GL450 Skid plate install
#1
GL450 Skid plate install
I would like to add the chrome front and rear skid plates to my GL450.
Is the installation a viable "do it yourself" project, or is there a reason that the dealier is quoting $700 in labor to install the plates?
I have seen the posts for the stainless bumper guard installation, but have not seen any posts on installing the skid plates.
Thanks
Is the installation a viable "do it yourself" project, or is there a reason that the dealier is quoting $700 in labor to install the plates?
I have seen the posts for the stainless bumper guard installation, but have not seen any posts on installing the skid plates.
Thanks
#2
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'08 GL 320CDI
I would like to add the chrome front and rear skid plates to my GL450.
Is the installation a viable "do it yourself" project, or is there a reason that the dealier is quoting $700 in labor to install the plates?
I have seen the posts for the stainless bumper guard installation, but have not seen any posts on installing the skid plates.
Thanks
Is the installation a viable "do it yourself" project, or is there a reason that the dealier is quoting $700 in labor to install the plates?
I have seen the posts for the stainless bumper guard installation, but have not seen any posts on installing the skid plates.
Thanks
#3
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2008 GL320: 2005 C55 (sold): 2005 ML500 (sold): 2001 ML 430 (sold)
When I take delivery of my GL 320 in about two weeks from now, I am having the front skid plate installed by my dealer. I like the look it gives the vehicle. Anyway, my dealer quoted me 3 hours labour for the installation.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
I like how these "skid plates" are described in European Mercedes literature: "optical underride protection."
"Optical" meaning it only looks like it.
They are NOT skid plates.
"Optical" meaning it only looks like it.
They are NOT skid plates.
#5
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2011 GL350, 2010 S550
Skid Plates Install and Birdseye Steering Wheel
Hi JDT1,
Where did you please get the Birdseye Steering Wheel? How about the Skid Plates? Did you have to change any other parts in order to add the skid plates?
I found a MP Design steering wheel for $595-599 at Performance Parts and K1 Motorsport, but have not seen it how it color matches.
The lowest skid plates I found at Mercedes Parts People for $195 front/ $351 rear.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Where did you please get the Birdseye Steering Wheel? How about the Skid Plates? Did you have to change any other parts in order to add the skid plates?
I found a MP Design steering wheel for $595-599 at Performance Parts and K1 Motorsport, but have not seen it how it color matches.
The lowest skid plates I found at Mercedes Parts People for $195 front/ $351 rear.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
#6
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'08 GL 320CDI
Hi JDT1,
Where did you please get the Birdseye Steering Wheel? How about the Skid Plates? Did you have to change any other parts in order to add the skid plates?
I found a MP Design steering wheel for $595-599 at Performance Parts and K1 Motorsport, but have not seen it how it color matches.
The lowest skid plates I found at Mercedes Parts People for $195 front/ $351 rear.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Where did you please get the Birdseye Steering Wheel? How about the Skid Plates? Did you have to change any other parts in order to add the skid plates?
I found a MP Design steering wheel for $595-599 at Performance Parts and K1 Motorsport, but have not seen it how it color matches.
The lowest skid plates I found at Mercedes Parts People for $195 front/ $351 rear.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
#7
MoTorque - The prices you state in your message are better than what I paid. The skid plates I got through the dealer as an add on. For both front and rear, I paid $642, but I also paid an additional $100 for labor which was negotiated down from what was expected to be about $300 (3 hours labor). As for the steering wheel, it did come from Performance Products at a cost of about $100 more than what you quoted in your message. My dealer actually worked that out as well, and I was charged another $100 for labor to change out the steering wheel (they gave me the original wheel to keep). I am extremely pleased with the color match of the Bird's Eye Maple and will post some pics for you tomorrow to give you an idea of how it looks. BTW, you might want to check that price you have with Performance Products. I have their latest catalog which lists a price of $749 for a wood/leather steering wheel for the 164 Chassis (GL). Perhaps they're running a special online.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
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2011 GL350, 2010 S550
Skid plates and steering wheel
MoTorque - The prices you state in your message are better than what I paid. The skid plates I got through the dealer as an add on. For both front and rear, I paid $642, but I also paid an additional $100 for labor which was negotiated down from what was expected to be about $300 (3 hours labor). As for the steering wheel, it did come from Performance Products at a cost of about $100 more than what you quoted in your message. My dealer actually worked that out as well, and I was charged another $100 for labor to change out the steering wheel (they gave me the original wheel to keep). I am extremely pleased with the color match of the Bird's Eye Maple and will post some pics for you tomorrow to give you an idea of how it looks. BTW, you might want to check that price you have with Performance Products. I have their latest catalog which lists a price of $749 for a wood/leather steering wheel for the 164 Chassis (GL). Perhaps they're running a special online.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
#9
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'08 GL 320CDI
As stated in their catalog, the steering wheel that Performance Products carries is by MP Designs of Germany.
#11
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'08 GL 320CDI
B6-6-27-0885 B6-6-27-0886 B6-6-27-0887 B6-6-27-0888 B6-6-27-0889 B6-6-27-0890 Steering Wheel, Wood & Leather $695.00US This is from http://mercedes.dealerfit.com/store/
#12
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2011 GL350, 2010 S550
B6-6-27-0885 B6-6-27-0886 B6-6-27-0887 B6-6-27-0888 B6-6-27-0889 B6-6-27-0890 Steering Wheel, Wood & Leather $695.00US This is from http://mercedes.dealerfit.com/store/
Thanks for the reply!
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
It's strange that this website only mentions the Burl Walnut Wood and not Birds Eye Maple. Yet there are six different OEM part numbers. I could see where three of them would be for the Burl Walnut finish with either the Black, Grey or Macademia leather. But what about the other three. Must be the Birds Eye Maple finish in the same colors of leather, they just don't state the Birds Eye Maple option in the catalog. I guess you have to call them to find out.
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2011 GL350, 2010 S550
MoTorque - The prices you state in your message are better than what I paid. The skid plates I got through the dealer as an add on. For both front and rear, I paid $642, but I also paid an additional $100 for labor which was negotiated down from what was expected to be about $300 (3 hours labor). As for the steering wheel, it did come from Performance Products at a cost of about $100 more than what you quoted in your message. My dealer actually worked that out as well, and I was charged another $100 for labor to change out the steering wheel (they gave me the original wheel to keep). I am extremely pleased with the color match of the Bird's Eye Maple and will post some pics for you tomorrow to give you an idea of how it looks. BTW, you might want to check that price you have with Performance Products. I have their latest catalog which lists a price of $749 for a wood/leather steering wheel for the 164 Chassis (GL). Perhaps they're running a special online.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
Again, look for pics tomorrow.
While I was at the dealer about the Airmatic issues, I also talked about installing the skid plates. They said that because of the Parktronic wires and a crash sensor installed in the rear bumper they would have to take it off in order not to screw something up while drilling, which will take a minimum of 4-6 hours and $500 - $725. Do you know how they did it for you? (did they remove or not the rear bumper).
Thanks!
Last edited by MoTorque; 12-19-2007 at 12:46 AM.
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'08 GL 320CDI
Hi JDT1,
While I was at the dealer about the Airmatic issues, I also talked about installing the skid plates. The said that because of the Parktronic wires and a crash sensor installed in the rear bumper they would have to take it off in order not to screw something up while drilling, which will take a minimum of 4-6 hours and $500 - $725. Do you how they did it for you? ( did they remove or not the rear bumper).
Thanks!
While I was at the dealer about the Airmatic issues, I also talked about installing the skid plates. The said that because of the Parktronic wires and a crash sensor installed in the rear bumper they would have to take it off in order not to screw something up while drilling, which will take a minimum of 4-6 hours and $500 - $725. Do you how they did it for you? ( did they remove or not the rear bumper).
Thanks!
#18
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Taking The Plunge
I decided to take the plunge and do it myself based on the instructions I've found on a couple of forums. I'll try to do a DIY walk-thru.
It looks like you have to take the front bumper off for the front install.
The rear bumper apparently doesn't have to come off.
Attached are instructions for removing the front bumper. Hope it helps others.
It looks like you have to take the front bumper off for the front install.
The rear bumper apparently doesn't have to come off.
Attached are instructions for removing the front bumper. Hope it helps others.
#19
I decided to take the plunge and do it myself based on the instructions I've found on a couple of forums. I'll try to do a DIY walk-thru.
It looks like you have to take the front bumper off for the front install.
The rear bumper apparently doesn't have to come off.
Attached are instructions for removing the front bumper. Hope it helps others.
It looks like you have to take the front bumper off for the front install.
The rear bumper apparently doesn't have to come off.
Attached are instructions for removing the front bumper. Hope it helps others.
Hey did you end up installing the skid plates? How did it go? Did you have to remove the front and rear bumpers?
#20
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The front bumper was a son of a biiitch! I will say that. And yes the shop had to take the bumper off. So not worth it. In my opinion the rear skid plate is the one that's most noticeable anyway since it comes up over the bumper. I would have rather skipped the font bumper install. In fact I had after market HID lights for the head lights and fog lights, they ended up blowing something and my fog lights no longer worked. Then a week later I trade the truck for a CL 550,
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#21
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'03 CL500,& '18 GLS63. Gone: '83 500SEC,'99 500SL,'07GL450
On my 2007 GL450 there were two versions of the rear skid plate: w/ trailer hitch & wo/ trailer hitch. I installed the rear skid plate- pretty straight forward and had the dealer install the front skid plate. I found that that the two pieces were in fact, mostly cosmetic and wouldn't offer any real "skid" protection.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Last edited by reddog; 05-13-2012 at 11:38 AM.