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Has anyone convert a non-sport to a sport exterior package on a GLE? (body parts only
Has anyone converted a non-sport to a sport exterior package on a GLE? (body parts only)
Will it be a direct replacement or not if I get OEM parts?
I already swapped the 19-inch original wheels for new 20-inch 5-spoke OEM AMG line wheels because I disliked the disproportionate look of the 19-inch rims on the car.
I think it looks way better now with the new 20in wheels. What do you think?
Now I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to trade in the car or if it's possible to just replace the front and rear bumper covers along with the wheel arch moldings.
Last edited by murderhornet; 07-07-2023 at 05:21 PM.
The truck looks great with the new wheels, huge improvement. If you really want the AMG exterior I’d just trade it in for an AMG version. I’m definitely a modder at heart and I’ve done exactly what your talking about to many vehicles over the years.
But the difference is this is a Benz, and it’s not worth the trouble. First off the parts will be extremely expensive, you will have to worry about sensors working correctly after the modifications. No one on the forum's will have done this so there will be no readily available p/n’s or how to videos. Then when you go to trade it in or sell the suv in a few years you will realize this did not make it more desirable at all. No one will believe that this was done just for fun, and not as a huge coverup. If they get past that part no one will believe the work was done correctly and will severely lowball you on the price of the truck. In the long run the $10K investment you make will easily cost you $20K when it’s time to sell combining the cost and the depreciation factor.
The truck looks great with the new wheels, huge improvement. If you really want the AMG exterior I’d just trade it in for an AMG version. I’m definitely a modder at heart and I’ve done exactly what your talking about to many vehicles over the years.
But the difference is this is a Benz, and it’s not worth the trouble. First off the parts will be extremely expensive, you will have to worry about sensors working correctly after the modifications. No one on the forum's will have done this so there will be no readily available p/n’s or how to videos. Then when you go to trade it in or sell the suv in a few years you will realize this did not make it more desirable at all. No one will believe that this was done just for fun, and not as a huge coverup. If they get past that part no one will believe the work was done correctly and will severely lowball you on the price of the truck. In the long run the $10K investment you make will easily cost you $20K when it’s time to sell combining the cost and the depreciation factor.
I think that about says it. And I think the numbers are about right.
The car looks pretty good right now, with the 20s.
another moderately inexpensive option is to replace the chrome window trim with black. that'll cost about $800 and is a do it yourself job. I did it on mine but no don't have any pics of before/after or during installation.
Yeah! I was thinking to wrap all chrome black. However, I kind of like how the wheels are black and polished aluminum now match the chrome accents. Maybe, when I get tired of this look I will do it!
Yeah! I was thinking to wrap all chrome black. However, I kind of like how the wheels are black and polished aluminum now match the chrome accents. Maybe, when I get tired of this look I will do it!
I have those wheels on my GLE and they actually go very well with the non-AMG line exterior.
Thank you! I think so too! Now I have a smile when I look at the car again
In addition to that new 20in rims have more side wall on tires than 19in and the car feels 100% different now! Much more quiet and comfortable driving. I was driving through a huge rainfall the other day and it felt like I was on a dry road! I have Bridgestone Alenza sport AS tires.
Thank you! I think so too! Now I have a smile when I look at the car again
In addition to that new 20in rims have more side wall on tires than 19in and the car feels 100% different now! Much more quiet and comfortable driving. I was driving through a huge rainfall the other day and it felt like I was on a dry road! I have Bridgestone Alenza sport AS tires.
Did you have to retune the speed sensors on the wheel?
Did you have to retune the speed sensors on the wheel?
This is weird because I thought I had to. However, I drove at different speeds up to 80 mph, comparing it to the Waze GPS speed indicator, and it was an exact match at all speeds. I googled that GPS speed is very accurate since it's a simple mathematical equation. Perhaps, the car adjust itself based on GPS as well. I will check tomorrow with a speedometer app and see if any difference from Waze...
If someone knows a better way to test it, please let me know.
This is weird because I thought I had to. However, I drove at different speeds up to 80 mph, comparing it to the Waze GPS speed indicator, and it was an exact match at all speeds. I googled that GPS speed is very accurate since it's a simple mathematical equation. Perhaps, the car adjust itself based on GPS as well. I will check tomorrow with a speedometer app and see if any difference from Waze...
If someone knows a better way to test it, please let me know.
Did you look at an online calculator to see if there would be a significant change with your new tire size:
Yes, I have. That's why its pretty strange. I checked speed with another speedometer app (very good reviews about accuracy) and it is also an exact match at all speeds up to 80mph that I've tested. My only explanation that the car somehow adjusted the speedometer itself.
***The wheels came with all the sensors included. They are a brand new take offs from another GLE. Could that be the reason?
Last edited by murderhornet; 07-15-2023 at 04:05 PM.
Reason: Details about the wheels
Yes, I have. That's why its pretty strange. I checked speed with another speedometer app (very good reviews about accuracy) and it is also an exact match at all speeds up to 80mph that I've tested. My only explanation that the car somehow adjusted the speedometer itself.
***The wheels came with all the sensors included. They are a brand new take offs from another GLE. Could that be the reason?
I could be wrong but I believe the only sensors are Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) so I don't think it programmed any size information. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge chimes in. How much of a difference did the speed calculator give you?
I could be wrong but I believe the only sensors are Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) so I don't think it programmed any size information. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge chimes in. How much of a difference did the speed calculator give you?
Here:
Another explanation could be that the speedometer was set a few % below actual just incase. However, I remember quite well that I did not have any difference between Waze speed and car actual speed reading before either.
"The application (WAZE) uses GPS data to display the vehicle's speed. Because it relies on GPS information, Waze could indicate a speed that doesn't match the one on the dashboard. Despite sounding odd, this is the actual speed of the car, as the vehicle speedometer typically shows a value that's a few kilometers higher."
Last edited by murderhornet; 07-15-2023 at 09:16 PM.
Reason: added a screen shot
This is weird because I thought I had to. However, I drove at different speeds up to 80 mph, comparing it to the Waze GPS speed indicator, and it was an exact match at all speeds. I googled that GPS speed is very accurate since it's a simple mathematical equation. Perhaps, the car adjust itself based on GPS as well. I will check tomorrow with a speedometer app and see if any difference from Waze...
If someone knows a better way to test it, please let me know.
Possible the old wheels were designed to be a little off (msot are) and the new wheels just accidentally made it more accurate
Another thing is the speedometer perhaps had a margin of error of +- 3? That is what I read than actual speed say for instance GPS?
I tested multiple times up to 80mph and always have the exact match. I had the exact match on 19in wheels as well. It also matched 30mph speed radar on the road the other day. Go figure...