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We just purchased our 2021 GLS 450 last week and absolutely love the car. However, I am a bit bothered by the black plastic wheel arches that come standard and not having the option for the AMG line trim that is offered on the GLE. That being said, I assume the painted wheel arches from a GLS 580 can be purchased and installed (I've seen other forum members paingting the plastic arches but don't prefer that route).
I found the part number for a painted wheel arch (167-880-44-05-9775). Does anyone see a problem with fitment? Granted the part number applies to a 2020 GLS 580, but I don't think there has been a change in fitment between 2020 and 2021.
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Welcome to MBWorld.
You raised a good point. I too want to paint or change the wheel arches on my GLS 450 and was considering having it painted by a good auto paint shop. However, since these are plastics and have a rough texture, they might not be easy to paint. So I was considering getting the GLS 580 arches. Thanks for putting the part number. Do you know how much they cost? As to your 2020 question, the vehicle is the same as the 2021 so the arches will fit both years.
You raised a good point. I too want to paint or change the wheel arches on my GLS 450 and was considering having it painted by a good auto paint shop. However, since these are plastics and have a rough texture, they might not be easy to paint. So I was considering getting the GLS 580 arches. Thanks for putting the part number. Do you know how much they cost? As to your 2020 question, the vehicle is the same as the 2021 so the arches will fit both years.
Keep us posted.
.
Thanks for the welcome! The painted arch is about $190 for the front and $200 for the rears, at least from one site that I saw (https://parts.mercedesbenzofdurham.c...or-trim-fender ) I need to look under the wheel well to see how they are attached and if it is something I want to DIY vs take to a body shop for the install. It's just very strange how the painted arch can be purchased online but isn't an option if doing a build from scratch. I'll let you know if I proceed. Hopefully other member have already went this route and can chime in on their experience.
Darn, I was really hoping it would work. Thanks for sharing your eagle eye
I looked at the front and seems it’s the same way as the rear where the arch transitions into the front bumper of the 580.
Only way to do it is to get the 580 bumpers as well and who knows what that will take to get done…if there are any other parts below the bumpers that need to be swapped out.
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by Paxfobiscum
Welcome to MBWorld.
You raised a good point. I too want to paint or change the wheel arches on my GLS 450 and was considering having it painted by a good auto paint shop. However, since these are plastics and have a rough texture, they might not be easy to paint. So I was considering getting the GLS 580 arches. Thanks for putting the part number. Do you know how much they cost? As to your 2020 question, the vehicle is the same as the 2021 so the arches will fit both years.
Keep us posted.
.
You can paint the arches. A good body shop can sand them down, use a filler primer and paint them.
Will look as good as factory.
When I was with Volvo we did it all the time on the XC90.
You can paint the arches. A good body shop can sand them down, use a filler primer and paint them.
Will look as good as factory.
When I was with Volvo we did it all the time on the XC90.
Thanks..I'll call around for quotes but since it's my wife's car, I may just let it slide. She doesn't want me mucking around too much. BTW, how much did it cost at Volvo?
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by rpl77
Thanks..I'll call around for quotes but since it's my wife's car, I may just let it slide. She doesn't want me mucking around too much. BTW, how much did it cost at Volvo?
I think we charged $3-4,000. We had to do bumpers and door strips as well as the wheel moldings.
You should be able to get the wheel arches done for less than $1000
Thank you for sharing. I saw the thread previously as well, and that got me thinking about painting and/or replacing the arch. My local MBZ SA confirmed the painted arches from the 580 would not fit for the reasons stated by JaTe above. I always thought painted plastic wasn't durable in the long run, but I guess it depends on how its prepped?
I agree that painted they look better but I don't dislike them black either. I think that the "cladding" on the 450 is tastefully done, it looks "organic" rather than tacked on.
Anyone know the part number for the wider rear fenders for the GLS450 with 21 inch rims? I'm sure those will bolt right on, just having a tough time finding the part number.
All the benz parts sites have horrible search functions.
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Originally Posted by S1000RR
Anyone know the part number for the wider rear fenders for the GLS450 with 21 inch rims? I'm sure those will bolt right on, just having a tough time finding the part number.
All the benz parts sites have horrible search functions.
Are you sure the plastic arches for the 21 inch wheels are different than those for the 20 inch wheels?
I thought they were the same arches, but I am not so sure.
Anyways, a quick call to your dealer parts department is your best source for part numbers. You will need to have your VIN code handy.
Are you sure the plastic arches for the 21 inch wheels are different than those for the 20 inch wheels?
I thought they were the same arches, but I am not so sure.
Anyways, a quick call to your dealer parts department is your best source for part numbers. You will need to have your VIN code handy.
.
they're definitely different. the rear wheel arches for 21" wheels stick out more to accommodated the wider tires. if you build on the mbusa website and toggle between 20" and 21" wheel options, you'll see that the arches are different. i confirmed this at the dealership and with my sales associate. this was the main reason why i went with the 21" wheels.
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Originally Posted by jomama
they're definitely different. the rear wheel arches for 21" wheels stick out more to accommodated the wider tires. if you build on the mbusa website and toggle between 20" and 21" wheel options, you'll see that the arches are different. i confirmed this at the dealership and with my sales associate. this was the main reason why i went with the 21" wheels.
OK, good to know. I have 21 inch tires and the *** of this truck is WIIIDE compared to the GLS that I see with 20 inch tires. I thought it was just because of the tires, but I guess the arches make a difference too.
I am having a tough time finding a body shop to sand and paint my wheel arches. I'm in Nor Cal and have called several body shops and the have all said basically the same thing. They say they won't do it because the even if sanded and primed they aren't meant to be painted and the paint will chip off over time.
Anyone have luck getting new arches that are either painted or primed?
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I got an informal quote from a good body shop, and he said it would be about $2,000 at least because aside from removing all the arches, he has to do a lot of prep work because the plastic is not smooth. Then the primer, paint, clear coat, then reinstall.
North worth some white arches for me.
I will stick with the black plastic ones.
The stuff inside the bumper the same - get the 580 bumper and paint it and boom good to go. Only potential requirment is also need the 580 front bumper aka the "amg style"
they're definitely different. the rear wheel arches for 21" wheels stick out more to accommodated the wider tires. if you build on the mbusa website and toggle between 20" and 21" wheel options, you'll see that the arches are different. i confirmed this at the dealership and with my sales associate. this was the main reason why i went with the 21" wheels.
This appears to be the same on the GLE. Narrow on the 20s wider black plastic arches with the 21s. Did anyone find the part numbers for the wider black plastic arches?
On the "wheel arches" for 21's - you need to search and get a VIN# for a GLS for sale that has those wider arches.
The Dealer Part's Dept can check Part#'s by VIN for that GLS that already has them as replacement parts.
The Parts Dept does not have a Parts Cross Reference for "wheel arches"
You also need to ask them to check Front & Rear Bumper Part#s from your GLS - with the target 21" GLS - to make sure the bumpers are the same part wise.
Replacing Wheel Trim is one thing - replacing Bumpers is another - especially from Bumper Sensors standpoint (recalibration) - and also the mounts that attach bumpers can be different for different bumper part#'s ... hence I don't fav the "get the bumpers too - "Boom" comment)
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