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I am planning to order a GLE63s this week and just wondering everyone's opinion of the running boards? I think they look pretty cool but when I was driving a loaner GLC that had them, I kept getting the back of my pants dirty. I am now debating whether I should remove them from my GLE order. For those who have them, do you regret getting the running boards or are you happy with them?
Had them on our ML550 years ago, and we experienced the same issue of bumping our ankles on them on entering/exiting the car. My wife is 5'4" and never really used them.
I don't like the running boards from a "getting in" standpoint. My 5'3" wife agrees.
However, I think the side view lines are enhanced on a dark color car without the Night Package (chrome roof rails, windows and running boards). I think they are awkward-looking on a lighter car. YMMV
I have them and while not exceptionally functional except for reaching the center of the roof during washing, I think they enhance the overall appearance.
Initially I didn't want them, but it became very useful once I figured I can use it to "hop" inside the car to get right to the center of the seat, hoping to not wear the side bolsters prematurely. Also it's nice to have for kids when they get in/out of the car, they seem to like the climbing. Plus it's illuminated so additional lighting on the side of the car is also appreciated. I used it to knock snows off my boots before I got in so if you live in the snow belt it may become useful. It became a function over form type of deal and I quite like it.
The only thing with the AMG-line is that it makes the side skirt matte black instead of the sporty AMG body colored flare. I have Lunar Blue so it's dark enough to blend in, but looking at the silver one, the difference is distinct, though you may argue it blends with the rear lower bumper.
I didn’t order them for the same pants issue. I think the longer your legs, the less it would be an issue. My wife and I did the same thing with a loaner and she went from a “must have” to “don’t get them”. On the other hand, the trim piece has a series of stepped ridges that take a few more swipes to clean.
I didn't realize there was an issue getting dirty, but my order doesn't have them because I think the car looks better without them. My personal opinion.
I do wish I ordered the wood steering wheel though. Apparently once you place your order, there isn't much of a window to add or change anything even if the build date is several months out.
Initially I didn't want them, but it became very useful once I figured I can use it to "hop" inside the car to get right to the center of the seat, hoping to not wear the side bolsters prematurely. Also it's nice to have for kids when they get in/out of the car, they seem to like the climbing. Plus it's illuminated so additional lighting on the side of the car is also appreciated. I used it to knock snows off my boots before I got in so if you live in the snow belt it may become useful. It became a function over form type of deal and I quite like it.
The only thing with the AMG-line is that it makes the side skirt matte black instead of the sporty AMG body colored flare. I have Lunar Blue so it's dark enough to blend in, but looking at the silver one, the difference is distinct, though you may argue it blends with the rear lower bumper.
it’s easy enough to take them off colour code the Matt black part.
I have done mine in gloss black to match the car and the actual step platform in Matt black as a contrast.
I do wish I ordered the wood steering wheel though. Apparently once you place your order, there isn't much of a window to add or change anything even if the build date is several months out.
When I ordered very early on it was about one month until the order locked - is it shorter now? I would guess the supply issues created by the pandemic may require them to lock in sooner to get parts in the pipeline.
Don’t use the ones I have on my current GLE and didn’t order them on my GLE that I have on order. I personally think the new body style looks better without them.
When I ordered very early on it was about one month until the order locked - is it shorter now? I would guess the supply issues created by the pandemic may require them to lock in sooner to get parts in the pipeline.
don't know. I think it was about 3 weeks or so and I tried to add the wood steering wheel and the GM said it was too late. I thought he just didn't want to try, but I see others post the same things. I still had over 2 months to wait and I didn't want to start over, so I dropped the idea. I hope the wait is worth it!
I have a hard enough time keeping my pants clean without the running boards. I had another vehicle with running boards and while they were great for getting in/out, my pants usually had some crud on them.
Mine has running boards, I ordered them because of the look and because it is a bit easier to clean the roof. While waiting for the car and reading the forum I thought I made a mistake ordering them because everyone said you get your pants dirty. But now that I have the car I got used to step on them while getting in/out to avoid leaning on the side bolster (in my previous car the side bolster got was worn out after 5/6 years because of getting in/out so this was an incentive to use them for getting in/out).
I have the running boards also - mainly because my wife insisted. I had them on my ML63 and considered removing them on this one but she uses the running boards all the time when entering/exiting so I kept them.
It turns out that the v167 is much taller than the W166 model and the running boards also help when washing the car so it's all good.
Thank you. This was really helpful. I decided that I will be keeping them. Will just need to remember to change how I enter and exit the car and step on them. But once this becomes a habit I think they would be great and definitely give the car a great look in my opinion.
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