Mercedes-Benz GLS Body Kit Review — Premium Upgrade

Elevate Your Mercedes-Benz GLS X167 with a Maybach Body Kit

The Maybach body kit for the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a sought-after upgrade, offering a significant aesthetic enhancement. A key point for current owners is the 'Maybach' engraving on recent models' body kits, which may transition to a sticker format in the future. This makes the current period an opportune time for owners desiring the engraved logo. This comprehensive guide details the installation process, optional customizations, and coding options for the GLS Maybach body kit.

Understanding the Maybach Body Kit Components

The standard Maybach body kit package includes front and rear bumpers and a grille, providing the most dramatic visual changes. While the hood emblem defaults to the standard Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star, it can be swapped for a Maybach emblem at no additional cost, allowing for personalization.

New side steps are a mandatory inclusion with the Maybach body kit, featuring the Maybach logo and a tapering design towards the front seats to enhance the premium feel. The side skirts undergo a painting process, adding a glossy finish to the lower section for increased luxury. It's worth noting that side steps can also be installed as a standalone upgrade.

Wheel and Tire Considerations for the GLS Maybach Kit

Standard Maybach wheels are 22 inches for the 400D model and 23 inches for the 580 model. If a GLS 400D owner opts for the 23-inch Maybach wheels with the body kit, a tire upgrade is necessary. Maybach tires are notably expensive, so this cost must be factored into the overall quote.

B-Pillar Chrome Molding: Aftermarket vs. OEM

The body kit typically includes aftermarket B-pillar chrome molding. While an OEM replacement is possible, it comes at a significantly higher price. The aftermarket version uses double-sided tape for attachment, which can sometimes result in a less-than-perfect fit, with slight gaps being noticeable upon close inspection. This is an inherent limitation of the tape-based application. For those who find this detail bothersome, upgrading to genuine OEM parts is recommended. Many owners start with the aftermarket option and later upgrade to OEM.

Exterior Details: Emblems and Logo Placement

The C-pillar emblem is an OEM Mercedes-Benz part, positioned identically to the genuine GLS 600 Maybach model for accurate placement. The rear bumper is also part of the kit; however, the lower muffler tips are usually plastic and should be inspected before installation. The trunk emblem is typically an aftermarket part, though an upgrade to genuine Maybach/GLS 600 logos is available for an additional fee. Genuine logos can be costly and have fluctuating stock, so early ordering is advised.

New Addition: Side Mirror Lower Logo

A recent addition to the customization options is the side mirror lower logo. While the standard Mercedes-Benz logo is present here, the lower mirror housing can be replaced to display the Maybach logo. This is an affordable upgrade that significantly enhances the post-body kit aesthetic. It functions primarily in night mode, similar to the OEM feature. To view it during the day, placing a towel over the windshield and engaging reverse gear will activate it, mirroring the original Mercedes-Benz functionality.

Installation Process:

1. Preparation: The vehicle's existing bumpers and trim pieces are carefully removed.
2. Component Fitting: The new front and rear bumpers, grille, and side skirts are meticulously fitted and aligned.
3. Emblem and Trim Installation: Maybach emblems, side steps, and chrome trim pieces are installed.
4. Finishing Touches: Painting of side skirts and any necessary coding or electronic adjustments are completed.