Yeh this is getting crazy. Almost makes you want to wait. They aren't STD. Don't see the switch on this 550 ! http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...aff=national#0

 

Definitely not there. Here's a picture from the owner's manual.

 

Did anyone order the Designo interior? I was told that the wrapped lower dash was included in that package.

 

I have read elsewhere that the Heated/Cooled Cupholders have been dropped from the US market because of concerns that they would not meet expectations. Apparently some focus groups indicated that customers would think that the cupholders should be able to heat or cool a beverage from room temperature rather than just help maintain a temperature. It's a shame but I can understand the concern.

The wrapped lower dashboard does not appear to be part of the designo interior, but is a special order option available with all interior choices. From the photos I have seen, it looks like a great option.

 

I believe that's just a marketing excuse. We heard the real reason was the heating feature interfered/ melted keys when placed in the cupholder.


Regardless, did this feature ever make it out in Europe? Because if so- it can be retrofitted.

 

If the heat/cool is gone is the cool lighting gone also?

 

Are you referring to the "multi color ambient lighting?" if so.. it is still there!

 

No he's talking about the lighting inside the cupholders.
Refer to the above picture.

 

Ahhhh... I see!

 

I was told by my SA that wrapped lower dashboard is not available to order with designo.

 

Hi All,

I've confirmed with my SA--the Lower Wrapped Dash is not available for order with Designo because it IS included with the Desgno interior. I've seen one in person (along with the order / window sticker) and it had the Designo package and the lower dash WAS wrapped even though no mention of it was on the order / sticker.

 

Have not seen a picture of the wrapped lower dash , but I ordered it so am hoping it looks good! Sort of figured it had to add to he overall effect!

 

I have 550 with designo on order (ordered 6 weeks ago but still not scheduled for production due to leather shortages). Its good to know the lower wrapped dash is included.

 

The "leather shortage" is still something I can't grasp........every line of car out there has a leather option and there doesn't seem to be a shortage! I mean my son has a Kia with leather.... Mercedes Benz? You would think leather would be a non-issue......anybody know what is behind this???

 

There's many different grades of leather- of course the leather in the Kia will be different than in an MB. If MB only sources its napa leather for Designo cars from one specific manufacturer and they run into a manufacturing backlog, then that's the failure in the supply chain. I can totally see this becoming a possibility. There's been many supply chain issues in the past with other parts on MBs including sport package bumpers and distronic radars- it all has to do with the vendor they get the parts from.

 

I hope mine gets scheduled soon. The shortages are for both standard 550 and designo. Is designo the same leather that comes standard in 550 but a different color or is a superior grade leather?

 

I highly doubt the leather grade is the same as the Designo. From what I understand the GL550 comes standard with the same grade leather that is optional on the GL350 and GL450. That is why the Designo package is slightly lower for the 550 because MB is comping you for the fact that you already have upgraded leather. Either way, it's possible the leather is from the same vendor.

 

You are correct, they are from the same vendor.....I have ordered the standard leather option for my GL450 but was told that there are indeed supply issues even at that grade level. I guess I find it hard to understand because I did some "poking around" on BMW and Cadillac order sites and leather is not limited. Granted there are probably a multitude of grades of leather but I have to believe the issue is a MB/vendor issue rather than a general "shortage of leather"......if that is the case, then I think it would be in MB's best interest to resolve the issue very soon.

 

Now you have!

 

Thanks!!! Yep.... glad I ordered!

 

Whoa Bang and Olufsen sound as well! Is that your car?

 

Nope, that's a 550 at Mercedes of Danbury, CT. I'll be ordering when some of the supply issues get worked out.

 

We have a 2013 Kia Soul and a 2013 GL350. I can confirm the leather is not of the same quality. ;-) However, the Kia is really well equipped for a cheap little car.

 

Pardon for the catchup:

1) Cup holder debate: Yes, the heated/cooled cup holders were dropped because of unmet consumer expectations - story about melted keys is whacked - cup holders were designed using thermistor tehcnolgy which would allow hot cups to stay warmer longer, and cool cups to stay cooler longer - focus group testing showed North American market expected cup holder to make warm drinks hotter and to make cool drinks colder - which frankly was beyond the capabilities of the system

2) Designo leather has always been a supply-limited feature - the conjecture here on "any leather will do" is simply nonsense - and the Designo leather interior is a function of leather with detailed handwork. What zapped Designo this season was unanticipated demand for Designo leather in ML+GL's - in part caused by the best-in-class competitive price leadership of both the ML (including the ML63) and new GL on features - actual consumer demand is estimated to be 3 times the forecast - but still unknown factor really since Designo sold out so quickly when the order bank was open for that feature. Designo was available when Dec order bank originally opened up - then one color sells out first, 2nd color sells out 2nd, etc. Order bank opening quite soon for January production - if you want Designo you need orders ready with your dealer - overall delivery in 12 weeks will be possible for next year - if your order is placed with your dealer before Jan orderbank is opened 9-10 weeks may be possible 2nd/3rd decade Jan.

3) Yes - GL550 Designo wraps upper and lower dash same as ML63 - from photos you can see dash color upper and lower match.

4) 3rd zone climate control is a fantastic system for the price - and 3rd zone will likely get scarce for Jan/Spring - just telling you that you might expect this

5) On sound system - 1st the overall quietness of the new GL dramatically improves the quality and content of the stereo system - stereo separation and fidelity all get a mjor boost especially now that you can appreciate quality/content at lower volume levels with the substantial decrease in background ambient noise.
For those that have not experienced the B&O - most haven't - what the system really does is in effect change the acoustic experience from listening to music inside "size of the SUV box" to a acoustic sound field like listening to music inside a medium size living room. This is B&O's forte - really trippy to be listening to stereo imaging where individual voices and instruments acoustically appear to be outside the front windshield acoustically hovering over the front hood - like I say trippy - if your dealer has a SLS let your ears give it a whirl Is B&O "worth it" - sonic beauty is in the ears of the beholder - the future add on trade-in/resale value 2-3-4 yrs out is still unknown since few salespeople have any ears-on experience to correctly describe to you what B&O does and does not do - but frankly with the quieter interior of the GL - simply awesome.

6) There is quite a full list of "little" options that originally became available for Dec production when that opened - including the fore mentioned Surround View, power lift 2nd seat - then never before mentioned things like rear sunshades - if you are placing a future order - like teeing a order up for Jan production (if your dealer will have allocation to allow order) then you should review these "little options" with your dealer now so your order can be complete.

The GL is a production limited model that is selling out from launch - in part since the 2012 ML broke the ice in international markets and the premium new GL is also a strong intl seller from the gate - my estimate GL realistically be a order-your-GL at least thru May/June - if you want a GL, its a fantastic vehicle, quietest and smoothest SUV ever - and the GL is also a zoom-mobile - maybe you should get your order in...

 

Thanks for the extremely informative info fabbrisd1. If you don't mind me asking, what part of MB do you work in?