I don't know how common this has been, but last night at work, I installed a new style "through the bumper" brushguard, as installed as an option from the factory on some ML's. It required putting the holes in on the face of the bumper (48 mm) and towards the bottom for mounting also (30 mm). Looked really good when it was done, took about 3 hours. I believe it could be installed on any ML, seems like the provisions in the front bumper crossmember has always been there. They are stainless steel, either polished or black. I also don't believe there would be a problem in replacing the old style brushguard with the new style, only problem is there doesn't seem to be a provision for mounting foglights to it, although there are 2 threaded inserts on the back side of the bottom bar that may be for this purpose. It also came with a very slick mounting provision that the factory license plat bracket attaches to. I also installed the new factory sunroof wind deflector, it's just the common dark plastic shield that is available from the aftermarket. If I wanted a wind deflector, I would try buying the pieces for the deflector that is used for the Skyview roof.
Gilly

I've been pondering one of these for a while.

What is the part number and price for this unit?

Thanks

Robert: I'll make it a point to get the part numbers and prices on Tuesday, I am off Monday.
Gilly

Part Numbers and prices are as follows:
Polished Grille Guard B66880522, $615 list
Black Grille Guard B66880523, $585 list
There are also skid plates available with these, I don't know what they look like, but here's the scoop on them too,
Polished Skid Plate B66880524, $463 list
Black Skid Plate B66880525, $446 list
Gilly

gillybenztech: can you post a picture of your new grill guard?

Mine came with the polished kind that goes through precut holes in the front bumper. The license plate and bracket mounted on the bumper are partially obscured by the brushguard (so what? I have a logo license plate anyway).

Mine also has what appears to be mounting holes for foglights, but I prefer to fabricate the existing bumper to accept flush mounted lights as in the later models.

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

G-Benz:
I'm a dealer tech, that's why in my original post, I said "last night at work", so the car is in the hands of it's owner. Irregardless, I don't have a digital camera anyways. The dealership has one, so I could get a photo on the net somehow. I've had a PC less than a year, so it would be hard for me to figure out how to post it here. If it comes in for service, I could probably email it to you directly and you could post it.
I did see a ML with the new style brush guard as I have described, but also with the additional skid plate. As I recall, the threaded holes on the back of the horizontal bar is for mounting the skid plate, so I am still at a loss for how foglights would mount. The skid plate and foglights may share a threaded hole.
On the license plate, as I said there was a license plate holder supplied with the kit. Maybe it was a recent addition by MB. It looked good, as far as license plate brackets usually go. In Wisconsin, we have 2 plates, so a front bracket is a neccesity. If you want, I can see if I can scrounge up the part number for the bracket. Are there a couple unthreaded holes on the back of the horizontal bar on yours? There were on the one I installed, the license bracket used these holes to keep itself located on the bar.
Gilly

I have a friend with a digital camera, and I will soon post some pictures of my MBs...one of them will be a picture of the front of the ML with the brush guard...you can respond then as far as what similarities (if any), are there.

Texas requires front plates as well, and so does Missouri, but I never like the way they look, so I opted for the logo plates when I lived in both states. Cops didn't mess with me, either because they had better things to do, or that the caliber of vehicle confused them...

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Are you guys refering to the mini bumper guard that comes to the top of the bumper? I have an opportunity to buy one used with hella lights and a skid plate. How difficult to install? I guess I have to have the dealer hook up my switch. Do the old style have license plate brackets? What do these go for new? Any advice appreciated.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Nick
Nope, that's "style I", we're talking about the new "style II" brush guard.
The style I isn't as tough as the new one. On the style I, you have to make sure the hardware is there for the center bracket, the one that goes on the back side of the bumper itself. The center bracket is kind of tough to get started. I don't know if I have install instructions for that at work or not, alot of times the only instructions available come with the kit. I do try to make a point of saving instructions in case questions come up later. If I have instructions I can fax then to you, I have no scanner.
On the fogs, the wiring is there already, you'll find the wires OK, kind of tucked behind the radiator support. The AAM needs to be version coded, just like installing the integrated fog lights. I recommend running only one set of foglights, running more than one set can blow the fuse if you're lucky, ruin the AAM if you're not, we've had lucky and unlucky ML owners in our shop.
And yes, I will point out we also have owners running 2 sets of foglights also, they are the "real lucky" owners, but I predict someday there luck will run out, and AAM's aren't cheap.
Gilly

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I’m one of the ones that tried to run 2 sets of fog lights on my ML. Would blow a fuse every hour or so. I had the dealer install a couple of relays and wire the outboard lights through the original switches. Now when I put the fogs on, both the integrated fogs and the Hella fogs light up. Better yet, when I turn on the “rear” fog switch, both sets of fogs light up and my pair of 120 watt driving lights come on as well. Talk about good illumination! It puts 350 watts onto the road without even having the headlights come on. Add another 110 watts with the headlights. And most importantly, no blown fuses. Makes winter nights in the mountains even more enjoyable!

BTW, WRT the brush guard, I used to have one like the one illustrated above on my ML, but switched to a different one for 2 reasons: 1) it was not strong enough to support the driving lights I wanted and mostly 2) because of advise that the brush guard would cause severe damage to the radiator in the event of something as trivial as a parking lot accident.

Be seeing you….

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Ok here is the skinny...I can get it for $295 delivered. Is it worth it? I do not see what you mean by the center bar. If I hate it can I remove it without anyone knowing it was ever there? How long to install? I have a lift available for free(actually 8).

Tracy: wattage like this coming through the AAM is asking for trouble later on. There, you've been warned, I can sleep well tonight.
Nick: The style 1 brush guard is pretty tough. I can sit on it and it won't move at all, so no ideal why it won't support the "weight" of any foglights you care to install. I haven't seen or heard of any damage due to minor impacts. The condensor for the A/C would be damaged before the radiator would, but at any rate, if the brush guard would cause any damage to the radiator or condensor, the front end is going to be pretty trashed regardless of if the brush guard is there or not.
What I believe I mentioned is the center bracket, not the center bar. I don't see it in the picture you attached. It goes behind the top of the bar, goes through the black plastic mesh insert, then bends downward and bolts to the back side of the actual metal bumper, not the plastic cover. It uses a special fastener to attach to the bumper, it would be almost impossible to bolt the center bracket to the bumper without this special fastener, it's hard enough as is.
If you decide you don't like the guard, the plastic mesh insert would need to be replaced, a section has to be cut out to install the center bracket. I don't think the mesh insert is very expensive to replace, though. Other than that you wouldn't be able to tell it was there.
The whole job, when new, is about 3 hours to do. I would plan on about the same amount to install a used one.
Price is "OK", not a super buy, but not bad.
A new style 1 black brushguard BQ6880075 retails for $450, I believe this includes the skid plate, I don't see a seperate listing for the skid plate. A chrome one BQ6880076 is $500. Shipping would be included, price is at the parts counter.
The hardware kit less gaskets is $20, BQ6880066, I don't know what is all included, probably not the center bracket, but maybe the bolt and fastener for the center bracket.
You could check with MercedesShop on prices, they may be able to give you a better price, but don't forget shipping costs as compared to your dealer.
The style 2 guards are a bit more and include no skid plate. The skid plates for style 2 is pretty pricey.
Also about license plates, on the style 1, the original bracket is used, don't have to move it at all.
I already looked, so far I can find no installation instructions.
I would try to find out if the seller has ALL the hardware to install this, as I also don't see a bracket that is needed on one of the side brackets where it attaches to the frame.
Gilly

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Nick:
I forgot the foglights are there as well. The Hella fogs, BQ6820310, go for $99.50 the pair, so that does sweeten the deal a little more. Looks like the covers may be missing, though, they're not in the picture. It may be a BIG hassle to get the brackets if they're missing, I would hinge everything on the brushguard being guaranteed "complete".
Gilly

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Gilly,

Thanks as always for the comments & wisdom! According to the tech, there is no high wattage risk to the AAM as both sets of extra lights are running through relays. The extra lights draw their power from the battery.

Re burshguard impact: Another tech said he’d seen “several” ML’s with the dealer installed burshguard come in after what he described as parking lot impacts where the center support for the burshguard went through the lower portion of the radiator.

My former burshguard, which was similar to the one above, except it had a center support, seemed pretty flimsy. I use a burshguard on the ML for 2 reasons: A) a support mechanism for the external lights and B) parking lot protection – primarily at the ski resort I frequent. Prior to getting the ML, my vehicles always suffered several hundred dollars worth of damage per season. Of course, since getting the ML, I bought a parking permit, so now I get first or second row parking, and the spaces are generally less crowded. That helps, too! Either way, the old burshguard would do nothing to lessen even trivial frontal impact.

Regards,

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Tracy:
My 2 previous comments still stand, which are:
1) more than a pair of foglights CAN cause damage to the AAM. It might NOT, but it positively can ruin it. Your tech is incorrect. The upper section of the aux and rear fog switch activates only 1 relay. The relay is wired to both the integrated foglight wire in the headlamp and the pigtail connectors out by the radiator support. You're supposed to use one or the other, not both.
2) It is possible that an unscrupulous (hope the spelling is correct) tech could have installed the brushguard without putting in the bolt for the center bracket, then I could see how the radiator could be damaged by a minor impact. If properly installed, it would take a pretty good hit to free up the bracket.
My previous comment also stands that the A/C condensor is first in the "line of fire" for impact damage of this type. Hard to believe that the condensor wouldn't protect the radiator from damage, especially in a "parking lot" type collision.
Installing the center bracket bolt behind the bumper is one of the more frustrating jobs there is to do, really takes alot of patience to do it right.
Gilly

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