My neighbor up the street just picked up a GT S Edition 1. (I'm not jealous in any way. ) How many Edition 1 were produced?

 

In the U.S. Mercedes gave one to each dealer without any allocation requirement to get the cars in the eyes and hands of the public so depending on who you talk to around 350-360 cars.

 

Have been eyeing some of these – what exactly are the Ed1 upgrades, seem pretty cosmetic? I believe it's a different front facia, anyone have pictures to compare?

Also, any build quality issues given that that they were some of the first ones made?

 

If you order a 2017, all of the options on the Edition 1 can be added including the aero package you refer to.
There are some build quality issues on the first year models which a quick browse on this forum will enlighten you (mostly noice, exhaust, suspension and oil burning).
There is a recall on about 135 cars for driveshaft as well.
Since the Edition 1 are keeping up their value really well, I would suggest ordering a new car the way you want it. That's what I did.

 

The number I have hear is 368 Edition 1's in the US alone, one built for every dealership and a couple large west coast dealers got a couple Edition 1's.

 

I wonder if that includes the steering wheel with the Edition 1 script on the bottom? It's the only Edition 1 reference the cars have.

 

No you are correct it does not have that reference but the steering wheel is the same otherwise.
I agree that it was not wise by MB to make the options available like the aero package. The Edition 1 should be extra special and they should have made a different package so that it looks like no other GT.

 

I don't believe you can order the carbon roof in 2017 and the wheels in silver with the black were exclusive to the E1.

The E1 package looks much cheaper than buying the parts individually.

 

The CF roof was on the list of options on the original ordering guide (#397) but it looks like MB has deleted it on the final one so you are correct that it cannot be ordered.