What is the lead time for ordering?
If I order now, and the GL is not ready for delivery until November, will the dealer honor the November rate for financing or leasing? or will the dealer go with the rate of when the order was placed?
Does the Navigation System offer the real-time-traffic feature?

Thank you in advance guys.

320? 450? 550?

From my search, I thought ordering a car took at least 3-4 months. I think you could negotiate a price now but would have to use what rates are available at the time of delivery. Maybe you can get them to agree on at least getting the lowest rate available? If you are leasing try to locate one coming in with the goodies you want as the 2008 models are still fresh. Nav doesn't have real-time-traffic feature.

I ordered my GL450 with p2, leather, hitch and orp on 8/27 and the build date is 10/29 with delivery slated for mid November to CA. The pricing should be firm for the day you negotiate it, or so it seems. I don't see any changes in MSRP yet on the MB website so that should be key. Competitive lease offers are still available according to the web site, although the rate does not seem to aggressive when compared to domestic offer.

I was in the auto leasing business for all my business career. Cost of money is determined at time of delivery because that is when you are actually doing the borrowing. Some manufacturer's lease rates may remain intact from order to delivery but I doubt it. I wouldn't worry about money cost because it seems that we are in a declining market anyway.

The lead time depends upon the dealership and what you specifically want. We ordered our GL320 at the end of July against the dealer's 19 Sep allocation (he had 3 allocated for that date). Since it was not in pre-production, we were able to specify exactly what we wanted; color, options, etc. It was delivered to the dealership on 21 Sep and we picked it up on the 24th.

You dealer may have already ordered a GL with your exact requirements (if he did, you're lucky) or could get one that is being delivered to another dealership in the area. Whatever happens, I know you will enjoy your GL.

We ordered 2 GL550's in the first week of July. The MB dealer told us that pricing was firm ($500 over invoice), but the financing rate would be set when we get the cars. We were told it would take about 12 weeks till delivery in Nevada. I think the first one is supposed to be here at the end of October.

Hope this helps.

Ordered our GL550 on July 18th, arrived at dealership on September 12th. I think we got one of the early allocations, so delivery time was relatively short.

Wow guys, thank you for all the insight. I will be ordering a GL450.

Why isn't MB offering the real-time-traffic feature? Crazy, sometimes German manufacturers amaze me...

I also had an X5 before getting into my GL.. The GL blows away the X5.. Bet Bimmer knows they've fallen behind MB>>

To be honest with you, the 2005 X5 4.4 is a fine truck, and the new 4.8 is even better, amazing SUV. The only reason why I sold my X5 (just sold it today, and still in tears) is because, I can't fit three car seats in the back. I had no choice. Anyhow, the new BMW 4.8 is a direct competitor to the ML, not the GL.

I agree, the X5 of both generations is a fine vehicle. A buddy in Vancouver has a 4.8is and he just loves that thing, especially the way it hangs in the twisties (he's a vintage racer and an '02) that belies its SUV...I mean SAV label.

For us, my wife would definitely prefer the X5 4.8i for the BMW drive but the GL simply offers more utility than the X5 for our needs - plus the higher towing capacity of the GL gets my vote for my track car and trailer.

My point exactly GL is a better all-around truck than GL.. Let's just accept it already.

I need to see pics of your truck to concur

The only way to nail down a rate before delivery is to do the deal now and start making payments now. Obviously this is only a viable option if you intend to buy the car rather than lease it. It works best if you intend to fully pay for it rather than trade it before you have paid for it completely. I would be hesitant to do this, and
I know this seems like an odd thing to do, but a buddy of mine did this on a Caddy not too long ago so he could get the 0% financing GM was offering at the time. The 0% offer would have expired before the car he ordered came in. The dealer was able to get the VIN at the time of order so the loan paperwork would go through before the car arrived.

Potential problem: suppose something happens and you are not satisfied witht the car when it comes in. What do you do then?

This is very good advice...unless you are looking for a rather peculiar GL, the dealer should be able to locate one at another dealer that has similar opitions and you could get October rates. There is no way for them to set a rate b/c they have no idea what they will be next month. Like OINICK said, you'd have to start paying for the car today and not receive it for about 3-4 months. What options are you looking for?