We ordered a 2013 GL350 in May, and did not make some cutoff. We are now slated for a 2014 in July. My issue is that I do not want a pano roof, but are being told that the MB factory does not have the solid roofs, and may have to do all build with the pano. Has anyone else heard this?

 

A couple of things...

July build for 2014 GL would mean dealer delivery on offical MB release date most likely end-Aug 2014..

"Standard" feature for US model 2014 GL350 is power-tilt front row sunroof - yes, you can delete pano and default to standard sunroof.. you are talking about US model correct ?

If dealer is saying they cannot delete the pano - they may be doubtful you will pass qualification for non-export for delivery - and the dealer prefer's to keep pano which is high demand/scarcer production option for that build in the event you do not qualify for final delivery that unit would be more marketable.

Request for "no sunroof" is kindof a export tip off to a US dealer that the US buyer is trying to source a Asia/China spec GL here in the US for re-export.

Good luck !

 

Hi, Yes this is a US model. I have no problem with a sunroof, I do not want a skylight over the cargo area, its for my dogs. I show and travel a lot. The glass panel in the cargo area does not have a cover like the one over the driver and passenger compartments. Our dealership is very aware that we will not export. Our sales guy has been to our home, dropping off my husbands new S350, and he has seen me trying to cram my gear into a Volvo wagon.

 

i'm not sure if this is what you are referring to, but the non-pano roof GL X166's don't have the 3rd row skylight (unlike the previous X164 GL) ... which i think is what you are saying you want?

i, too, did not want the 3rd row skylight because it doesn't have the sunshade any longer. my 2011 X164 GL did have it (i think it was standard or part of P1?), but the difference is the X164's NON-pano roof option included a 3rd row moonroof with manual covered sunshade.

i didn't realize it until i picked up my new GL550, but when i saw that the 3rd row skylight was not there, i was soooo relieved. my kids always hated the 3rd row because of the extra light/heat (even with the shade closed) and we didn't have the 3-zone AC.

this time we did things right and just got the 550

as far as i know, pano roofs are still "limited availability", not the other way around. so i'm not sure what your salesperson is talking about?

in any case, our new GL also does NOT have panoramic roof. here is a picture of our ceiling behind the 2nd row:

 

the gray roof liner looks terrible IMO, how come you did not opt for black roof liner?

 

I did get the SPC black headliner. The camera lighting above is too bright I guess.

I had Gray in my 2011 and it was very light gray, almost white. The black definitely looks and feels sportier and makes the interior feel a little cozier on such a big car.

 

I was going to get a June '13 build 350, but could NOT get the pano roof, which I want, so I opted to wait for the '14. My gut says any dealer telling you you HAVE to have the pano is pushing a load of bs.