2013: What do you wish they would change
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
2013: What do you wish they would change
I've got a 2011 GL 350. My main wish list of changes / improvements for 2013 would include:
Modern, touch screen electronics instead of crappy COMAND
Real spare tire and no more run-flats
Hitch receiver designed for at least 1000 pounds of tongue weight
USB charging sockets instead of cigarette lighter plugs
Mounts and power for iPads on back of front seat headrests
Re-think Parktronic - hard to see rear lights and I don't really trust it anyway
More reasonable pricing for adaptive cruise control
What else would you add?
I think the only thing from this list they will actually do is the spare tire / elimination of run-flats for the diesels.
Modern, touch screen electronics instead of crappy COMAND
Real spare tire and no more run-flats
Hitch receiver designed for at least 1000 pounds of tongue weight
USB charging sockets instead of cigarette lighter plugs
Mounts and power for iPads on back of front seat headrests
Re-think Parktronic - hard to see rear lights and I don't really trust it anyway
More reasonable pricing for adaptive cruise control
What else would you add?
I think the only thing from this list they will actually do is the spare tire / elimination of run-flats for the diesels.
#2
Senior Member
The passenger seat needs to return to its memory spot once you're done flipping the second row seat forward.
COMAND sucks. There are more colors in the world than cr*p brown and touch screens are just plain superior - accept it, MBZ.
Spare tire and NO RUN FLATS.
iPod song searching (via letter buttons on keypad) that actually works.
Cooled seats instead of just ventilated.
The new, higher-output diesel motor.
That's about it. I love this car.
- Mark
COMAND sucks. There are more colors in the world than cr*p brown and touch screens are just plain superior - accept it, MBZ.
Spare tire and NO RUN FLATS.
iPod song searching (via letter buttons on keypad) that actually works.
Cooled seats instead of just ventilated.
The new, higher-output diesel motor.
That's about it. I love this car.
- Mark
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Middlesex, NJ
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 07 MB GL450
Yeah I still can't believe that MB hasn't gone with touchscreen NAV yet...Then again neither has BMW last time I checked and Audi.
Either way, both Audi and BMW's navi systems are better than MB's Command.
Either way, both Audi and BMW's navi systems are better than MB's Command.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central Pa.
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Agree with most all of the above but would add my favorite annoyance:
the auto headlight system that comes on when the sun is out and the sky is bright blue!!! EVEN.... if you have the the headlight switch in the OFF position the headlights are apt to come on! Come on MB... better programing please!
the auto headlight system that comes on when the sun is out and the sky is bright blue!!! EVEN.... if you have the the headlight switch in the OFF position the headlights are apt to come on! Come on MB... better programing please!
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
9 Posts
14 GL550; 14 E63s
At least they have added a "puck" to control the COMAND like all their other models. I have the updated system in my C and I actually like it. I would probably prefer having the puck to having a touchscreen. I think Lexus even went away from the touch to a mouse style if I'm not mistaken.
I wish they would put a tire size that has more available options at least for the 550.
Maybe a captian's chair option for the second row?
I wish they would put a tire size that has more available options at least for the 550.
Maybe a captian's chair option for the second row?
#6
Senior Member
YES. That would be awesome for those of us with kid seats.
I just bought a 2012 Volt to take advantage of the HOV lanes here. Its Nav system (with touch screen) is orders of magnitude better than the one in my 2011 GL.
Oh, also, MBZ should switch to XM from Sirius (even though they are the same company now). XM changes channels faster, updates traffic faster, provides more traffic data, etc.
- Mark
I just bought a 2012 Volt to take advantage of the HOV lanes here. Its Nav system (with touch screen) is orders of magnitude better than the one in my 2011 GL.
Oh, also, MBZ should switch to XM from Sirius (even though they are the same company now). XM changes channels faster, updates traffic faster, provides more traffic data, etc.
- Mark
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,424
Received 1,003 Likes
on
810 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Second row seats that slide back for more legroom.
Second row flip up seats for both sides instead of just on the passenger side.
A few more inches of leg room for the driver.
Better nav. Not sure if I can agree on the need for a touch screen. The first thing I notice when I ride in someone else's car that has a touch screen is the nasty finger prints all over the screen.
Should have a 22" wheel option from the factory. 19's and 21's are too damn expensive with few options.
Bi-turbo V6 engine option. Would be nice to have the power and acceleration of the V8 with better economy. Diesel is just not the same - I have nothing against the diesel.
Rear air or better rear venting for the third row should be standard.
HID should be standard. The stock halogens are horrible.
Off road package should be standard.
Second row flip up seats for both sides instead of just on the passenger side.
A few more inches of leg room for the driver.
Better nav. Not sure if I can agree on the need for a touch screen. The first thing I notice when I ride in someone else's car that has a touch screen is the nasty finger prints all over the screen.
Should have a 22" wheel option from the factory. 19's and 21's are too damn expensive with few options.
Bi-turbo V6 engine option. Would be nice to have the power and acceleration of the V8 with better economy. Diesel is just not the same - I have nothing against the diesel.
Rear air or better rear venting for the third row should be standard.
HID should be standard. The stock halogens are horrible.
Off road package should be standard.
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Standard third row climate control. My 04 Tahoe had this standard.
Captains chairs in row 2...standard! Especially now that the R is dead. At the very least, figure out how to access row 3 with child seat in place, ala new Infiniti JX.
Standard memory seat for driver.
Standard Harmon kardon-this is a Mercedes, right?
Captains chairs in row 2...standard! Especially now that the R is dead. At the very least, figure out how to access row 3 with child seat in place, ala new Infiniti JX.
Standard memory seat for driver.
Standard Harmon kardon-this is a Mercedes, right?
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Two more - Built in electric brake controlling capabilities should come with the towing package.
It's stupid you have to buy an aftermarket controller, build your own wiring harness to plug into the existing connector under the dash, and that they didn't think to provide a physical location to mount an aftermarket controller.
The truck electronics should also be internet connected. I already use my Android phone for navigation instead of the truck's built-in system - it's so much better because it can tap into the Internet. Imagine if the COMAND system was rebuilt, assumed it could connect to the net, and worked like an iPad / Android phone - that would be amazing. Stream pandora music or netflix movies - no problem. Re-route nav guidance around traffic - no problem. Find local restaurant with great reviews and navigate right to it - of course you could.
It's stupid you have to buy an aftermarket controller, build your own wiring harness to plug into the existing connector under the dash, and that they didn't think to provide a physical location to mount an aftermarket controller.
The truck electronics should also be internet connected. I already use my Android phone for navigation instead of the truck's built-in system - it's so much better because it can tap into the Internet. Imagine if the COMAND system was rebuilt, assumed it could connect to the net, and worked like an iPad / Android phone - that would be amazing. Stream pandora music or netflix movies - no problem. Re-route nav guidance around traffic - no problem. Find local restaurant with great reviews and navigate right to it - of course you could.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central Pa.
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Two more - Built in electric brake controlling capabilities should come with the towing package.
It's stupid you have to buy an aftermarket controller, build your own wiring harness to plug into the existing connector under the dash, and that they didn't think to provide a physical location to mount an aftermarket controller.
The truck electronics should also be internet connected. I already use my Android phone for navigation instead of the truck's built-in system - it's so much better because it can tap into the Internet. Imagine if the COMAND system was rebuilt, assumed it could connect to the net, and worked like an iPad / Android phone - that would be amazing. Stream pandora music or netflix movies - no problem. Re-route nav guidance around traffic - no problem. Find local restaurant with great reviews and navigate right to it - of course you could.
It's stupid you have to buy an aftermarket controller, build your own wiring harness to plug into the existing connector under the dash, and that they didn't think to provide a physical location to mount an aftermarket controller.
The truck electronics should also be internet connected. I already use my Android phone for navigation instead of the truck's built-in system - it's so much better because it can tap into the Internet. Imagine if the COMAND system was rebuilt, assumed it could connect to the net, and worked like an iPad / Android phone - that would be amazing. Stream pandora music or netflix movies - no problem. Re-route nav guidance around traffic - no problem. Find local restaurant with great reviews and navigate right to it - of course you could.
#12
Super Member
Connectivity
Seems to me that they already have the capability of dual screen, so make it active only for the passenger when in motion?
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
When one is backing up both mirrors to go down and than when you put in drive for them to go right back to their original position... Now it takes forever
#17
Senior Member
Going on my third GL (second 550), and having experienced what a wonderful Command system there is in my CL63, I would love to see such a system in the GL. Moreover, the sound system in the CL is simply fantastic for a factory-installed system. That kind of quality should be in the GL.
Another feature found already in other GL's is the Distronic Plus. I can't believe a truck this expensive would be lacking such a system.
Now for the petty pet-peaves:
I have always found it annoying that the rear wiper has only one setting. It would be nice to have a variable speed rear wiper.
The rear-view camera should stay on a few seconds after shifting into drive to help with parking adjustments.
Tire and road noise should be better suppressed.
And, finally, with elderly parents who have trouble climbing up into the seats, having a lowering feature like that found in the Range Rover and Cayenne would be most welcome, and far better than the inch or so we get when choosing the "sport" setting on the airmatic suspension.
Another feature found already in other GL's is the Distronic Plus. I can't believe a truck this expensive would be lacking such a system.
Now for the petty pet-peaves:
I have always found it annoying that the rear wiper has only one setting. It would be nice to have a variable speed rear wiper.
The rear-view camera should stay on a few seconds after shifting into drive to help with parking adjustments.
Tire and road noise should be better suppressed.
And, finally, with elderly parents who have trouble climbing up into the seats, having a lowering feature like that found in the Range Rover and Cayenne would be most welcome, and far better than the inch or so we get when choosing the "sport" setting on the airmatic suspension.
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 GL450, 2011 E350 Coupe
I know this probably won't ever happen with Mercedes, but standard Keyless-Go! I mean c'mon. I just think that if you're going to pay $60,000+ for a car, that would be one of the standard features. A lot of cars nowadays have it standard, that are well below that price point.
Last edited by Kate0506; 03-26-2012 at 08:58 PM.
#19
I know this probably won't ever happen with Mercedes, but standard Keyless-Go! I mean c'mon. I just think that if you're going to pay $60,000+ for a car, that would be one of the standard features. A lot of cars nowadays have it standard, that are well below that price point.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: FRESNO CA
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GL550
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Navagation controls are not good. My X5 controls was more user friendly and required less effort to input an address.
And rear mirror auto dimming disable
Slow auto rear hatch should allow manual operation when you need to close quickly
And rear mirror auto dimming disable
Slow auto rear hatch should allow manual operation when you need to close quickly