Buy Mercedes-Benz C300 Fender Liner Or Splash Shield

Quick Summary

A fender liner-also called an inner fender, wheel-well guard, or splash shield-forms a light but tough barrier between the spinning tire of your Mercedes-Benz C300 and sensitive parts like wiring, suspension joints, and paintwork. It keeps out water, rocks, road-salt, and mud, quiets road noise, and even helps the car slip through the air more easily. Damaged liners can let debris slice hoses, let salt rust the body, and cause an annoying scraping noise every time you steer.

Fitment Guide

• Fits 2015-2021 W205 C-Class sedans-including C300, C400, C43 AMG, and C63 AMG-using OEM reference numbers 205-690-3301 (left front) and 205-690-3401 (right front). (Get All Parts)
• Coupe and cabriolet versions share rear-section liners such as 205-691-3400. (Parts Geek)
• Earlier W204 (2008-2014) and later W206 (2022-on) cars use different shapes-always match the production code before ordering.
• Fastener holes line up with 5 mm plastic rivets like Mercedes clip A124-990-0492 and twist-lock access clips A002-988-0542. (VehicleClips)

What It Does

1. Protection - Shields head-lamps, wiring, and metal panels from rocks, slush, and corrosive salt. (CarParts)
2. Splash Guard - Stops water from drenching belts and pulleys, preventing slippage on rainy days.
3. Silencing - Acts as a sound blanket that cuts road rumble in the cabin. (RealTruck)
4. Aerodynamics - Smooths air in the wheel-well, trimming drag and helping fuel economy. (Wikipedia, Design News)

Materials & Design

• Modern C-Class liners are injection-molded from polypropylene (PP), a light, flexible thermoplastic that resists chemicals and heat. (Wikipedia)
• Older models sometimes used ABS plastic or felt-backed fiber mats; PP's lower weight helps overall efficiency. (CarParts)
• Mercedes now blends up-to-40 % recycled plastics into wheel-arch liners to save raw oil and cut CO₂. (Mercedes-Benz Group)

Damage Signs

• Tire rub or "whump-whump" noise on tight turns often means a liner clip broke and the panel droops. (YourMechanic)
• Visible cracks, missing chunks, or holes behind the tire.
• Mud or rust stains on engine bay paint-water sneaks through gaps.
• Unusual wind noise at highway speed as turbulent air enters the wheel-well.

Common Causes

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DIY Tools

• 8 mm & 10 mm socket
• Phillips screwdriver
• Clip-puller or trim-removal tool
• Jack, stands, 17 mm lug wrench
• New push-rivet pack (5 mm & 8 mm) (VehicleClips)

Step-by-Step Replacement

1. Turn the steering wheel toward the side you're working on for space.
2. Remove six to nine clips plus two screws along the wheel-arch lip. (CarParts)
3. Peel the old splash shield away-watch for hidden tabs near the rocker panel.
4. Test-fit the new inner fender; every hole should align.
5. Re-install screws finger-tight, then torque plastic rivets just snug (about 5 N·m-hand-tight plus ¼ turn).
6. Spin the wheel left-to-right to confirm nothing rubs.

Most owners finish in 30-60 minutes per side.

Fasteners & Torque

• Plastic push-rivets: 5-6 N·m (52 lb-in) is plenty-over-tightening splits the head.
• Metal M6 bolts into body threads: 10 N·m average.
• Always replace clips that lose their barbs; mixed sizes like A000-991-4140 or A124-990-0492 are inexpensive. (VehicleClips)

Maintenance Tips

• Hose off salt residue each spring to stop hidden corrosion.
• Check clips after tire rotations; techs sometimes break them.
• If you add aftermarket lowering springs, inspect clearances-reduced travel can shred liners.

Cost Breakdown

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Eco & Recycling

Using secondary plastics in wheel-arch linings diverts household waste from landfills and trims fossil resources; the 2024 C-Class recycling concept spotlights wheel-arch liners as a headline example. (Mercedes-Benz Group)

Safety & Regulations

Driving without an intact splash shield can let debris strike brake hoses or detach into traffic-some U.S. states fine for "unsafe bodywork." An inner fender dragging a tire can slash sidewalls and cause blowouts. (YourMechanic)

Performance Edge

Smooth wheel-well panels reduce drag that spinning wheels create; Mercedes engineers note wheels and arches can account for one-third of a car's air resistance. (Design News) Combined with narrow tire options, a healthy liner helps keep the C300's Cd around 0.27.

Related Keywords

• "C300 wheel-well splash guard"
• "W205 inner fender shield"
• "Mercedes C-Class wheel arch cover"
• "Front passenger side fender liner MB1249181"
• "Splash shield fastener clip A124-990-0492"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between a fender liner and a splash shield?
A: They are two names for the same protective panel that lines the wheel well and blocks road splash. (RealTruck)

Q: Can I drive my C300 with the liner missing?
A: The car will move, but water can soak electronics and stones can dent the body. It's best to replace it quickly. (CarParts)

Q: What tools do I need for a DIY swap?
A: A jack, 17 mm lug wrench, trim-clip tool, socket set, and new clips. No special scanners or programming needed.

Q: How long does the job take?
A: Most owners report 30-60 minutes per side; shops quote one labor hour. (Reddit)

Q: Which side-front or rear-fails most often?
A: The front driver side liner sees the most curb strikes and winter slush, so it fails first on many C-Class cars.

Q: Are liners painted?
A: No, they're molded in black polypropylene, so scratches don't show.

Q: Do I need new clips?
A: Yes. Old push-pins lose tension; a universal Mercedes clip pack is cheap insurance. (VehicleClips)

Q: What torque for the screws?
A: About 5-6 N·m for plastic-riveted areas, 10 N·m for metal M6 bolts-just snug; overtightening cracks the liner.

Q: Does a liner improve fuel economy?
A: A smooth wheel-well can cut aerodynamic drag enough to save a small amount of fuel on highways. (Wikipedia)

Q: Can recycled liners match OEM strength?
A: Yes-Mercedes tests recycled-content liners to the same impact and temperature specs as virgin PP parts. (Mercedes-Benz Group)

Q: My liner rattles after installation-why?
A: A missing push-pin or mismatched clip size lets the edge flutter. Inspect every mounting hole and replace any broken fastener. (YourMechanic)

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