jhcicco

My wife wants to replace her 89 E300 with the GL 320 (big enough to carry the grand-kids) but isn't sure if she should get the 3-zone air conditioning option. We will have to order a 2008 and the 3-zone is include in its P2 package (includes P1 package, BiXenon headlights, 19" wheels, 3-zone, and heating package; P1 includes the stuff from 2007 plus rear view camera and sunroof package).

The bottom line is that with the other stuff in the P2 package, she doesn't think that 3-zone is worth the cost of paying for the other stuff in the P2 package.

Is there someone out there who didn't order the 3-zone AC option and wishes they had?

We live around Washington, DC which is hot and humid in the summer.

Thanks.

boxboss

Can't you order P1 + 3Zone by itself? I have 3 Zone and love it - I'm sure I will even more in August.

Jack450

3rd row will burn without it! Plus the glass will keep it cooler and less wind noise.

jhcicco

I'm not sure if we can order the 3-Zone by itself or if its only available in 2008 as part of the P2 package. I'll follow-up with the dealer.

My wife believes that if someone did not order the 3-Zone and wished they had, then it be a valid reason to order it.

Is there anyone who has not ordered it, that wished they did?

str8line

There are a couple of posts from people who really regretted not having the 3-zone, do a search(it might have been on Benzworld.org or Edmunds that I read it). It would probably be the last option I would go without and in my opinion should be a standard item.

Do it for the kids!

Newbie_2_MB

I'm one of those who wishes I had ordered it. I've had people in the 2nd row & the standard a/c works fine. Haven't had any people in the 3rd row yet, but have had my dogs in the back and have had to crank up the a/c in order to keep it cool for them in the back.

Bottom line, if she'll be hauling folks in the 3rd row, get it. I had it (3rd row a/c) in my Expedition and do regret not getting it in my GL.

StevethePilot

I'm in the Phoenix area. I had back seat A/C in my LX. I do not have the "3-zone" in my GL. That does not mean there's no A/C back there, it just means they can't adjust it. I turn it on or off, and they adjust the vanes.

My teenagers have yet to complain about the rear A/C and it's been over 100 a few days. That said, if they'd had identical vehicles available and one had three-zone, I'd have gone with the three-zone A/C.

oknish

IMO, 3 zone is a great option to have but not a must, at least for us. I couldn't get it since I bought off the lot. I regularly haul 7 (2 kids + 5 adults) and have yet to hear from anyone in 3rd row about not cool. But then again, that is becuase I am in SoCal and it has not gotten hot yet.

StevethePilot

It's all relative - on all but the hottest days in Phoenix I can't see having a problem. I know the old "It's a Dry Heat" excuse sounds cliché but it's true. I have friends in Washington state who're complaining how hot it is because it's over 80. Our LOW tonight is going to be 77, and we think that's awfully nice.

If I lived in, say, Memphis (or Mississippi), I might insist on third-row. Here, like you say, it is an option.

oknish

Ultimately, it's all relative, Steve

So looks like you have been happy with regular A/C in the Phoenix heat which I believe is much more than what SoCal gets.

blittle

I don't have the 3zone and I don't have anyone for regular use of the 3rd row. I will say that the AC on the GL puts out some of the coldest air I have ever experienced with automotive AC systems! On a recent trip in 90 degree weather with 4 people in the vehicle......had the AC set at 74 and the folks in the 2nd row turned their vents off! Don't know what it would have been like in the "way back" but the AC system is indeed powerful.

traumatic

I have 3 zone a/c in my Tahoe and love it (even though I have the 3rd row removed). I also got a lot of use from a rear aux. heater in an old Land Cruiser. The entire car cools much faster, and you don't have to have ice cold air from the dash blasting past you to cool the rest of the car. I don't think I'd ever get another large SUV without this feature.

carpersn

I have it and personally think it's worth it if for nothing else than the infrared glass-my car is substantially cooler than you might otherwise think.

MERCFAN

I have the 3 zone and the infrared and they are a must. Without that for you to have the 3 row with a good temperature the front row is too cold. If you have the front row with good temperature the 3rd row is hot. With the 3 zone A/C everything works well.

LindaAZ

I live in the Phoenix area too and do NOT have 3-zone. I do have the huber-optic tinting which works really well. Even after the car sat in the sun today for two hours (it was 107 today) the interior of the car was quite cool - and stays that way. The back row gets plenty cool - even here.

FireGuy

While we are in the SF Bay area, we ordered it and are thrilled! Not only does the 3rd system allow all rows to be more individually set, the "package" comes with the low UV and thicker, quieter glass, which is a HUGE improvement. Our GL is black on black and the glass REALLY keeps the interior cooler...

GL Driver

3-Zone is indeed available as a stanalone option in 2008. at this extremely reduced price, you just wont get the IR glass.

so...
P2 with 3-zone and IR glass or,
stand alone without IR

Good luck!

Danno4x4

Damn Gina... Glad I got an 07... I would not have wanted everything in the P2.

We have the 3-Zone and we like it... Nothing is really a necessity... Hell, I drove my pickup around in college here in Arizona with NO air conditioning...

The 3 zone comes in handy because it has extra vents in the ceiling which blow on the 2nd and third rows... If I had 7 people piled in the car, I really would appreciate allowing them all to be cooled down.

boxboss

I really like the 3 zone, too - if for no other reason than the double pane IR glass. Cooler and quieter. Although most of my driving is alone, I keep the 2nd/3rd row AC on as it helps cool the whole vehicle more quickly.

cjh.

In my opinion I think the regular climate control does a great job. Nobody in the back has ever complained, plus I didn't want a big box hanging from the ceiling of the GL. Just my $.02.

blittle

It's like a lot of options.....you either want it or need it.....here in the Northeast I didn't think I wanted to spend the extra cash for something I would seldom use and after seeing what the standard system is capable of ( cools the vehicle amazingly fast ) I now know that I certainly didn't need it

Danno4x4

Same here. Even if it is just me driving.

After the vehicle has been sitting in the sun and is 140+ degrees inside from the AZ sun, it takes less than a minute for the vehicle to be comfortable inside.

That being said, also since I am living in AZ, I did not get the heating package. No need for me.

oknish

I think Danno's and blittle's recent posts hit the sweet spot. Choice of 3 zone, IMO, comes down to if you live in a place where it gets hot or not. It's nice to have but looks like it's a must in hot/humid climes, like SoCal, AZ etc.

cc5731478

I can second what Danno said. Being a new owner of a GL450 and living in Mesa, AZ, just set the temp, put it on auto, and before you know it the blower starts to reduce itself as it cools down quite quickly.

boxboss

I would be willing to trade any option I have on my GL to keep the 3 Zone. When the temp and humidity are matched at 97, it's the best option going.