Mercedes GL/GLS X166 in X167 style: GLS63 or Maybach — what’s in the kit and what needs finishing

Mercedes GL/GLS X166 (2012–2019) can be visually converted into the newer GLS X167 with a facelift kit: it includes front and rear bumpers, grille, headlights, taillights, hood, front and rear fenders, mirrors, tailgate, diffuser, and exhaust tips. There are three such kits on the site — GLS63 style (Type-A) and two Maybach versions (Type-A and Type-B); separately, there is a “from GL to GLS AMG” kit, which does not create an X167, but rather the GLS63 look of the X166 generation. The doors, roof, glass, and interior remain from the X166, so this is a styling change, not a new generation.

Contents

• How X166 differs from X167 on the outside
• Which kits are available for X166 and what they include
• GLS63 or Maybach: which look to choose
• What the kit from GL to GLS AMG gives you
• What about the headlights, sensors, and camera
• Painting, lead times, and installation

How X166 differs from X167 on the outside

From the photos on the kit product pages, the difference is obvious at first glance. X166 front end: grille with horizontal chrome slats and a large star, a rounded bumper, headlights in the older shape. X167 front end: grille with vertical slats (in GLS63 style — narrow; in Maybach — chrome), a different hood shape, narrower LED headlights. The rear of the X166 has separate lamps on the sides; on the X167, the taillights are integrated into a single light composition with the tailgate — which is why the kit includes both the lights and the tailgate itself.

Before ordering, identify the body version precisely: GL 2012–2015 and GLS 2016–2019 are X166, while GL 2006–2012 is already X164, and its parts do not fit. Managers note that for the 2012 model year and for GLS 2019, the body needs to be уточнювати (both X166 and X167 occur) — send a photo of the front end and the VIN.

Which kits are available for X166 and what they include

In the section facelift kits for GL/GLS X166 there are currently four sets from manufacturer GBT; all install into factory mounting points and are supplied ready for painting. The contents are listed on the product pages.

The bumpers in these kits are made of polypropylene (PP), so for painting they are prepared as plastic, not as metal. In the kit diagrams in the gallery, a 2022 sample is marked for GLS63 and Maybach Type-A, and a 2024 sample for Maybach Type-B; around the X167 facelift boundary (2023), confirm the front end and grille with the manager.

GLS63 or Maybach: which look to choose

• GLS63. For those who want an aggressive look: a black grille with vertical slats, wide air intakes, a powerful diffuser. Managers advise уточнювати the trim before selecting, because GLS63, Maybach, and AMG Line differ in air intakes and diffuser.
• Maybach. For those who prefer luxury: a chrome grille with thin vertical bars, chrome bumper inserts, a chrome diffuser. The Maybach grille is usually sold as an assembly, without the inscription on the chrome; the factory Mercedes emblem is transferred.
• Type-A or Type-B. The contents are the same; the bumper pattern differs. According to managers, Maybach kits can have different bumper designs with the same contents — that is why we ask you to compare photos.

Wheels are not included in any kit: larger rims and side steps are selected separately. We covered the same Maybach style on a real X167 in the article “Updating Mercedes GLS X167 to Maybach 2025”, and for owners of an already-finished X167 there are kits for GLS X167.

What the kit from GL to GLS AMG gives you

This is a separate and simpler scenario: the kit turns a GL X166 from 2012–2015 into the look of a facelifted GLS X166 (2016–2019) in AMG GLS63 trim. The lighting, hood, grille, bumpers, diffuser, and fender flares change; the body remains X166, so the parts fit into factory mounting points. If you want a “fresher” look without a full conversion to X167, this set is more appropriate. The before-and-after photos on the product page show how the front end changes: instead of a grille with horizontal slats — GT Panamericana; instead of a rounded bumper — an AMG bumper with wide inserts.

What about the headlights, sensors, and camera

This is the most important вопрос, because the kits change the lighting, not just the body plastic. What is known from the product pages and managers’ conversations:

• Headlights. Headlights from conversion kits may require repinning, coding, and work by an auto electrician; there are no adapter modules. In a review on product 120013, an owner asked how to connect LED headlights вместо xenon: the SAM control unit would not запуск them, and the settings still had the “xenon” option. There is no answer about coding on the product page itself — discuss it with the manager before ordering.
• Parking sensors and camera. In similar kits, factory sensors are used, and the bumpers have holes for parking sensors and the camera. The factory emblem and camera are transferred; for radar you need an emblem that passes the signal. Extra holes can be plugged and painted over.
• Taillights. If the vehicle is from the USA, уточнювати European amber turn signals separately: to replace red American ones, managers mentioned the need for taillights and reprogramming.

Painting, lead times, and installation

All body parts are supplied ready for painting. First, they are test-fitted unpainted, panel gaps are set, and only then painted: this is what both managers and body shop мастера recommend. Check lead time and order terms with the manager. The kit can be installed at the network of certified DD Tuning service centers — the manager will suggest the nearest one. All other parts for this body are on the page Mercedes GL/GLS X166 tuning.

We ship via Nova Poshta across all of Ukraine.

How it works

Determine the body and year

Make sure it is a GL 2012–2015 or GLS 2016–2019 (X166). For 2012 and 2019, send the manager photos of the front end and the VIN.

Choose the style

GLS63 has a sporty grille and diffuser; Maybach has a chrome vertical grille. For Maybach, compare the Type-A and Type-B photos.

Clarify the headlights and electronics

Check whether coding is needed for headlights with a camera, radar, parking sensors, emblem, and yellow turn signals for USA-spec vehicles.

Order the kit

The kits are made to order — the manager will confirm the lead time and terms.

Test fit before painting

In the service center, the parts are installed without painting, the gaps are aligned, and only then are they painted.