GL320 ordering questions

kkuna · 07-29-2007, 05:13 PM

I'm a newbie to this forum, but have read a majority of the posts regarding the new GL. If I ask a question that has been posted elsewhere, please don't flame me. If anyone can assist me with a few questions, I would appreciate it. ( sorry for the long post)

I am considering a GL320 as I have been a longtime fan of Mercedes Diesels! I just saw a 2008 320 at the dealership, and I was impressed. However, I was unable to drive it, as it just came in. I will be going back on Tuesday to drive it. My first question is, if a person places a special order are they committed to purchase it? Second, is there any negotiation or do you just pay MSRP? I did see that some people were getting 3-5% off msrp for 2007's. (I know that any dealership can answer these questions, but I want to know what experiences people have had)

A couple other questions I have regarding dealerships. (Our family has had many Benz's and BMW's so I know about bad service) Any input regarding baltimore area dealerships would be helpful, as I am new to the area. All of the dealerships near me don't allow you to view their new inventory on the web.

I visited R&H, after waiting over 20 minutes, no one helped me and I didn't see any GL models, so I left. I visited the dealership in Cockeysville where I saw the 320. I was told that if I ordered one, it would be ready 11/07.

So my main concern is that if I have to order this car, and pay close to msrp, I might as well get it at a good dealership that takes care of their customers after the sale. Any advice regarding this would be helpful.

Thanks

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Jim Ma · 07-29-2007, 07:48 PM

The Baltimore area dealers leave a lot to be desired. I live about 15 min from R&H and I won't even go there. I have been buying my vehicles from Euro Motorcars. I have bought 3 from their Bethesda location and 1 from their new Germantown location. They have been excellent to deal with in evey way from buying the cars to service for them. If you do buy from them they always give you a free Mercedes Loaner car for sevice appointments. I can't say enough on how well they have treated me.

kkuna · 07-30-2007, 09:06 PM

Thanks, I gave them a call today. They have a couple 320's, I'll check them out this weekend.

gmartin · 07-30-2007, 09:37 PM

Read the threads about purchasing - determine the invoice price for your model with options and bargain up from there. I went by a dealer this weekend and the first 08 GL that arrived on his lot was a 320. This had not been ordered or claimed by anyone. I doubt this would have happened 6 months or even 3 months ago. I think those of you who want a 320 are probably in the best position ever to get a good deal.

Nevada Jack · 07-30-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmartin

Read the threads about purchasing - determine the invoice price for your model with options and bargain up from there. I went by a dealer this weekend and the first 08 GL that arrived on his lot was a 320. This had not been ordered or claimed by anyone. I doubt this would have happened 6 months or even 3 months ago. I think those of you who want a 320 are probably in the best position ever to get a good deal.

Dealers always get a supply of minimally equipped models for show and demos. I doubt it will have too many options and based on the delivery schedule for custom orders I have seen others quote (up to 4 months) pricing will not be very flexible.

jhcicco · 07-31-2007, 07:25 AM

Kkuna, You might want to check out Herb Gordon in Silver Spring, on Route 29 to order a GL320. The sales staff is very pleasant. We just ordered a GL320 with a late September delivery. I believe that the dealership had two other GL 320 allocations for late September. As of Saturday, there was still time to modify the orders.

kkuna · 07-31-2007, 04:00 PM

I talked to Herb Gordon, they said I could still customize an order with delivery at the end of September. If you don't mind me asking, how much under MSRP did you pay?

lkchris · 07-31-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkuna

My first question is, if a person places a special order are they committed to purchase it?

Kind of depends what you sign, but you'll pay a deposit which you won't get back.

jhcicco · 08-01-2007, 07:58 AM

Kkuha, It was about $3K off MSRP. The Herb Gordon sales manager told me that if we didn't like the car when it came in, we would get our deposit back. It's a basic GL320, Sand Beige, Macadamia MB-tex, P-1 package, 3-zone AC, trailer hitch and voice control (service manager who has been servicing our E300 for 18 years said that voice control was pretty neat).

kkuna · 08-01-2007, 08:34 AM

That sounds like a good deal. Who was your salesperson?

Another question I have about the car is the fog lights. Some have a chrome trim (which my wife likes), and some have a black plastic trim. One salesman told me you have to get a chrome package...but I can't seem to find that package. Any thoughts?

kkuna · 08-01-2007, 08:36 AM

Also, how is Herb Gordon after the sale. You said that you have been servicing your E class there for years. Do they provide you with MB loaners?

Nevada Jack · 08-01-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkuna

That sounds like a good deal. Who was your salesperson?

Another question I have about the car is the fog lights. Some have a chrome trim (which my wife likes), and some have a black plastic trim. One salesman told me you have to get a chrome package...but I can't seem to find that package. Any thoughts?

The chrome trim on the fog lights indicate that it has the Lighting Package with the Xenons. The chrome package is just the chrome door handle inserts.

dcrna · 08-01-2007, 09:26 AM

My salesman did not know that either. I had to figure it out myself by looking at the trucks and then the window stickers!!!

kkuna · 08-01-2007, 09:26 AM

Nevada,

Thanks...that's what I was thinking. What about the Ambient Lighting that you get with the leather package? Does that include the illuminated door sills?
Or is that a separate order?

Nevada Jack · 08-01-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkuna

Nevada,

Thanks...that's what I was thinking. What about the Ambient Lighting that you get with the leather package? Does that include the illuminated door sills?
Or is that a separate order?

Door sills (illuminated) are a $500+ Option.

jhcicco · 08-01-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkuna

That sounds like a good deal. Who was your salesperson?

Another question I have about the car is the fog lights. Some have a chrome trim (which my wife likes), and some have a black plastic trim. One salesman told me you have to get a chrome package...but I can't seem to find that package. Any thoughts?

Kkuna, Frank Langwith was our salesman, but we talked a lot with Steve Gluck, the Sales Manager. My wife has been very pleased with the service that Herb Gordon has provided over the years. Her only complaint was that for a while she was having a hard time getting an appointment in a timely manner. This has since been resolved since Herb Gordon expanded the dealership by taking over the building next door (used to be a Dodge dealership). I know she gets a loaner car, but not sure if its a MB.

kkuna · 08-05-2007, 08:01 PM

Thanks for everyone's advice regarding the gl320. I've ordered mine with Obsidian Black, Black Leather, 19inch wheel, P2 pack, RB, BT, chrome handles, ipod, mats and door sills....getting really excited. Supposed to arrive last week of september.

infamily · 08-05-2007, 09:40 PM

Congratulations KKuna. You will be very happy. I am getting my GL 320CDI this thursday.

jhcicco · 08-06-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkuna

Thanks for everyone's advice regarding the gl320. I've ordered mine with Obsidian Black, Black Leather, 19inch wheel, P2 pack, RB, BT, chrome handles, ipod, mats and door sills....getting really excited. Supposed to arrive last week of september.

Kkuna,

Did you order it from Herb Gordon?

kkuna · 08-06-2007, 07:52 AM

No, Herb Gordon wouldn't take any more than 1000 off MSRP. They told me that I would never get a deal better than that. I bought it from Euro in Germantown. MSRP was around 69k, got it for 65k.

jhcicco · 08-06-2007, 08:04 AM

Good price. Too bad for HG.

kkuna · 08-06-2007, 08:18 AM

Thanks for your help. My salesperson at HG was pretty new, he told me that there was no way he could match Euro's price....he actually told me to buy it from Euro!!! But the biggest shock to me during this process is with the R&H dealership, which is 5 minutes from me (vs 1 hour for Euro). They never helped me. They contacted me via email. I replied and told them what I was looking for. They never contacted me again!! I guess to them a 69k vehicle was not worth the hassle of giving me a call. HG & Euro were very professional, however , I will not recommend R&H to anyone in the baltimore area.

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07-29-2007, 07:48 PM	#2
Jim Ma Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 17 Drives: GL550	The Baltimore area dealers leave a lot to be desired. I live about 15 min from R&H and I won't even go there. I have been buying my vehicles from Euro Motorcars. I have bought 3 from their Bethesda location and 1 from their new Germantown location. They have been excellent to deal with in evey way from buying the cars to service for them. If you do buy from them they always give you a free Mercedes Loaner car for sevice appointments. I can't say enough on how well they have treated me.

07-30-2007, 09:06 PM	#3
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	Thanks, I gave them a call today. They have a couple 320's, I'll check them out this weekend.

07-30-2007, 09:37 PM	#4
gmartin Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: southwest FL Posts: 23 Drives: 2005 545i, 2008 GL550 (Oct Delivery)	Read the threads about purchasing - determine the invoice price for your model with options and bargain up from there. I went by a dealer this weekend and the first 08 GL that arrived on his lot was a 320. This had not been ordered or claimed by anyone. I doubt this would have happened 6 months or even 3 months ago. I think those of you who want a 320 are probably in the best position ever to get a good deal.

07-31-2007, 07:25 AM	#6
jhcicco Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2007 Location: Olney,MD Posts: 96 Drives: Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150	Kkuna, You might want to check out Herb Gordon in Silver Spring, on Route 29 to order a GL320. The sales staff is very pleasant. We just ordered a GL320 with a late September delivery. I believe that the dealership had two other GL 320 allocations for late September. As of Saturday, there was still time to modify the orders.

07-31-2007, 04:00 PM	#7
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	I talked to Herb Gordon, they said I could still customize an order with delivery at the end of September. If you don't mind me asking, how much under MSRP did you pay?

08-01-2007, 07:58 AM	#9
jhcicco Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2007 Location: Olney,MD Posts: 96 Drives: Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150	Kkuha, It was about $3K off MSRP. The Herb Gordon sales manager told me that if we didn't like the car when it came in, we would get our deposit back. It's a basic GL320, Sand Beige, Macadamia MB-tex, P-1 package, 3-zone AC, trailer hitch and voice control (service manager who has been servicing our E300 for 18 years said that voice control was pretty neat).

08-01-2007, 08:34 AM	#10
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	That sounds like a good deal. Who was your salesperson? Another question I have about the car is the fog lights. Some have a chrome trim (which my wife likes), and some have a black plastic trim. One salesman told me you have to get a chrome package...but I can't seem to find that package. Any thoughts?

08-01-2007, 08:36 AM	#11
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	Also, how is Herb Gordon after the sale. You said that you have been servicing your E class there for years. Do they provide you with MB loaners?

08-01-2007, 09:26 AM	#13
dcrna Almost a Member! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germantown, TN Posts: 49 Drives: 2007 E 320, 2007 GL 320	My salesman did not know that either. I had to figure it out myself by looking at the trucks and then the window stickers!!!

08-05-2007, 08:01 PM	#17
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	Thanks for everyone's advice regarding the gl320. I've ordered mine with Obsidian Black, Black Leather, 19inch wheel, P2 pack, RB, BT, chrome handles, ipod, mats and door sills....getting really excited. Supposed to arrive last week of september.

08-06-2007, 08:18 AM

08-05-2007, 09:40 PM	#18
infamily Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 194 Drives: 2007 GL 320 CDI	Congratulations KKuna. You will be very happy. I am getting my GL 320CDI this thursday.

08-06-2007, 07:52 AM	#20
kkuna Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 20 Drives: 08 GL320	No, Herb Gordon wouldn't take any more than 1000 off MSRP. They told me that I would never get a deal better than that. I bought it from Euro in Germantown. MSRP was around 69k, got it for 65k.

08-06-2007, 08:04 AM	#21
jhcicco Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2007 Location: Olney,MD Posts: 96 Drives: Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150	Good price. Too bad for HG.

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