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I am working on getting a new GLE450 Coupe and my initial preference was to go with the illuminated running boards as I liked the look on a few I have seen. The dealer is having a hard time finding one for me that meets my other preferences and they have a car that has pretty much everything else. I am trying to decide if it is worth holding out for the illuminated running boards or just go w/o them. Obviously this is a big personal pref thing too but wanted to get some feedback from user community here. I know they are really not functionally needed and mostly for looks and I have not seen them at night to know what the illumination adds. Appreciate the feedback!
I am working on getting a new GLE450 Coupe and my initial preference was to go with the illuminated running boards as I liked the look on a few I have seen. The dealer is having a hard time finding one for me that meets my other preferences and they have a car that has pretty much everything else. I am trying to decide if it is worth holding out for the illuminated running boards or just go w/o them. Obviously this is a big personal pref thing too but wanted to get some feedback from user community here. I know they are really not functionally needed and mostly for looks and I have not seen them at night to know what the illumination adds. Appreciate the feedback!
They are a personal choice. I don't like them. They are dangerous when wet and my pants always rub against them and get dirty.
I like the way they look, but they are not practical. As mentioned above, they tend to dirty your pants (not sure how this comes across). I considered it, but decided to order my Coupe without it.
Boards are unnecessary unless you really plan on using a roof rack. I had them on my GL and they constantly were dirtying my pants. I have found no need for it in my GLE450.
I sometimes use them. If stepping straight down onto the ground when getting out, the lower back of your pant leg will likely rub against the board. With small kids, I have to have them. Here is a pic of them lit.
Boards are unnecessary unless you really plan on using a roof rack. I had them on my GL and they constantly were dirtying my pants. I have found no need for it in my GLE450.
I sometimes use them. If stepping straight down onto the ground when getting out, the lower back of your pant leg will likely rub against the board. With small kids, I have to have them. Here is a pic of them lit.
sort of off topic but that damn mercedes logo is pretty tacky..i m really thinking what's the best way to get rid of it besides taping it over..
You get used to it and start to ignore it. There was another thread that someone mentioned rubbing a lil Vaseline under the mirror would do the trick.
Ha, I'll have to check, but I think you can turn it off through the settings on the dash.
As for the running boards, I had to have them too, but I liked/like the way they . look. Makes the car look like it sits lower. As for function, I dont really use them that much, because they dont come out enough. I believe it's super easy to add on, so I'd get it without it, then add it later.
I'd leave them off the coupe. I'm looking at the 400 (still haggling over price) and test drove the coupe quite a few times. I notice myself and my wife stepping over the boards. I also took notice of a guy at the gas station with an X6 coupe with boards and even noticed him stepping in and out of the bummer bimmer and he stepped over them both times. It's probably going to be like everyone else says, just a way to get your pants dirty when you step OVER them.
I'd leave them off the coupe. I'm looking at the 400 (still haggling over price) and test drove the coupe quite a few times. I notice myself and my wife stepping over the boards. I also took notice of a guy at the gas station with an X6 coupe with boards and even noticed him stepping in and out of the bummer bimmer and he stepped over them both times. It's probably going to be like everyone else says, just a way to get your pants dirty when you step OVER them.
Totally agree with you. That money could be used towards another option instead.
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
Originally Posted by BACnMercedes
What about some type of aftermarket boards? Or do they even make those?
I just noticed it been several days since your original post.......did you decide on anything?
Yes, I found some on Ebay and Aliexpress. They may be the exact replica of the OEM running board. I am considering getting them. Just don't know how easy it is to install them.
Has anyone install the OEM running board after delivery of the car?
We have had and still have all of our MB SUV with running boards. We have young children, when they were in baby seats, it helped with lugging the baby seat into the car, when they get older it becomes functional for the kids to get in and out of the car. We have had a few GL now and we need them. We once had a ML and it didn't have them so I had the MB dealer order the OEM boards and had them installed. It is totally do able and I don't know how complicated they are to do but they charged me one hour of labour only. Like others said, the running boards to become a small obsticle when entering and exiting the car, but you get used to it.
Yes, I found some on Ebay and Aliexpress. They may be the exact replica of the OEM running board. I am considering getting them. Just don't know how easy it is to install them.
Has anyone install the OEM running board after delivery of the car?
I had them installed back onto my ML550 when i traded it in. It wasn't hard but you need new parts inside the running boards. you will need new jack hoist mounts since the running board ones are taller then the side skirt ones.
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
Originally Posted by jtorrebl
I had them installed back onto my ML550 when i traded it in. It wasn't hard but you need new parts inside the running boards. you will need new jack hoist mounts since the running board ones are taller then the side skirt ones.
Thanks. Another question is will the ML/GLE regular running board fit on GLE coupe?
Yes. Something like AMP-research and their power steps.
I put them on my last two tundra trucks and they are awesome. I even added some nice LED strip lights in them (and hid them too) that come on when they extend after opening the doors. Those lights look better that those ugly button lights on the MBs running boards
Usually you see them on Cadillac Escalades, high end F150s, or recently on the "always in the shop" Range Rovers.