Guys & Gals....

I feel I'm about to pull the trigger on a GL320 before 6/30.

Please help me stay sane by giving me comments on the following topics

1. Small round buttons on the steering wheel for voice command? If those buttons are missing, will I be able to retrofit an MHI for bluetooth? Has any of you guys done this kind of retrofit? If so, how hard and how much? Would it matter if the dealer says "pre-wired for phone"? Anything else that I miss - other than voice command, which I almost never use in my E55 - if I don't have these buttons?

2. Rear ent. system. Is the OEM worth to get? Or would I be better off getting an aftermarket one since the OEM sucks? I saw for '07-'08, OEM can't have wireless headphones.

3. Any difference between '07 & '08? All I could see so far are: a) headlight washer button; b) multi-contour seats don't seem to be available on '08; c) some speculation (or already confirmed info?) about software that affects mpg. Anything I miss?

4. Those who have 19" wheels... I did a quick check, it seems there are only few choices for 275/55/19... 18" has a lot more choices (and cheaper). Can 290/45/19 fit?

5. Assuming same condition, would Car #1 be worth $3-5K more? Or they should be worth about the same since the warranty offsets the option & mileage differences?
Car #1: Non-CPO, 2yrs/20K miles warranty left.... more loaded (leather, RES, MHI/Voice command, appearance) , lower miles.
Car #2: CPO, 3.5yrs/55K miles warranty left (new car warranty: 2.5yrs/5K miles left).... less loaded (MB Tex - which I honestly prefer, missing RES & MHI/Voice command and appearance), higher miles.

For #5... keep in mind, I will likely keep this car long term... so I will likely keep it past warranty period (which from this factor alone makes me lean towards car #1). On the other hand, keeping it long term may make resale value (and mileage) difference negligible (which from this factor alone makes me lean towards car #2 ).

Any inputs/feedback?

 

I just purchased a GL450 back in Feb. and will summarize my thoughts around deciding....

1) Decide on the options that you must have, and that I couldn't easily upgrade myself. For instance, xenon lights was a must have, because going to aftermarket way didn't give you the self leveling etc. But runningboards was not a must have because doing research on this board let me know its a DIY job.

Must haves: xenon lights, appearence package (liked the aluminum splash guards in front and back),
Nice to haves: three zone climate (didn't care), wood steering wheel(could install after the fact), bluetooth puck (you can just buy seperately and put in yourself in the center console), running boards (could install after the fact), IPOD connector (diddo)
Didn't want: RSES (Vizualogic ARS players are better in my opionion), halogen lights,

Ended up finding one with appearance package, xenons, wood steering wheel, ipod connector. Have added Vizualogic players behind each headrest and connected to the aux factory stereo with IPOD. Added runningboards myself.

As far as the logic on miles go, I'd get the one with the longest duration warrantee factoring in how much you drive. IE, with the two you talked about, if you drive 60K miles a year, it might matter less since you'll be over pretty quick regardless!

Hope this helps....

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Mind sharing how much you spent on Vizualogic? Is the install pretty straight forward?

RE: bluetooth... I think I should've asked more clearly... As we know, bluetooth puck requires MHI module. I've never had a benz w/o MHI module (I guess good for me ) so the connector/phone cradle is already there - and I just need to get the bluetooth puck. But how about the car w/o any MHI module installed? And is missing voice command buttons on steering wheel a good indicator of a car w/o MHI?

As for the warranty, yeah, I've thought about that one also... I think I'll spend around 15K miles a year w/ this car... so for a non-CPO 2008 w/ > 20K miles, I'll hit the mileage limit first.... but for a CPO, for sure I'll hit the time limit.

 

wlee: I just pulled the trigger on car #2 Got pretty good price (lower than Manheim price... and it's a CPO!!! )... but still need to pay shipping

So... it means the car doesn't have RES. Mind sharing how much Vizualogic is. And is the install pretty straight forward?