Running Boards
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
From: Alexandria, VA USA
2013 ML 350 BlueTEC
Running Boards
My new ML is on order and should be here in May. The only thing I am still undecided about are the running boards. Your experience and knowledge is appreciated:
- If I do not chose these (I really don't like how they look), can they be retrofitted later?
- Some people say they get in the way and get dirt on your pants - what is your experience?
- Has anyone tried painting them body color to get them to blend in better?
Thanks!
- If I do not chose these (I really don't like how they look), can they be retrofitted later?
- Some people say they get in the way and get dirt on your pants - what is your experience?
- Has anyone tried painting them body color to get them to blend in better?
Thanks!
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 229
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From: East of Athens, GA
Steel Grey 2012 ML350 is wife's
The wife's w166 is our 5th ML since '99 and our 3rd with running boards. We love the boards looks but HATE the interference to the pants legs. Our children are grown so have no need for a "step".
I have paid to have them removed on my last v8 w163 SE and so plan to have them removed off this w166 and replaced with the AMG style color-coded abs plastic rocker panel covers when those parts become available next year or so.
I agree that the black corrugated plastic introductory-year rocker covers will hold dirt and wax so will be hard on the eyes in a few years and don't want those as replacements... 4-sure.
I have paid to have them removed on my last v8 w163 SE and so plan to have them removed off this w166 and replaced with the AMG style color-coded abs plastic rocker panel covers when those parts become available next year or so.
I agree that the black corrugated plastic introductory-year rocker covers will hold dirt and wax so will be hard on the eyes in a few years and don't want those as replacements... 4-sure.
Last edited by gocargo; Mar 11, 2012 at 03:01 PM.
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Do make ingress easier for small people, but egress not so much so for most, as stated above. Main benefit for me would be access to rooftop racks.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Boston
2011 M3, 2012 ML63
If you live in a city with tight parking, this does help - Not necessarily a reason to get them. In my experience with an X5 with and without them, I have not gotten one with the one with the running boards. Perhaps luck but they stick out enough to catch doors before hitting the side.
