Newbie_2_MB

Thought I would introduce myself. I'll be picking up my first Mercedes tomorrow; a GL450 in Capri Blue/Ash. I've been a Ford girl my entire life, most recently driving a 2005 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition. While I love my Expedition, I saw the GL450 on the freeway and instantly fell in love.

I live in southern California with my husband of 7 years and our 2 Labrador Retrievers. I'm a Director of Human Resources for a manufacturing company and volunteer with a Labrador Retriever rescue group, so along with my 2 fur kids, I usually have a foster dog -- hence the reason for the large vehicle!

I'm also a motorcyclist. I ride a 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail. I've logged about 20K miles on this bike and over 25K on my previous ride, a 2001 Harley-Davidson Sportster. I usually take a week-long motorcycle trip by myself, as my husband is in law enforcement and has a tough time getting time off work.

So that's it about me. I'm anxious to pick up my new GL. Thanks for letting me hang out here and learn more about Mercedes.

oknish

Welcome. Here is what you should do, in the suggested order -

1. Post some pics of your new ride. It seems that Blue/Ash is a favored color combo around here.

2. Get the Stainless steel bumper plate so your bumper won't get scratched.

3. Go on a long drive and tell us what you think. Enjoy the ride.

Stoneseller

You & your fur kids will love it. I take my 3 for rides occasionally. With the 2nd & 3rd row seats folded, and the included divider net installed behind the driver's seat, my fur kids love all the room back there.

boxboss

Welcome! Please post pictures...we don't get enough of those around here.

Nevada Jack

Welcome and we know you will enjoy the new GL.


boxboss: You wlll get plenty of them in early May...you can count on it...:-)

Newbie_2_MB

Will do! Got my camera batteries all charged.

Thanks for that tip; wouldn't have thought of that. I found the other thread about it. I'll definitely be adding that so the fur kids don't scratch it.

Got a Vegas road trip next month

rkao

And post pics of your fur kids!

My wife and I LOVE labs, chocolates especially, but alas given our busy urban and suburban schedules, do not have enough time to give them good long walks and the exercise they'd deserve. So instead, we have two under 20 lbs. westie-poos who are litter mates and much easier to manage...and oh yes, one HUMAN child too who turns one on the 21st .

The blue on ash color combo seems popular here in the metro NY area as well, we'd seriously consider it when we replace the LX in 12 months' time.

boxboss

As will you! BTW, Brabus wheels arrived yesterday and those will be in my pics as well.

Nevada Jack

Brabus wheels should look fantastic! I think you said they were 20's...any concern about ride on the lower profile tires?

Have you seen the GL550 shots with the 21" standard AMG wheels?

boxboss

Right - 20" Monoblock E's. No, I think the ride will be fine with 20's and 295/45 Pirelli's. That's one reason I didn't go with 22's though - the rubber bands would not be so smooth.

Yes I have. They look good - similar to the 20" Porrima (Tynaride) wheels available now that I almost bought. I also noticed the Verde - I like it, but will not be changing like some on this forum!

L8Apex

Welcome! Enjoy the new ride!

Newbie_2_MB

After having the GL for 24 hours, all I can say is WOW! I went from a 2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer to the GL. In all honesty, I had never ridden in a Mercedes, let alone owned one. I thought the Expedition rode nice and had nice features. Boy, was I wrong! I can't believe how quiet & smooth the GL is. Of course, I'm preaching to the choir here!

Here are a few pictures from when I brought it home yesterday (yes we are very patriotic with our red, white & now blue vehicles!):





I love the Ash interior



Although the fur kids have not yet been in the vehicle, here is a picture of them



Snickers is the chocolate & Jordan is the black Lab.

MercPlease

Congrats! I hope you love your new and first Mercedes!

ORK1

Nice car and nice dogs. Welcome

blittle

Hey Newbie.....

Does your new GL have the "lighting package" ( the bi-zenon ones that turn as the vehicle turns?) JUst curious as there has been some discussion about whether you get chrome turn signal housings with that package or not......your's seems to have the black housings.

boxboss

I was wondering about that myself.

Thanks for sharing the pictures Newbie, and congrats!

Mushroom

I got the active lights and the chrome housings.
So there might be some type of connection between the two

jpeardm

Hi, I have the lighting package and yes they put a chrome surround on the turn signal lights.

Nevada Jack

Great looking GL! Wish you all the luck and enjoyment with it. Chocolate and Jordan should really feel like royalty now...

Excellent pics also...

boxboss

The housing surround should be chrome when the Xenon Lighting package is chosen - the "active" lighting. Someone recently posted that they had the active lighting, but didn't get chrome surrounds. This lead to some confusion about them.

Newbie_2_MB

No, just the Premium I, Sunroof and backup camera. I really didn't want the backup camera, but it was the closest configuration we could find to what I wanted. I purchased the car through my credit union, which saved me about $5K off MSRP.

Nevada Jack

I saw that post also on benzworld and the guy indicated his SR told him the option did not include the chrome when his car was built. I still don't know what his build date was...but every picture I have seen (either personal or MB or magazines) when the lighting package is present so is the chrome trim on the fogs.

Edit: I just checked and his build was early in the build cycle. Apparently he got one of the very early builds which did not have the chrome His quote:

I bought on '07 in Nov. of '06 (I think the build date a a few months earlier)

Mushroom

Here the optionlists says:
Code 615: Bi-xenon headlights with activelight system with dynamic elevation of the lightbeams and integrated foglights (in chrome housing).

It comes as standard equipment for all models except the 320Cdi. About 2 thousand dollars extra to equip the 320cdi with it (Norway, the standard equipment differs from country to country it seems)

Nevada Jack

Here is the US description and the price is $900. Our description does not mention the "in chrome housing" but is shown in all brochures and other MB pubs. Option code is 319

2007 Options
Bi-Xenon Curve-Illuminating Headlamps and Heated Headlamp Washers
Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge headlamps provide better vision over longer distances on both high and low beams. These headlamps actively pivot their beams to either side, based on your steering angle, to better illuminate curving roads. The option also includes high-pressure headlamp washers and corner-illuminating foglamps that activate at speeds under 25 mph when turning or when the turn signal is activated.

oknish

If you look at the MB brochure on GL, all pics show chrome trims and fine print says "shown with optional lighting package". That is pretty clear evidence.

Newbie - nice looking GL and will look even better with Snickers and Jordan inside My roomie in college had a chocolate lab (named Kahlua - what a surprise) and Snickers looks like a spitting image of Kahlua.