New 2019 Bull Bar on US G Class-Removal Issue
#26
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Join Date: May 2018
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2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
I talked with an aftermarket G Wagon assessory company and the Brush Guard covers for the 2019 G550 are available NOW in painted plastic or Chrome. I'm going the Chrome route.
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
We know that MBUSA dealers will not remove the BB at their service dept. So, question is: Will MBUSA Service also refuse to service a G with its BB torn off?
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
#29
Senior Member
We know that MBUSA dealers will not remove the BB at their service dept. So, question is: Will MBUSA Service also refuse to service a G with its BB torn off?
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I wish you the best on your BB removal plan, and I hope it all works out for you, be it the results of the finished product, and more importantly if this turns out to not raise any issues for service. IMHO, I’m just a bit skeptical that it will not raise any issues with getting your vehicle serviced by Mercedes. Fact is, none of us really know, at this point in time.
I’ve mentioned before that I really prefer the look of the Euro G’s without BB’s, but at least in my opinion, the low mount bull bar on the G63 works better for me.
My preference would be if Mercedes Service Dept could remove my BB, and if and when available, install factory plugs. In the case of the G63’s BB, I believe the Euro G63’s already have factory OEM plugs installed, so the G63 story may be different than with the g550.
I’m not holding my breath, though, as I can certainly be perfectly pleased with the lower mount BB style, should it not work out to have Mercedes Service properly remove them.
I’ve mentioned before that I really prefer the look of the Euro G’s without BB’s, but at least in my opinion, the low mount bull bar on the G63 works better for me.
My preference would be if Mercedes Service Dept could remove my BB, and if and when available, install factory plugs. In the case of the G63’s BB, I believe the Euro G63’s already have factory OEM plugs installed, so the G63 story may be different than with the g550.
I’m not holding my breath, though, as I can certainly be perfectly pleased with the lower mount BB style, should it not work out to have Mercedes Service properly remove them.
Last edited by JetRanger; 11-16-2018 at 01:43 PM.
#31
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E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, C43 AMG Cab
We know that MBUSA dealers will not remove the BB at their service dept. So, question is: Will MBUSA Service also refuse to service a G with its BB torn off?
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
If there is any (mandated) safety aspect to MBUSA refusing to allow any G to be ordered sans BB, then it sounds like before tearing it off, it might be a good idea to check with your local MBUSA service dept manager, and formally inquire if MBUSA Service will service such a modified G.
Losing the ability to have MBUSA service your G would obviously be dire. Of course, there would also now be the PITA of having to undertake a second or third trip back and forth to Home Depot for Bondo and sandpaper when that 3rd party Rube Goldberg plug job doesn’t quite go as planned.😁
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, I guess only time will tell how this all unfolds and how well things work out for everyone, but hey, it's all good, and I hope everything goes excellent for all involved. I'm betting it will!
Last edited by JetRanger; 11-17-2018 at 12:11 AM.
#33
Senior Member
Both types of bull bars are optional in Canada. The BBs, being cosmetic options, will probably end up in the accessory catalog. Dealers should already have MB developed instructions for their removal and/or installation and OEM covers will exist for both BBs. I would be surprised if G63 BBs didn’t fit G550s. They may not match the outline of the bumper, but the mounting points should be the same. Of course the 550’s approach angle will be diminished with the 63 BB.
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Bexlee (01-23-2020)
#35
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2014 ML63 2015 G550 2016 G550 & (2) 2019 G550s
I personally think the lower 1/2 brush guard looks bad. If you're going to do it, then do it.
Best: No brush guard (with chrome BB cover)
2nd Best: No brush guard (with body color BB cover)
3rd Best: G550 Brush guard in black
4th Best: G550 Brush guard in Chrome
5th Best G63 Brush guard in Black
Last: G63 Brush guard in Chrome
Enjoy
Best: No brush guard (with chrome BB cover)
2nd Best: No brush guard (with body color BB cover)
3rd Best: G550 Brush guard in black
4th Best: G550 Brush guard in Chrome
5th Best G63 Brush guard in Black
Last: G63 Brush guard in Chrome
Enjoy
#36
Senior Member
I personally think the lower 1/2 brush guard looks bad. If you're going to do it, then do it.
Best: No brush guard (with chrome BB cover)
2nd Best: No brush guard (with body color BB cover)
3rd Best: G550 Brush guard in black
4th Best: G550 Brush guard in Chrome
5th Best G63 Brush guard in Black
Last: G63 Brush guard in Chrome
Enjoy
Best: No brush guard (with chrome BB cover)
2nd Best: No brush guard (with body color BB cover)
3rd Best: G550 Brush guard in black
4th Best: G550 Brush guard in Chrome
5th Best G63 Brush guard in Black
Last: G63 Brush guard in Chrome
Enjoy
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Sarlox (11-17-2018)
#37
Member
So, the MBUSA configurator shows a chrome bumper trim piece, under the bull bar mount points, making the bull bar look closer to the old style. I wonder if this will be a part we can order from MB or even if this is an actual production part.
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I noticed this same thing on the front page of the current G-DOG, dated 10/29/2018. Of course, it’s a red G with a black BB, but I like how the 2 vertical posts seem to extend below the top of the bumper, ala 2018 and earlier style, somewhat similar to the old style BB design. OTOH, I wonder if this perception could be a bit of an optical illusion, and we’re actually seeing the BB cover plates mounted in place, immediately below the BB, and it only apearrs to be a continuation of the vertical post. In the pic you posted, it’s also interesting because (I could have missed it), but I do not see the grey top gaskets, laying horizontally under the BB legs at their rear. Perhaps this is a production change, but who knows. I do agree it looks a lot better this way. Wish they’d go all the way, and bring back the old style BB.
#39
Member
I noticed this same thing on the front page of the current G-DOG, dated 10/29/2018. Of course, it’s a red G with a black BB, but I like how the 2 vertical posts seem to extend below the top of the bumper, ala 2018 and earlier style, somewhat similar to the old style BB design. OTOH, I wonder if this perception could be a bit of an optical illusion, and we’re actually seeing the BB cover plates mounted in place, immediately below the BB, and it only apearrs to be a continuation of the vertical post. In the pic you posted, it’s also interesting because (I could have missed it), but I do not see the grey top gaskets, laying horizontally under the BB legs at their rear. Perhaps this is a production change, but who knows. I do agree it looks a lot better this way. Wish they’d go all the way, and bring back the old style BB.
I guess I need to order another G550 and get rid of this turd, with only 469 miles...
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The more I look at that G-DOG pic, it seems that the BB has not actually changed. Instead, from this particular straight-on view, it’s just the standard Mercedes OEM cover plates sitting below it, not the BB legs actually extending down the front bumper.
BTW, in the G-DOG, there is a statement in small print, just to the right of the picture, saying "European model shown." Seems odd, as I thought (could be wrong, of course) there was no such animal as a Euro G with a BB. I thought that animal was limited to North American variety G's. Oh, well...
BTW, in the G-DOG, there is a statement in small print, just to the right of the picture, saying "European model shown." Seems odd, as I thought (could be wrong, of course) there was no such animal as a Euro G with a BB. I thought that animal was limited to North American variety G's. Oh, well...
Last edited by JetRanger; 11-21-2018 at 10:39 PM.
#41
Member
The more I look at that G-DOG pic, it seems that the BB has not actually changed. Instead, from this particular straight-on view, it’s just the standard Mercedes OEM cover plates sitting below it, not the BB legs actually extending down the front bumper.
BTW, in the G-DOG, there is a statement in small print, just to the right of the picture, saying "European model shown." Seems odd, as I thought (could be wrong, of course) there was no such animal as a Euro G with a BB. I thought that animal was limited to North American variety G's. Oh, well...
BTW, in the G-DOG, there is a statement in small print, just to the right of the picture, saying "European model shown." Seems odd, as I thought (could be wrong, of course) there was no such animal as a Euro G with a BB. I thought that animal was limited to North American variety G's. Oh, well...
The G product management has been too busy playing with their new toy, to make sure this stuff is actually correct.
Product manager: "You will get what we give you". (With heavy German accent)
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Sarlox (11-24-2018)
#42
Junior Member
The German model has covers, but the bumper is different from the US model.
Unfortunately, at the present time there are no covers available.
Unfortunately, at the present time there are no covers available.
#43
Member
We didn't order the Night line package on our 2019 G550 but after seeing the way they look decided to modify ours. So, just got the bullbar and rear cover powder coated in gloss black and are awaiting the matt black wheels to complete the look.
I wanted to let everyone know that the bullbar is held by only 2 bolts on each side from the front only which are easily accessed by removing the plastic covers in the black plastic bumper grill. Once the bolts are taken out the bullbar pulls right up and can be further taken apart by 2 more bolts holding the vertical and horizontal components.
I wanted to let everyone know that the bullbar is held by only 2 bolts on each side from the front only which are easily accessed by removing the plastic covers in the black plastic bumper grill. Once the bolts are taken out the bullbar pulls right up and can be further taken apart by 2 more bolts holding the vertical and horizontal components.
#44
Super Member
We didn't order the Night line package on our 2019 G550 but after seeing the way they look decided to modify ours. So, just got the bullbar and rear cover powder coated in gloss black and are awaiting the matt black wheels to complete the look.
I wanted to let everyone know that the bullbar is held by only 2 bolts on each side from the front only which are easily accessed by removing the plastic covers in the black plastic bumper grill. Once the bolts are taken out the bullbar pulls right up and can be further taken apart by 2 more bolts holding the vertical and horizontal components.
I wanted to let everyone know that the bullbar is held by only 2 bolts on each side from the front only which are easily accessed by removing the plastic covers in the black plastic bumper grill. Once the bolts are taken out the bullbar pulls right up and can be further taken apart by 2 more bolts holding the vertical and horizontal components.
#45
Member
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Wassaby (01-02-2019)
#46
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E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, C43 AMG Cab
Although I'm not a fan of the BB on any MY '19 I like your black conversion. The wheel cover also looks good. I really admire your interior. It looks terrific. Good luck with your new ride.