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GLE 53 Build - Illuminated Running Boards or nah??
Just put in an order for a 22' GLE 53 today. Originally was on the fence about the running boards. My SA mentioned he's heard complaints from buyers about how they're not really deep enough to fit your whole foot, and because they extrude further than the side sills, it's hard to not use them... but because the AMG GLE is a little lower, it's easier to get into without them anyways. I like the look of the running boards, but I don't want them to inconvenience me by getting in the way. Can any of you who own a GLE with the running boards chime in? Do you wish they weren't there or do you like having them? I've got about a month until my build locks, so plenty of time to make up my mind. Thanks folks!
Last edited by midwestamv8; Nov 17, 2021 at 11:18 PM.
I left them off my 22 build for the main concern / observations you made : they don't seem to help getting in or out of the vehicle and they are more likely to be a source of dirt on my pant legs most days. I had several cars on the lot to examine, with and without boards before making up my mind. For me, the 53 looks cleaner without them and directs the eye to the already wide lower sills. $0.02
I left them off my 22 build for the main concern / observations you made : they don't seem to help getting in or out of the vehicle and they are more likely to be a source of dirt on my pant legs most days. I had several cars on the lot to examine, with and without boards before making up my mind. For me, the 53 looks cleaner without them and directs the eye to the already wide lower sills. $0.02
I totally agree -- particularly on behalf of my wife with the issue of dirt on pant legs. Best approach, as we did ... find a vehicle equipped with the running boards and try it out. It may depend on your height and how long your legs are and how flexible you are. You can try several approaches to entry and exit such as "one leg in first" or "sit down first", etc. Same for exiting. But we decided definitely no running boards.
Just put in an order for a 22' GLE 53 today. Originally was on the fence about the running boards. My SA mentioned he's heard complaints from buyers about how they're not really deep enough to fit your whole foot, and because they extrude further than the side sills, it's hard to not use them... but because the AMG GLE is a little lower, it's easier to get into without them anyways. I like the look of the running boards, but I don't want them to inconvenience me by getting in the way. Can any of you who own a GLE with the running boards chime in? Do you wish they weren't there or do you like having them? I've got about a month until my build locks, so plenty of time to make up my mind. Thanks folks!
The problem is that they sit too high (right below the door sills), making them useless. Not only that but they do get in the way of getting in and out, so a double whammy against them.
Has anyone removed their factory running boards and replaced them with the painted skirts? If so do you know the part numbers and if the skirts already come painted?
You can find the parts on Ebay, look for a 'rocker molding skirt' . I was going to do this but my understanding was that you can't do this if you have the illuminated running boards like I have. Anyway I got used to the running boards after awhile and don't feel a need to remove them anymore, :-)
I picked mine up last week. While I do think the car would have looked sleeker without them, they don’t bother me as much as I had thought they would and my girls do use them to get in and out of the car easier so I guess they will stay.
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