Found this site the other day and have been reading every post in here. Great site, with great people here. We have a 2007 GL 450.

Here's one question I haven't seen yet.

My wife has noticed on a few GL's lately that the strip that frames the bottom of the windows is chrome on some GL's. Must be an 08 and/or a GL550?

It really jazzes the look up, and was wondering if anyone else has seen this / or knows how to get it and whether or not it can be retrofitted to models like ours that has the black strip there?

Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

You're right, the chrome strip is specific to the GL550.

It will fit the other GL's, but check with your dealer's parts department for costs and installation difficulty.

 

That along with chromed roof rails, a prettier front end and a few other bling items distinguish the 550 as the top of the class. It is an awesome looking truck with chrome in the right places.

Once it gets warmer I am going to install the chrome door handle guards. $82 at my dealer... Gives the 320 a little something extra.

 

I had my dealer install the chrome door handle cups on my GL450 about a month after taking delivery .. this is a low cost add-on that makes a big visual difference. If you like the chrome, that is one of the easiest and best adders to make.

 

Go to "the unofficial picture thread" and you will see a recent post by me with pictures of my 08 GL 450. I tried to post the pictures in this thread, but the site would not allow it. It kept saying the pictures already existed. The parts are $350.00, six pieces total, easy install.

 

Once you've posted a picture in one thread you can't repost it in another. I think it's a way of saving space, maybe? Not sure. Anyway, it can be a little annoyance!

STP

 

Did you do it yourself and do you know the part numbers? I looked closely at mine and thought it looked easy.

 

Yeap, the parts numbers are as follow

1646907380 Front Trim R
1646907480 Front Trim L
1646907080 Middle Window R
1646906980 Middle Window L
1646903280 Quarter Panel R
1646903180 Quarter Panel L

I got them from Mercedes of Eugene, speak with Dave. You have to order through the website. If you enter those part numbers, the items should come up. Anyhow, yes, I did myself. With a bit of force the black trims come off easily, and the chrome ones slot right in.

 

They aren't necessarily specific to GL550 and in some markets are part of a "chrome package" which also includes chrome roof rails and chrome roof rail crossbars.

The contrast between black roof bars and chrome window surrounds may be a bit disconcerting.

 

I totally missed that, ubrs. Looks real nice.

If you want to repost a picture that has been posted in a another thread, do this -

1. Go to the previous thread where picture and click on picture so it open in it's separate window.
2. Copy the URL of the picture.
3. Make sure in your new post you are in Advanced mode. Click on the "Insert image" button.
4. In the dialog box that pops up, paste the URL for the image from step 2 above. Voila, you're done.

 

ubrs,

How did you remove the black ones ? Did you use any tools ? Aren't there some clips that hold the black ones in place which can brake when I pull them off ?

Thanks, Orn

 

Thanks for the tip, and thank you for posting the pic for me.

 

I used a flat screwdriver which was wrapped with tape, and then a cloth. I gently inserted the screwdriver at one of the ends. I gently put some pressure on the black piece and one of the sides popped right up. I then manually pulled the rest. It comes right out as it is only held by some clips. You may be able to do the whole thing manually, with no screwdriver. It is really no big deal.

 

OK, that's about what I thought. I asumed that you would need a lubricant for the rubber to seat on the new trim, like a rub rail on a boat. It sounds like I was over anylizing a bit.

Thanks a ton for the part numbers. Those are my next upgrade.

 

One quick question for you. Did you use 3M tape for the chrome step pad (above the rear bumper)? BTW...nice pics

 

ubrs,

Are the parts chrome ABS or stainless? Bright or brushed finish? BTW - there's another source for the vertical window trim in brushed stainless on eBay.

The trim along the bottom of the windows is matte black (on my 320), so I'm not sure how that would look with chrome vertical trim. Thanks.

 

Do they also sell the top trim?

On the 550, both the bottom and top borders are dressed in chrome trim. The pillars are the only portions that remain in black.

 

CC - I don't think that the top window borders are chrome on 550. Check NJ's pic here.

 

I believe that window trim is bright chrome. All GLs have that crappy matte black trim at the bottom of windows.

 

5

The parts are for a GL550. When I ordered the parts, I gave them the VIN# of a GL550. The parts came out of Germany. The finish is the same as the strip that runs along towards the bottom of the doors.

 

No, I did not use 3M tape. The bumper plate slots right in.

 

 

Thanks for your quick response. The reason that I ask is cuz I read on another thread. One member stated he had to remove the clips from the chrome bumper plate and use 3M tape. He also ordered from Eugene but it was for European models. Can you please give me the part # for the one you have? Thanks again

 

You're right! I just went down to the garage, and sure enough, the top matches the pewter color of the car. For some reason I always thought that was chrome up there. Oh well, I think there's already enough to go around.

 

Part #164-880-02-11. You can use the 3M tape if you wish, but it is not necessary. You do have to remove the clips from the chrome plate however.