GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

2008 Gl550

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Old 08-01-2007, 02:25 AM
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2008 Gl550

My dealer called today and left a message about a 2008 GL550 they just got in.

I may trade my wife's GL450 in on one and wanted to see if anyone has taken delivery of one yet and what their thoughts were compared to the GL450.
Old 08-01-2007, 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by getbitten
My dealer called today and left a message about a 2008 GL550 they just got in.

I may trade my wife's GL450 in on one and wanted to see if anyone has taken delivery of one yet and what their thoughts were compared to the GL450.
Looks like you'll be the first one to get a 550 if you decide to pick it up. Look forward to your thoughts after you see it "live".
Old 08-01-2007, 07:47 AM
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13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Originally Posted by Stumblefoot
Looks like you'll be the first one to get a 550 if you decide to pick it up. Look forward to your thoughts after you see it "live".
Yeah, if you can, take it for a ride and let us know the differences to the 450 and take a close look at the fender flares, there was some concern on the "quality" of attachment.
Old 08-01-2007, 09:08 AM
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19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
I thought I was in the first batch of 550 owners. My dealer said I'd be the first to have it.. Anyway maybe I'll get an early call saying it's in...
Old 08-01-2007, 09:14 AM
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W210, W203, W245
the GL is one fine hefty car
Old 08-01-2007, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by getbitten
My dealer called today and left a message about a 2008 GL550 they just got in.

I may trade my wife's GL450 in on one and wanted to see if anyone has taken delivery of one yet and what their thoughts were compared to the GL450.
Go take a look and report back to the forum all the information you can. If you can get a test drive we would love to hear your comments. It must be one of the stock dealer distribution cars.
Old 08-01-2007, 09:41 AM
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I'll be calling him this morning to discuss details of the truck.
His message indicated that he would be off of work today but to call him anyway.

The only details he left me in the voicemail was it was black with tan interior.

I will try to make time to take a look this week when I go in for my first check up on my S63 and will report back.
Old 08-01-2007, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Go take a look and report back to the forum all the information you can. If you can get a test drive we would love to hear your comments. It must be one of the stock dealer distribution cars.
And don't forget to take your camera. We want to see the pics so we can give really good feedback
Old 08-02-2007, 05:43 PM
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Well, they sold it the same day it hit the showroom.

He told me they traded for one the was incoming and is unsold...Black/Mac...just like the one they sold.

My wife just nixed the black and is insisting on another capri blue to replace her capri blue GL450.
It looks like I am ordering and waiting unless someone backs out of an ordered unit in the meantime.

I still plan to go see the black one when it hits...with camera in hand.
Old 08-02-2007, 05:49 PM
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19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
You'd think they'd treat a 2008 S63 owner with a little more respect.. Inconsiderate mothers... Do you need to get the SLR at 440K to get respect at MB... Gotta hate these big businesses!
Old 08-02-2007, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by getbitten
Well, they sold it the same day it hit the showroom.

He told me they traded for one the was incoming and is unsold...Black/Mac...just like the one they sold.

My wife just nixed the black and is insisting on another capri blue to replace her capri blue GL450.
It looks like I am ordering and waiting unless someone backs out of an ordered unit in the meantime.

I still plan to go see the black one when it hits...with camera in hand.
I am surprised "he sold it." The official release date for the GL550 I think is the 13th and usually dealers cannot physically sell those models until that day? I checked with my local dealer yesterday and they do not expect them until later this month?

His story sounds a little strange to me....just my opinion...:-)
Old 08-02-2007, 05:58 PM
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19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
I agree sounds/smells fishy
Old 08-02-2007, 06:10 PM
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Fellas, this dealership is the absolute best dealership I have ever dealt with.
I told him I wasn't a buyer for the black, I was just hoping to see it.
It sold (he didn't sell it) on his day off.
If I wanted it, it would be in my driveway.
They treat me like gold, even if all I purchased was a C-class.

I don't know what to say about "official release dates" but they have never lied to me and have no reason to start now.
He told me it had an MSRP just above $82K, which would be about right on the money of the one I built out on MBUSA.COM.
He was describing how the fender flares really change the look of the truck and how cool the exhaust looked...
I'm a buyer...he doesn't have to yank me to get me to purchase.

As I said, another is coming in black (which I won't purchase) and I hope to have time to check it out before it is gone. He will call me as soon as it shows up in inventory on their computer.

The one I will order will most likely show up October or November so unless another specifically equipped Capri Blue/Mac sold unit becomes available, my wife will just have to suffer in her GL450...

Last edited by getbitten; 08-02-2007 at 06:13 PM.
Old 08-02-2007, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by getbitten
Fellas, this dealership is the absolute best dealership I have ever dealt with.
I told him I wasn't a buyer for the black, I was just hoping to see it.
It sold (he didn't sell it) on his day off.
If I wanted it, it would be in my driveway.
They treat me like gold, even if all I purchased was a C-class.

I don't know what to say about "official release dates" but they have never lied to me and have no reason to start now.
He told me it had an MSRP just above $82K, which would be about right on the money of the one I built out on MBUSA.COM.
He was describing how the fender flares really change the look of the truck and how cool the exhaust looked...
I'm a buyer...he doesn't have to yank me to get me to purchase.

As I said, another is coming in black (which I won't purchase) and I hope to have time to check it out before it is gone. He will call me as soon as it shows up in inventory on their computer.

The one I will order will most likely show up October or November so unless another specifically equipped Capri Blue/Mac sold unit becomes available, my wife will just have to suffer in her GL450...
MB is very strict with dealers on new car releases and that is why I questioned it.

It may be that when you say he "traded for one that was unsold" he is talking about a dealer trade. The other dealer may have a buyer for it and he agreed to trade the physical vehicle for another allocation? If he means he physically sold a GL550 to a customer, then there is one GL550 in Texas in the hands of a very happy owner.

Last edited by Nevada Jack; 08-02-2007 at 06:27 PM.
Old 08-02-2007, 09:46 PM
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He received one for stock that was originally unsold.

The dealership physically sold it yesterday.

He found another one (undelivered to any dealer yet), called and made a dealer trade for it.

He is waiting for that unsold unit to arrive.

All other orders for GL550's he has are sold units at this time.

Last edited by getbitten; 08-02-2007 at 09:48 PM.
Old 08-02-2007, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by getbitten
He received one for stock that was originally unsold.

The dealership physically sold it yesterday.

He found another one (undelivered to any dealer yet), called and made a dealer trade for it.

He is waiting for that unsold unit to arrive.

All other orders for GL550's he has are sold units at this time.
Thanks. Must be one happy guy (or gal) in Austin..:-)

I just called the local dealer (Fletcher Jones in Las Vegas) and it is close to closing so I asked to speak to any salesperson. I asked her if they had or expect to have any GL550's. The answer shows what has happened to MB sales training program. She said they have a few GL450's but she has heard nothing about a GL550...Yikes! I said they are already in production and she said well then it would take approximately 6 weeks to get one from Germany! I hung up and will try tomorrow with someone a little more informed...LOL

Now you know why I deal with Greg Weiler in Denver at Westminster MB.

Last edited by Nevada Jack; 08-02-2007 at 10:00 PM.
Old 08-02-2007, 10:27 PM
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Thumbs up

Actually, I travel to MB of Boerne to buy my cars...located just west of San Antonio.

Enrique Palacios is the man.
Never been treated better at any dealership.
Even their finance guy, Mike Hernandez shines.

It is about an 1-1 1/2 hour drive from my house in the hill country of southwest Austin but worth it.

Last edited by getbitten; 08-02-2007 at 10:30 PM.
Old 08-03-2007, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Thanks. Must be one happy guy (or gal) in Austin..:-)

I just called the local dealer (Fletcher Jones in Las Vegas) and it is close to closing so I asked to speak to any salesperson. I asked her if they had or expect to have any GL550's. The answer shows what has happened to MB sales training program. She said they have a few GL450's but she has heard nothing about a GL550...Yikes! I said they are already in production and she said well then it would take approximately 6 weeks to get one from Germany! I hung up and will try tomorrow with someone a little more informed...LOL

Now you know why I deal with Greg Weiler in Denver at Westminster MB.

Geez, don't you hate it when you know more about a car than the salesperson?
Old 08-03-2007, 08:57 PM
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I was in my dealer's showroom on Monday and they had a GL 550 as well as the GL 450. Visually the biggest difference I saw between the two was in the wheel and tire size, followed by the grill and lastly the fender flares. The grill didn't seem to stand out nearly as much as I have seen in the pics.
Old 08-03-2007, 09:04 PM
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Well, I got a real life looksie at the GL550 today. Schumacher Mercedes has one that they just received (still has all of the plastic wrap on it)

I was in there for service, and I didn't have a camera with, otherwise I would have snapped a few pics.

I can Solidly confirm a few things...

1.) The ADS suspension IS standard. It does have the adjuster switch on the dash. BUT, it does not come with the off-road suspension adjusability... The vehicle only raises 3.1 inches like the non-offroad GLs.

2.) The FENDER FLARES ARE PLASTIC. It looks like they are molded flares that attach to the standard sheetmetal wheel wells using some kind of double sided adhesive... If the flares end up becoming available from Mercedes parts, it would be pretty easy to attach them to a standard GL.

3.) In comparing a GL 450 and a GL 550 side by side, the grill and the bumper look VERY interchangeable with each other... All of the mounting hardware looks the same. In other words, if you wanted a 550 grill on your 320 or 450... It looks like it can be done... Likewise, if you want the 320 or 450 grill on your 550, it looks like that can be done too...
Old 08-03-2007, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Danno4x4
Well, I got a real life looksie at the GL550 today. Schumacher Mercedes has one that they just received (still has all of the plastic wrap on it)

I was in there for service, and I didn't have a camera with, otherwise I would have snapped a few pics.

I can Solidly confirm a few things...

1.) The ADS suspension IS standard. It does have the adjuster switch on the dash. BUT, it does not come with the off-road suspension adjusability... The vehicle only raises 3.1 inches like the non-offroad GLs.

2.) The FENDER FLARES ARE PLASTIC. It looks like they are molded flares that attach to the standard sheetmetal wheel wells using some kind of double sided adhesive... If the flares end up becoming available from Mercedes parts, it would be pretty easy to attach them to a standard GL.

3.) In comparing a GL 450 and a GL 550 side by side, the grill and the bumper look VERY interchangeable with each other... All of the mounting hardware looks the same. In other words, if you wanted a 550 grill on your 320 or 450... It looks like it can be done... Likewise, if you want the 320 or 450 grill on your 550, it looks like that can be done too...
Thanks Dan for the report. Good note on the ADSII...it does not concern me about the ability to raise it like the ORP, my concern was to have it for the ride quality.

If you change the grille on a 450 to the 550 one you would also have to replace the bumper too, since the flares extend into the 550 bumper line. I also saw a ML63 on the floor at FJ on Wednesday and it had the flares attached. I felt underneath and the insulation in the wheel well extended to the edge of the flare, so I think that would also have to be installed. A very expensive mod I think for a 450...cheaper to trade for a 550. Note the flare and the front bumper blend:


Last edited by Nevada Jack; 08-03-2007 at 09:40 PM.
Old 08-03-2007, 10:53 PM
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Wow they're finally arriving.. Looking forward to getting mine soon!!! Need a new toy!
Old 08-04-2007, 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Thanks Dan for the report. Good note on the ADSII...it does not concern me about the ability to raise it like the ORP, my concern was to have it for the ride quality.

If you change the grille on a 450 to the 550 one you would also have to replace the bumper too, since the flares extend into the 550 bumper line. I also saw a ML63 on the floor at FJ on Wednesday and it had the flares attached. I felt underneath and the insulation in the wheel well extended to the edge of the flare, so I think that would also have to be installed. A very expensive mod I think for a 450...cheaper to trade for a 550. Note the flare and the front bumper blend:

Yep, thats right, if you wanted to change the grill, you would have to change the bumper as well...

From what I could see the front flare is actually in two pieces, one piece goes on the fender, the other goes on the front bumper where it blends into the wheel well... I was looking carefully at the 450 vs 550 that were right next to each other. Near as I can tell, the flares are simply stuck on and they attach to the outer flat surface of the wheel well and the inner surface of the wheel well.

I do like the look of the 550 Grill, Bumper and Flares... But trading in the 320 is not an option... I just like the diesel too much...
Old 08-04-2007, 09:51 AM
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Fully understand the "like the diesel too much.." I would feel the same way had I taken delivery on the CDI. But I am also looking forward to the 550 with the 5.5 liter engine and 7 speed tranny which I have grown so used to on the S Class.

I am really glad to to see you like the new look of the 550 front end...that removes any concerns I may have had lurking in the back of my mind...:-)
Old 08-04-2007, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Thanks. Must be one happy guy (or gal) in Austin..:-)

I just called the local dealer (Fletcher Jones in Las Vegas) and it is close to closing so I asked to speak to any salesperson. I asked her if they had or expect to have any GL550's. The answer shows what has happened to MB sales training program. She said they have a few GL450's but she has heard nothing about a GL550...Yikes! I said they are already in production and she said well then it would take approximately 6 weeks to get one from Germany! I hung up and will try tomorrow with someone a little more informed...LOL

Now you know why I deal with Greg Weiler in Denver at Westminster MB.
Man, do I ever know what you mean. I found a good one in Dallas. If anyone in the DFW area desires to talk to a knowledgeable salesman who is a car guy, a former engine builder and competitive racer, and previously the GM at another M-B dealership, let me know ant I will give you his info. He took care of my order 3 years ago and got it perfect the first try.

PS, Jack, do you know if the ML63 was a 2008 and if it had ventilated seats? Thanks and sorry for the interruption.


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