The MB tex is still better and lasts better than the base leather that you find in BMWs.....To someone who hasn't had nappa leather in their cars before, it would be pretty hard to tell

I see where another dealer now is asking $750.00 over invoice on that same thread. That is a great deal for a just released GL including the Premier Ed.

I went to a GL event at the dealer last night. 7 people showed. They said people have been interested but everyone is looking for black on black. 4 GL's in inventory.

Just tried to buy one at stealer.....they just got 12 in......BAM, 10 of them gone. Last 2 they had were stripped. Bet "Slades" ain't movin like that.

I bet with the way the S-Class and GL caught them by surprise with demand for fully loaded vehicles they'll learn how the ship new-launch vehicles that way from now on! There is no point in getting a stripped Mercedes when its still going to cost as much or more than other competing cars that have more features. Lesson to MB: People want fully loaded cars and they're willing to pay for them so build them that way at launch.

M

It's very tricky. I've also heard of many launches, not necessarily MB though, where the manufacturer was off in the other direction. I think the R might have been introduced with a richer mix than the market wanted, and Mercedes might have based their GL production mix on that experience.

Seems it would be smart to base their predictions on early orders, and if they don't get this info soon enough, then start taking orders earlier!

It's also possible that the people on these boards aren't representative of all buyers. The people speaking up here are clearly into all the buttons. But those more interested in lower priced vehicles either 1) don't visit the forums 2) don't speak up or 3) can find what they want and thus have no need to speak up.

even after you heavily option the thing it is a great deal when you compare it to a Range Rover (HSE)....which will sell in the upper 70's v.s. a GL with almost all options selling in the low 70's.

I think the GL has a better interior, 7 gears, more HP and much better acceleration. Keep in ming the 90K RR superchraged hits 0-60 in 7.1 Sec vs. the GL's 7.5.

Simply put, sharing the platform with the R and ML helps MB keep costs down.

For someone looking for a non performance oriented SUV (cayenne turbo, ML63)....this is a no brainer!!!

Wait until the GL550 arrives, then we're talking 80K+ for a loaded example I bet.

M

ARE NOT. They used to have on MBUSA a special lease program for the new GL.
When I bought mine 5/5 the promo was on the web site. The sales people did not even know about it. It is already gone. The lease specials on the site now are mostly for smaller class smaller engine 2006 models. They probably pulled it (or are not advertising it actively) so soon is because they dont need to offer specials. The cars must be selling well. My reasoning for this, the R Class is one of the lease specials that is still on the site and if there was a car MB wanted to move, it would be that thing. Basically the promo wanted the dealer to contribute about $850 off MSRP and the 39 month lease was cheaper than the 36 AND 48 month lease. I belive this is still valid until May 31 even though it is not listed.

[QUOTE=northbenz
It also looks like Mercedes didn't learn from the R Class debut that it is a mistake to only offer partially optioned vehicles at the inception. Failure to have the entertainment systems available on the first models is a big mistake. The first buyers of a new model want all the bells and whistles and they are going to give a pass to under equipped units which just adds to the impression that the vehicles are not selling. With the R there were a lot of buyers who gave a pass on the 350 knowing the 500 would be out later. I suspect with the GL there are a lot of buyers waiting for the diesel.[/QUOTE]

I cant belive people think the failure of the R Class had anything to do with options. I guess that is the same reasoning for the failure of the C230 sport coupe. The answer is the damn things were to ugly or to wierd for people, thats it.
I looked at previews for the R class January 2005 and my wife hated it immediately. Had NOTHING to do with options. Finally so one in the summer of 2005 on the outside only. She still hated it. When I got my GL they had a R in the showroom so I could at least finally sit in one. I did. My wife refused to even sit in it. No, options was not the problem. Im sure it was not the problem for most of the other people who passed on it.

They dont have to "bet", they HAVE the sales info you are only GUESSING about. So what they did, they did out of experience, and what you say, you are saying out of i....

Sorry, got to mess with you on that one.

Not really sure I follow you here???

M