Hi All,

Just wanted to get some opinions for the new GL. Currently drive a S550 and looking at 7 seaters for the family hauler. Noticed on my last visit to dealer the GL's are assembled in the US as compared to the S class. Any insights on the build quality? Thanks for everyone's input.

 

First year vehicles will have problems,they all do. If your looking at getting one wait until the summer time than order a 2014, it will have more safety tech and most of the problems will be resolved by than. Lease/Finance rates might come down as well.

From what I have heard some people are having problems with the soft close doors not sensing if something is between the doors ( I believe MB is aware and a fix has been implemented), someone else reported that the power lift gate malfunctions sometimes as well.

Its way to early to say anything definitive about quality as the vehicles have been on the road for less than 6 months.

 

The build quality on the new generation GL has been outstanding !

Soft-close "issue" was on initial delivery on that feature - which was corrected in 10 days with a programming update - so far, that has been the only "issue" - and that was 6 months ago.

The biggest problem with the new GL ? Getting delivery since demand outstrips production.

 

thanks, i also noticed most of the GL on the lot don't have the xenon light option.
I wonder what the dealership was thinking when building a car w/o xenon? that should be a must have option nowadays

 

Fabbrisd1 is works for MB so you have to take what he says in terms of quality with a grain of salt in my opinion)
( 6 month is no where near enough time to know how the quality is, 1-2 years will tell the story better)
First batch of vehicles that came off the assembly line were missing allot of features advertised by MB, some are still missing.

From what I know the 360 camera, power folding second row seat, MB tex wrapped lower dash, Pano Roof was not included on those vehicles nor was it given as an option at the time.

I dont think forums are an appropriate place to find out about quality because the reality is if your pissed about something you will tell the world but if your happy you will tell a few people

 

Good thinking - why take the input of someone who has a small flock of GL of GL's out there in the real world...

Quality is good, damn good, from the starting gate, as it well should be..

Some Canook whining about heated/cooled cup holders he thought he might want but were never part of 2013 production - oh, maybe wait till 2014 for that key must have to come around...

For the balance of MY2013 production thru May in the US overall...GL550's 90% pre-ordered/pre-sold, GKL450's about 65% pre-ordered/pre-sold and that remaining 35% # is low, and GL350's about 70% pre-ordered/pre-sold.. yeh, GL's must have a real ****ty reputation.

Get a grip ..

 

I read one line of your post and stopped after, yawn... as mentioned the Gl has been on the market for bout 6 months, you dont need to quote us on how many Gl's you sold as last generation is last generation and it is too soon to call on quality levels being "outstanding" when we know very little at the moment, ( lets just assume you sold 50 2013 GL's ...still does not make a difference since there is very few 2013 Gl's on the road now compared to last gen which ran from 07-12) I have a GL on order but I do not have a bias like you do, I hope it does turn out to be outstanding since I have decided to finance this time instead of leasing like my last two MB's.

As an MB insider you should be well aware that they fixed the problem with the cup holders and it will be on the 2014 Ml and GL, for someone who portrays themselves as am MB guy you seem to know very little about MB.

P.S, its Canuk not Canook, good jab though

 

I learn a lot on the forum, don't always agree with everything, don't argue with anyone, offer advice when I think it's helpful.......and.......no matter what car you buy, there can be quality issues. Keep it decent and we all benefit

 

I agree. Keep it civil and not attack each other. We all have different opinions.

 

As some may know I work for MB too. MB calls the GL the S class of SUVs for a reason.

 

Velociraptor- How are the GL63s coming?

 

......and I buy GL's for that reason. ....and have admiration for the work you guys do.

 

I really appreciate the knowledgable input from our insiders on this forum and attacking their posts will run them off. Let's all listen to what they have to say and make up our own minds.

 

I see them come down the line everyday now. It is a beast of a SUV.

 

+1

 

Thanks everyone, yes please keep it pleasant. Did not start this thread for battle royal. I think we're going towards the GL, since the wife doesn't like the E class estate.

 

A couple months now and no issues, seems solid to me. One thing I did notice is there seems to be more faux metal compared to the previous gen. Ride quality is superb BUT if you have the appearance package when you go over bumps the SUV seems to be much more jittery than our 2012 gl350 was (20" vs. 19" wheels maybe?).

 

The bigger the wheels, the lower profile of the tires and, yes, the more of the "jitters"...... I noticed more of it when i went from 18" on the 07 450 to the 19' on the 2011 450.

 

I've avoided this thread, but I have to say you are probably both right. First, it takes time before there is enough statistical knowledge to measure true quality of the vehicle and give it a score. Some would say months, others would say years before it really settles in.

On the other hand, MB brings out model after model throughout the years and they probably have comparison metrics of issues beginning with day 1 of the launch and measuring (weekly, monthly). Maybe the X166 is running well below the 'metrics' and that's why Fab is saying quality is great.

Lastly, I think 'initial product quality' statistics are measured over the first 90 days of ownership. MB should be starting to see those statistics and be able to quantify those results versus expectations and/or previous history.

Either way, no sense getting hostile here, we're all trying to help each other.

 

Yup!

 

+1