StevethePilot

Your head must be normal-sized, unlike this huge melon I carry around on my neck.

oknish

What about the door pockets for stowing sun glasses?

StevethePilot

Then where do my flashlight and umbrella go? Besides, if they're rolling around in there with the spare change, loose fasteners, dirt, and dog tonails, they're likely to get scratched up.

oknish

You're gonna have a hard time in London in those tiny cars, STP

tm4exc

I have had the same soft touch opening doors in burl walnut in my E320 for 10 years and 125K. Work perfectly still, even after holding two cans of altoids for all that time. Spouse likes the ### things!

triggca

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

nantucketsleigh

Somehow I think these guys had a hand in designing BWW's Idrive.

StevethePilot

That has nothing to do with sunglasses, though. You met me! I'm SUPERSIZED!

triggca

Mbsklk350 was correct, I have gotten used to the cruse control location and I’ve removed it from my original list. I can live with the Ipod controls (still not perfect) and the exterior mirror size has become a no issue…but…that dang garage door opener! Just guess what’s above my visor!!!

JimBarnhart

I'm 2 weeks in to my GL, had a ML before it.

10. Has anyone notice that the polished chrome of the air vents by the window seem to reflect in the side mirror. I can't help but notice a reflection of the chrome ring in the mirrors.

9. I agree on the ipod integration - lame.

8. I'd like to see wood on the MCS unit, also I have a heated steering wheel and the steering wheel controls seem to be begging for some wood around them instead of the plastic.

7. Shift paddle location. This is a personal problem. I have a Dodge Ram Megacab and the steering wheel radio contols are in the same location. I've found myself reaching to move the channel of the Sirius and end up downshifting.

6. Brake controller friendliness. I haven't installed one yet, but looks like it might be non-trivial. We will tow our smaller horse trailer with our GL.

I'm ok with the nav, not great but functional.

These are little things, I love the GL.

Now the good things:

1. Rain sensing windshield wipers - I had them on my ML and love them. I hate being annoyed by wipers and this minimizes it.

2. Heated steering wheel. I've been thinking that would be a great idea for 10 years, finally have them.

3. Cornering headlights. I have to admit at first I thought this was a gimmick. But after a few weeks of coming home in the dark and driving on rural country roads with no lights, these are great.

4. Traction control, etc. I feel safe in this vehicle, and know MB engineering has a well through out plan to keep me safe. Take for example last Saturday I was driving in snow. The roads we ok, not great. I tried setting up the cruise control and it wouldn't let me because my tires had slipped when driving through a small town a few miles back. I was annoyed at first, but then realized it was a safe choice.

Chicky Monkey

Jim,
nice comments!

I agree with you on the shift paddle location. I must just hold the steering wheel there because I'm always hittin' those buttons!

Chicky Monkey

Alright:

here's the part I left out. Before I knew what those buttons were for, I found them accidentally and was driving down the road alternately (and quite quickly) pressing one and then the other.

What a dork.

I wonder if MB will buy me a new transmission when mine falls out....

JimBarnhart

Too funny Chicky. I'm sure my wife is destined for the same experience in the near future.

Reminds me of a funny story when I first got my ML. Somehow she set off the alarm on it by accident. However this caused Teleaid to call me at work wondering if my ML was being stolen. "Hello, this is teleaid, it's 10am and do you know where your Mercedes is". My wife figured I must have people watching her.

tm4exc

My GL works on my door from about 30 feet. My explorer worked at about 60 feet. The double layer IR glass does inhibit the signal somewhat.

triggca

I gave up on my home link button under the mirror and put my remote back in the GL (got tired of screwing up my mirror). It does appear the IR glass has impacted the distance of the remote as well but both seem to work in the 60 ft range. My remote in my truck works from about 150 ft.

infamily

Agree with all of these .. few more good features that we like..

Love the looks.

Really like the voice command option. I can spell the street names etc and nav obeys my commands.. (wow, never had anyone in my life obey my commands ).

Excellent towing capabilities - towed almost 7000 lbs load with no problem. Actually towed better than our old Yukon XL.

Xenon lights with steering capabilities..

Bluetooth works really well. All of us in our household have bluetooth phones and the system syncs up with whoever is driving the car. If all of us are in the car at same time, it picks the one which has the strongest bluetooth signal.

3 zone climate control is really nice. Works well in summers and winters.

Have had few snow storms here, impressed with 4 matic system and traction control.

Love 7 speed transmission

Nevada Jack

Have you tried tightening your mirror (if there is an adjustment.) My mirror is very solidly set in position and does not move at all when I use the gate or door opener. I have the blue glass and note that the distance factor is better with the GL than with the S which had the IR. But even in the S the mirror did not move easily.

triggca

Thanks Jack, I'll give that a try. I took the day off to do a little GL work ( door shells, bath etc) so I'll add that to my list!

tm4exc

For Jim Barhart on your item 6 above. Brake controller friendliness. I haven't installed one yet, but looks like it might be non-trivial. We will tow our smaller horse trailer with our GL.
Installing the brake controller was pretty simple. I used a Valley Odyssey (TM) Electric Trailer Brake Controller - Proportional which I got from etrailer.com. I located it tight against the left side fo the center console just above the accelerator pedal. It is easy to glance down and see the brake controller in action and is unobtrusive. MB has a TB out on the installation which I believe STP has the info. If you can't get it let me know and I can email you the PDF. This is a clip from Wolfgang's page at this url.http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
Trailer Brake Controller Installation in new ML, R and GL
A dealer technical bulletin (DTB) dated Mar 9, 2007 with number T-B-31.19/07d describes how to install an Electric Trailer Brake Controller. The bulletin is for the new W164 M-Class and X164 GL, but might also work for the W251 R-Class.
Four wires are required to operate the electric brake controller. These four wires can be found on a plug tie wrapped to the harness leading to the diagnostic plug under the dash. On early production vehicles the plug was stuffed behind the rear SAM and sometimes difficult to locate.
YOu will need a connector and 4 pins as speced on the TB. Buy the Valley universal pigtail ($12.00) with 4 wires and plug which goes into the controller. this you wire into the MB connector which will then connect to the connector under the dash. You just have to remove the 3 scres to get to it. Pretty simple if you can stand on your head!!!

JimBarnhart

Thanks for the info, I called my dealer and they are giving me the tech bulletin and the connector, so maybe this will be easy, other than the rush of blood to my head.

tm4exc

You are welcome! Don't forget the 4 pins that go into the connector. The parts are all listed on the TB.