On/Off Road Package
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
On/Off Road Package
This is where I use it...... 3 miles of snow & ice covered roads to get back into our Vermont place. Many miles of salt spray to get here!
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From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
Nice!
I'm liking the winter wheels/tires we decided to do. Best winter in some time in the Midwest.
Our only problem was the 5min highway drive in a squall/ whiteout. We were the first car and couldn't tell where the road was, with cars driving too closely behind us to allow us to stop or try to find the shoulder to pull over. The lights seemed to make the blinding snow worse (at midnight ). So looking for a new 'squall assist' feature!
I'm liking the winter wheels/tires we decided to do. Best winter in some time in the Midwest.
Our only problem was the 5min highway drive in a squall/ whiteout. We were the first car and couldn't tell where the road was, with cars driving too closely behind us to allow us to stop or try to find the shoulder to pull over. The lights seemed to make the blinding snow worse (at midnight ). So looking for a new 'squall assist' feature!
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GL
Keep in mind the stability and traction systems do not (not!) operate in low range. Low range is therefore meant to be used to drag a boat out of a steep ramp or go rock crawling, but you're better off in snow/sand to stay in high range and use the terrain dial.
For blizzards, white-outs and snow-squalls, all you can do is use the low beam and yes, it does glare. If I have a tail-gater, I invariably let them go round and then let them find the way, but they then usually slow down 10 mph and I end up going back round them and that's usually enough for the other driver to decide that I don't want to have to stop and exchange insurance information with them.
I really wish MB had put the night vision assist in this car -- that's a major let-down for me in the equipment on a $100K wagon. Since they've had this technology in previous years, it can't be impossible to package along with distronic in this car.
For blizzards, white-outs and snow-squalls, all you can do is use the low beam and yes, it does glare. If I have a tail-gater, I invariably let them go round and then let them find the way, but they then usually slow down 10 mph and I end up going back round them and that's usually enough for the other driver to decide that I don't want to have to stop and exchange insurance information with them.
I really wish MB had put the night vision assist in this car -- that's a major let-down for me in the equipment on a $100K wagon. Since they've had this technology in previous years, it can't be impossible to package along with distronic in this car.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Overland Park, KS
2014 GL550, 2007 Audi A6, 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You can add it for $1,780. It is on the options list.
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
This car and it's predecessor, my 2011…. have performed beautifully in some pretty awful conditions up here….. with the on/off package you can select "snow" mode, then turn OFF the stability program, then raise to max height….. then paddle shift into 1st or 2nd and you can go anywhere that is potentially possible! Great snow machine! I even have a more positive view of the Continental tires….( something I did NOT have in previous years)
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GL550
This car and it's predecessor, my 2011…. have performed beautifully in some pretty awful conditions up here….. with the on/off package you can select "snow" mode, then turn OFF the stability program, then raise to max height….. then paddle shift into 1st or 2nd and you can go anywhere that is potentially possible! Great snow machine! I even have a more positive view of the Continental tires….( something I did NOT have in previous years)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
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GL550
I don't have the off-road package - but my experience has not been good, particularly when braking. Do you find the off road package also moderates the braking?
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GL
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'14 GL550, '14 BMW 650iX GC MSE
It's one of the special-order only options for 2014. Those items are not listed on the MBUSA website "Build Your Own" process, but are available if you special order. I believe this is the correct current list with associated MSRP:
On/Off-Road Package $1,800
Active Curve System $2,900
Black Headliner $100
B&O Sound System $6,400
MB-Tex Wrapped Lower Dash $300
SplitView $1,000
Lockable Rear Storage Compartment $150
NightView Assist Plus $1,780
Heated Windshield Washer Res $105
Rear Side Airbags $420
Special Order Charge $250
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Overland Park, KS
2014 GL550, 2007 Audi A6, 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
I am attaching a screen shot my sales guy sent that shows all of the GL 550 options and their code.
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Thanks. I've been on the verge of swapping them for the Pirelli M+S but may give them another go if it ever snows again here on the west coast.
I don't have the off-road package - but my experience has not been good, particularly when braking. Do you find the off road package also moderates the braking?
I don't have the off-road package - but my experience has not been good, particularly when braking. Do you find the off road package also moderates the braking?
On my previous GL…. I swapped out the Contis for the Pirelli M+S and initially they were much better in the snow and slush stuff, also better wear, BUTTT soon they became VERY noisy!! So…. if you are used to the quiet comfort of the Contis you will notice the Pirellis after about 10K. I have 20k on the Contis and will soon replace with the same. They are still quiet but the tread is on its way out.
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I have had it on each of mine……without it I would not have gotten out of a nasty snow situation two years ago! Raised the vehicle to max height, locked the rear differential, put it in low range and was able to make the vehicle rotate to point where I could gain traction.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
Jim, I wouldn't say that it is worthless... Just for different countries (like the uk), and different and more sever applications.
Quite frankly, with proper snow tires.. The 4matic system will pull you through almost anything (except probably deep sand)...I've seen 16 inches with my X164 gL550 and no problems.....
On the other hand...having the "true" off road package and the corresponding knobs and doffs would be comforting and cool!
Quite frankly, with proper snow tires.. The 4matic system will pull you through almost anything (except probably deep sand)...I've seen 16 inches with my X164 gL550 and no problems.....
On the other hand...having the "true" off road package and the corresponding knobs and doffs would be comforting and cool!
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Oh, my apologies, I just got back from a cruise in the Caribbean and referenced the wrong post.
I would get the off road package on my GL350 if it was available, I was referencing one person's comments on night vision, not off road package.
I would get the off road package on my GL350 if it was available, I was referencing one person's comments on night vision, not off road package.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
LOL a little to much rum!
btw.. you can order it on any of the GLs...except the AMG. You just have to drill down to find the option.. most of the sales guys don't even know about it.
btw.. you can order it on any of the GLs...except the AMG. You just have to drill down to find the option.. most of the sales guys don't even know about it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I absolutely agree on the the night vision…..!
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Western PA
14 GL550 Palladium Silver
Being a newbie to Benz and having no idea about the Off road package (my Sales Rep didn't tell me and I probably didn't do enough research), the question is: will I have any less experience with the 550 I have on order with out it? I am coming out of a 13 Denali which is/was completely loaded. I know this is a very broad question for the board. Any insights will greatly be appreciated.
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Interesting, I didn't see that option on the special order documents I had when I built my 2013 with the dealer.
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Being a newbie to Benz and having no idea about the Off road package (my Sales Rep didn't tell me and I probably didn't do enough research), the question is: will I have any less experience with the 550 I have on order with out it? I am coming out of a 13 Denali which is/was completely loaded. I know this is a very broad question for the board. Any insights will greatly be appreciated.
I think I'm almost sober enough to speak intelligently.
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GL
Thanks for the details re. night vision. I can only take it as stated from the dealership GM tha these options were not available at the time. In any case, I have a call into MBUSA and they've promptly replied, so I'll credit them with some optimism that my next GL will be properly equipped.
It seems to continue to be a failure of the auto makers to leave it to their "customer facing" employees to represent their product in the lowest possible resolution and dimmest light. It continues to be a point of bemusement to the executives at Porsche or Benz for example, that any given customer is probably better informed about the cars than their sales staff. I really loathe working with sales staff at all. They are an impediment and a useless, obsolete overhead that creates only annoyance and misinformation. I'd much rather the auto makers just finished their Web sites with complete, timely and reliably correct information.
It seems to continue to be a failure of the auto makers to leave it to their "customer facing" employees to represent their product in the lowest possible resolution and dimmest light. It continues to be a point of bemusement to the executives at Porsche or Benz for example, that any given customer is probably better informed about the cars than their sales staff. I really loathe working with sales staff at all. They are an impediment and a useless, obsolete overhead that creates only annoyance and misinformation. I'd much rather the auto makers just finished their Web sites with complete, timely and reliably correct information.
