Aftermarket Running Boards?
 

Has anyone ever purchased an installed a set of knock offs? What do you think of the quality. I see alot of them for $200.
2013 ML 350 Bluetec

I sold my OEM boards c/w hardware for $350.

I dont see any for sale around me.

'14 ML350 CPO purchased with 30k on the clock. Surface of boards easily stains. Same on our '14 GL450 CPO purchased with 43k on the clock. Staining (looks spotty and cloudy) from one end to the other so wear and tear not an issue. Just crappy material. Nothing will improve it. If you can save money going aftermarket, do it. BTW, the GLE loaners I've had looked bad as well. Wander your local dealer's lot to see what I mean.

Be careful if you find a used OEM set. You can make the blotchy look go away temporarily by spraying with stainless steel cleaner.

If you live near St Louis MO, I have a set I took off a 2015 ML which are in excellent shape. They are OEM standard without lights. Car had around 30,000 miles when I had them removed. 200 if picked up will not ship

I'd be curious to see how many members, had they the choice, would remove the boards as compared to keeping them. It cost me over $1k CAN to remove mine.

Anyone have any update on this. I live in NY and wanted to ADD running boards. I am scared of the quality, afraid the rubber pads will come off or the plastic will warp in the sun...etc. Seems to be a common issue with china goods.

I have them with the illuminated lights on them, they are cool to see at night time, downside is that they turn on during the day as well. Wouldnt remove them though, i like it personally.

I removed mine and don't miss them a bit. I found a pair of the non running board rocker panels on eBay and switched them after painting the non-running boards same color as the body (White) IMHO a Better look.

I think much of it has to do with how tall you are. I'm 5'6" and the wife's 5'. If you live in the snow-belt and aren't tall, the back of your pant-legs become a slushy, salt-soaked rag for cleaning those floorboards. Matter of fact, the X6 also poses that same problem due to the exaggerated rocker panels. My GC SRT gave me the same problem as well. But I could see how being taller would give you a chance to clear the boards/rocker panels.

BTW, we painted ours a pearl black

I've never seen a W166 without boards.

I think all Australian delivered cars have boards. Our cars are quite highly spec'ed.

If I could I would swap mine as I'm in the same boat as Peter2772000 and hate stepping over them and getting dirty clothes.

Ordered my 2015 specifically w/o Running Boards because they are too shallow to be a real step and protrude so far so as to push you further away from the seat to get in and situated, and they get your pants leg back dirty. They are 100% Macho appearance and zero % function, IMHO.

I did order the AMG wheel/rocker panel pkg because I liked the wheels better than the standard ones. Wide open spokes makes for never having to get down and clean the wheels. The car wash does all the work with water spray.

Hi...when you took yours off, did you have a part that covered the holes etc left behind after removal? I just bought a '15 ML350, and I don't like the running boards. the dealer said there's nothing available to cover the holes, and advised that it would look bad if we took off the OEM running boards. Any advice??

It cost us roughly $1000 CAN to remove ours. Body shop installed new OEM rocker panels. It's more complicated than you'd think. There are other associated parts which need to be purchased as well. Don't regret it though.

That's interesting. I just bought a '15 ML350 4Matic 2 days ago....I used to have a '12 which didn't have running boards. I was disappointed that the '15 has them. When I inquired about removing, the parts Dept said they'd done that in the past, but the parts were no longer available. When did you do this "surgery" and where did you source the parts from??

It'd be well worth the 1k to me, to get them taken off.

OEM MB parts, last spring, bull***** on the parts not being available. Parts guy just didn't want to research what all was necessary to do the swap.

Damn....I'm going to have to find a dealer who'll undertake the project. I'm assuming there are more parts needed than just the panels.

Definitely. Bolts, blocks etc, definitely not as simple as you'd think.

Is there any chance you know the complete list of what I'd need to complete the Job of removing the running boards from my '15 ML350 4matic? It's probably an annoying request, but if possible, it'd be a great help.

I just got a quote from a "discount" MB parts supplier...the total came to $874 plus tax. It looks like $240 each for the rocker panels, and then quite a few other items. Then I'll have to find a body shop to paint, etc.

So I guess the $1k CAN wasn't so bad a deal, it included the painting of the rockers and all the work.
Sorry, I don't know what all is needed, only that my body shop came back to me after the initial request and stated that the parts guy at MB told him he needed other parts