Anyone tried these roof crossbars on the GL?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
gl 450
Anyone tried these roof crossbars on the GL?
I need roof crossbars and am trying to decide between
--the basic carrier
--the OEM crossbars
OR
--the Whispbar crossbars:
www.whispbar.com
S55 bar
K468 mount
Anyone tried these?
Anyone have one of the above for sale?
--the basic carrier
--the OEM crossbars
OR
--the Whispbar crossbars:
www.whispbar.com
S55 bar
K468 mount
Anyone tried these?
Anyone have one of the above for sale?
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
2007 GL450 2005 C55 2002 C32 sold 2001 ML320 sold
OEM crossbars are more or less unnoticable at slower speeds for me - below approx 45mph. Above that I found the crossbar wind noise gets louder than than the tire noise until about 65mph.
After that....it's a toss up between the 2. I removed the crossbars altogether as i very rarely need to use them.
After that....it's a toss up between the 2. I removed the crossbars altogether as i very rarely need to use them.
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Houston Area
09 GL 550, 08 BMW X5 4.8, 05 C55 AMG, 05 GSX-R1000 (sold), Denali XL (sold)
Very strange. I have the MB chrome cross-bars and no issues with wind noise, even at high speed. I guess if I compare it to my Denali XL, the GL is very quiet.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 19
From: Austin, TX
14 GL550; 14 E63s
How does the OEM cross bars clamp on to the side rails? Does anyone have any pictures of it? All the aftermarket (thule, yakima) products seem to clamp right on top of it.
I was hoping for more of a streamlined look, but doesn't appear that's the case. My old Tahoe's cross bars just slid in from the side and it was pretty clean.
I was hoping for more of a streamlined look, but doesn't appear that's the case. My old Tahoe's cross bars just slid in from the side and it was pretty clean.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
2008 GL 320 CDI Black/Black
I use the OEM crossbars on mine. I also leave them on the Thule roof rack full time, it's easier to take off the cross bars and carry the Thule unit off the truck with them on.
To answer where they go - you should consult your MB book on that to be sure - as there are pictures!
Since I always leave the crossbars on the Thule rack, I don't have to worry about noise or poorer mileage as a result of the drag.
To answer where they go - you should consult your MB book on that to be sure - as there are pictures!
Since I always leave the crossbars on the Thule rack, I don't have to worry about noise or poorer mileage as a result of the drag.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I think the OEM crossbars are very loud which is why we take them off when their not in use. We use a low profile Inno carrier which is actually quieter on the OEM crossbars than the crossbars alone. Also have Thule universal crossbars, but prefer the OEMs. The OEMs are a pretty good buy at invoice compared to the Thule universals. Are the chrome crossbars different than the regular OEMs?
