India's First Mercedes-Benz ML250 To GLE 53 AMG Conversion Is Here [Video]
Today, if you were to buy a Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 AMG, you’d have to pay around Rs 2 crore (on-road). However, what if you already own a Mercedes-Benz ML250, which is currently worth around Rs 25–30 lakh? Now, in a normal scenario, you’d have to sell it and then pay a lot more money in addition to getting the new GLE 53 AMG. But recently, a video has been shared online in which a 10-year-old ML250 has been fully converted into a GLE 53 AMG.
The video showing the Mercedes-Benz ML250 conversion into a GLE 53 AMG has been shared on YouTube by Autorounders on their page. It starts off with the owner of the shop highlighting that this is the first time ever in India that an ML250 is getting transformed into a GLE 53 AMG, following which he then starts giving details about the work which has to be done on this SUV.
He highlights that they have imported this particular conversion kit from China. The owner mentions that at the front, they will be changing the bonnet, front fenders, LED headlights, front grille, bumper, and other small trim pieces to make it look like a brand-new GLE 53 AMG. Following this, he then moves to the side profile and adds that the only things which will be changed will be the alloy wheels and a new piece in the rear quarter panels.
Moving to the rear, he mentions that they will be completely replacing the tailgate with the one that comes with the kit and retain the original rear windshield. As for the LED taillights, they will also get changed, and so will be the rear bumper, which gets a dual exhaust tip design.
After giving all the details about the kit and the changes, the video then shows the conversion process of the Mercedes-Benz ML250 into a GLE 53 AMG. First of all, the old body parts get carefully removed from the body, after which the rear quarter panel pieces get fabricated into the body. These panels have to be added in order to cleanly fit the new design LED taillights.
Next up, the vehicle then goes into the bodywork section, where all the parts which have been added get sprayed with primer. Following this, when the vehicle is in the paint booth, the owner highlights that they are painting this SUV in the shade of Selenite Grey Metallic, which is an original Mercedes-Benz color option. He adds that they will also be using the same German paint which is used on Mercedes-Benz cars from the factory.
Finally, after the paint process, the vehicle goes for final assembly. The owner then highlights that to give this vehicle an authentic AMG style, they have added bigger forged alloy wheels which have been inspired by the GLE 53 AMG. He then gives a detailed walkaround of the exterior of this SUV and mentions that the quality of work has come out amazing.
Converting an older, well-maintained vehicle with an aftermarket body kit makes a lot of sense when it comes to luxury cars. Generally, luxury cars lose 70 percent of their value in the first 5–10 years. So, if they have been maintained properly, have no mechanical issues, and the owners can adjust with the old interior and technology, it makes a lot of sense to change the exterior appearance to the latest model without spending a fortune on buying a new one.