blittle

RedBear.... Thanks for the info! Answered most of my questions! .....and to the "soccer mom issues".... we travel from Pa. to Vermont once a month, through all kinds of weather and road conditions including mud and deep snow and ice, etc. It's a beautiful, comfortable and, with the enhanced off road package, an amazingly capable SUV with the ability to dig itself out of the worst mess.....but if it weren't for the "capable" part it would be just another big luxury SUV ( of which there are several brands available ) and not very useful for our life...... wife drives a Prius!

IDriveAnM5

...I guess I'll try to answer my own question about the base prices, using the 2012 model as a guide.

2012 GL350 BlueTEC: MSRP=$61,570, Invoice=$57,260
2012 GL450 4Matic: MSRP=$62,570, Invoice=$58,190
2012 GL550 4Matic: MSRP=$85,300, Invoice=$79,329

Assuming 5% escalation from 2012-2013, and the same MSRP/Invoice Ratios, I ESTIMATE the following:
2013 GL350 BlueTEC: MSRP=$64,648.50, Invoice=$60,123
2013 GL450 4Matic: MSRP=$65,698.50, Invoice=$61,099.50
2013 GL550 4Matic: MSRP=$89,565.00, Invoice=$83,295.45

These are estimates, but they should be fairly close if the 5% escalation is correct. 5% is what BMW has been known to use for 2012-2013. That's my logic, & I'm sticking to it. We all know that the spread between MSRP and invoice with M-B is commonly 7%.

RedBear

Not sure if you all have see this one yet?

RedBear

Can anyone tell me the difference between these two and what they might cost?

wphughes1

X06 (286 pkg) designo Auburn Brown upholstery (includes Dinamica headliner) $4,800 ($4,100 on GL550

The other is option 254 Auburn Brown I don't know if it and extra cost on the 550
However it does say it is a (SPC) so expect to pay the fee I think the fee alone is $250.00

jtorrebl

I have a 2012 ml and prices stayed the same

FastMoneyPlaya

It looks like the $5,850 price for the P2 package hasn't gotten any cheaper. That's sort of a joke because you basically get an iPod cable, the mediocre (at best) COMMAND system, Sirius (which you still have to pay $17 a month for), the mediocre HK sound system (a real disappointment in my 2011 considering how much you are paying - definitely not worth paying extra for), and keyless GO (a button which comes as standard equipement on some $25K Japanese cars like the Pruis). All this sh it should be standard equipement for $70K.

My take on this new model is it's a minor upgrade over the current model. The styling isn't dramatically different which is good for the resale value on my 2011, and it doesn't really offer anything significantly better than the current model. As a result, I'll probably just keep my current model for at least 125K miles or more.

Considering you can probably get $7-10K off sticker on a current model, anybody looking for a new GL who wants to save some coin might want to consider a 2012.

wphughes1

But then again there is the 429 HP bi-turbo to consider in the 550 and from what I can see it can be flashed to over 500

BlownV8

I believe is is the same engine as the 450. Besides looks, what would be the purpose of buying the 550 now?

FastMoneyPlaya

I overheard a couple of moms at lacrosse practice discussing how they intend to chip their new GL's.

wphughes1

Here are the two specs, I guess that there must be some difference or everyone would buy the base and have it flashed to 500 plus HP. Plus there is the fact that I want everything on the 550 and from what I can see you can't get the 21" wheel with the 450.

•4.6L Twin-Turbo V8 for GL450
362 hp / 406 lb-ft (+27 hp / +67 lb-ft)
7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-Speed Automatic
Estimated increase in fuel economy – 15% city/11% hwy
•4.6L Twin-Turbo V8 for GL550
429 hp / 516 lb-ft (+47 hp / +125 lb-ft)
7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-Speed Automatic

Estimated increase in fuel economy – 18% city/18% hwy

Scoop55

Not sure I'm crazy about the stitching on the seats......maybe not as noticable with darker leather....

JimBarnhart

You mean the quilted look? That's the Designo option, base option isn't quilted.

Innocent_Stud

Honestly, the sport package looks can be aftermarket and be fitted onto the GL450.

So I would just get the GL450 and let Renntech or OE tuning do their magic.

wphughes1

I think Renntech can flash the 550 or the 450 but I have a hard time believing that the only difference would be in the flash (of the 450 and 550) engine; it must be built different eg. larger turbos or higher pressure and heavier cam valves etc. what do you think?

Thirdrem

I love everything about the 2013 GL! I am most excited about the 2013 GL350 BlueTEC.

baytownbud

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet; but this site has more information regarding features, options, and prices, etc. along with some nice pics.

http://www.benzblogger.com/2012/04/2...-packages.html

Thirdrem

I prefer the look of the GL without the AMG appearance package. It looks more luxurious, and I don't really dig the 'sporty' look. Just my opinion.

jtorrebl

The interior, the most important part of the car that is actually used is signicantly better/higher quality. You'll be envious when you see it compared to yourS

Thirdrem

Yep. I totally agree! Plus, I absolutely love the new design!! It looks so snazzy!! Who would like to buy me one?

BlownV8

Why would they build a different engine when they will be using it across many different models? My bet would be that the only difference is an ECU tune. We will find out soon enough. Kind of like the C63 engine with 50+ less hp than the E, CL and SL63. It's just a tune away from the same hp.

I guess your GL350 is a lacrosse moms car?

It's ironic that the GL is driven by mostly men according to Benzinsider. I'm not sure about you but I'd bet the vast majority of GL owners on this site are men. http://www.benzinsider.com/2008/07/t...mostly-by-men/

Thirdrem

I want to have either a GL for me, or a E coupe, once I grow up a couple years and move out.

FastMoneyPlaya

There are a lot of GL's in my town, so I've done an informal study over the past couple of days. I saw roughly ten GL's, and every single one was driven by a woman (including my wife). I suspect most of the posters on this board are men, because most women aren't interested chipping their engines or upgrading to 22s. And my study was limited to a small statistical sample, so I'M sure that more than 0% of GL drivers are men. That 90% male GL driver stat in Benz insider cant be accurate. No way.

BlownV8

I will call and let them know of your sample size and that they need to look at their confidence interval because "that can't be accurate..no way." I'm sure they will reevaluate their statistical sample and adjust their findings.

firstgl

RedBear attached is what i got from my dealer, notice that the P44 Package (park assist) is standard on 550 but not in the document you sent. I wonder if MB is still trying to figure out what to include as standard on the cars?