Over the weekend I was off roading a bit. I was trying to avoid running over my dog when backing up and wound up going over a large rock that ripped up my front plastic under engine protection panel. I have it wired on for now.
I called MB and a new front panel is 200 bucks.
Do I really need those panels for anything other then protection- aerodynamics, noise abatement?
Do they perform any other function? Can I just remove and forget?

In most cars, those are there mainly for aerodynamics. I'd just remove it. I don't think they're protection panels to allow off-roading -- I don't think the average new buyer does that .

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Mine acts as an oil catcher so the driveways doesn't get spots no worries it's just for underbody aerodynamics. I suppose to some degree it deflects stuff from impacting the oil pan, but it's mostly there for aero. Taking it off might reduce highway mpg slightly.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

If it were my car I'd leave them on. I could tell you horror stories about cars that get towed into my shop because the driver ran over an object in the road.