1st amg

I sat in the new 2013 GL350 today as well, it had the leather and the surround camera. It also had the sport package which has the wheel arch extensionm the 21inch wheels and the LED lit running boards as part of the sport package. I was very impressed with the look of the front and rear of the new GL. I wasnt so sure that I would like it as I love the 2011 GL350 with the sport package I got for my wife and kids, it has a very mean and aggressive stance....suprisingly this 2013 carried that same attitude. I really love the lines. The interior is quite a step above our current 2011, really it is no comparison as our 2011 lacked that big price tag look as some of its competitors such as the Q7 have. This one here looks the price tag. The third row access is now accessible on both sides and they have new style springs in the latch mechanism which is so easy to use that my 4 yr old boy can pull the latch and the seat will pop up, oh and the second row seats have even more reclining distance. In fact, the dealer is getting some numbvers together to see if he can get me out of our 2011 and into a new 2013. They have a build date for Dec which means the earliest I could receive this is February. One other thing that may make this transaction worth my while is the the 21 inch wheels that we have on our 2011 are the same size on the 2013, which means the winter tires I have will fit perfectly. This new GL in person blew me away!

JimBarnhart

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

I assume you saw the GL350 in Canada? The reason I ask is the options seem a little different than what we see in the US. For example, the wheels. For the US only the GL550 can get the 21" wheels. The 450 and 350 have choices between 19 and 20" wheels.

I suspect the leather availability some are experiencing might be an ordering glitch. I was told it wasn't available, then they tried something and got it ordered. US doesn't have the Sport package. The P44 parking assist package is delayed availability in the US.

1st amg

You are correct Jim, I am in Canada. I didnt realize the USA cannot have the GL350 or 450 ordered with the Sport package which gives the appearence of a GL550. It looks incredible. Regardless, I realize that you have a 2007, the difference you are going to experience in your new one when it arrives is going to blow you away. Again, I cannot stress enough how imposing the new one looks. The amount of chrome used on the exterior really jumps out at you. I was told the MY 2013 with the new Bluetec HP is also something that is going to be noticeable. I unfortunetaly didnt get the opportunity to drive and will have to take the general managers word. Really, when you think of it, a 30hp increase on a previous 210hp is quite the jump. As well, the GM also gushed with enthusiam the driving dynamics of the new SUV, he says its night a day the ride and control. The one that I sat in was a customers car being pdi.

1st amg

Jim, forgot to mention, the one there today was also obsidian black as you ordered, but it had the brown leather. If it is still there tomorrow I will try to snap a few pics of the exterior, the obsidian with all that chrome looks hot!

JMCarter

Was fortunate enough to drive the 2013 GL450 and was thoroughly impressed by the refined ride and quietness compared to the 2012 we tried out earlier this year. We bought a QX to use for the time being while MB sorts out their suppliers and gets the Bluetec well into production. Surprisingly the dealer offered us 4% off on a ordered Bluetec, just waiting for the configurator to actually show a 2013 Bluetec.

JimBarnhart

Thanks Nick, I am so looking forward to getting my new 2013. My dealer has some 2013's in, not in diesel, so I need to carve out some time to go up and see them.