When my friends heard the price of my GLE Coupe upgrade, they called me crazy. But now they can't stop admiring my car

This is a real owner story about a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe 53 customized with a body kit. The owner shares what influenced his decision, how the installation experience unfolded, and what living with a customized GLE Coupe feels like over time.

David is based in Romania and runs two gas stations. He uses his Mercedes GLE Coupe regularly, and for him this project reflects owning a customized Mercedes driven by passion, visual impact, and personal taste rather than technical necessity.

I’m David from Romania, and I run two gas stations. Cars have always been my passion, especially ones that stand out. Last year, I drove a BMW X6 and seriously considered getting a LARTE Design tuning kit, but unfortunately I couldn’t — my car didn’t have the M-package.

When I bought my new Mercedes GLE Coupe 53 last December, I knew immediately this would be different. This car wasn’t going to stay stock. I already knew what I wanted — a custom body kit that would give it presence and character.

The first time I heard about LARTE Design was through Dorian Popa. From an ownership perspective, seeing the same model transformed so convincingly removed all doubt. The way the Mercedes GLE Coupe body kit worked with the car’s proportions felt natural, not forced. Once I realized LARTE could deliver that look consistently, there was no reason to search further.

Seeing how incredible his Mercedes GLE Coupe looked convinced me immediately. Honestly, once I fall in love with something, there’s no turning back. It’s like love at first sight — you don’t compare, you commit.

I bought my Mercedes on December 5th and ordered the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe body kit on January 18th. I chose gloss black painted parts — not only because they were more affordable, but because appearance matters more to me than the material itself.

What impressed me most were the rear details. They change the car’s appearance dramatically. I skipped the hood and grille at first because the front already looked perfect to me. I wanted the transformation to feel intentional, not excessive.

After the body kit installation, the car’s character shifted immediately. Once the body kit was installed, the rear gained visual weight and definition. Over the first few months, the GLE Coupe showed no issues in real-world use with a body kit. Looking back, the installation experience confirmed that selective upgrades can have just as much impact as a full configuration when chosen thoughtfully.

I have to be honest — there was a delay. Initially, I was told the Mercedes GLE Coupe styling would be ready in five to six weeks, but it took almost three times longer. It was frustrating at moments, especially when expectations are set clearly.

Still, once I saw the final result, the frustration faded. I even insured the kit together with the car before installation, which gave me peace of mind.

In real-world conditions, my custom Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe 53 attracts attention naturally, without trying to dominate. From a practical standpoint, the everyday driving experience stays familiar, but the emotional response changes. Using a customized Mercedes daily turns routine drives into moments of satisfaction, especially when reactions from others confirm the choice.

Seven months after installing the body kit, my Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe body kit continues to feel visually strong and relevant. The gloss black elements hold their contrast in real-world use and still look fresh. Looking back, this setup proved to be a long-term styling decision — one that rewards patience rather than instant gratification.

Now, whenever other Mercedes GLE Coupe owners see my car, their reaction is always the same: “Wow, that looks amazing!” Even my girlfriend — who initially said I was crazy for spending €12,000 on tuning — has stopped arguing. Now she just takes my Mercedes without even asking.

I especially want to thank my manager, Alina, for guiding me through the process. Despite the delay, the final result was absolutely worth the wait.