Joyride

Hi guys,

it looks like my new GL has arrived in Canada. According to the dealer it should be here in the next 10 days or so. Initially as per the order status, the date of order was 08.11.2012, with a freeze date of 29.01.2013, a production date of 19.02.2013 and a planned delivery date of 05.04.2013. All the sudden the dealer tells me that it's already built and in Canada (Ontario) waiting to be dispatched to my dealer in Winnipeg. (They ship by rail from Ontario to Alberta, right by us, then get loaded on a truck and driven to the dealer in Manitoba, kind of stupid if you ask me. According to the dealer Manitoba and Saskatchewan are low volume, so that it doesn't make sense for MB to stop in either provinces on the way to Alberta)

Anyways, here are the specs:

GL350BT 4M MY13

MPP - Premium Package:
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Command APS w/HDD Navigation & DVD Changer
- Media Interface
- Heated Rear Seats
- Power Assist Trunk & Door Closure
- Keyless Go

MAP - Advanced Driving Assistance Package:
- Distronic Plus
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Advanced Driving Assistance Package

MSP - Sport Package:
- 21" AMG Wheels
- AMG Styling Package
- AMG Cladding
- Aluminum Running Boards
- AMG Exterior Package
- Tire Rating
- ADS-Adaptive Damping System

MRS - Premium Rear Seating Package:
- Roller Blinds for Rear Side Windows
- Thermotronic Automatic Climate Control
- Rear A/C w/ Seperate Compressor

Additional:
MET1 - Metalic Paint (Diamond White)
LEA - Leather Upholstery
H09 - Brown Ash Wood Trim (Open-Pore)
401 - Climate Comfort Front Seats
811 - Bang & Olufsen Performance Surround Sound System
X06 - designo Chestnut Brown Nappa Leather
Y41 - Black DINAMICA Roof Liner
iPod Rear Entertainment Installed (Dealer)

Here are the two questions I have:
It says in the Premium Package that it comes with the Power Assist Trunk and Door Closure. Is that the soft close doors? When asked the dealer, they said only the GL550 has that???? Didn't make sense to me, as I was sure, it was a stand alone option, and it looks like they made it part of the MPP for Canada?

Also:
It looks like the dealer wants to charge me for the LEA (Leather Upholstery - a $1,990 charge, even though I ordered X06 - designo. Is that not part of the package? The designo is a $4,800 option in Canada. In the initial quote it was not listed, now they have added it?

BTW, i am trading my 2011 GL350. It now has 52,000 km and has been great. No problems whatsoever during the course of ownership, just regular maintenance. I just hope the new one will be as solid. This will be my 3rd GL. Also had a GL550 prior to that, but I fell in love with the Diesel, mainly for the fuel economy.

Thanks guys!

JimBarnhart

Hello Joyride, hope this snowstorm we're getting south of you is missing you.

US vs. Canadian options are different. It looks like you have a well configured vehicle and should be beautiful! In the motorized rear trunk is standard on all GL's. For the GL350 the soft close doors come with the P02 premium package and I believe would be the power door closure you showed in the MPP package.

In regards to leather/designo, I believe in the US you have to purchase leather and designo as well. I'm going from memory when I configured my vehicle, but I remember comparing designo cost to leather cost and my salesman saying it an addition cost above leather pricing, not an additional cost that replaces leather pricing. I didn't get it as a result.

Joyride

Thanks for the response Jim. We are getting up to 20 cm in some parts of the province according to forecast. More snowshoveling is on the way

Regarding the soft close doors: I hope that it is part of the MPP, but the dealer confused me by stating that it's only on the 550's.

I guess with the leather and designo i will find out. Dealer said, sometimes they charge on top of designo as upcharge for the leather, and sometimes MB doesn't. They were going to wait and see till the invoice comes in from MB.

cookstar

In Canada:
Yes you get soft close doors with the premium package power tail gate is the same as last gen, I dont think it has soft close if thats what you are asking, no they should not charge you extra for the leather as you already paid about 5 grand for the Designo package. your car is almost identical to my order minis the designo, B&O , mine arrived a month early as well, will pick it up on Wednesday!

cookstar

Its incorrect, I test drove two GL350's prior to ordering and they both had soft close doors, dealers dont know what they are talking about 80% of the time.

Joyride

Thank you for confirming cookstar! Congratulations on your delivery soon! Where are you located?

cookstar

Thank you, you probably have one of the few GL350's with Designo in Canada, most people are never even told that they can have that option. ( went to 3 dealers and no one mentioned Designo to me!)

I am in Toronto.

Joyride

Yeah I know. Unless you are going in well informed, by doing a lot of your own research, there is not much info, other than the basics that you get (at least from most of the guys, there is always an exception). Sites like these are great for a nice owner/enthusiast information source. If I ran a dealership, I would make it mandatory for my sales staff to read forums such as these, to be better informed. On the other hand, a lot of times it's not even the dealers or their staffs fault, as i think often MB feeds them very little. Might be wrong Why wouldn't MB build the Designo Options into the configuration on the site where you built your car? Unless it's on there and I can't find it (taking the Canadian MB site).

Anyways, hope you will enjoy your GL when you take possession on Wednesday. You probably have nicer weather than what we have currently out east.

Joyride

While overseas, my GL arrived at the dealership. He has sent me teaser pics

Joyride

One more...

Joyride

And one more...

cookstar

welcome to the club, I see you got the MSX Rims as well!, congrats, Designo is stunning, I also like the wet salty streets in the pics!

South Ocean1

Joyride

Your GL looks great. I think you are lucky in Canada to be able to get the AMG sport package on the 350. Plus the GL63 wheels . . . That is a very sweet combination - aggressive look and good MPG.

Please tell me what you think of the Brown Satin Ash trim with the designo Auburn Brown after you have had some time with it in person as that is the combo I am going with.

Congrats!

blittle

The tailgate on my new 450 is 10 times quieter than my 2011 was and does seem to close "softly."

sam9187

Congrats. Looks amazing the the AMG package and the GL63 wheels.

cookstar

I noticed the same thing, no whizzing motor sound what so ever, so perhaps it is soft close?

Joyride

Lucky indeed. I will let you know my first impressions once I see it in person. Should be beginning of April...

JimBarnhart

With a little luck the snow might be gone by then.

JoeMa

Being able to adjust the open-door angle of the tailgate for a garage with a low ceiling is a very nice feature.

Joyride

I sure hope so. It's been a long one this year.

Joyride

Another teaser from the dealer. Sitting in the showroom, patiently waiting. It's me who has a hard time coping with the patience. The good news: Made it back last night. Now I just have to get past the Easter holidays. Very tempted to give the General Manager a call and have him open up the showroom for me to see it in person. I would feel bad ruining his Easter Sunday though. The other option would be to wait till tomorrow

Dalema

Looks beautiful!