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Currently have a 2020 GLE350 and looking to purchase the "black side cladding" to give my SUV a little sportier look, any suggestions as to where to purchase it? Also, any suggestions to give my suv a sportier look is great too! Saw the "fins" for the hood but not sure how I feel about those...
It's a option when ordering the car, so I would think a body shop could order a set. and install it if needed.
Your VIN probably won't help if it came without the blade accent.
Just be aware, any kind of rough finished plastic such as what you want to install to the side of the car (OR the stuff car has around the tires inside fenders) is not repairable when it comes to road debris/rock chips/scratches/etc. Most people would think plastic is cheaper than metal and black plastic is easier to maintain than painted metal, but you'd be surprised how durable painted surfaces are and how they can look just new with lots of different treatment options such as polishing, sanding, painting, etc. None of these apply to type of material those side cladding is made up of. I have them on my 911 GT3RS as side skirts, and they are pain in the a$$ to maintain in good condition. For example bird droppings, chemicals, or other wet material once sits on those types of plastic surfaces long enough, it will etch the rubber and you will never be able to clean it. Even soap water if it sits under the sun on those surfaces can leave permanent prints. You do the same on a painted panel with clear coat, while yes they also will permanently stay on - even the mildest polish can bring that back to normal. Just my 2 cents.
I've never seen it in person, but in some images I saw online it looks good. I have a white GLE so the black seemed to be a good idea to add to it for a sportier look, everyone keeps calling my car a "mom car" so I was trying to make it a little less like a "mom car"
Here is it on a white GLE that I saw online, and this is basically the same exact model I have except I have the panoramic sunroof:
But here is it on a selenite grey GLE and I can't decide if it looks good or not
I hate being negative, but it doesn't look good on the GLE and, in my opinion, takes away from it. I had a Macan before the GLE and it had the side cladding, and it looked much better on that vehicle. If you really want to spend money on something, get the rear spoiler.
I've never seen it in person, but in some images I saw online it looks good. I have a white GLE so the black seemed to be a good idea to add to it for a sportier look, everyone keeps calling my car a "mom car" so I was trying to make it a little less like a "mom car"
Here is it on a white GLE that I saw online, and this is basically the same exact model I have except I have the panoramic sunroof:
But here is it on a selenite grey GLE and I can't decide if it looks good or not
I'm not a fan, especially with the running boards. The lines look conflicting.
The there's the question of chrome or black window trim, with another potential conflict of lines.
I'm also not a fan of running boards, but the Selinite Gray, chrome windows and running boards work for me.
It must work for the MB design folks, since that's the combo featured in the V167 intro videos. Day - night contrasts are impressive.
Another color I think works best with chrome trim is Mojave Silver.
And while I'm spewing color opinions, I think light colors make GLEs look bigger, and dark ones look smaller. IMHO. YMMV.
I've seen those in person and they look awful. I thought it was some aftermarket parking protectors from the JC Whitney catalog or Ebay. Gross.
I too have seen them in person. I almost vomited they are so hideous and make the GLE look like a piece of trash, especially on white GLEs. But to each his own.
I'm really happy that you posted this with the selenite gray. I have the same body and wheels on my GLE 450 and was curious what those side panels would look like. I don't think it works well with the grey. Going to get that idea out of my head now :-)
Originally Posted by cs5615
I've never seen it in person, but in some images I saw online it looks good. I have a white GLE so the black seemed to be a good idea to add to it for a sportier look, everyone keeps calling my car a "mom car" so I was trying to make it a little less like a "mom car"
Here is it on a white GLE that I saw online, and this is basically the same exact model I have except I have the panoramic sunroof:
But here is it on a selenite grey GLE and I can't decide if it looks good or not
I've never seen it in person, but in some images I saw online it looks good. I have a white GLE so the black seemed to be a good idea to add to it for a sportier look, everyone keeps calling my car a "mom car" so I was trying to make it a little less like a "mom car"
If you like them that's all that matters, but I agree with others that, while they look fine on the Macan, they just don't look right on the GLE. You should be able to order them as an accessory through any dealer.
That plastic just diminishes the look of the GLE. It cheapens the look big time.
I agree completely .. if there was anything that could make the car look more aggressive it would be the panamerica grill. But some folks see swapping the grill out to be the same infraction as adding a fake AMG badge. I remember the hate I got when I had a C43 as my first Benz and how many times I was reminded it wasn’t a real AMG. Once I upgraded to a C63S then I found people started complaining about how the old engines were so much better than the smaller V8’s. So OP the moral of the story is opinions vary and do what you think is going to make you happy.
If you like them that's all that matters, but I agree with others that, while they look fine on the Macan, they just don't look right on the GLE. You should be able to order them as an accessory through any dealer.
I have a Macan and special ordered it to NOT have the plastic on the doors. It just does not look clean. The cheapen the car. From the pics posted, it looks worse on the GLE. If you want protection from rocks just put clear bra on the sides. Best protection and clean.
I have a Macan and special ordered it to NOT have the plastic on the doors. It just does not look clean. The cheapen the car. From the pics posted, it looks worse on the GLE. If you want protection from rocks just put clear bra on the sides. Best protection and clean.
The only advantage, if you do like them, is the "side cladding" is only $450 on the GLE vs. $680 for the "side blades" on the Macan ($1,390 in carbon fiber).
Currently have a 2020 GLE350 and looking to purchase the "black side cladding" to give my SUV a little sportier look, any suggestions as to where to purchase it? Also, any suggestions to give my suv a sportier look is great too! Saw the "fins" for the hood but not sure how I feel about those...
Below is an image of what the item looks like:
Here are the "fins"
What color is your vehicle, that looks like Mojave, right?
I am assuming that you do not have the AMG and/or Night package on your GLE. Instead of doing the black plastic siding (which looks tacky IMO), I would plastic-dip or wrap the chrome accents throughout the exterior and make them black to make it look more sporty. One of the dealerships near me did that on a selenite gray GLE with the AMG package and it looked good. I would think the white would also look good even if it does not have the AMG/Night package.
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GLE Exterior
