does anyone have information on removal and replacement of the exterior panels? I am planning on turning my red cabrio into a silver one and I would love to have the specifics in hand instead of going into it blind.
Replies to This Discussion
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i'am going to change from black to silver in the next week or so, i purchased a manual to do this, if you would like a copy out of the manual please let me know, jim
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Thanks Jim. I would love a copy.
John
737flyboy@gmail.com
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on -
Manual? Please tell me more. Is it a "shop manual" or just the instructions on how to do a panel swap?
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I would love a copy as well. I can be contacted off-site at cushcom1@aol.com.
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Hello Jim,
I would like to have a copy. Please let me knowhow you got it and where. Is it something you can email? I am going to meet another Smartfortwo owner and swap panels and would very much like to have as mucj information as possible beforehand.
Thank You,
Alan
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Permalink Reply by Price M Spoor on -
Yes I would like a copy. I'm trying to find some sort of printed copy that tell's how to remove body pannels.Thank's, Price
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Permalink Reply by earl dahl on
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hello jim i would like to get a copy of your manual you can contact me at tankkker@hotmail.com
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I have done my red cabrio 451 and made it white ... i have done many 450 model and am pretty experienced - more than many of the dealers and have done their cars for them. The 451 can be done but you must be VERY slow and take your time ... you can not do it blind and will bust a ton of clips. That is easy to do and not a good thing as the clips are molded into the body panels in many instances - all along the rear panels for example. There is a fitment bag of parts that you need to purchase separate from your body panels - cost about 200.00 extra in Canada. I would recommend VERY strongly that you NOT do this blind and find diagrams and clear instructions before you attempt to remove or you will be into more trouble than you thought. The job in total took me about two hours but keep in mind I pre assembled the white panels before they went on the car - the doors are difficult and you MUST remove the mirrors and door handles ...
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James, do you have any tips for removing the front grill trim without breaking the tabs? I'm trying to remove to add a chrome grill trim.
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James, I finally got the surround removed it is not easy, I only broke one of the tabs.
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Permalink Reply by Price M Spoor on
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Do you have any diagrams on the rear pannel just below the tailgate? I need to remove it to install a bike rack. Thank's ,Price
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Permalink Reply by Peter Lewis on
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I think the majority of owners who have carried out a full body panel replacement are 450 owners not the 451.
Recently i had the windows of my new Passion Cdi tinted and three large companies who specialised in tinting declined to do my car when they realised what was involved with the door panel removal.
I had downloaded internet instructions on how the job was done and yes the whole door mirror and door handle assembly must be removed first and remember these have to be reinstalled which again is not that easy.
To attempt the job so that when its finished it looks like it has not been done is really for somebody very skilled in panel removal and repair.
I am not sure why Mercedes have made the job of panel removal so difficult but when you consider they charge over £1000 for the panels it is no wonder they would rather you went to them and forked out a lot of money than you do it yourself.
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