Standing hood star or grille star: which does my Mercedes have?
Mercedes-Benz uses two kinds of star at the front of its cars: the standing star on the bonnet and the large star in the middle of the grille. Which one your car has depends on the model, the generation and often the trim line. Here is how to tell them apart, how to recognise yours in a minute and what that means when you need a new star.
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1. The two styles
- Standing hood star (hood ornament): the three-pointed star on a chrome base at the front of the bonnet. It traditionally goes with a grille with horizontal chrome slats and is the classic, comfort-oriented Mercedes look.
- Grille star: a large flat star in the centre of the grille. Traditionally this was the look of the coupés and sporty models.
2. Why the trim line matters
On several model series, Mercedes offered both looks side by side, and the equipment line decided which one you got. CarExpert notes that the C-Class and E-Class offered the classic slatted grille with a bonnet star depending on the trim level, while the S-Class is the model that comes exclusively with that grille. Sporty versions, such as AMG Line cars, generally use a variant of the grille with the large central star.
It also changes over time. In the US, for example, the C-Class saloon was offered with a standing star only as an optional “Luxury” look up to the 2017 model year, and the current C-Class (W206) has the star in the grille on every version. So go by your own car, not by the trim name.
3. How to recognise yours
- Star on the bonnet, or an empty opening at the front of the bonnet where one used to be: your car has a standing star.
- Smooth bonnet (or a flat badge on the bonnet) and a large star in the grille: your car has the grille-star version.
- Open the bonnet. With a standing star you will find the clip of the star mount on the underside, directly below the star.
4. Can I convert from grille star to standing star?
It is not a simple swap. A standing star needs a bonnet that has the opening and the mount for it, and the classic look also involves a different grille. Owners on Mercedes forums report, for example, that the bonnet of a grille-star GLC has no access hole underneath for a star mount. If you are thinking about a conversion, ask a Mercedes workshop which parts your car would need.
5. Need a new standing star?
If your car has a standing star, replacing it takes a few minutes: see our step-by-step guide Mercedes-Benz hood star: how to replace it. Star bent, wobbly or gone? Read Mercedes hood star broken, bent or stolen: what to do.
6. Ordering
Quick fit check: compare your current star and its base (or a photo of them) with the photos on the product page. If they match, it fits. When you order, enter your car model and year in the order field. When in doubt, send us a photo of your bonnet via our contact page and we'll gladly take a look.
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Further reading
Replacing your Mercedes hood star · Hood star broken or stolen? · Genuine Mercedes-Benz hood star · Which generation do I have? · Contact
Sources: grille styles and trim levels: CarExpert, “King of the grille”; C-Class standing star up to 2017 (US): The Truth About Cars; C-Class W206 without bonnet star: Mercedesblog; GLC bonnet without star mount (owner reports): MBWorld forum.