MBspdfrk

I just ordered a GL 320 this week. I chose P1 and leather.

I simply would like to see MB make bi-zenons a separate option, rather than having to spend another $2200 for P2.

I am sure a retro fit would cost more later.

Your thoughts?

lkchris

Osram has just introduced H7 bulbs 90% (ninety per cent) brighter than "normal" H7 bulbs.

JDT1

I agree with your thoughts on the P1 and P2 packages. I also recently ordered a GL 320 and went with the P1. A major difference in the packages is that P2 also includes the 3 Zone Climate feature which was important to me. At least you can order that separately with the P1 package which I did. I was going to order leather, as I really like the wood/leather steering wheel, but it only comes in the burl-walnut finish. My dealer, however, told me he could order me an aftermarket wood/leather steering wheel in the Birds Eye Maple finish to match the standard wood that comes with the MB-Tex interior.

mbslk350

The bi-xenon was a separate option in 2007, but it was combined in 2008 into the new P2 package.

Wolfgang

Thanks for the pointer, Kent. Just uploaded an info file:

OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER™

Das wohl stärkste Halogen-Scheinwerferlicht der Welt.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pdf/osram-night-breaker.pdf

GL Fahrer

+$2200 for:
Bi-Xenons headlamps with active curve illumination
Corner illuminating front foglamps with chrome trim
High pressure headlamp washing system with heated reservoir
3-Zone digital climate control
Rear seat climate controls
Rear airconditioning unit
Infra-red reflecting glass

They were put in P2 to reduce the price to the consumer...try getting all this seperately for the same price.

You just can't compare this to a set of bulbs from Auto-Zone

WordSmith

The Osram looks great . Heard good comments on them.

gordongl450

I have to agree with GL Fahrer, the P2 package in the 2008 GL is a very good package.

We have a 2007 GL where after a P1 package, we had to order everything seperately. I love the 3 Zone Climate Control with the Infra-red reflecting glass.

I personally believe that the P1 and the P2 packages MB put together for 2008 make sense compared to last year.

Another example, last year the Rear Camera was a completely seperate option and we did not get it, but now we wish we had, it is a useful safety option. When we were test driving a vehicle that did not have a Rear Camera we had no way to evaluate it's usefulness so we did not order it. This year they have it in a package, so more people will end up with it and more people will be glad they have it.

I am pretty compulsive, so last year I saved the MB 2007 GL Web pages as screen shots so I would have them to compare to the 2008 Web pages when they were updated. So I have attached the "Options" web page for the 2007 GL's so you can see how things had to be ordered last year. I hope it will be readable.

I think you should get P2, you won't regret it.

Gordon

MBspdfrk

You guys are right. It is only money.

"By the time you die, it only costs a few grand more to go first class"

oknish

Last year when I bought my 450, lighting package (Xenons, Cornering lamps, washers) was $900. 3 zone A/C (I/R glass, rear A/C controls, etc.) was around $1300. Look at the screenshots Gordon posted for verification. So not sure I see the price reduction.

With that said, P2 makes the car ordering a lot more easier for those that are looking at getting all options. For those who want choice, look elsewhere on the forum for the "debate"

And, yes, there is no comparing lighting package to Auto-Zone bulbs

lkchris

And yes, you're correct, there are no good bulbs for sale at Autozone.

OTOH, you couldn't give me HID lighting.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...dvantages.html

MBspdfrk

You and Daniel Stern are absolutely correct! I have his Euro code headlamps in my Jeep Rubicon and they are far superior to the lights in my E55. I didn't think to check with him since the GL has a unique shape to the lens, and thus no way would a 7in round e-code light work.

I will see what he has to offer. Thanks!

Nevada Jack

A good article. But I do note that the author sells products related to bulbs and not HID products.

From my standpoint I would never go back to halogen type headlights after having xenon HID's. From my personal experience I can see much better now and on those dark and lonely roads, the high beams are fantastic. Your mileage may vary...

lkchris

The author is a lighting engineer.

Further reading will reveal it's basically impossible to "convert" anything to HID, meaning there's not much of a market for anything except spare HID burners. The cost of HID auxiliary lighting makes that a quite small market as well. It's also pretty inconvenient to locate the transformer that must go with, for example, a bumper-mount auxiliary HID light.

Jlight

Thanks for posting the 2007 GL Build Page!

Ahhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - 2007 when I could have ordered a GL 320 with ADS II and Multi Contour Seats :-(

2008 P2 is great but really want ADSII and the Seats too!!!

gordongl450

Jlight,

The screenshot of Options I posted was specifically for the GL450.

The Options web page for the GL320 did NOT have the ability to select the Off-Road Package (it was not listed on the GL320 Options page) so you would NOT have had the ability to get ADSII.

There has been a lot of discussion on that on the forum, the ADS came only with the off road package and last year, therefore only on a GL450.

Sorry to get your blood pressure up! I should have been more specific in my original post with the screenshot.

Also, regarding Multicontour seats, my wife and I have had them for the past 5 months and to be honest I am not that impressed. I have a post regarding that on the ML forum.

Gordon

Jlight

Gordon -

Thanks for the clarity.

In 2007 - you could order the (ADSII) on the GL 320 as well as the Multicontour seats. For 2008 this is not available. I have both the 2007 brochure and drove several GL's and saw first hand the ADSII system switch (comf/sport).

I know the Multicontour seats have people that love them and those that think like you that they are "ok."

For me personally I was quite a downhill snow skier and have a bad lower back. I found the many lumbar adjustments to be really handy for me.

Now the active seating with massage on the S-Class - those are amazing seats!

gordongl450

Jlight,

I don't want to beat a dead horse and I am not sure if my screen shot for the 2007 GL450 Options web page confused things.

In 2007, the Off Road Package came with ADSII, Locking differentials, 2 speed transfer case and front and reat skid plates. Getting that package, in a GL450, was the only way to get ADSII.

The Off Road Package was NOT available for the GL320, so there was no way to get ADSII in a GL320.

ADSII was not available as an "individual" option for the GL450 or the GL320. I am looking at the 2007 MB GL-Class brochure right now in front of me.

If you drove a GL with ADSII in 2007 then you drove a GL450 with the Off Road Package.

Thanks,

Gordon

There are a couple of old threads on this forum discussing the fact the tioget ADS you had to order the off road package and that had a lot of us annoyed.