USFBulls

My 2010 GL350 came in with the P2 Package but the P2 Package for 2010 is not the same as it was in 2009. The dealer is saying they were not aware of the changes when we ordered it back in May. Not sure why they would not have been advised of this sometime prior to the build date. Obviously the Plant understood the changes. The dealer is saying they will check into installing Parktronics either Mercedes or some aftermarket type. All other options including rear air and adaptive fog lights are not able to be retro fitted. I can live with out the fog lights. The rear air is not a deal breaker. Anyone have any thoughts on the Parktronics. Does anyone now the behind the scenes of when the dealer should have been aware of the P2 Package changes?

lkchris

Best I can understand it, 2010 GLs with HID lighting no longer come with any kind of foglights, as the strips of LEDs are instead DRLs.

czcz

When I ordered my 2010 GL450, the salesman went down the options list with me and I noted that the Parktronics was now an option. On my '07 GL it came with the P1. On my P1 2007 there is no backup camera and now on the P1 there supposedly is. It is therefore assumed that when they added the camera to the P1 they thought that you don't need the parktronics anymore. I ordered the Parktronics because I think it is really necessary with a vehicle the size of the GL.
Now I'll still have to wait and see as my car was ordered on July 27th, and the build day of Sept 12 ( a Saturday??) was changed and now it is expected at the dealers sometime in NOVEMBER !!!
I can't see how they can retrofit a parktronics system....BTW I believe the price on the Parktronics option was about $ 720.00 ...

USFBulls

The dealer said if they had to reorder the truck it would be a while (6 months). To make us happy they're looking into adding the parktonics. I still am very upset with my salesman for not following up once the 2010 options were released to let us now the changes.

mbmama

It''s not the dealer but the stupid sales who didn't know what the hell he was selling. If I were you I'd force dealer to get me replacement from another dealer instead of waiting for 6 months or give me significant discount on the price.

nkole

It will cost the dealer a fortune to retrofit the MB parktronic system. There are aftermarket systems that don't integrate as nicely that can be purchased for a couple hundred bucks (front and rear). Do a google search and you'll see what I mean.

Parktronic is one of the most important options and I share your concerns for not buying a GL without it. The camera concept just doesn't work well enough.

Neil

Brocktoon

I would not touch a GL without Parktronic. Do not let them spoil your new car with aftermarket junk. Get a different unit, dude.

43221B

I agree with all the comments others have made. I don't understand why Parktronic would even be an option on a $70,000 vehicle. I also don't know how they are going to add Parktronics without a TON of work and replacement of bumpers etc. I would be sceptical of a salesman that even suggested that. I had a salesman tell me that all of the GL's in the South were rear wheel drive. That was supposedly why he couldn't match their prices. My dealership also has 4 tire mounted 20" rims sitting behind the parts counter because another salesman "special" ordered them for a 09 GL with the appearance package (which comes with the 20" rims). They've been sitting there for over a month. Everytime I go in they are sitting there.

zoink

If I were you, this is what I would do:

Give your dealer several options:
Option #1:
- Ask the dealer to find one within your specs. You may sacrifice color, though. I'm sure parktronic would be a popular one so should be easy to find one.
- Try to get some discount as compensation.

Option #2:
- If you could settle w/o 2 other options (rear air & adaptive fog lights - assuming this is even an option), contact Steve @ MBenzNL. He should be able to retrofit an OEM one for you.
- Let the dealer foot the bill... plus get some discount.

Option #3:
- Ask the dealer to order one to specs and in the meantime give a GL350 or may be a used GL as a loaner...

czcz: Good luck w/ your Saturday build car. Hope you won't get a lemon... j/k

czcz

Zoink,
My salesman, who also thinks that all 4Matics in the South are rear wheel drive, told me that I would have to wait from July to November for my car because MB wanted to make sure that all the bugs in the 2010's were worked out.
Also, that MB was going to open Plant 1 on a Saturday and bring in the whole shift to specially hand build my car, and only my car on that day.
Do I have reason to not believe him????
czcz

oknish

Based on the bull crap he fed you about all 4Matics in the South are rear wheel drive, I wouldn't believe a word this sales guys says to me. And will he guarantee, in writing, that your car built in November will be completely bug free. MB opening up a plant just to build one car on one day is simply ridiculous.

rkao

Yes, you can believe him - if one of the 'z' in your user name stands for "Zetsche"!

That is just about the most ridiculous claim I've read a sales rep make...just below the claim that 4Matics in the South are really 2Matics.

As for the bugs in the 2010s built before November, I sure hope he's wrong: I'm about to take possession of a 2010 GL450 on Wednesday that had a September 3rd build date!!

I would go over to your dealer and do this to your sale rep =>

Fourdiesel

czcz - some just don't appreciate sarcasm!

czcz

Fourdiesel.....CONGRATS.......YOU GET IT !

czcz

czcz

rkao...
Roy, your GL with the Sept 3 build date.....did you order that, and if so, can you please tell me when....

czcz

rkao

I didn't order it...my dealer swapped for it with it was already B3 status with a dealer out of Washington state in mid-August when I decided to get a GL and didn't have the patience to wait for one. This one had all but one option I wanted and in the new Steel Grey exterior color I wanted so I took it.

Doh! for missing the sarcasm...hard to do when sleep deprived with a 5 week old infant...

oknish

Alternately, you can also look at it as a validation of the knowledge of dealer sales guys.

cab2u

I actually do understand it now being an option. For those who want grill/bumper guards, it is possible. Before it wasn't.

oknish

Can you post some pics and impressions on the Steel Grey color? I am thinking long and hard about it

And, congrats, on the new arrival. It won't get any better with age since later you will lose sleep wondering what the child is up to

rkao

I'll post some pics when I get it - the delivery is delayed by one day so won't get it until Thursday now...

Thanks for making my parenthood nightmares so much worse now!!

43221B

What kind of affect do those have on the crash sensors etc? I thought most manufacturers were discouraging guards unless they are OEM. Would love to see pictures though.

GLguy

I think they rearranged options to allow more customization. In 2009 P1 package includes camera, keyless go, parktronics, and many other options all for 6.5K. In 2010 P1 is only 2.5K and it includes much less.

superflysocal

From the sound of this post, it sounds like there is a shortage of 2010GL out there? Is that true? Are their not that many GL on showroom floors? Is that why people are having to order these and wait? Or are you guys wanting a color other than black or silver?

lkchris

I'd think it was the economy, wouldn't you?

My dealer has TWO GLs currently, while last year at this time they had probably 10.

czcz

My wait is because I want the Ash colored interior like I have now. The exterior is Irridium Silver. When I ordered it on July 27th, the dealership checked around to see if there was one available and there was not. At that time, dealer advised me that 1). my build date would be Sept 12 (Saturday !) and 2). If, in the meantime, they could find one with the P1 package AND the Parktronics, they would be able to get it for me. OK....... I personally have been checking, almost on a daily basis, the inventory of all the dealerships within a 200 mile radius of Northeastern Pennsylvania and I have NOT FOUND any Irridium Silver with Ash Interior GL's. I would even be agreeable to upgrading to the P2 or whatever to get the car so I could enjoy it before the snow falls. Dealer called couple of weeks ago and said not to expect delivery until November.... It is my understanding that the GL line at Vance, AL is running only one shift a day, four days a week.....anyone have any further info on this??