KYBRIGGS82

From an earlier post I asked when the GL series SUV's were going to be produced. I have noticed many dealerships in California have the 2012 GL450 on their lots but no GL350's.
My question is, when will the GL350's begin production and when will these vehicles be delivered to local dealerships? I ordered my GL350 in May and have been told delivery should be in October but I haven't heard the GL350 is set yet for production.

etpos73

I ordered 350 last week, Sept 7. The dealership told me mid to late December.

B200Turbo

After speaking to my dealer last friday. It looks like GL 2012 will get the new Diesel as well and delay is due to certification of the new engine. Apparently same situation is in Canada and USA as well. GL, R will get it but it will take until end of October or later to get have it done.

DCubed

We have a GL350 on the way from AL and its still showing the same engine. Should arrive any day now at the store.

LEOSOPHIE

Laguna Niguel here in Ca showed 3 in inventory but now only 1 in silver.

DCubed

LN has not recieved their 350 yet (its my sister store, and we are tracking the arrival of the 350s as they seem to be selling well) but they are on the way and will be here as quickly as the logistics arm of MBUSA will get them here.

KYBRIGGS82

DCubed.. Like I said earlier I ordered my 2012 GL350 in May and I'm waiting to hear any news of the 2012 GL350 arrival to local California dealerships. Any information would be greatly appreciated on the first delivery to your sisters So. Cal. dealership as well.

JimBarnhart

I too would like to hear about delivery of a 2012 GL350. They still aren't on MBUSA yet.

KYBRIGGS82

Today I received confirmation my 2012 GL350 has been built and is currently at VPC railhead holding area ready to be shipped to my California Mercedes dealership in Pleasanton, Ca. I was advised I can expect delivery of my wifes Mercedes no later than 3 weeks from today and a copy of the vehicle data sheet is being sent to me via pdf.
Thanks to Michael Poole at Pleasanton Mercedes for all his help and providing me with 11.44% of the MSRP on this ordered vehicle. What a great experience this has been for me so far and I only wish all my other past car sales/dealerships relationships could have been so positive.

Grovr1

Just picked up my 2012 GL350 last Friday (Sep 23)...she's a beaut! Palladium silver with cashmere beige artico leather interior...with the Avantgarde Edition package (lots of bells and whistles). I ordered it in May...so I was extremely happy to finally get it!

JimBarnhart

Nice, I see they are on MBUSA now as well.

transferred

Yet another great diesel detuned and less efficient than the same engine available in Europe. 210 bhp rather than 265 even though they both have dpfs and the like? Maddening. BMW and VW do the same thing, it must be the EPA but I don't see how/why. I would love a GL350 for my wife but not until we get Euro-grade power.

mdadgar

The new 2012 ML has the uprated diesel (240hp) - presumably the next-gen GL will, too.

BMWs diesels put out 265hp/450 ft-lbs in the US.

- Mark

transferred

Thanks for the information, Mark. That is an encouraging and very useful gain, but still 25 bhp behind the same engine in Europe. BMW get 313bhp from their twin turbo 3 liter compared to the 265 here.

None of this is a criticism of the GL and we can only buy what's offered, I just don't understand the reasoning.

-Rob

mdadgar

5hp of that is the difference between metric and imperial horsepower.

The rest is very likely emissions impact, I'm guessing.

In general, I think BMW has done a better job with their diesel powertrains than MBZ has.

- Mark

troymir350

Check the MBUSA site: still shows '12 GL has 210 HP and 400 lb/ft torque. No upgrade yet! At least as far as the site shows.

Maybe those that get early delivery can confirm their window sticker specs for us all.

mdadgar

Right. 2012 ML gets the new diesel.

Presumably, next-gen 2013 GL gets it, too.

- Mark

transferred

You are right but Mark was talking about the ML which does get a 30 bhp bump from the GL's listing of the same 3 liter turbo diesel.

edit - but does anyone know why even with this bump it's 25 bhp short and the BMW 48 bhp down compared to those in Europe? With Euro V just introduced I can't imagine our emissions are more stringent but we also seem to get worse economy even adjusting the gallon size.

troymir350

Sorry, saw next gen (GL) and presumed you were referring to the MY12 GL but I see your point.

Anyway, one of the reasons given to me by a MB engineer is that there are still fuel concerns in the US (dirty fuel, to include gas and diesel) and that is keeping MB at least from offering the best tech, as in EU. They have to change so much architecture in the vehicle that it doesn't make sense to offer the "new" upgrade until the full re-design is due for MY13.

transferred

Makes sense. The best stuff we can get in Ca is 91 (AKI) which is equivalent to Europe's worst gas which is 95 (RON). Get on to diesel, and we have even more issues - poor availability and water contamination. It needs sorting out but it does seem these detuned Euro diesels still fare much better than the large capacity diesels on our pickups. My 450 has had a few issues but a neighbors 320 CdI has been fine and that's using the same station on the regular.

BJ021

Hey I noticed on MBUSA that the MY'12 has vented front seats!!! About damn time!

mdadgar

So does my 2011. It was an option, though, and it also required the Leather Seating package for about a jillion dollars.

- Mark

SixPak

Grovr1, can you please post details and pics of your 12 GL350 in a separate thread?

BJ021

Ahh, I missed that last year. It was something I really wanted when I got mine, and the ML at the time had it. I was really miffed why they didn't have it in the GL...the larger version of the same...weird. Agreed, would be nice if the mbtex seats had it too. I really like my mbtex seats - they clean up and have worn very, very well. Thanks for the education!

lester11590

I ordered my 2012 GL 350 yesterday in capri-blue, I was told I will have a production date next week and can expect a wait time of 8-12 weeks. I cannot wait!