wjbender

I will be placing an order for a MY2015 and want to hear opinions on pros and cons of the running boards. It seems like no one uses them and they are just for occasional access to the roof cargo rails. They seem to get in the way as you step around them when entering the truck and appear to be more for appearance than use.

shortspark

I have them on my 2012 and probably would not order them again. The boards are too narrow for a man's foot to assist in getting in the seat (although they might be fine for kids or a woman). I step over the running board getting in and out which makes it more difficult than it should be. The only benefit I can see is that they protect the bottom part of your car's panels. I have noticed much less road grime, tar, etc. on the lower panels.

PureNick

I was debating getting them not really for functionality but for the looks they provide to the overall "SUV" look of the car. I ended up getting them and have found that both my girlfriend and our dog use the running boards to get in to the car so I'm happy I added them in that regard. I'm 6'4" with a size 12 shoe and haven't even tried to use them because it's very obvious it just won't work.

You can always buy the running boards on eBay and install them afterwards. Super easy and you save a TON buying them from another MB Dealer who sells authentic parts on eBay. It's like 8 screws on each side.

GregGebhardt

While I like the way the running boards look, they do get in the way when getting in and out of the car. For me they are strictly cosmetic.

Streamliner

I was going to get them on my 2014 ML, but once I tried getting in and out of a car that had them, I changed my mind. They get in the way and, at least to me, make it more difficult to get in and out. My daughter has a GL with them and loves them, as do her kids. So, I guess if you are a reasonably tall adult, I would stay away from them. For shorter folks & kids, I guess they are helpful. I have come to think that the ML looks much nicer without them, a much cleaner, more truck like look.

emran

I had great doubts ,when I ordered it ,and looked at all the thread/opinions .
Now having had them for over a year . I love them for the looks , the ML without them look like a car not SUV care to me and feminine ,this makes it loook like a SUV.
Practicality , only to wash the roof!
Its more like choosing the color . If you like the look get it It scores 9/10.
Practicality scores 2/10.

wjbender

Actually I like the cleaner look without them; it seems that getting in and out is easier without. I am definitely leaning toward no running boards.

Nanook

Yes...do not get the running boards..the only thing they offer is cosmetics..100% . They are of no functional use except to wash your roof...should you dare step on them and risk scratching them.
For me I do like the look but a real pain exiting the vehicle especially with the type of seats in the AMG and in the winter a real risk of soiling the back of your pant leg dragging against them..also care must be given wiping them as the rubber treads can easily snag your rag and you end up lifting the ends up.

mellow sparky

counter-point -> if you like to wash your own car and don't want to drag out a step ladder, the running boards are a must have. It's impossible to wash the roof/sunroof unless you can stand on something (unless you are over 7' tall).


I would NEVER run my car through an automatic wash - Nanook: I've not had any scratching problem standing on my running boards to wash.


Thankfully, MB makes their running boards a bit narrower than BMW, so you can still get a good boost to wash the car, but they don't get in the way with entering/exiting the vehicle.


I say get them (unless you take your car to the car wash)

gplank

Don't get them unless you want your ML to look like it has training wheels on or very feminine with little cute wings. They also dirty your pant leg when you get in and out.

You want the package with the AMG style 'twist-bar.' They better match the overall sleek design of the ML.

GregGebhardt

LOL. I think someone has "other" problems if they think they look feminine!

27T

Do a search here and get pages of opinions and learn how the pant leg problem is a myth.

Vincecam

I had ordered my 2013 ML350BT with running boards. The dealer talked me into it as he said they all had them and it's impossible to get them after delivery. I tried them out before ordering and found them too narrow to be of any use and if I tried to use them as a step chances were my foot would slip off. Very awkward I thought. Also I experienced the pant leg rubbing across them as I exited the vehicle as impossible to avoid. But I ordered them anyway. On delivery day I almost missed the fact that the running boards were not on the car! The fact they were missing can't be explained but as a result I'm so happy and I was refunded the $650 I paid for them. I have not missed them at all and I doubt they would boost me up high enough to be useable to wash the entire roof of the car. Those running boards are too narrow to be real running boards and I agree with gplank about being more cute than useful.

shortspark

I would never use those things to stand on when washing my roof. If they are too narrow to step on to get in the car they are certainly too narrow to work off of. A little step stool is so much better.

MannyS430

in my opnion, if you get the AMG sports package, do not get the running boards. With the AMG package, you get the side skirts, then if you add running boards, MB will delete the sideskirts (they do not credit you them!) and they add an extra for the running boards, which also adds a black paint strip above them. SO if you get an all white or silver car, you will have a aluminum boards, black paint stripe, then your paint.

I opted for all diamond white, sports package, no running board, no hitch, car looks clean thats how I like it.

hos

Can you post some pics please Manny?

27T

Most people (read women under 5'6 and all kids) will appreciate the RB. I'm 6'3 and sometimes use them when entering on pass side when stepping from a curb. If you're fat and out of shape or mobility is fairly limited it'll more difficult to use the RB because they are narrow.

Your pant leg will still get dirty even without RB because the door does not cover the sill below the door. Myth busted.

Barry45RPM

2. They are too narrow to be of any use as a toe first step. What good is any step that you don't approach toe first? And when you do step up on them you are way too high to enter the car.

2. Look at a running board equipped car and see how far away you must stand from where you might ever place your foot inside the car... at least a foot away from the inside of the floor. Who would normally stand so far away from a vehicle you want to get into?

3. They are strictly a testosterone touch for the car.

Rdub

Anymore, it is really if you like the (modified) look of the (flashy and shiny) running boards (horizontal lines) with almost minimal utility. When they have much MORE utility (slip resistant rubber step), they normally do not look very good. On (5) other SUV's I have had much wider running boards.

I would and did get 2 current CUV's WITHOUT running boards. .