fmr

Ordered a gl350 with ADS and infra red glass a bit over 10 weeks ago and dealer still does not have a manufacturing date. Is this typical / how long does it normally take for a special order. Any advice on how to get something done quicker? Thanks.

mdadgar

I ordered basically the same vehicle with ADS (no IR glass) two weeks ago. The dealer had an in-stream vehicle that he could allocate to me and my build date is Jan 12.

The downside is that running boards are not available for that build date (out of stock, apparently) so I will have to live without. If I decide that I really need them, it looks like you can get them online for about $850 and then it'll be a couple of hours in the garage to install them. I can live with that.

- Mark

dougpark714

Should be able to get your dealer to tell you which build date up front prior to order. They can take one of their allocations and repurpose for your order. Just went through process with special order IR glass. Just picked up the car.

You should definitely wait for running board if you have kids. Our kids love them.

mdadgar

That's my concern (kids are 6 and almost 2). But it was going to add at least a month to the delivery date.

I'll put 'em on in my garage if I need to. For all the dealer's talk about much work it is, it sure seems pretty straightforward (thanks to posts in this forum).

- Mark

EWT

My 8 and 10 year old like them for entry/exit, and they are very handy for loading skis (or other things) on the roof rack too.

mdadgar

I thought about the roof loading thing, as well as ease in washing the car (for those few times these days when I get to do it myself).

I suspect there's some garage time in my future.

- Mark

justthebest

Can't speak to the kids, but the running boards are indispensable for loading anything on the roof - skis, cargo, etc.

fmr

definitely need the running boards. to my original question, for those who did a special order how long from the time you placed your order to getting the vehicle. also is it as simple as the dealer taking an allocation and modifying it? Surprises me that after 10 weeks I still do not have a production date

mdadgar

I think your dealer screwed up and didn't place the order.

The other possibility is that your dealership is small (low volume) and doesn't have allocations in-stream that they can swap for your vehicle.

OR, they think they can sell the allocations in-stream for more money than they're getting from you, in which case they don't want to give up an allocation and are putting you at the back of the line.

In any case, I'd find another dealer.

- Mark

Mazza

Greetings from down under ....can somebody please tell me what infra red glass is. Never heard of it in aus... Thanks!

dougpark714

Took me 2.5 months from order placed. I had an expected build date before I placed the order.

dougpark714

IR glass is special order glass in windshield and front side windows to reduce heat transfer. Nice to have on very hot days. Standard on S class.

fmr

thanks for all the guidance. spoke to the dealer and he committed to getting me an answere in the morning. will see how it goes.

Wolfgang

fmr

heard back from the dealer and was told I have a confirmed production date for Jan 12. So fingers crossed. Thanks for the responses above.

mdadgar

Sounds like our GLs will be going down the line together.

- Mark

dougpark714

In case you did not order keyless go, should seriously consider adding. I added it at the last min and it's my favorite option.

fmr

yes, keyless go is very convenient. besides the special order items above its pretty loaded -- P2 pkg, parktronic, lighting pkg, heated steering wheel, trailer hitch, roof crossbars, ss running boards, rear entertainment, heated rear seats. Debated the following but decided against it - leather, 3rd row climate control, blind spot assist

mdadgar

That's really close to what I ordered: P2 pkg, parktronic, lighting pkg, heated steering wheel, trailer hitch, rear entertainment pre-wire, leather, ventilated seats, 3rd row climate control, blind spot assist, Iridium silver.

Will add running boards myself so as not to hold up the build.

- Mark

dougpark714

Just my personal view but blind spot assist is a very nice feature. Sounds like an unnecessary option but it really helps. For $600, not a bad deal.

It's hard to tell if 3rd row climate control is helping now since it's winter but another option that's nice to have if your transporting folks in the 3rd row. In our BMW X5, the temp in the rear seat was always off since we did not have 3-zone. The problem is the tinted windows offset the temperature between the front and rear areas. We have the temp set to 72 in all 3 areas and everyone's been happy. No adjusting the temp required to compensate between front and rear.

At the last minute, I took out the leather option. The MB tex is very nice especially with car seats. The grey contrasting stitching is nice.

fmr

doug, thanks for sharing your experiences. currently have mb-tex and reached same conclusion on leather. had 3rd row climate on list but decided against it. don't have it in my current gl 320 and do not use 3rd row on a frequent basis -- family agreed we never had an issue so came off our list. blind spot was probably item I debated the most both in terms of need and whether it would actually be distracting. rep put me over the edge when I asked him the question he said did not have much experience with it since it was new, but asked how many times had i been hit in the side and answere was none. sounds simplistic but decided not to add it. so its good to hear your real world experience with it.