DavidMGinn

Hey all, new to the forum - looking for some help. Wife purchased a CPO 2018 GLE 350 at our local dealership about a month ago. Absolutely love the vehicle, however when it was purchased, it was missing the Rear Bumper Step Plate (166-885-33-74-64) - and we were told the piece was ordered and would be in for us to have installed by November 1st. November 1st came and went, and we were told the part was on back-order until January. Annoyed, but OK I can deal with it. She went in to get a car wash this morning, and decided to check on the status and they told her the part is no longer being manufactured. Not super happy to look like I'm driving around in a vehicle that is missing a part and looks like its been in an accident indefinitely.

Trying to figure out what my alternatives are. I've searched and searched online for the part (willing to pay for it myself, even used if necessary) with no luck. Can't find anything aftermarket, purchased the previous model of the part to see if it could be modified to fit, etc. We have a message in to the sale person, but I feel like this is a pretty unacceptable answer at this point. They don't presently have another like model in stock, but my personal thought is that when the next one is turned in off lease, they need to take that piece off of it and give it to us. I'm not quite sure how a vehicle can be CPO if it is permanently missing a trim piece.

Sorry for the little rant - but wondering if anyone here may have a lead on where I can find a replacement!

MaverikDS

When I just went to mbparts I found this. It shows as way more expensive than a normal google search but I'd try asking the dealership to order it anyway. $222 prob isn't enough to lose a customer on what seems like a very easy argument that a CPO shouldn't be in that condition...

DavidMGinn

Thanks - I'm skeptical that its actually in stock, as I'm completely willing to pay that price even myself (even though I shouldn't have to). I went ahead and placed an order, but I put a note that if its on back order, please cancel the order. Strangely, the link you provided actually placed the order with my local dealership...who says the part isn't available at all. My wife did get a call back from the dealer after I posted this - they said that if they had a GLE in, they'd take the part off of it, but unfortunately they don't have one. My take there is that that is fine, but at some point someone should be turning in an 18/19 lease and they should plan to take the part off and give it to us at that time.

whitewagon

This thread reminded me that I wanted to replace this piece...

For my 2017 43AMG, I ordered part number 1668852174 from dealer in Tennessee... said they had two in stock... we'll see if I get it...

DavidMGinn

I actually ordered and attempted to use that part on mine. When I received it, the tabs were in different locations - but it looked like it may fit if I made a modification. Used a razor knife to cut the tabs off, and figured I'd use double sided tape to hold it in place, but the curve is just slightly different, and it has more overhang on the lip, so ended up being a waste of ~$100.

whitewagon

Maybe the AMG bumpers are different... we'll see...

Does it install from the top some tabs and clips? Just pry it loose?

DavidMGinn

I'm honestly not sure how you remove it (ours literally came without one...) - but yea, it looks like tabs that go in the back, and clips that clip into the bumper itself. I can take a picture if you want to see what it looks like underneath to get a feel for what you will be working with - let me know if it will help.

chassis

This has been covered on this site, if not in the GLE section then in the X166 GLS or GL sections. Easiest from the step pad point of view is to remove the bumper first. Removing the bumper isn't easy, but removing the step pad without first removing the bumper might be harder.

DavidMGinn

Did this piece end up working? I was actually able to find the correct model on eBay by slightly modifying my search...actually ended up with two of them - got the first today, already took it to the dealership and they popped it in (I easily could have done it myself, but wanted a car wash, and also wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something in the simplicity.

The second one is still in transit - if you still need one, let me know, we can probably work something out if USPS ever decides to update tracking status and deliver it.

whitewagon

sure, let me know... the dealer I bought it from realized I ordered incorrect one and cancelled order four me.