emran

I had ordered running boards on my ML350 as I thought they look cool and a bit "masculine" a more 4/4 image and less of a car.
It is now been built and ready to be delivered in a couple of weeks.
I ordered these before i saw a lot of bad reviews on having them. Every one wants them off and say they mess their trousers and even spending money to remove them.
I am a bit disappointed with all this negative feed back ..to late for me and wonder how big a mistake I have made?
Is there any group of people who like the/love them and can make me feel any better or shall iI just fret and sulk!?!

serge01

i got them for exactly the same reasons as you did and had the same thouhts after. Had the ML since last march and my wife says the are a plus for her to get in.I find they are a bit of a pain to get out, but i can live with them.

elveston

I had them on my '99 and my '08. They were a must have on my '13. My wife really likes their utility ... she routinely uses them. I really like the way they look and occasionally use them. Mostly, I just step over them. Of course, I had a bull bar on my '08 and really loved it. No regrets.

emran

How late in ones order can you cancel/remove running boards ?

GregW / Oregon

Not sure about masculine; no "man" needs a step. However, I wish I had them every time I try to strap stuff to the roof racks when visiting the local lumber yard or going skiing. That is the best recommendation I can give them.

rexgold

I think you are worrying about it but once you get the car, you will get used to it and find a way around it..

This is all very personal.. I wanted the RB on my W164 but as I was buying it second hand, could not find one with them. Now, when I tried it with the W166, I found them really annoying.. hence I got them off the order.. if you find them really annoying, just get a dealer to take them off and sell them off..

don't worry.. (Just get used to lots of Dry Cleaning Bills for your trousers!!!)

BlackSL

it's not wide enough imho.

jtorrebl

We have them he wife and kids absolutely need them. I am not short and I use them everytime I get it. If you have quest

jtorrebl

They are absolutely useful a for wife and kids. I am not short and I use them everytime. Go to the dealer and try them out. Simple as that. Other peoples opinions don't really matter after you try them out yourself

YYZ-E55

Funny, even when I had a GL with running boards, I stood on either the door sill or the rear tire to clean the roof. The boards didn't get me high enough.

The only good thing about the boards on the X164 was that they seemed to keep the side of the truck a bit cleaner.

27T

Your trousers WILL get dirty without running boards because the sills protrude and are not covered by a closed door. With running boards you can avoid getting dirty by stepping on them when exiting.

Leethal

Just wear shorts or a skirt

gplank

You mean a kilt. But I think you're knee socks would still get soiled.

hutch300

They look good

emran

I had a chance to see and use a demostrator ML250 for the weekend , it was a total pleasure.
It had running boards which were making me worried with all the negative feed back and I had ordered them on my ml350.
My own conculsion is , I am glade that I did put them on , They certaily look good and makes the SUV a real SUV.My kids and my wife thought, that they were essential. They needed them to step on and off.
I can see the point about them touch your trousers ...well I can live with it ,
I will quickly learn how to get of it using the step and not avoid it ,as if you step on it then you re ok.

katiesdad7

I don't like them because they hit my shins. However, my wife loves them. So like any good husband......she won. :-)

LoneStarFlyer

My 6 year old uses them every time she climbs in/out. I never use them unless I want to look at something on the roof. I agree with the one response that they help keep the side of the car clean, if nothing else. I don't find them difficult to step around. They look fine but are a bit shallow to be truly useful. Like others say, you'll have to judge for yourself but you might be very happy with them.

nomoremustang

its personal tase....
I don't like them, they are narrow and useless
I ordered mine without boards

A co-worker has boards and hates them

to each his own said the lady that kissed the cow

WVUHantz

Does anyone want to trade out their 2012 running boards for the basic skirts, plus some cash. I have wanted a set and been on backorder forever for them. I have tried all angles to get them, but seeing here that they are a bother to many in trousers, I'm in FL and I'm mostly I'm shorts so hoping I can find a trader.
Also, of anyone knows of any at a wrecked salvage or aftermarket company will you please let me know, that would be much appreciated!!!!

mamak99

I bought the RunningBoard for my wife 2011 ML for $237.76 and installation cost me $150. It fits great and looks great. My wife said it is very helpful for her and for the kids.

challer

I don't have them and am very happy for it. Girlfriend has them on the GL and they just get in the way. Of course, she's 5' 4" and couldn't live without them.

HAILERS2

When ordering a ML I asked the salesman what good they were, because I was undecided. He said they keep the front wheels from slinging dirt on the side of the vehicle.

Well I drove one and liked the ML, but when I parked it close to another car and got out, my left inner leg brushed against the running board making it a little more difficult for me to get out when parked close to another car. At that moment I decide to not get 'em. It was a toss up whether to get 'em or not get 'em up to that point in time.

MBduck

I'm glad we got the running boards on our ML350 but wish they were wider.

mellow sparky

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the usefulness in washing the roof and/or loading things on top of the truck. We've always had them on our SUVs (pathfinder, xc90, ...) ... currently we have them on our X5 ... unless you want to drag out a step ladder, they are a must for washing and loading (plus I think they look good).


My wife and I are both taller ... never had a problem hitting our pant legs on them (and the X5 running boards are wider than the ML)...

shortspark

The width of the boards are the key. They are just wide enough to make it difficult to get in and out but too narrow to use as a step (except for children). They are also too narrow to use to stand on for washing the roof. Maybe BMW's running boards are wider but with the ML they are pretty much useless. One thing they are good for, however, is that they prevent road tar and grime from hitting the lower panels.