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I agree, Drew. The downside for 2019 G550 owners is they are stuck (just my personal opinion ) with the bug eyed BB version vs/ the G63's low mount BB. My guess is Mercedes will absolutely have to address this problem for future 550 buyers. I don't see how Merc can have a MY2019 car on the road without a 360 degree camera system, something currently not possible with the current 550 BB. Heck, a regular Ford pickup truck has had a 360 degree camera system for the past several years. It's becoming increasingly commonplace for even cheap cars to have a 360 system. Mercedes must have somehow boxed themselves into a corner here, as at some point, buyers will demand 996, probably soon becoming standard and included in the MSRP.
The bull bar difference on each model is very intentional as a differentiator. So it's not that your stuck, but that's the way MB wants it.
I've followed online pretty much every detail of the G63/G550 launch in a fairly obsessive way. It's clear they had to make some compromises to get this to market in time and on their schedule. The one major thing I'm going to regret is the fact that MB will almost certainly upgrade the infotainment system to the MBUX within the first 24 months. Ridiculous that they couldn't figure out how to get that into their Flagship vehicle; but they admitted that it just wasn't finished in time to make the integration.
I'm assuming that at some point they are going to figure out the G500 surround view. The question I'd be asking is whether or not EU spec G550s have a surround view option.
The bull bar difference on each model is very intentional as a differentiator. So it's not that your stuck, but that's the way MB wants it.
I've followed online pretty much every detail of the G63/G550 launch in a fairly obsessive way. It's clear they had to make some compromises to get this to market in time and on their schedule. The one major thing I'm going to regret is the fact that MB will almost certainly upgrade the infotainment system to the MBUX within the first 24 months. Ridiculous that they couldn't figure out how to get that into their Flagship vehicle; but they admitted that it just wasn't finished in time to make the integration.
I'm assuming that at some point they are going to figure out the G500 surround view. The question I'd be asking is whether or not EU spec G550s have a surround view option.
Drew, I’ve seen several videos of Euro MY2019 G550’s with the 996 surround camera system. The point is that none of these Euro G’s have the dreadful bug eyed US market BB that would otherwise block the front camera included in the $400 optional 996 PARKTRONIC option. This is why the current MY2019 G550 is only equipped with a front motion sensor. I agree Mercedes must have plain run out of time, both in terms of MBUX and 360 surround.
Drew, I’ve seen several videos of Euro MY2019 G550’s with the 996 surround camera system. The point is that none of these Euro G’s have the dreadful bug eyed US market BB that would otherwise block the front camera included in the $400 optional 996 PARKTRONIC option. This is why the current MY2019 G550 is only equipped with a front motion sensor. I agree Mercedes must have plain run out of time, both in terms of MBUX and 360 surround.
I'm not a big fan, but I wouldn't say it's dreadful. It doesn't look that bad in person. I'd just prefer the cleaner Euro look.
My past two BMWs (650, M6) had 360 surround systems, but with long hoods and low seating positions it was kind of necessary. With the birds eye view seating position of the G, I know the location of the front end, so I'm not too concerned about missing out on the 360 camera. The G is easier to line up and pull into the garage than either of those BMWs.
Drew, I’ve seen several videos of Euro MY2019 G550’s with the 996 surround camera system. The point is that none of these Euro G’s have the dreadful bug eyed US market BB that would otherwise block the front camera included in the $400 optional 996 PARKTRONIC option. This is why the current MY2019 G550 is only equipped with a front motion sensor. I agree Mercedes must have plain run out of time, both in terms of MBUX and 360 surround.
This pretty much seals the deal for me unless offical word proves me otherwise. The front bull bar on the G550 kills the surround option. MB is known to to crazy things like this stunt. Took me about a month to realize my 2010 G55 didn't have a tow hitch. I mean, how the heck do you sell a g wagon without a tow hitch? To my knowledge its the only year they did this and the explanation from MB had something to do with the gas tank and US dot. Grrr. 2009 and 2011 both have one. In any event, that little fiasco caused me to spend way too much time analyzing each model and its configuration quirks.
Whether you need or want the 360 camera is a personal choice, but with regards to the Bull Bar delete, I'm confident there will be aftermarket chrome or painted "plugs" / "covers" for anyone that wants to do a Bull Bar delete, so you can have the look you prefer. My 2019 G550 is the designo metallic white (and it's for my wife) so I personally will want to remove the Bull Bar and install two chrome plugs.
For the older Gwags, they made a eliminator kit if someone wanted to remove the brush guard / bull bar : MERCEDES G550 4x4 2 BRUSH GUARD ELIMINATOR KIT CO16641A447LT
I bet a similar one will be available at some point, as the removal is a popular thing to do.
Big difference is those previous vertically oriented plug covers were a standard part used in all Euro G-wagons, as no BB’s in Europe. The new US BB mounts on the top of the bumper, horizontal to the deck where the gasket lays, whereas the old BB was afixed to the frame through a vertically oriented hole. 2019 Euro G’s have no horizontally oriented plug cover, so the only market for such a part from Mercedes is the few nbr of US owners who will want to do this. Very small volume, so you’ll likely need a third party aftermarket (yuk!) plug, if any entrepreneur even bothers to make such a plug in the first place. Bondo and sandpaper, anyone?
Honestly, I’ve mostly lost interest in this BB dilemma, as I switched my order yesterday afternoon from G550 to AMG G63, so will either keep low mount US BB, or pull it, and attach Euro vertical plug, as is currently used in all Euro G63’s. Just seems so silly for US G’s to have any BB whatsoever, let alone the new bug eyed looking one.
The brush guard is a DOT requirement in the US, that's why it is there. Due to the configuration of the front end of the Gwag, that guard is needed to allow the non-compliant front clip. I'm sure there will be some aftermarket "delete kits" that surface. G63 huh? Boy, I just wouldn't spend the dough. Do the suspension upgrade and the AMG package and your pretty much there. Granted, 416HP may not be enough for you, but if you're after high HP, get a Ferrari FF or a Lusso
Mark, do you have a link or some kind of reference, to a US DOT requirement for all North American (or US?) G’s mandating the front brush guard? I have also suspected this, too as otherwise, why the heck are we stuck with this ugly BB, but I have never seen any hard DOT rule, etc. Also, if it true that it is a US DOT mandate, then why is all of North America screwed with this same silly BB monstrosity? Canadian G’s also have the same new ugliass (as OJ might say 😁 2019 redesigned bug eyed BB as we are stuck with here in the USA. Honestly, the old rectangular BB looked oh, so much better than the new one, IMHO. Arrggghh....
Don't have an answer to your entire North America requirement, my dealer is the one that told me about the DOT mandate (which is why they can't remove it at the dealership). He told me it has to do with the configuration of the front end and how it would react in a front end crash or striking a pendestrian.
Don't have an answer to your entire North America requirement, my dealer is the one that told me about the DOT mandate (which is why they can't remove it at the dealership). He told me it has to do with the configuration of the front end and how it would react in a front end crash or striking a pendestrian.
I have no info on the veracity of this claim, but I did read that Mercedes somehow classified this all new G as the same model as last year, so they could get it certified. The old one was grandfathered on several items (such as pedestrian saftey), which they hoped to continue. This may even be why it has taken so long for federal certification, but who knows.
Ok I spoke with www.gwagenparts.com, a company that sells a ton of aftermarket modifications for the Gwag, and they said the covers for the 2019 model brush guard delete are in the works right now, so they should be available soon.
So that answers that
Last edited by Sarlox; 11-04-2018 at 01:48 AM.
Reason: corrected spelling
"the covers for the 2019 model brush guard delete are in the works right now".....I believe the "plugs" from the 2019 rear bumper will fit fine as front bumper plugs for those here who are considering Pull-Bull-Bar..... yep this thread has become a real chuckle...
I have no info on the veracity of this claim, but I did read that Mercedes somehow classified this all new G as the same model as last year, so they could get it certified. The old one was grandfathered on several items (such as pedestrian saftey), which they hoped to continue. This may even be why it has taken so long for federal certification, but who knows.
This may explain why the vin retains the w463 classification.
I have ordered 2 Bullbars, one for a G63AMG W463A , and the other one for a G 500 W463A ( USA G550 W63A )
For the G63AMG i have ordered the low profile Bull Bar part Nr 1. A 463 880 76 01
For the G500 W463A (USA 550 ) i have ordered the High Profile Bull Bar Part Nr 1. A 463 880 53 02 9197
Now i have problems to mount the the 2 Bull Bars on the G s.
I can confirm that it is an option, however the option wasn’t the case for me because mine is an edition 1 and MB Canada had all of them and then they were allocating them to dealerships from my understanding. Because when I went in to order it initilally, I asked for bull bar in black and mud guards, but the VIN was given to me and they can confirm no bulbar. What they told me is the part is definitely purchasable but they don’t know if the bumper needs to be changed to accomodate it. They said they’d get back to me and run the question, but still don’t have an answer yet. I’d be highly disappointed if I’d have to replace my bumper in order to install a lower bull bar honestly .. I’ve already stumbled on my first issue which was finding out that NO one made winter tires for 22” wheels on the G63, so I might even have to go with pirellis and hope they stretch because of the width..
I got my G63 AMG late in May 2020. I also wanted a bull bar (brush bar) but they told me it's not "applicable" any more. Last week, I went to my dealership to enquire if I could order it and they told me it's available on order in Germany. I have paid for it in full and I'm just waiting for delivery to be fit on. However, the bull bar for G63 AMG is different from the bull bar for a G500/550/400. For the G63, it covers only the lower part, while for the other versions, it covers the upper part of the front.
11-02-2018, 02:29 PM
) with the bug eyed BB version vs/ the G63's low mount BB. My guess is Mercedes will absolutely have to address this problem for future 550 buyers. I don't see how Merc can have a MY2019 car on the road without a 360 degree camera system, something currently not possible with the current 550 BB. Heck, a regular Ford pickup truck has had a 360 degree camera system for the past several years. It's becoming increasingly commonplace for even cheap cars to have a 360 system. Mercedes must have somehow boxed themselves into a corner here, as at some point, buyers will demand 996, probably soon becoming standard and included in the MSRP.
