oknish

Nothing on my end either. Played phone tag in the morning and am travelling now and next week. Will call him back in July and, hopefully, they will have something concrete by then.

Any idea of what people are hearing about when production will start on 550? I have heard it beginning in July and/or August.

Stumblefoot

Supposedly, my vehicle is to be made in the 1st 10 days of August. I find that a bit amazing, considering it's only 5 weeks from now and the dealer still doesn't have any concrete information yet. I just wonder how much lead time MBUSA requires for an order to enter production? Seems exceptionally short to me at this point.

GL Fahrer

Model year 2008 GL550 (USA):

(Exclusive Equipment):
5.5L DOHC V-8
21" 5-Spoke AMG Alloy wheels
All-Season Continental tires (295/40)
Fender Flares
New Front Bumper
New Grille with three lamella
X- Large M-B Star
Chrome Roof Rails
Chrome belt-line
Chrome Liftgate step protection
Dual split chrome exhaust tips
Blue Tinted Glass

(Standard Equipment):
Premium 2 Package
Heating Package
Full Leather Seating Package
Running Boards
Voice Control
Skid Plates
Adaptive Damping System (ADSII)

Nevada Jack

Great post! Price will be a stiff one for sure...:-)

GL Fahrer

Define: "stiff"

Nevada Jack

Expensive...

GL Fahrer

What I mean is; what do you think the "stiff" price will be for this level of equipment?

Nevada Jack

I would think around $80K +/- a $1000 or so. My GL320CDI priced out at $72,850 with everything but the RSE, Hitch and Heating Pkg. So with all the body additions, chrome, ADSII and all the others items standard (except for RSE and no Distronic) plus the upgrade to the 382HP engine, over $80K seems "reasonable?"

With the 382HP and the 7 speed and ADSII the ride will be superb I am sure. Gas mileage will also be pretty good I suspect. I get 25mpg on highway trips with my S which is probably 1000 lbs + lighter than the GL550 will be.

racyb

I wouldn't expect the GL550 to get better gas mileage than the GL450, in fact I speculate that it will be slightly worse. IMHO, in terms of factors that influence MPG ratings, the weight isn't as much of an issue as is the drag coefficient when comparing the S class and GL. The GL has a huge frontal cross sectional area compared to the S.

Nevada Jack

Good point...will be interesting to see when we get a few owners on the forum.

Stumblefoot

Happy 4th of July from Telluride, CO where four F-16's made a dramatic appearance today down main street, then up and over the box canyon walls to kick-off the town's parade today. Also, thanks to GL Fahrer for the update.

I just opened an email from my rep that provides additional info to GL Fahrer's post.

(Individual Options)
443 Heated Steering Wheel
550 Hitch
864 Dual Screen DVD Entertainment
056 Single Screen DVD Entertainment
889 Keyless Go
057 iPod Kit
064 Chrome Grill Guard
067 Illuminated Door Sills

(Exterior Colors)
Obsidian black
Jade green
Carpi blue
Verde brook
Barolo red
Pewter
Iridium silver
Sand beige
Black
Artic White

(Interior Colors)
Black
Macadamia
Ash

No prices were mentioned, so what do you think are the most important options to get? Also, what do you think the Chrome Grill Guard is?

Have a great 4th of July holiday everyone. We are so fortunate to live in such a great country!

Nevada Jack

Keyless Go is the only "required" option that I see. RSE depends on the use as well as the iPod Kit, Hitch and Chrome Grill Guard. The Grill Guard is that large piece of chrome that looks like a "cow catcher." Door Sills are nice but expensive. With heated steering wheel you may not be able to get the Wood/Leather one.

This is going to be one expensive truck. It may come very close to the S Class base (which went up about $2500 for '08.)

GL Fahrer

The Grille Guard will not be available because the GL550 comes standard with Parktronic. Those two items are incompatible on any car.

Stumblefoot

Maybe not, but I posted verbatim the option list my dealer provided to me today. Personally, I don't want the grill guard, but it seems weird that he would give me the options list and it isn't available.

Nevada Jack

It may be that since the front grill was redesigned for the GL550, they may have also redesigned the Grille Guard for it also. If not then I am sure there would be a NetStar note indicating the restriction of one or the other. Just like the Heated Steering Wheel option...if you get the Wood Wheel Option, the Heated steering wheel is not available.

Some machine Stumblefoot...can't wait to see the pricing and your selections.

oknish

Thanks for the details, Stumble and Fahrer.......I can't believe Distronic is not available

NJ - I am predicting 78K with the exclusive equipment and standard options that are listed.

Nevada Jack

I think you are low but hope you are right...:-) The exclusive equipment and 5.5 engine had got to add some big bucks along with the price increases for '08 models.

GL Fahrer

The Grille Guard is not available simply because Parktronic is installed standard on the GL550. The sensors do not work when the grill guard is installed and in the way. If you order a GL450 or GL320 with Parktronic, you also cannot get the Grille Guard

The heated leather steering wheel will be an individual option only for the GL550 customer since it comes standard with the Wood/Leather steering wheel.
The GL does not have a Heated Wood Leather Steering wheel. You have to pick one or the other.

Distronic is not available because it has not been developed for the extra-large star found only on the MY'08 GL550 Grille.

BeanCounter

Let's start a poll on what we think a "base" GL550 is going to cost. Oknish says $78,000. My guess is $82,575. Jack what do you think??????????

Nevada Jack

$82,576.50...closest without going over wins a non-paid visit to Sin City...:-)

grussell

79,990

BeanCounter

I was actually thinking that myself (i.e. they want want to keep it under an $80,000 base).

Stumblefoot

I'll say $79K wishfully.

Nevada Jack

I just noted that the Exclusive Options for the GL550 have an item called "New Front Bumper." This tells me perhaps the sensors for the Parktronic have been relocated so the Grille Guard will not block them. Just a thought since they do list the Grille Guard as an option.

Also, I have revised my Base Price upward to $84,450 plus Keyless Go at $1200 bringing the fully equipped GL550 to $85,650....

oknish

I will see your $85,560 and will raise it to $86,649 including RSE on top of KG.