Panda Build Thread
If the new GLS has them all I need is the part number.
It's great being close to the factory and having friends who work there who can tear the care down so easily too.
Last edited by srfrboy; Sep 15, 2017 at 08:54 AM.
Did you see them do the front grille slats, do they need to pull the whole grille out, I have the radar cruise and read somewhere it needs to be re-calibrated after refit so Im concerned about having the extra cost of that after having a wrap done on the front grille?
Also, did you watch them do the bumper trims, do the bumpers have to come off or can they remove the trims separately to wrap and refit?
The work will be done by a professional company but I want to know whats required before I hand over the keys.
Thanks and nice ride
The grill pulls away from the front bumper with just a few clips, some you press up and some down. I have some pics I will upload soon. Then there are the slats "covers", 2 on each side. I left them on but should I ever need to wrap again I would like separate. Again since I'm not a pro and not sure many pros would use a solid sheet I did it in sections. My friend who is must more of a pro liked my attempt and gave me pointers on making better seams.
As for re-calibrating the Distronic puck, no need. I have never had a problem on my E or now the GL.
The front lower trim can be removed I think from the bumper without taking the bumper off, just doesn't look easy. I left it on and again not a pro but the visual parts look fine but the underside could be better. I will ask my friend from the plant to show how to quickly remove it or I will see myself when he comes to help me take the front bumper off to access the headlights so I can swap the lens inside.
Pics of grill wrap to come soon.
However as this is my girls car and not mine she picked the 550. Reasons; $20k less, didn't feel any real performance diff between 550/63; and so 550 practically the same car all around.
Adding the exhaust tips to me is fine as it has AMG everything else on the exterior. Not trying to be a 63 but will be just as quick esp with downpipes and tune. Just cheaper.
Tips $213.51
- Arrived in about 7 days with little faster shipping option
- https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/...Id=32715563113
- These are clearly not OEM but I am willing to bet from the same factory.
Lower valance $310.70
- 1668856925
Heat Sheild aka bracket for tips $91.80 total ($45.90 each)
- 1668852714
- 1668852814
So:
Tips $213.51
OEM parts shipped $442.45
TOTAL $655.96 a savings of $743.04
Tools needed:
- 10mm socket
- 10mm ratcheting wrench
- T20 ratacheting screw driver, stubby
HOW TO:
1. Remove the exhaust tips using T20, remove the 2 screws circled in red. Then push towards front of the car and remove.
2. Then work to remove the heat shield bracket. Remove the 10mm bolts along the rear to the left/right of hitch area. Easy to spot and likely tabs broken.
3a. There are then 5 more 10mm bolts to remove, look at new bracket to know location. There is one you will need a socket ext for and will likely need to clean out the dirt and crap built up to get too. A few pics the RED ones are easy the YELLOW a *****!!!
3b. The YELLOW pain "nuts" are visibile here but better to go up top to use the ratcheting wrench, use 10mm. Can easily pull the valance down to gain access.
4. Remove bracket.
5. You can now reach the other YELLOW pain nut off the valance.
Before removing bracket
After removing bracket
RED bolt, use socket ext to access after clearing out dirt and crap.
6. After that there are 5 T20 screws along the valance, See new one for location, easy to get to but use a stubby ratcheting screw driver to make it easy. Sorry no pics. Then simply pull off starting from the side, there are other push clips but a little force will pop it loose.
7. Move all clips from old exhaust bracket and teh clips off the valance.
Move these clips to new bracket
Slide off clip and move to new valance
8. Install in reverse. Note the metal tabs on the tips might needs a slight bending to slide into the spot on the new bracket so that they mount properly.
Before:
After:
Ordered from SDTW from ebay.
Wheels:22x10 +48 offset gloss balck 22 reps of the stock 21s
Tires: 285/40/22 Prada Spec x
Center caps: from eBay using OEM center, painted red
More pics to come once the car is back home later today.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Tips $213.51
- Arrived in about 7 days with little faster shipping option
- https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/...Id=32715563113
- These are clearly not OEM but I am willing to bet from the same factory.
Lower valance $310.70
- 1668856925
Heat Sheild aka bracket for tips $91.80 total ($45.90 each)
- 1668852714
- 1668852814
So:
Tips $213.51
OEM parts shipped $442.45
TOTAL $655.96 a savings of $743.04
Tools needed:
- 10mm socket
- 10mm ratcheting wrench
- T20 ratacheting screw driver, stubby
HOW TO:
1. Remove the exhaust tips using T20, remove the 2 screws circled in red. Then push towards front of the car and remove.
2. Then work to remove the heat shield bracket. Remove the 10mm bolts along the rear to the left/right of hitch area. Easy to spot and likely tabs broken.
3a. There are then 5 more 10mm bolts to remove, look at new bracket to know location. There is one you will need a socket ext for and will likely need to clean out the dirt and crap built up to get too. A few pics the RED ones are easy the YELLOW a *****!!!
3b. The YELLOW pain "nuts" are visibile here but better to go up top to use the ratcheting wrench, use 10mm. Can easily pull the valance down to gain access.
4. Remove bracket.
5. You can now reach the other YELLOW pain nut off the valance.
Before removing bracket
After removing bracket
RED bolt, use socket ext to access after clearing out dirt and crap.
6. After that there are 5 T20 screws along the valance, See new one for location, easy to get to but use a stubby ratcheting screw driver to make it easy. Sorry no pics. Then simply pull off starting from the side, there are other push clips but a little force will pop it loose.
7. Move all clips from old exhaust bracket and teh clips off the valance.
Move these clips to new bracket
Slide off clip and move to new valance
8. Install in reverse. Note the metal tabs on the tips might needs a slight bending to slide into the spot on the new bracket so that they mount properly.
Before:
After:
Once I start the project I will get detailed pics and steps. I had active headlights on my E55 and it wasn't too hard to swap out the lens, so I am hoping the same holds true for the GL.
Bulbs $225:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bu...66144-cbh.html
Lens $40:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...ses/zkw-r.html
Stock vs CBH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H51yvUXewA
Stock vs CBI vs CBH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQaXkuSiso
S
Again pipes are catless so "off road" only, will throw a CEL until you are tuned and have the CEL turned off. That is coming shortly of me.
Reving:
Cold start:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...lem-black.html
Last edited by DC-BENZ; Oct 31, 2017 at 11:57 AM.




How is the update on your headlight and lens retrofit? how do you like the CBH performance color? I am looking to swap out my current D2S on my SL55 (Philips White Vision LED effect 5000K) to Either Osram CBI or CBH or CBB to get a cooler white light output vs the warm white i still have from Philips WHV2.
And, I LOVE the E55, hail M113K
How is the update on your headlight and lens retrofit? how do you like the CBH performance color? I am looking to swap out my current D2S on my SL55 (Philips White Vision LED effect 5000K) to Either Osram CBI or CBH or CBB to get a cooler white light output vs the warm white i still have from Philips WHV2.
And, I LOVE the E55, hail M113K
I haven't gotten to the lens and headlight retro just yet. Football took up most weekends in the last few months. I plan to get my buddy from the factory to help me tear down the front end in the next 60 days to do the headlights. This should speed up the process since he knows how to build and tear them down in a heartbeat!!! The CBH are good slightly better than CBI, I like them. When I do the headlights I will compare the stock to CBH better in stock setup and then stock setup vs lens/CBH upgrades. The new CBB is interesting and thought to move to them for the lumens out put but the color reviews I have seen say CBI, CBH, and CBB are all about the same color.
I also plan to get the calipers done in red soon.
I have recently had Tony from RaceIQ, he tuned my E55, and it has made a huge diff in the pickup and quickness. I have ordered a Sprint Booster in the last few days so will see how that goes.
Mods done since last update:
- Tune by Tony at RaceIQ
- Paddle shifter things added, will post pics soon
- 12" sub/amp install
- Sprint Booster
Upcoming mods:
- Headlight turn signals change to white instead of amber and lens swap
- Red calipers
If I get super froggy:
- Split cooling system
- Killer Chiller and meth injection
- Retune for meth
Last edited by black06c230; Feb 26, 2018 at 06:29 PM.





