turpsters

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

JDT1

I've heard it's pretty involved. In my negotiations with my dealer, he informed me that the labor could run anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to install them. After much haggling, I agreed to two hours of labor ($210), but that included the switchout of the standard steering wheel to a wood/leather wheel (aftermarket) that matches the bird's eye maple wood that comes with the MB Tex interior. I figure I saved quite a bit, not having to pay for the expensive full leather package just to get the wood/leather steering wheel I wanted.

Prefo

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.

lkchris

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.

MoTorque

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!

JDT1

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.

tm4exc

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/

MoTorque

I am looking forward to see the pictures, thanks. I was wrong about the Performance Parts pricing. The shop I was reffering to is in Van Nuys CA (I looked at so many sites and lost track). Do you know the manufacturer name of the steering wheel? (MP Design or other?)

JDT1

As stated in their catalog, the steering wheel that Performance Products carries is by MP Designs of Germany.

MoTorque

Thanks so much!

JDT1

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.

MoTorque

The steering wheel listed on their site comes only in Burl Walnut and I have the lighter Birdseye Maple.

Thanks for the reply!

lkchris

Three colors for Voice Control (linguatronic), three for vehicle without. They are all burl walnut.

MoTorque

Hi JDT1,

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!

JDT1

I really have no details on what my dealer did to install them. If I get the chance in the next day or so, I'll call them and ask how they did it, and report back.

GL450thedaddia

Anyone have instructions on installation of front and rear skid plates. Thanks

ertech

what to the front torx screws go into?is there some sort of nut?if so what is the part #
Thanks

lexnoir

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.

yellowsugga

Hey did you end up installing the skid plates? How did it go? Did you have to remove the front and rear bumpers?

lexnoir

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,

reddog

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.