Finally - GL350 Bluetec designo - PICS
 

The long awaited waiting game has come to an end. I was finally able to pick up the GL yesterday. In all it's glory and beauty it was waiting in the showroom for me. It met and exceeded my expectations. The brown designo interior with the satin wood finish looks gorgeous. I got a lot of comments from the staff at the dealership. They say it's one of the nicest interiors on the GL they have seen, so I am totally happy with my choice. Before we get into some other topics I will be bringing up, I will post some pictures for everyone to enjoy. :)

Here are more...

Interior Shots

And three more...

congrats!

the amg appearance package makes it look so much better!

Joyride - beautiful, it must feel like you're in GL 63. How does the Bang and Olufsen system sound?

Very nice, congratulations!

curious to know how many KM was it on delivery?

To be honest, I haven't had too much time to play with it. However in my previous GL i didn't even have Harman/Kardon, so it's defiantly a much nicer, deeper and cleaner sound. I had just my iPhone hooked up to this, and it sounds not bad at all, curious to what it will sound like once I throw in a high quality DVD/CD myself. But it for sure is sweet "looks" wise, although that is not the reason for buying a high priced B&O system...

:) It showed 26 km in the showroom. How about yours?

Ok, here is the other thing I was going to bring up. When I made the deal with the dealer, they were going to throw in the iPad Docking Stations (Powered/Charging Ones). Yesterday I got a good surprise (at first I thought April Fools Day), but in all seriousness I was told: The iPad Docking Stations as rear entertainment option are not available for the GL (X166) in Canada. I said: You guys are pulling my leg, it has to be. Now I find out that it was ordered without the RSE pre wiring. Here is my question: Is it available or not, because I swear I recall coming across them in different brochures and magazines. They tell me, there is nothing of such nature in their parts system. What is the correct part number for it, and is there a way to install, if your vehicle is not prewired? Because the way I understand, it just draws power for charging, the audio is streamed via Bluetooth to the head unit. Any suggestions, thoughts, input?

Doesn't look like the lower dash is wrapped. I was told this option was included with the Designo interior. Perhaps it's not on the 350 or a US/Canada difference.

Wasn't aware this option was available. On my designo this is not the case :nix:

Beautiful! Have fun checking all the stuff out..... I have had a blast doing so! How do you like the "open pore wood?" I think it really adds a "finished touch" to the whole thing!

Firstly- congrats!
secondly- you definitely have the lower wrapped dash in premium leather- can see it all all ove the lower dash, around the key button, and on all the doors!!! you definitely have it, no question of a doubt.. the stitching on designo is much finer than mb tex wrapped dash stitching. you can see around the key, over the glove compartment and the doors- looks awesome..!
thirdly- RSE and ipad docking has to be available - heck everyone else in the world gets it- makes no sense at al, or dealer is misinformed..

fourthly, again- congrats! looks beautiful, enjoy it safely..

the open pore def adds a lot of class and a finished touch-- its way different than anything out there- the glossy finishes are nice too but for a change the satin dash makes a difference- finally no more finger smudges and visible dirt!

i would like you to compare your B&O to a HK (old or new) I've personally never heard b&o on a gl but didnt get it as i was told it sounds like you'r in a room and loss of spare tire, i'd be interested in knowing how good and effective the bass is, i expect it to rock- i mean heck they took out the spare to put this system in...!

I think it was 12.9 or 13.9

car looks great btw, very exclusive options you got in the interior.

Thank you! You are absolutely right, I just checked, and I do have the wrapped lower dash. Didn't even realize it at first. It is very nice, looks amazing, very nice touch.

Just spent some time in the car and played with the stereo. First impression: Amazing. Glad I went for it. It's crisp and clear in the high end, and deep clean bass in the low end. No rattling or distortion even if you crank it up. It's more than one can handle when playing very loud for a while. The different settings are a plus, you have a few options to adjust it to your liking. I played with a regular CD. Next I will try it with a blue ray DVD and see how it sounds. Should be even better. It's worth it for me loosing the spare over it. :zoom:

I absolutely love my interior. It is stunning. The stitching and diamond shaped pattern makes it look very high end. And the leather shows its high end, very soft and smooth to the touch. Almost to scared to sit in it :)

The open pore is nice. Something different for a change, plus it goes very well with the auburn brown designo.

Can anybody comment on the above please? Talked to my dealer yesterday (parts department) and they assured me again that these are not available in Canada, and there is nothing of such nature in their system. It makes absolutely no sense to me. I told them to get it from the US in that case, but they don't want to do it because they wouldn't buy at dealer cost, and they don't want to deal with customs clearance. They did charge me for the option however when I bought the GL as that was part of my deal with them. Now that the GL has been delivered nobody wants to take responsibility and they seem to put it on the long bench without doing anything about it. I think they realized that they sold too cheap (we agreed on $800 installed), and now they seem to play games. What would you do?

Out of experience I can tell you if you call MB Canada and specifically tell them the problem and the problems that the dealer (and if applicable sales person) has caused you they will tear the dealership a new one, if your claim makes sense you will get a positive result, your dealer will call you and make it up to you because MB will not want to lose a customer over something legitimate.... of course this all depends on how legitimate your claim/concern/complaint is.

Congrats !! love the AMG ap. package !! Nice Nice!

Thanks cookstar. I've been thinking about that. At the same time I don't want to get the dealer into trouble, they have been very good, actually great to me in the past and always (especially the sales department). I'll talk to them one more time to get their act together. Usually once a vehicle is sold and delivered it's easy to "forget" about it and concentrate on the next sale... It seems like there is always a "battle" going on between the different departments within a dealership. Sales push it on Parts, Parts shovel it back to sales, etc. Hope to have that resolved soon. I did write MB Canada an email, asking for confirmation on availability in Canada and Part Numbers. We'll see what they come back with. If nothing, I will give them a call...