Is adjustable suspension available even without Off Road Package?
12-07-2006, 06:53 PM
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06 CLS500, 05 Range Rover, 00 Landcruiser
Is adjustable suspension available even without Off Road Package?
I read couple of car magazines about the GL450 ( Car and Driver and Motortrend, i think) and noticed on their interior photos the presence of adjustable "sport or comfort" suspension button. They also mention that the GL has standard adjustable suspension ie. keep it in comfort mode for carpeted freeway ride.
Upon looking closely on the photo, it appears its a GL without off road package (no locking differential dial etc. ) This suspension button is usually blank on regular GL with no off rod package. How can this be? Unless MB specifically made this special GL for magazine testing. Is it possible now to get this feature outside the ORP package? Quite misleading to think that the regular GL with no ORP has this adjustable suspension feature.
Upon looking closely on the photo, it appears its a GL without off road package (no locking differential dial etc. ) This suspension button is usually blank on regular GL with no off rod package. How can this be? Unless MB specifically made this special GL for magazine testing. Is it possible now to get this feature outside the ORP package? Quite misleading to think that the regular GL with no ORP has this adjustable suspension feature.
12-07-2006, 08:27 PM
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07 GL450,
Maybe they slipped in a ringer or pre-production units, more likely they just offered test units that have the off-road option. Seemed to work as they are winning all the shoot-outs.
12-09-2006, 09:24 PM
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SL600
Here's the real deal... BTW, I have the off road package.
With ot without, both cars have the airmatic suspension.
Without the off road pkg, there is a Sport/Comfort switch, and the vehicle can be raised (on setting).
Off road pkg adds the ability to raise the car to three different levels. MAx level is limited to driving 20MPH. I believe it raises the car 6-7". Also adds the ability to lock the center and rear differentials. Center only, or center and rear. The controls for the offroad package replace the compartment below the climate control. The buttons for LR and DSR move to the offroad control panel. The Parktronic switch moves to a small switch next to the hazard switch, and the switch for parktronic and vehicle raising are blank when equipped with offroad.
With ot without, both cars have the airmatic suspension.
Without the off road pkg, there is a Sport/Comfort switch, and the vehicle can be raised (on setting).
Off road pkg adds the ability to raise the car to three different levels. MAx level is limited to driving 20MPH. I believe it raises the car 6-7". Also adds the ability to lock the center and rear differentials. Center only, or center and rear. The controls for the offroad package replace the compartment below the climate control. The buttons for LR and DSR move to the offroad control panel. The Parktronic switch moves to a small switch next to the hazard switch, and the switch for parktronic and vehicle raising are blank when equipped with offroad.
12-09-2006, 09:41 PM
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Here's the real deal... BTW, I have the off road package.
With ot without, both cars have the airmatic suspension.
Without the off road pkg, there is a Sport/Comfort switch, and the vehicle can be raised (on setting).
Off road pkg adds the ability to raise the car to three different levels. MAx level is limited to driving 20MPH. I believe it raises the car 6-7". Also adds the ability to lock the center and rear differentials. Center only, or center and rear. The controls for the offroad package replace the compartment below the climate control. The buttons for LR and DSR move to the offroad control panel. The Parktronic switch moves to a small switch next to the hazard switch, and the switch for parktronic and vehicle raising are blank when equipped with offroad.
With ot without, both cars have the airmatic suspension.
Without the off road pkg, there is a Sport/Comfort switch, and the vehicle can be raised (on setting).
Off road pkg adds the ability to raise the car to three different levels. MAx level is limited to driving 20MPH. I believe it raises the car 6-7". Also adds the ability to lock the center and rear differentials. Center only, or center and rear. The controls for the offroad package replace the compartment below the climate control. The buttons for LR and DSR move to the offroad control panel. The Parktronic switch moves to a small switch next to the hazard switch, and the switch for parktronic and vehicle raising are blank when equipped with offroad.
12-10-2006, 10:01 AM
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SL600
Well, ADS-II is what you get with the off-road package, but the sport, normal, and comfort modes are user selectable Airmatic ride control programs in GLs without the offroad package.
It seems that the off-road package gives you ADS. Without the off-road package you just get Airmatic.
This is from MB's website regarding GLs without the off-road pkg: "Selecting off-road driving program raises shift points automatically. Shift into Optimum Gear programming allows one-touch selection of the best gear for maximum acceleration or engine braking by holding a Touch Shift button in the downshift position for one second. Driver-selectable Comfort mode starts vehicle moving in 2nd gear, or 2nd Reverse gear, and upshifts at lower rpm to help improve control on slippery surfaces." "Off-road driving program One-button off-road program allows driver to simultaneously engage programming recalibrations of the traction system, antilock brakes, engine management and automatic transmission designed to enhance control in conditions typical of off-highway driving"
It appears that there is no-low-range mode without the OR pkg.
And, whereas in GLs with OR, the comfort mode actually varies the shock rates, with non-OR GLs, the comfort mode only changes shift points and starts in 2nd versus 1st gear.
It seems that the off-road package gives you ADS. Without the off-road package you just get Airmatic.
This is from MB's website regarding GLs without the off-road pkg: "Selecting off-road driving program raises shift points automatically. Shift into Optimum Gear programming allows one-touch selection of the best gear for maximum acceleration or engine braking by holding a Touch Shift button in the downshift position for one second. Driver-selectable Comfort mode starts vehicle moving in 2nd gear, or 2nd Reverse gear, and upshifts at lower rpm to help improve control on slippery surfaces." "Off-road driving program One-button off-road program allows driver to simultaneously engage programming recalibrations of the traction system, antilock brakes, engine management and automatic transmission designed to enhance control in conditions typical of off-highway driving"
It appears that there is no-low-range mode without the OR pkg.
And, whereas in GLs with OR, the comfort mode actually varies the shock rates, with non-OR GLs, the comfort mode only changes shift points and starts in 2nd versus 1st gear.
12-10-2006, 10:03 AM
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SL600
More from MBs website regarding the Airmatic that you get without the OR pkg.
Air Suspension Four-wheel air suspension with spring-struts. Automatically compensates for changes in passenger and load weight. Vehicle level raised by up to 3.1" via a button on the dashboard.
Air Suspension Four-wheel air suspension with spring-struts. Automatically compensates for changes in passenger and load weight. Vehicle level raised by up to 3.1" via a button on the dashboard.
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12-10-2006, 10:39 AM
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ML500
My salesman said that there is no sport/comfort setting switch without the off road package. Anyone out there with a GL without off road package that has this sport/comfort/automatic setting switch for the suspension?
12-10-2006, 01:00 PM
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06 E-55-95-F355S- 99 Porsche 911 C2 w mods
12-10-2006, 08:26 PM
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SL600
Without off-road, there should be a switch for C/S, comfort/standard. Comfort changes the shift points and starts off in 2nd gear, but will not alter the suspension.
BTW, IMO, the OR pkg does provide a smoother ride, as a result of having ADS-II.
BTW, IMO, the OR pkg does provide a smoother ride, as a result of having ADS-II.
12-10-2006, 09:23 PM
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ADS II AND the Off-Road Pkg really is the way to go on a GL, IMO -- the question is, who can, and who can't, get it?
Is it only in the USA that we're without? And what are the chances that once the greedy little ba$tard$ have managed to sell a couple of thousand GL's here in the States that we will gain the option from MBUSA of being able to order the OR Pkg on a USA-bound GL?
Anyone?
I am going to try to order my US GL's WITH the OR Pkg - even if it costs me more in total than the option price to do so....
Is it only in the USA that we're without? And what are the chances that once the greedy little ba$tard$ have managed to sell a couple of thousand GL's here in the States that we will gain the option from MBUSA of being able to order the OR Pkg on a USA-bound GL?
Anyone?
I am going to try to order my US GL's WITH the OR Pkg - even if it costs me more in total than the option price to do so....
12-10-2006, 11:33 PM
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ADS II AND the Off-Road Pkg really is the way to go on a GL, IMO -- the question is, who can, and who can't, get it?
Is it only in the USA that we're without? And what are the chances that once the greedy little ba$tard$ have managed to sell a couple of thousand GL's here in the States that we will gain the option from MBUSA of being able to order the OR Pkg on a USA-bound GL?
Anyone?
I am going to try to order my US GL's WITH the OR Pkg - even if it costs me more in total than the option price to do so....
Is it only in the USA that we're without? And what are the chances that once the greedy little ba$tard$ have managed to sell a couple of thousand GL's here in the States that we will gain the option from MBUSA of being able to order the OR Pkg on a USA-bound GL?
Anyone?
I am going to try to order my US GL's WITH the OR Pkg - even if it costs me more in total than the option price to do so....
Edit: the following is from MBUSA
2007 Packages
334 Off-Road Package
The GL-Class may be refined, but with an Adaptive Damping System (ADSII), two locking differentials, 2-speed transfer case, front/rear skid-plate protection and roof rail crossbars it proves it's not afraid to get dirty.
Maybe it is available.
Last edited by Can Drive 55; 12-10-2006 at 11:37 PM.
12-10-2006, 11:52 PM
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What is ADS II? The MBUSA web site indicates the Off Road package is available and it includes ADS. It does not mention ADS II. Thanks. And, BTW, I might get a GL instead of an ML, so I am doing some indepth studying of the 2 vehicles.
Edit: the following is from MBUSA
2007 Packages
334 Off-Road Package
The GL-Class may be refined, but with an Adaptive Damping System (ADSII), two locking differentials, 2-speed transfer case, front/rear skid-plate protection and roof rail crossbars it proves it's not afraid to get dirty.
Maybe it is available.
Edit: the following is from MBUSA
2007 Packages
334 Off-Road Package
The GL-Class may be refined, but with an Adaptive Damping System (ADSII), two locking differentials, 2-speed transfer case, front/rear skid-plate protection and roof rail crossbars it proves it's not afraid to get dirty.
Maybe it is available.
12-11-2006, 12:57 AM
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Wow - what a relief! 
I will cross that bridge when I come to it, so to speak - but I couldn't see ordering a GL, myself, without having the benefit of the Off-Road Pkg....
can drive - I do think that you are going to have to at least consider the question of the size/capacity/off-road ability of the GL vs. the same attributes plus the performance and handling of an ML63 into a purchase decision....
And then there's the G55....
Nice to have such nice choices, huh?
I will cross that bridge when I come to it, so to speak - but I couldn't see ordering a GL, myself, without having the benefit of the Off-Road Pkg....
can drive - I do think that you are going to have to at least consider the question of the size/capacity/off-road ability of the GL vs. the same attributes plus the performance and handling of an ML63 into a purchase decision....
And then there's the G55....
Nice to have such nice choices, huh?
12-11-2006, 11:32 AM
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SL600
ADS-II = Adaptive Damping System (part of the GL's Off-Road pkg.). I had ADS (version I) in mny 97 SL600. The ride quality that it provides is amazing. Definately a difference with and without.
I wonder if they will ever offer ABC (Active Body Control) which is a fully active (versus partially with ADS) in the GL. ABC almost entirely eliminates body roll.
I wonder if they will ever offer ABC (Active Body Control) which is a fully active (versus partially with ADS) in the GL. ABC almost entirely eliminates body roll.
12-11-2006, 12:27 PM
#18
Out Of Control!!
can drive - I do think that you are going to have to at least consider the question of the size/capacity/off-road ability of the GL vs. the same attributes plus the performance and handling of an ML63 into a purchase decision.... Have thought about it and I can find a valid use for both sizes. I will have to do a cost benefit analysis when the time comes.
And then there's the G55.... A definite consideration, but lack of keyless go is a problem
Nice to have such nice choices, huh?Yeah, buddy!
And then there's the G55.... A definite consideration, but lack of keyless go is a problem
Nice to have such nice choices, huh?
Yeah, buddy!
And a premature congrats on the big 5K.
12-14-2006, 10:59 PM
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R320, GL320, E320cdi's, 500SEL Pullman
GL320cdi's ONLY sold with Off Road Package on RHD Models???
Well thought I would comment on this one. I hear the bridies say down Unda in Australia that only GL's with the OR suspension will be sold, either the GL500 or the GL320cdi - which has been sold there for months...
Whatcha got down unda?
(My new GL 320cdi awaits on-top of a car carrier, somewhere in Texas, on it's way home right now.... Was "released to carrier" a few days ago...
Whatcha got down unda?
(My new GL 320cdi awaits on-top of a car carrier, somewhere in Texas, on it's way home right now.... Was "released to carrier" a few days ago...
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