2021 GLS450 sunroof and crossbars
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
gls450
2021 GLS450 sunroof and crossbars
How is this not fixed yet! I just picked up my 2021 gls yesterday and put on the OEM crossbars this morning. They don’t allow the sunroof to open. WTF....how has Mercedes not fixed this yet. I’m going to return the racks on Monday and start looking for ones that do allow the sunroof to open. Any suggestions?
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 94
Likes: 21
From: Palm Beach County, FL
2017 Chevy SS, 2018 GLA250, 2020 GLS580
How is this not fixed yet! I just picked up my 2021 gls yesterday and put on the OEM crossbars this morning. They don’t allow the sunroof to open. WTF....how has Mercedes not fixed this yet. I’m going to return the racks on Monday and start looking for ones that do allow the sunroof to open. Any suggestions?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 260
Likes: 72
From: Vienna, VA
'20 GLS580, '18 S560
I'm not sure that it's a defect.
the mechanism somehow detects the crossbar is installed, and it only allows the sunroof to pop-up. not slide back. I think this is by design. I don't see MB changing it.
I went with Thule aftermarket crossbar, ultimately. not because of the sunroof thing. but I found the factory crossbars mount too forward for my roof box.
the mechanism somehow detects the crossbar is installed, and it only allows the sunroof to pop-up. not slide back. I think this is by design. I don't see MB changing it.
I went with Thule aftermarket crossbar, ultimately. not because of the sunroof thing. but I found the factory crossbars mount too forward for my roof box.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
GLS450
I am having the same issue on my 2021 GLS with the OEM crossbars. Not sure what we're going to do, but have you noticed an increased wind sound with these crossbars? I figured there would be additional noise, but another reason that we're reconsidering these bars. Like another poster mentioned, and the service dept noted also, they do sit more forward.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 260
Likes: 72
From: Vienna, VA
'20 GLS580, '18 S560
I am having the same issue on my 2021 GLS with the OEM crossbars. Not sure what we're going to do, but have you noticed an increased wind sound with these crossbars? I figured there would be additional noise, but another reason that we're reconsidering these bars. Like another poster mentioned, and the service dept noted also, they do sit more forward.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
gls450
exactly. they do sit waaaaaaay too forward. the plus side of having my box sit like that was that I can reach the items in the back of the box easier, because the back of the box sits right above the rear door opening.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
I ended up with the thule raised bases and bar. Right now i have the front one far foward over the sunroof and the other back behind where the roof opens. As of now i can fully open the sunroof. I havent tried my box on top. I will once it warms up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
I'm not sure that it's a defect.
the mechanism somehow detects the crossbar is installed, and it only allows the sunroof to pop-up. not slide back. I think this is by design. I don't see MB changing it.
I went with Thule aftermarket crossbar, ultimately. not because of the sunroof thing. but I found the factory crossbars mount too forward for my roof box.
the mechanism somehow detects the crossbar is installed, and it only allows the sunroof to pop-up. not slide back. I think this is by design. I don't see MB changing it.
I went with Thule aftermarket crossbar, ultimately. not because of the sunroof thing. but I found the factory crossbars mount too forward for my roof box.
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
2021 GLS 450
Horrible crossbar design!
exactly. they do sit waaaaaaay too forward. the plus side of having my box sit like that was that I can reach the items in the back of the box easier, because the back of the box sits right above the rear door opening.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 50
From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
Odd indeed.
Can't you just position the cross bars further back? Are the bolted into particular holes in the roof rails? In my W210 and W212, I used the MB cross bars and I could position them anywhere on the roof racks.
Can't you just position the cross bars further back? Are the bolted into particular holes in the roof rails? In my W210 and W212, I used the MB cross bars and I could position them anywhere on the roof racks.
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 52
From: Ellicott City, MD
2021 GLS450 2020 GLE350 2005 BMW 325ci Convertible
It's not as easy on the X167. The rails are varying widths front to back and in the middle. There is a little bit of play in the factory bars, but they pretty much have to go where specced.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 50
From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
I have tried MB OEM cross bars and about half a dozen Thule bars in my previous MBs. Some work better than others and my experience with the PROPER Thule bars were good. All whistled whenever I hit 70 mph. So I removed them when not used
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 52
From: Ellicott City, MD
2021 GLS450 2020 GLE350 2005 BMW 325ci Convertible
I re-used an old ceiling mounted bike pulley for mine. I put two cargo straps around it, connected the bike hooks to those and hoisted it up!. I also stored the cross bars inside the box.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 50
From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
When I needed it, I would simply park the car underneath, then lower the box into the car's roof racks, then tighten.
It was a great setup.
.
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 52
From: Ellicott City, MD
2021 GLS450 2020 GLE350 2005 BMW 325ci Convertible
Same here when I used to own a box. When it was not used, I would pull it up via a series of bike pulleys into the ceiling of the garage.
When I needed it, I would simply park the car underneath, then lower the box into the car's roof racks, then tighten.
It was a great setup.
.
When I needed it, I would simply park the car underneath, then lower the box into the car's roof racks, then tighten.
It was a great setup.
.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 50
From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts, USA
2021 GLS 450
Sunroof opens?
Thanks for sharing, especially the pics. Were you able to open the sunroof after the installation? If yes, can you please share which roof rails are these and where did you purchase them at? Much appreciated.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
BMW M3
The sunroof only tilts when you have the crossbars installed. The rails and box are from Mercedes. I purchased at the dealership.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
GLS 450
exactly. they do sit waaaaaaay too forward. the plus side of having my box sit like that was that I can reach the items in the back of the box easier, because the back of the box sits right above the rear door opening.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
and like you said, the OEM crossbars created significantly louder whistling noise at speed.
I went back to my aftermarket crossbars (Thule Aeroblade Edge).
BTW, if anyone wants to buy my OEM MB crossbars, I have a set to sell now.
only been mounted and used for one trip.
D.J.
.
TIA!
