JohnMichael

My neighbor smashed up the front end of his 2011 GLK and asked me what I thought would be involved switching to the AMG style. First thoughts are it probably would bolt on in the same places the standard one does but of course several exterior parts like the different lights, skid plate would add up in costs although his insurance has to replace the front end so he could possibly pay the difference. Anybody ever look into this?

shotgun_banjo

I think it is a direct bolt-on except for the lights. I have a client who owns a body shop and I had a chance to look at some GLKs that are being repaired which both front bumpers are being replaced and the anchor points of both AMG and non-AMG bumpers are just the same. I think if your neighbor does that MB might void his warranty on some components because a different part was placed on the car that is not matching the original specification of the car that went out from the factory. The VIN number of the car will tell them what exactly was placed on the car during production and sometimes they are very strict on modification even though it won't do any harm on the car.

JohnMichael

By lights I assume you mean running led lights not the main light assemblies (they look identical). I agree the warranty might be effected but only for the new parts and since an approved MB body shop will be doing the work who knows. Does installing an aftermarket trailer hitch void parts of the warranty? seems even more invasive than a new bumper cover. I haven't seen his estimate yet but it will be interesting.

shotgun_banjo

I can tell you right now that it will cost him around $2500 for the entire bumper assembly plus another $850 for the LED lights and another $400 for the paint job + another $150 for shop materials. For the hitch I think if you modify the body and slice through the vehicle wires it will void the rust and electrical warranty of the car.

MBRedux

Get this front end! Looks better!

shotgun_banjo

he will be spending way more money and better just trade the car and get a 2013 if he will retrofit all of that. How much are those headlights anyway? I bet it will be close to $2000 each for the entire light assembly.

CJM Online

That front end definitely requires new headlights, grill and more. And FWIW, the current AMG front end looks pretty dang good in person (even better than in most pics).

JohnMichael

This question was about changing the 2012 standard front bumper to the 2012 AMG styling package front bumper not to the 2013 front bumper.