Chrome Roof Rails
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
2013 MB GLK 350
Chrome Roof Rails
I am looking for after market Chrome or aluminum roof rail covers for my 2013 GLK 350 black ones. You know, the 3M tape kind. I saw them somewhere but cannot remember what site. Has anyone seen them for sale? or replacement chrome rails at a reasonable price?
Chrome or aluminum cross bars aftermarket?
Chrome or aluminum cross bars aftermarket?
Last edited by vinnieg; Jan 3, 2015 at 05:37 AM. Reason: additional info
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
Look into aftermarket for cross rails (Thule etc.). You might have trouble with a wrap or cover on the OEM rails with cross bars. I would look for a used set of rails. They are different in shape as to where they bolt to the roof so make certain to get the seals/gaskets with the used set. The seal/gasket is not available separately the last time I checked. Neat thing to do is to have them recoated (powdercoat) in a colour to compliment the car. I came very close to doing ours over in a charcoal to match the background colour on the 20" wheels. The other issue is the cost of the removal & the install of the rails. A quality body shop can do the work, preferably a shop with MB experience but it will run you around $400.00 for the work.
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 5
From: Arizona and Washington
2014 GLK350
Not sure if this answers your question. When we ordered our 14 GLK, I didn't want the package to get aluminum roof rails, but wanted them. Dealer obliged. Ultimately, the cost with installation was greater than the cost of the package, and required quite a bit of surgery on the vehicle (removal of headliner, etc.).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
At least the surgery was temporary & nothing permanent changed. This brings us back to the adage I have expressed many times here since we purchased our CPO in 2011 & I joined this forum. Buy the vehicle with all of the options you might want 'cause doing it piece by piece afterward will make you cry due to the price of parts from MB. IF we buy another GLK (used never new), I will travel to the ends of the earth to get what I want as to the options. Many variables as to where we will be living in the next five years so everything is in a holding pattern. A 500E would be a blast...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
2013 MB GLK 350
Agreed but in my case the 2013 GLK 350 I own was a gift from my Daughter and Son-in-law. Another adage " You do not look a gift horse in the mouth". From your picture you have a ways to go before you are my age. I hope you are as lucky as I am.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
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From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
At least the surgery was temporary & nothing permanent changed. This brings us back to the adage I have expressed many times here since we purchased our CPO in 2011 & I joined this forum. Buy the vehicle with all of the options you might want 'cause doing it piece by piece afterward will make you cry due to the price of parts from MB. IF we buy another GLK (used never new), I will travel to the ends of the earth to get what I want as to the options. Many variables as to where we will be living in the next five years so everything is in a holding pattern. A 500E would be a blast...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
A possible solution would be to take your GLK to a shop which does powder coating. Have the black rails inspected to determine if they can indeed be powder coated when removed from the car. Still will have the cost of removal & installation but not the cost of purchasing the set of silver rails. I have a set of black rails if you are interested & will sell them cheap ($100.00 + shipping) so that the car is not tied up disassembled while the rails are refinished. Then you could sell the set off of yours & recoup that cost.
