Long-time lurker, first post. Wondering what to do on New order.

We ordered a GL350 back on November 13th. Still NO build date as of this week. It is replacing a 3/4 GMC Yukon XL to be the DD for wife and 4 kids, and to pull an ~7400 lb camper in the summer. It's a fairly optioned out 350 with, P2, Lighting Package, Lane Tracking, 3 zone ac, parking assist, Leather seats, multi-contour, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Pano sunroof, Trailer Hitch, EASY-Entry, Pre Wire RSE, Active Curve/ADS, Illuminated Running Boards, and SPC of Rear sunshades, black headliner, Heated washer system, Wrapped Lower Dash, and Brown Satin Ash wood trim. Iridium Silver exterior.

We went with 350 for engine torque, and after 170K miles on the 8.1L Yukon XL, tired of 10mpg. Looking at this as buy, and keep for 150K+miles (I hope).

Questions:
Is the Active Curve and ADS at $3700 noticeable on the road, and worth it? (BTW, have not been able to drive a GL350.....so buying in the dark).

If build date gets pushed much further, when do you pull the plug, and wait for the new '14 model, (with no/minor tweaks). When does the build open in the MB system for 2014 GL's? To me a September '14 model might be worthwhile vs a July '13 model.....

The big Question, We really like RED, Mars RED from MB. So far it is a NO GO on the GL's. With the Vance plant soon to make C class, and maybe others, is there much/any chance that we could get a Mars Red GL with a 2014 model?

Really looking forward to this vehicle, and hope someday to be able to add my review to this great board.

 

wait for 2014, If I had a choice I would, 2014 will see additional features, and fixes to small issues that come up with any new model year vehicle. Good chance rates will drop as well since new model year always gets the highest rates as well.

 

For 1-2 months I would wait as well just for resale purposes. Also parking systems and a few others items will be improved.

I bet that 8.1 Yukon is a beast. Did you need the 3/4 for towing capacity? just curious...

 

Unless they are willing to give you a deal you can't refuse.... I would wait for the 2014 model....which will, as stated, give you some tweaks and improvements. Ordering what you want is a WAIT in MB GL world......there comes a time when the wait is costly. At this point..."waiting" for a 2013 model year MB is not cost effective. I have had my order in place since end of Oct. and still "waiting"...... not entirely happy as I know I will take a financial "hit." That being said ... there is nothing quite comparable out there.

 

Blittle....sort of glad to hear I'm not the only waiting for awhile. Was expecting 12 weeks going into this....but was hoping by now, (or after the January break) to see some movement. Guess we'll see what/if anything happens the next month or so.

Yes, the 8.1L has never been short on power pulling the 34' tri-axle trailer around the Eastern US. Can always keep up with traffic, even in the bigger hills across TN, KY, VA, PA, and NY. The 8.1L was 340hp, and 450 lb/ft torque, hoping that with the 7speed MB tranmission, and the advertised 455 lb/ft torque, it will do almost as good towing. Thanks.

 

8100 cc engine that probably produces much less hp and torque than the 4600 cc GL550

gotta love Umerica

 

Oh, head over to the GL63 thread. Those poor guys are at the end of their rope. Those guys have orders for vehicles in the $120-135K range and stalled indefinitely.

 

On O-Hi-O - frankly I am afraid you got hung up on a dealer who did not have any open allocation to confirm a factory order for a GL350 for you - and frankly that is a problem with that dealer.

Now - 2014 GL350 order bank will most likely "open" 2nd-3rd week April - meaning allocated factory orders can go in - and those orders will be confirmed back by the factory for production 3rd-decade-August-thru-2nd-decade Sept - meaning dealer-delivery-to-you no later than end September 2013.

Your best option is to broaden your search and discussion to every Mercedes dealer in OH.

On the GL63 thread - frankly for the 35 GL63's "factory confirmed orders" so far I don't know a single person on that thread that has a factory order in place - "order with a dealer" and "order confirmed by factory" is a important difference and frankly no order with the factory, no GL63.

That thread unfortunately brings out the worst in communication and/or mutal understanding between dealer salespeople and customers for impossibly tight GL63's.

At the moment ALL GL's are tight - GL63's visionary dream for the fortunate slect fe - GL550's now "maybe" end May/June for dealers with open/changeable orders - and GL450's getting tighter - right now with a few still available in April for dealers with open/changeable orders - but in just a couple of weeks GL450's will easily squeeze as tight (or tighter) than GL550's now.

Great truck - tight supply - it is what it is.

 

The sales manager at my dealer called me yesterday and went on to say that the GL's with the sport package were delayed due to supplier issues and if one was to place an order today delivery would likely be in June.... sounded like he was trying to "scare" me to come pick up my vehicle, which did not work.

 

I believe you, I don't follow it too closely, but it sure has a lot of activity.

Being one of 35 is pretty special.

 

The diesel/7 speed combo will do right by you with your towing. I tow a 5000 pound 25' RV and at 60MPH I will see 14-16MPG. Without the camper, 25-30MPG is the norm. (depending on how late I am for work.) And just wait till you feel that turbo power towing over the Allegheny mountains.

Towing observations: (Remember I have an older ML with less power than your GL will)
The tranny likes to stay in 6 or 7th and a few times on the highway I had to paddle shift down to pass traffic, then paddle shift back up to cruise. Guess that's why they are there.
Temp gauge doesn't move from normal, no matter the power demand or outside temps.
0-60 is decent so entrance ramp merges are easy, 60 to anything higher though requires planning or paddle shifts.
Headwinds suck. My camper roof profile is about 4' above my ML and becomes a parachute on the highway.
The braking system is phenomenal. It will stop you and the camper confidently, though I am sure you run trailer brakes with your weight. The GL is pre wired for a controller.
Backup camera makes me look like a pro when it comes to hitch up time.
Airmatic suspension is a beautiful thing. Nothing like seeing the shocked look on faces when you pull into a campsite and they see this little SUV sitting level next to pickup that are bumper dragging with smaller campers. Camper or not, the ride is the same MB quality.


My only concern for you is the tongue weight. For some reason, MB uses an 8% rating on their tow hitch, which I think on the GL is =+-600 pounds? Most trailers I see in your weight class run almost a 1000 pounds of tongue, not to mention if you pack in the family, your gear and fill the water tank. Hit a scale and see what you weigh, and if this will be an issue for you as you do have a 3 axle unit. For lights, if it applies, you might need a $25 adapter so your LED GL lights can work with your non LED trailer lights.

As for the 2013 vs 2014 thing, that one your on your own.

 

waiting till june/july for a MY 13 to me personally doesnt make sense- just wait till late aug early sep and get the 14, though the diff might be subtle you will take less of a resale depreciation hit with length of owmership.

looks like an awesome build- but yea unfortunately your dealer does not have an allocation or is not giving you appropriate updates- look around the tri state area- I'm sure you should be able to find one (with more or less features you'r looking for)- but yea if have to build and wait till June/July- just wait it out a few more weeks and get a 2014.

good luck

 

dgiturbo is spot on in regards to towing and hitch weight. I'm pulling a 28 ft Airstream with 1000+ of tongue weight and it took 5 trips to the scales to get the rear axle well under GVW by adjusting the hitch and weight bars (a 3P setup). When you're transferring this much weight forward you are putting a tremendous amount of twist into the hitch. I've been communicating with CanAm RV in Ontario in regards to hitch reinforcement and you can PM me in regards to that and a simply fix for the blinking LEDs on the trailer.

15MPG towing at 65MPH, I'm loving it!

I ordered mine 11/06/12 with confirmation the dealer had a build slot and it was built the end of Jan....if I was you I'd wait for a 14 and probably use a different dealer who will confirm they have available slots.

 

Thanks for the comments/insight. I think I might be looking for a new dealer in the future.

We have a 34' Airstream, so appreciate the comments on towing. Figured that with the seven speed paddle shifters, even with less ponies than current tow vehicle, but same torque specs, we will be more easily able to keep the engine in the powerband on the hills.

I've emailed CAN AM RV before, and plan on a quick trip there for some hitch work. I'm going to get the actual tongue weight next time I have it hooked up. It's rated at 7100lb dry, so a bit lighter than the newer ones. In fact, with the tri-axle, there have been a few times I wanted more tongue weight. I expect we'll be close to the GVW, and axle ratings. I also learned even 3/4 ton Chevy pickups, or burbs, only have a 600lb tongue weight rating WITHOUT a WD hitch. I'm hopefully that with the CAN AM work, and the shorter rear overhang of the GL, and a WD hitch, we'll get along ok. Thanks again.