2011 G550 Facelift Advice?
#1
2011 G550 Facelift Advice?
Hi All!
Just got a "new to me" 2011 G550 w/45K miles. Just completed the 40K service, new belt, filters, fluids, etc... Now that all of the maintneance is done, I'm moving forward with plans to facelift. I have some questions and need advice. I am NOT mechanically inclined. (I have actually gone through a ton of threads here looking for answers for a few days before I wrote this - apologies if answers have been provided elsewhere in here and I missed them). So in no particular order:
I have a rattle mostly heard at low speed (probably lack of road/wind noise) coming from the cargo door or possibly rear roof. I've already greased the latch, checked the spare and adjusted the plastic catch/guide on the hatch body. None of that stopped the noise. Dealer says possibly sunroof cables loose (will investigate on next visit). Any other ideas in the mean time?
Next, will replace OEM 18" wheels with 20" wheels - who is a reputible OEM replica manufacturer? (see sample photo)
Third - Front and rear bumper, grill and headlight covers with DRLs and park assist sensors. I see lots of kits on ebay, but am very wary of fit and finish issues. is there a particular US supplier that folks have had good luck with or recommend? Or, should I consider separate suppliers for those bits with the added worry of making sure they all fit together properly?
Fourth - I want to add new mirrors. Does anyone have a good supplier for those? I'll go OEM, but dang, they cost a ton. I know there will be some rewire for functionality.
Fifth - I have LED tail light replacements but contrary to the ad, they are NOT a direct replacement. does anyone have an up to date DIY guide? I have seen a couple on the internet (http://blog.mercwheels.com/diy/how-t...3-tail-lights/), but they are 2002 era or so, and do not accurately reflect what my existing tail lights look like inside, connection-wise. (see photos)
Sixth (and last) - Fender flares... If I facelift the front, and add 20" wheels, will my G550 look silly with the stock fender flares? I realize that's objective, but what I'm asking is will new front/rear bumpers stick out to the sides beyond the flares? Tires going wider than flares slightly is no issue for me.
Anyway, thats all. Any advice is gratefully accepted and appreciated. I have added some photos detailing some of my questions below.
Just got a "new to me" 2011 G550 w/45K miles. Just completed the 40K service, new belt, filters, fluids, etc... Now that all of the maintneance is done, I'm moving forward with plans to facelift. I have some questions and need advice. I am NOT mechanically inclined. (I have actually gone through a ton of threads here looking for answers for a few days before I wrote this - apologies if answers have been provided elsewhere in here and I missed them). So in no particular order:
I have a rattle mostly heard at low speed (probably lack of road/wind noise) coming from the cargo door or possibly rear roof. I've already greased the latch, checked the spare and adjusted the plastic catch/guide on the hatch body. None of that stopped the noise. Dealer says possibly sunroof cables loose (will investigate on next visit). Any other ideas in the mean time?
Next, will replace OEM 18" wheels with 20" wheels - who is a reputible OEM replica manufacturer? (see sample photo)
Third - Front and rear bumper, grill and headlight covers with DRLs and park assist sensors. I see lots of kits on ebay, but am very wary of fit and finish issues. is there a particular US supplier that folks have had good luck with or recommend? Or, should I consider separate suppliers for those bits with the added worry of making sure they all fit together properly?
Fourth - I want to add new mirrors. Does anyone have a good supplier for those? I'll go OEM, but dang, they cost a ton. I know there will be some rewire for functionality.
Fifth - I have LED tail light replacements but contrary to the ad, they are NOT a direct replacement. does anyone have an up to date DIY guide? I have seen a couple on the internet (http://blog.mercwheels.com/diy/how-t...3-tail-lights/), but they are 2002 era or so, and do not accurately reflect what my existing tail lights look like inside, connection-wise. (see photos)
Sixth (and last) - Fender flares... If I facelift the front, and add 20" wheels, will my G550 look silly with the stock fender flares? I realize that's objective, but what I'm asking is will new front/rear bumpers stick out to the sides beyond the flares? Tires going wider than flares slightly is no issue for me.
Anyway, thats all. Any advice is gratefully accepted and appreciated. I have added some photos detailing some of my questions below.
#3
Im also in the search for 20" G63 wheels, posted thread.
so far, found these on ebay:
- SDTW Direct Wheels
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20-5-Spoke-Gu...5YwfIl&vxp=mtr
- Wheel Outlet Inc.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20-Wheels-Gun...ZUWXvz&vxp=mtr
I haven't ordered any yet.
so far, found these on ebay:
- SDTW Direct Wheels
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20-5-Spoke-Gu...5YwfIl&vxp=mtr
- Wheel Outlet Inc.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/20-Wheels-Gun...ZUWXvz&vxp=mtr
I haven't ordered any yet.
The following users liked this post:
Caskieatl (04-25-2017)
#4
UPDATE: I found the rattle in my rear door and fixed it last night. After a bit of driving around, I was able to isolate the rattle to a location coming from the top of the rear door. The plastic panel that covers the rear brake light and wiper motor housing was the culprit. I used some WD40 around the edges and it silenced right up. I realize this is not a long term solution, and will be getting some MB OEM Lubricant in the future, once I see how long this interim solution lasts.
Ordered my 20" wheels, they should arrive by the end of the week. I'll let you know how that goes.
Also I ordered a replacement rear cargo area cover. I didn't go with the OEM version, because at around $870, it's too much. However, fourbyfourclub.com has a non-OEM replacement they seem to like: http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463Access...ftermarket.htm
When that comes in and I fit it, I will be sure to leave a review here.
Ordered my 20" wheels, they should arrive by the end of the week. I'll let you know how that goes.
Also I ordered a replacement rear cargo area cover. I didn't go with the OEM version, because at around $870, it's too much. However, fourbyfourclub.com has a non-OEM replacement they seem to like: http://fourbyfourclub.com/W463Access...ftermarket.htm
When that comes in and I fit it, I will be sure to leave a review here.
Last edited by Caskieatl; 05-01-2017 at 11:23 AM. Reason: additional comment
#6
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#9
OK, so update: I finally got the wheels installed. The rim dealer told me I would need different bolts, which was correct, but they shipped the wrong size. I took me a while to research and find the correct bolts - and finally the Service Department Manager at my dealership hooked me up with the following site: http://www.ezaccessory.com/Lug_Wheel_Bolts_s/20.htm
#10
UPDATE 2: Sadly, the OEM bolts were stripping at the lug head, and cross threaded in the hub. Had to get re-threaded and bought all new OEM bolts so I could drive while waiting for the new proper sized bolts for the new rims came in. UGH. Anyway, it's done. I also had new sidemarker lights and tail lights installed (smoke grey LEDs) and the brush guard covers for the turn signals put on. I have a set of tail light brush guards, but they don't appear to be stock (or are missing some brackets) so I'll be trying to sort that out next. The last thing I'm waiting on for this round of work is the new cargo compartment cover, which is on back order from FourByFour. Hopefully that will come soon.
#11
EDIT: For those who would like to know, the tail lights were NOT plug and play (contrary to the ebay ad). The seem to be good quality, but I did have to get them wired in. They came with ballasts, so I don't have any error messages. The side marker lights were plug and play. Also, to clarify, since my wheels are replicas, that's why the OEM bolts didn't work. They were too long.
#13
I am curious on the wiring of the tail lights.
when you do the front bumper conversion let me know.
i have oem chrome G63 brush guard for sale!
when you do the front bumper conversion let me know.
i have oem chrome G63 brush guard for sale!
EDIT: For those who would like to know, the tail lights were NOT plug and play (contrary to the ebay ad). The seem to be good quality, but I did have to get them wired in. They came with ballasts, so I don't have any error messages. The side marker lights were plug and play. Also, to clarify, since my wheels are replicas, that's why the OEM bolts didn't work. They were too long.
#15
question on the tail lights: would you be able to just use the lens?
i have a 2015 mystic white g550 and was looking at blacking out all the chrome and changing out all the lights to smoked.
id be happy with just changing the lens and not worry about the led part.
thoughts?
i have a 2015 mystic white g550 and was looking at blacking out all the chrome and changing out all the lights to smoked.
id be happy with just changing the lens and not worry about the led part.
thoughts?
#16
question on the tail lights: would you be able to just use the lens?
i have a 2015 mystic white g550 and was looking at blacking out all the chrome and changing out all the lights to smoked.
id be happy with just changing the lens and not worry about the led part.
thoughts?
i have a 2015 mystic white g550 and was looking at blacking out all the chrome and changing out all the lights to smoked.
id be happy with just changing the lens and not worry about the led part.
thoughts?
#17
#18
#19
saw they had some lower profile smoked lenses for the top of the front fender. but they dont mount in the same holes.
#22
Bolt Length Clarification
My local MB dealer service department manager turned me on to EZAccessory where I got new bolts that fit the new rims safely to a proper depth. The OEM Rim thickness is greater than my new rims which are 6mm) so the old OEM bolts were about 10mm too long. The rim supplier bolts were too short for safety.
I've attached a photo of the length of each bolt. The proper bolts are 35mm threaded shank with 29mm going into the hub holes.
#23
As for the wiring, I looked around a bit online and found the attached. http://blog.mercwheels.com/category/diy/ scroll down and there is an archived blog post to installing lights. ****CAUTION**** my tail lights didn't look anything like the example in the photo, as I had a plastic housing and not the metal bar. Thats why I stopped and went to the dealer. HOWEVER, this DIY article does describe the wiring colors and fitment. So, if you want to try, and your wire colors are as described in the post, give it a shot.
#24
How is the ride? Is it sensibly more rough on the steering?