350 vs 450 for custom order
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Joined: Jan 2015
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Ford Lightning, GL350 and a couple of outbacks
350 vs 450 for custom order
They recently added the GL to the MB overseas military sales program and I'm about to order a GL. I was planning on getting a 350 due to the fuel economy but have been thinking about a 450, mainly due to the availability of the on/off road package. I plan to take this vehicle camping on dirt and gravel roads quite a bit over the next decade or so and wonder whether that option is designed for casual off road or for serious off road use (in which case I don't need it). We only drive 8-10K miles per year max, so the diesel gas savings would be about $500 per year provided they are priced about the same.
Also can anyone point me to some pictures of the MB-wrapped dash and how that looks different from the regular one, we are getting the almond/mocha interior with the red exterior. Lots of people recommend that option but I haven't seen pics.
I saw where someone recently recommended against the three zone A/C. We will be living in a mild climate but plan on having either kids or a dog in the back of the car most of the time. I think I read the third zone set up comes with an additional ac unit to keep the back of the car cooler. Does the base AC work fine? Is the third zone mainly just for the extra controls or does it really add cooling power?
This is going to be a complete custom order so I'm dropping the easy entry and have the ability to specify options, so I want to get this right if I'm spending this much on the car.
Thanks for the help. And since I'm sure it will be asked, the military discount is a flat 8% off everything but you can't add on the USAA cash or anything else.
Also can anyone point me to some pictures of the MB-wrapped dash and how that looks different from the regular one, we are getting the almond/mocha interior with the red exterior. Lots of people recommend that option but I haven't seen pics.
I saw where someone recently recommended against the three zone A/C. We will be living in a mild climate but plan on having either kids or a dog in the back of the car most of the time. I think I read the third zone set up comes with an additional ac unit to keep the back of the car cooler. Does the base AC work fine? Is the third zone mainly just for the extra controls or does it really add cooling power?
This is going to be a complete custom order so I'm dropping the easy entry and have the ability to specify options, so I want to get this right if I'm spending this much on the car.
Thanks for the help. And since I'm sure it will be asked, the military discount is a flat 8% off everything but you can't add on the USAA cash or anything else.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 17
From: Chicago, IL
2015 - GL 550
If you drive less than 10000 miles a year yhan gas would be a better option but either way is fine. About options my deal breaker is always 3Zone AC I wouldn't buy the car without it, it's a must have in summer, some may disagree if they have never had it or never had 7 passengers in their car in summer and if MB has listed as option there is some reason it's not a waste option just try it and you yourself will appreciate it. And don't forget to get Distronuc plus it's a very kool feature but depends on your budget and also the heated steering wheel you gonna thank yourself in winter, rest options all depends on your budget, I am assuming by default your build will have Premium package. Not sure how long u gonna keep your car if you plan on keeping it more than 4 years do get extended warranty and before you buy it check in forum for pricing, and Fyi old diesel GLs had lot of issues after 5 years compare to gas and not sure what your state is make sure you have pump with less than 5% bio diesel fuel
Last edited by Dreamszalone; Jan 23, 2015 at 01:54 AM.
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+1 on the 3 zone AC. Another option to have is the lighting package. You're already spending $80-90k on a car and still have halogens or worse, to retrofit with aftermarket HID kits on non-projectors with no cutoffs just doesn't make sense.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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Ford Lightning, GL350 and a couple of outbacks
went with the 350, got an odd error when they tried to place the order it say the cinnabar red was built out for the model year. They think it was an error, but I might have to come up with a backup color. How do they run out of paint?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
They recently added the GL to the MB overseas military sales program and I'm about to order a GL. I was planning on getting a 350 due to the fuel economy but have been thinking about a 450, mainly due to the availability of the on/off road package. I plan to take this vehicle camping on dirt and gravel roads quite a bit over the next decade or so and wonder whether that option is designed for casual off road or for serious off road use (in which case I don't need it). We only drive 8-10K miles per year max, so the diesel gas savings would be about $500 per year provided they are priced about the same.
Also can anyone point me to some pictures of the MB-wrapped dash and how that looks different from the regular one, we are getting the almond/mocha interior with the red exterior. Lots of people recommend that option but I haven't seen pics.
I saw where someone recently recommended against the three zone A/C. We will be living in a mild climate but plan on having either kids or a dog in the back of the car most of the time. I think I read the third zone set up comes with an additional ac unit to keep the back of the car cooler. Does the base AC work fine? Is the third zone mainly just for the extra controls or does it really add cooling power?
This is going to be a complete custom order so I'm dropping the easy entry and have the ability to specify options, so I want to get this right if I'm spending this much on the car.
Thanks for the help. And since I'm sure it will be asked, the military discount is a flat 8% off everything but you can't add on the USAA cash or anything else.
Also can anyone point me to some pictures of the MB-wrapped dash and how that looks different from the regular one, we are getting the almond/mocha interior with the red exterior. Lots of people recommend that option but I haven't seen pics.
I saw where someone recently recommended against the three zone A/C. We will be living in a mild climate but plan on having either kids or a dog in the back of the car most of the time. I think I read the third zone set up comes with an additional ac unit to keep the back of the car cooler. Does the base AC work fine? Is the third zone mainly just for the extra controls or does it really add cooling power?
This is going to be a complete custom order so I'm dropping the easy entry and have the ability to specify options, so I want to get this right if I'm spending this much on the car.
Thanks for the help. And since I'm sure it will be asked, the military discount is a flat 8% off everything but you can't add on the USAA cash or anything else.
Attached below is a photo of an Almond interior ML with the full "wrapped dash" and matte wood that is identical to the GL. The lower wrapped dash is the same material as the upper dash (MB-Tex) and has the stitching like the upper dash.
On the GL the upper wrapped dash is standard (top arrow in photo) and the GL special order package adds the lower wrap. The front doors receive the same treatment. Essentially the wrap covers the stock plastics on the lower dash and door panels with stitched MB-Tex.
We also have the almond interior and the matte ash looks simply awesome with that color combo, IMHO. I have yet to see a photo that does it justice compared to viewing it in person.
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Jan 23, 2015 at 04:09 PM.
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Ford Lightning, GL350 and a couple of outbacks
just heard back from our ordering agent that they have discontinued red. Not sure if it's permanent or just for this model year. So we are now thinking about brown. My wife and I both don't like black white or gray, and our current two cars are both Navy blue, so we're looking for a change. Can dealerships in the US search new inventory? If there's a new red one available without the power easy entry we might consider that one instead of ordering a brown. That's about the only option I don't want, and it seems every new one on all the dealerships I've seen have it.
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here is how i spec'd mine - and go with the 350 as the 450 is a dog with that V6 Bi-turbo
I would think if you are camping and such one would prefer more torque down low vs a revvy 6 gas.
and for the 3zone - it is a must if you are doing the pano roof option - otherwise its your call.
i'd send you a pic of the lower wrapped dash but car was tapped by another driver getting it all prettied up at the shop. Since you are ordering the lower dash is a cheap upgrade that takes away some of the plastic look. I only have 400 miles on mine, but love it and once break in is done getting the race chip upgrade increasing to 304hp and
583tq -
2015 GL350 Base
Color 149 - Polar White
3222 pkg - Appearance Package
P01pkg - Premium 1 Package
319pk - Lighting Package
993pkg - Lane Tracking Package
235 - Parktronic with Active Park Assist
297 - 2nd row manual sunshade
550 - Trailer Hitch
810 - Harman/kardan Sound
866 - Rear Seat Entertainment Pre-Wiring
843 - Power easy entry
872 Heated Rear Seats
U09 mb-tex lower wrapped dash - mb tex wrapped upper door panels, and contract stitching
105 almond beige/mocha mb-tex
H09 - open pore brown satin ash wood trim
I would think if you are camping and such one would prefer more torque down low vs a revvy 6 gas.
and for the 3zone - it is a must if you are doing the pano roof option - otherwise its your call.
i'd send you a pic of the lower wrapped dash but car was tapped by another driver getting it all prettied up at the shop. Since you are ordering the lower dash is a cheap upgrade that takes away some of the plastic look. I only have 400 miles on mine, but love it and once break in is done getting the race chip upgrade increasing to 304hp and
583tq -
2015 GL350 Base
Color 149 - Polar White
3222 pkg - Appearance Package
P01pkg - Premium 1 Package
319pk - Lighting Package
993pkg - Lane Tracking Package
235 - Parktronic with Active Park Assist
297 - 2nd row manual sunshade
550 - Trailer Hitch
810 - Harman/kardan Sound
866 - Rear Seat Entertainment Pre-Wiring
843 - Power easy entry
872 Heated Rear Seats
U09 mb-tex lower wrapped dash - mb tex wrapped upper door panels, and contract stitching
105 almond beige/mocha mb-tex
H09 - open pore brown satin ash wood trim
