Everything we wanted except....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 24
From: Nashville
2017 S550 Iridium / Black Nappa, 2015 GL 550 Paladium Silver
Everything we wanted except....
Well after 3 months of waiting our new GL350 arrived today. Everything we wanted except....running boards. I noticed it looked a bit odd and then realized what it was. Looks really strange without - in my opinion.
Dealer says he can't even have service add them to the new body style. I don't
get that?!?!? The build options offer "illuminated running boards" which I assumed was in place of the normal running boards. I wasn't going to pay $650 for lights...little did I know that was the only way they come.
Wife is a little lady at 5'1" and uses the running boards on her ML to get in / out of the vehicle. Thinking about telling dealer to just sell on the lot. No money down so nothing out of pocket. I've never seen a GL without running boards and never crossed my mind that they weren't standard.
Dealer says he can't even have service add them to the new body style. I don't
get that?!?!? The build options offer "illuminated running boards" which I assumed was in place of the normal running boards. I wasn't going to pay $650 for lights...little did I know that was the only way they come.
Wife is a little lady at 5'1" and uses the running boards on her ML to get in / out of the vehicle. Thinking about telling dealer to just sell on the lot. No money down so nothing out of pocket. I've never seen a GL without running boards and never crossed my mind that they weren't standard.
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A gaggle of MB's
The X166 technically are "factory install only".
Overall, GL's are in limited in availability - that said a good number of dealer's do have "open" orders for end-March, early April production.
End-March open orders will be locked down today, or latest opver the weekend - I did not have a opportunity to check this afternoon if they were still open.
Early April production orders are still changeable for "maybe" 1st days of next week.
Keep the beat !
Overall, GL's are in limited in availability - that said a good number of dealer's do have "open" orders for end-March, early April production.
End-March open orders will be locked down today, or latest opver the weekend - I did not have a opportunity to check this afternoon if they were still open.
Early April production orders are still changeable for "maybe" 1st days of next week.
Keep the beat !
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
GL
Well, I find the factory running boards to be poorly designed, bordering (board-ering?) on idiotic -- they're too narrow for a shoe, slippery when wet and they fill up with mud and snow while driving. Just feeble.
If you didn't want to pay $600 for factory boards, maybe these are better value:
http://www.amp-research.com/products...ies/powerstep/
I have them on one other SUV and they're great -- they lower to a useful height, they are "open" so there's room for your foot and, depending upon the model, can retract to be well hidden under the "rocker" panel beneath the doors.
If you didn't want to pay $600 for factory boards, maybe these are better value:
http://www.amp-research.com/products...ies/powerstep/
I have them on one other SUV and they're great -- they lower to a useful height, they are "open" so there's room for your foot and, depending upon the model, can retract to be well hidden under the "rocker" panel beneath the doors.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
2014 GL 350 blue tec
Well, I find the factory running boards to be poorly designed, bordering (board-ering?) on idiotic -- they're too narrow for a shoe, slippery when wet and they fill up with mud and snow while driving. Just feeble.
If you didn't want to pay $600 for factory boards, maybe these are better value:
http://www.amp-research.com/products...ies/powerstep/
I have them on one other SUV and they're great -- they lower to a useful height, they are "open" so there's room for your foot and, depending upon the model, can retract to be well hidden under the "rocker" panel beneath the doors.
If you didn't want to pay $600 for factory boards, maybe these are better value:
http://www.amp-research.com/products...ies/powerstep/
I have them on one other SUV and they're great -- they lower to a useful height, they are "open" so there's room for your foot and, depending upon the model, can retract to be well hidden under the "rocker" panel beneath the doors.
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A gaggle of MB's
You can apply Einzsett Glanzwax sealant to the running boards with no "white stuff" left on the plastic nubs... helps with the wash.. make sure when washing running boards off with fresh water or can leave soap spots that become permanent stains.
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2013 GL450
While I agree that it is ultimately the customer's responsibility, I think the dealer is obligated to review ALL options available on a vehicle before ordering, particularly a car in such high demand with long wait times.
I was amazed when I ordered mine that my dealer never reviewed them with me. I had to do all of my own research. They need to do a better job in this regard.
I was amazed when I ordered mine that my dealer never reviewed them with me. I had to do all of my own research. They need to do a better job in this regard.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
While I agree that it is ultimately the customer's responsibility, I think the dealer is obligated to review ALL options available on a vehicle before ordering, particularly a car in such high demand with long wait times.
I was amazed when I ordered mine that my dealer never reviewed them with me. I had to do all of my own research. They need to do a better job in this regard.
I was amazed when I ordered mine that my dealer never reviewed them with me. I had to do all of my own research. They need to do a better job in this regard.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
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From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
My 85 year old mother uses them, she'll put her butt in the seat while standing on the ground, then step up with her heal and push herself in. She rarely rides in it though. I tend to agree they cause more salt marks on the pants than they are worth.
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A gaggle of MB's
And any car-wash/power-wash detergent left on the runnig boards can "spot" the porous silver finish of the running board, always flush well with rinse water - preferably a wash that has "deionized" rinse water..
