Just finished some modifications with pictures of before and after
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From: Copenhagen, Denmark
07 GL420cdi, 07 ML63, 07 CL500 and more
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From: Minnesota
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
The one we test drove was an '08 and it had the dark wood steering wheel and the salesmen showed me that it was infact heated, boy did I ever want that GL!
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GL 450
I have aset of OEM Xeons for sales if you are interested, send me an email to bykw231@gmail.com asking $975
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From: Little Rock, AR
2009 GL550
am I the only one that sees red "x"s on post #1 of this thread? everyone else is replying with "sweet ride" and "nice pics" but all I see are red "x"'s in place of the images. Any advice?
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From: Copenhagen, Denmark
07 GL420cdi, 07 ML63, 07 CL500 and more
My girlfriend had a little parking accident with the GL, but the insurance covers everything, at first I didn't want to get the GL fixed, cause it was a minor scratch, but the damage to the Passat was so extensive that the excess was gone. Then I might as well get it fixed. And since the bumper is now a bit crooked I'm hoping for a new bumper, maybe the facelifted with two foglights
. Thinking about getting the unpainted plastic painted (front, rear, maybe runningboards) and maybe the fender flairs from the GL550 
Has anyone got pictures of a black GL woth all the plastic parts painted?
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
I just bought a GL that doesn't have appearance package (don't want the 19's anyway due to few tire choices... but want the skid plates).
Do you know whether the skid plates are stand-alone and just need to be attached to the lower plastic part of the bumper or do I need to replace the whole lower part of the bumper?
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
Sorry to revive old threads.
I just bought a GL that doesn't have appearance package (don't want the 19's anyway due to few tire choices... but want the skid plates).
Do you know whether the skid plates are stand-alone and just need to be attached to the lower plastic part of the bumper or do I need to replace the whole lower part of the bumper?
I just bought a GL that doesn't have appearance package (don't want the 19's anyway due to few tire choices... but want the skid plates).
Do you know whether the skid plates are stand-alone and just need to be attached to the lower plastic part of the bumper or do I need to replace the whole lower part of the bumper?
The skid plates are separate parts that could be purchased from MB dealer. The front plate is same for all GLs. The rear has two modifications -- one to accommodate a hitch and the other one for cars without hitch. You will have to take the front bumper off to install the plate on the front. The rear can be done without taking the bumper off but it requires some skills. If you car comes with hitch you will need to make a small cut in the lower part of the bumper but the cut will be covered by plate so it won't be visible. The whole job takes about 3-4 hours depending on your skill level.
Where are you located?
Alex
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From: Mercer Island, WA
09 GL320 BTC; 07 BMW 335i
Hi MB500,
I'm in the progress installing the front and rear skid plates... I have done the rear and am now researching the tips for the front... Two questions for you:
1) for the front - was it difficult to take the front bumper off? any tips?
2) while I was rearching, I came cross this post
"...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).... https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-install.html"
have you read this before you started drilling? do you think we could screw up the Parktronic or crash sensor? Since I have done the rear plate, it started make me a little vervous now...
Ray
I'm in the progress installing the front and rear skid plates... I have done the rear and am now researching the tips for the front... Two questions for you:
1) for the front - was it difficult to take the front bumper off? any tips?
2) while I was rearching, I came cross this post
"...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).... https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-install.html"
have you read this before you started drilling? do you think we could screw up the Parktronic or crash sensor? Since I have done the rear plate, it started make me a little vervous now...
Ray
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
Hi MB500,
I'm in the progress installing the front and rear skid plates... I have done the rear and am now researching the tips for the front... Two questions for you:
1) for the front - was it difficult to take the front bumper off? any tips?
2) while I was rearching, I came cross this post
"...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).... https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-install.html"
have you read this before you started drilling? do you think we could screw up the Parktronic or crash sensor? Since I have done the rear plate, it started make me a little vervous now...
Ray
I'm in the progress installing the front and rear skid plates... I have done the rear and am now researching the tips for the front... Two questions for you:
1) for the front - was it difficult to take the front bumper off? any tips?
2) while I was rearching, I came cross this post
"...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).... https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-install.html"
have you read this before you started drilling? do you think we could screw up the Parktronic or crash sensor? Since I have done the rear plate, it started make me a little vervous now...
Ray
Sorry for the tardy reply. In the case of rear bumper cover it is definitely possible of installing skid plate without taking it off. As a matter of fact, about 3 months ago I did skid plate addition on my new GL that had Parktronic. The Parktronic wires come nowhere close to the spots where you need to drill holes. However, be extra careful with the font bumper and Parktronic -- the wires are there and you will drill through them if you don't take the front cover off.
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15 GL550
Ray, just a suggestion that I think has been mentioned before, mask off all of the gray bumper where the lip of the skid plate meets the plastic. Take off the masking tape before you tighten down the screws. The grey plastic scratches very very easily. Also, you'll get hand and finger prints all over the grey bumper that don't seem to want to come off too easily. Meguiars Gold Class Trim Detailer cleans everything up well without an oily residue.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Mercer Island, WA
09 GL320 BTC; 07 BMW 335i
Ray, just a suggestion that I think has been mentioned before, mask off all of the gray bumper where the lip of the skid plate meets the plastic. Take off the masking tape before you tighten down the screws. The grey plastic scratches very very easily. Also, you'll get hand and finger prints all over the grey bumper that don't seem to want to come off too easily. Meguiars Gold Class Trim Detailer cleans everything up well without an oily residue.
I also installed rear bumper pad last night and will get the last chromy mode project - oval foglights - done tonight... All together (along with the windows sills), they give the GL a brand new look!
The only thing not on the list was the chrome roof bars, the current black bars perfectly match my black GL and Thule rack & cargo box which are also black.
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From: Copenhagen, Denmark
07 GL420cdi, 07 ML63, 07 CL500 and more
they are in this thread
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...l-options.html
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From: Edmonton, AB
2010 R8 V10, 2013 Cayenne GTS, 2014 GLK 250
How has your experience been with the Kleeman Power Chip?
I've been through some of the same!
Retro fitted:
Back-up camera and ipod kit (the ipod kit is now useless)
Skidplates front and rear
Chrome handle inserts
MB Running Boards
22 inch Brabus Monoblock IV
Brabus door pins
Kleemann Chip for the engine (420 cdi)
Amg / sport package pedals, really a must!
Now the comand from the 2009 model with HDD, DVD changer and bluetooth (incl. a new microphone for the bluetooth)
And that's about it, looking into the chrome for the windows and the chrome roof rails, since I already have the chrome rack.
But you should def. consider the Amg pedals!
Retro fitted:
Back-up camera and ipod kit (the ipod kit is now useless)
Skidplates front and rear
Chrome handle inserts
MB Running Boards
22 inch Brabus Monoblock IV
Brabus door pins
Kleemann Chip for the engine (420 cdi)
Amg / sport package pedals, really a must!
Now the comand from the 2009 model with HDD, DVD changer and bluetooth (incl. a new microphone for the bluetooth)
And that's about it, looking into the chrome for the windows and the chrome roof rails, since I already have the chrome rack.
But you should def. consider the Amg pedals!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 125
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From: Copenhagen, Denmark
07 GL420cdi, 07 ML63, 07 CL500 and more
