GL Class (X166) 2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166)

2016 GLS Rumors

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Old 03-13-2015, 05:29 PM
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What's typical lag time between when order bank opens and when deliveries begin? 3,4 months? (so according to this document mid Oct to mid Nov)
Old 03-13-2015, 06:33 PM
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That sounds about right.
Old 03-13-2015, 06:47 PM
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The plot thickens!
Old 03-13-2015, 10:53 PM
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A gaggle of MB's
There is no "plot" - just over active minds.

The "document" referred to here - shows "production" as target date all lines for the model should be completely changed over.

"Order bank" in this document refers to when initial allocations for dealer calendar year 2016 open for order..
Old 03-14-2015, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by fabbrisd1
There is no "plot" - just over active minds.

The "document" referred to here - shows "production" as target date all lines for the model should be completely changed over.

"Order bank" in this document refers to when initial allocations for dealer calendar year 2016 open for order..

Over active minds? The document is what it is. If its real, it says the "GLS-Class (formerly GL)" can be ordered starting 7/15/15 with a production startup of 7/1/15.


Anything is possible until MB officially announces it plans for the mid-cycle refresh but this looks like solid evidence that it will be available as a 2016 later this fall. Because I seriously doubt MB plans rebadge the 2016 models as a GLS with no changes.
Old 03-14-2015, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by fabbrisd1
There is no "plot" - just over active minds.

The "document" referred to here - shows "production" as target date all lines for the model should be completely changed over.

"Order bank" in this document refers to when initial allocations for dealer calendar year 2016 open for order..
you are very informative, fabbris, but you are no fun
Old 03-14-2015, 06:45 PM
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2023 GLE53C4
GL->GLS

The nomenclature change will not take place until MY17, which will early release in February '16. The MY16 GL will be a carryover model and remain unchanged.
Old 03-14-2015, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by boylinator
The nomenclature change will not take place until MY17, which will early release in February '16. The MY16 GL will be a carryover model and remain unchanged.
If your info is correct, the document above would have to be incorrect since it says the GLS is to begin production on 7/1/2015. Where did you hear this?


Several web sites have suggested the GLS will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September which would support an early 2016 production startup.
Old 03-15-2015, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeMa
If your info is correct, the document above would have to be incorrect since it says the GLS is to begin production on 7/1/2015. Where did you hear this?


Several web sites have suggested the GLS will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September which would support an early 2016 production startup.

The only nomenclature changes happening this year are the ML->GLE (which will release in August along with the GLE Coupe) and the GLK->GLC (which will release in November).

Release dates are fluid and can be changed, but this is the current plan.
Old 03-15-2015, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by boylinator
The only nomenclature changes happening this year are the ML->GLE (which will release in August along with the GLE Coupe) and the GLK->GLC (which will release in November).

Release dates are fluid and can be changed, but this is the current plan.
What about the refresh for the GL? Would that include interior, rear and front light changes likely to be released later this year?

Last edited by jerome8283; 03-15-2015 at 09:22 AM.
Old 03-15-2015, 12:50 PM
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2024 GLS 580. Formerly 2015 GL 550, 2003 S430.
To me, this all sounds very much like the facelifted GL will not be out in 2015, but in the summer of 2016 as a GLS MY17.
Old 03-15-2015, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by w220430
To me, this all sounds very much like the facelifted GL will not be out in 2015, but in the summer of 2016 as a GLS MY17.
I was told by my dealer that the refresh would not happen until 2017 model year.
Old 03-15-2015, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jerome8283
What about the refresh for the GL? Would that include interior, rear and front light changes likely to be released later this year?
Those changes will come in February 2016 with the release of the 2017 GLS.
Old 03-15-2015, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by boylinator
Those changes will come in February 2016 with the release of the 2017 GLS.
So the doc in post #75 is wrong?
Old 03-15-2015, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by jerome8283
So the doc in post #75 is wrong?
Regarding the name change, yes, it's wrong.
Old 03-15-2015, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeMa
You are correct, cars are very subjective. And you are correct in your assessment of the current dashboard electronics. That being said, BMW's electronic leave a lot to be desired as well. It is lots of polish but in real world use, not so great. Difficult to navigate between screens. I have a good friend who own 2013 X5 and never even uses most of the Nav features because he says its just too frustrating.


I just read Consumer Reports review of the 2015 X5 and they said it is now more comfortable with a softer ride compared to the outgoing model. But they point out that die-hard BMW buyers may not like the new ride.


In the end, a SUV is a people mover, not a sports car. It should have a focus on quiet and comfort and it appears BMW is finally moving in that direction. No doubt the upcoming X7 will be very popular with many buyers. I'll certainly take a look at it. But by the time it is ready, the GLS will be a brand new car as well. And I expect MB has not been sitting on their hands. It will no doubt offer many attractive new features.
Interesting take on the MB vs BMW electronics, being an MB board, bias is to be expected. I prefer iDrive, my wife prefers COMAND. Yes, BMW's are getting softer across the board. On most models, you have to add the sport pkg (if RWD) or DHP w/ the adjustable shocks to get the sporty feel of years prior. I find the X5 to ride closer to how I would want my car to feel. It's firm, but not harsh, smooth, but not as smooth as my ML. It will be interesting to see what comes of the X7. I don't see it stealing sales from the GLS. I can see X5 owners who need a real 3rd row moving into an X7 and possibly owners of other larger 3 row suv's.
Old 03-15-2015, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by skw
Interesting take on the MB vs BMW electronics, being an MB board, bias is to be expected. I prefer iDrive, my wife prefers COMAND. Yes, BMW's are getting softer across the board. On most models, you have to add the sport pkg (if RWD) or DHP w/ the adjustable shocks to get the sporty feel of years prior. I find the X5 to ride closer to how I would want my car to feel. It's firm, but not harsh, smooth, but not as smooth as my ML. It will be interesting to see what comes of the X7. I don't see it stealing sales from the GLS. I can see X5 owners who need a real 3rd row moving into an X7 and possibly owners of other larger 3 row suv's.


I actually think the X7 will steal away some GL owners. Many owners have commented that they have always wanted BMW to offer a larger 3rd row SUV and soon they'll have that choice. I'm not a fan of the BMW interiors, a bit sterile for me. MB does a nicer job (IMO) and coming to MB from Lexus, who does a good job with their interiors has been an easy transfer. But I expect BMW will come loaded for bear and offer up a very nice alternative for all Large Luxury SUV buyers.
Old 03-15-2015, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by fabbrisd1
In a GL - for the poster that has problems reaching Nav screen - I push the Voice portal and say "Navigation" and it comes up - or hit the dash Nav button. I do like the S-Class aluminum direct-access function buttons - so yeah, I would like to trand more in that direction.

No one will really/really know for sure on 2016 GL/ML until the dealer guide is released - just back from Vance Friday and they still have yet to make final decisions on what's/what's for when on the "refresh".

Interior wise - i "expect" interior will tend towards the look/feel you can see in some of the recent online photo's for the GLE-Coupe - which, so you know - is not the same 166 chassis as the current X166 and W166 -
We've only driven the GL once so not sure if it has all of the same buttons as in the ML. What I did for easy access to the nav was next to the COMAND wheel/controller, there's 2 programmable buttons. One has the outline of a star and the other is shaded in. I set one of those to the nav map/screen for easy one touch access.

We currently have a W166 ML350BTC. No interest in the new ML250 so a few weeks ago we took a GL for a drive to get the feel of it as a GL350 is the only option for the 6cyl diesel. There was also a screaming deal on a '14 GL450 (w/ the V8) and my wife, while having a preference for the diesel, also liked the gas V8. This brought about the GLE/GLS discussion w/ our dealer as to if we would be better off riding it out till the end of the year for the new models. His take was that nothing has been officially released by MB yet but he keeps hearing of 2015 being their year of the suv. He says that we will see the GLE at the NYIAS 1st week in April (which I will be making a trip to). The GLC, GLE, & GLE Coupe "should" be on dealer's lots by October. The GLS he speculates would be shown at an auto shown in the fall (Frankfurt?) and begin production in the spring of 2016 as a 2017 MY vehicle. He stated the GL usually follows the ML by a year. I'll try to see if I can get anything out of the MB reps @ the NY auto show.

Question for Fabbrisd1, I've seen you mention before that the GLE Coupe will not be on the W166 chasis. Do you know if the GLE & GLS will continue on the existing W166/X166 chasis and the GLE Coupe will be model specific? Or will all 3 be on a new platform?
Old 03-15-2015, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by boylinator
Regarding the name change, yes, it's wrong.
The name change might not occur, I think it will but it's just a name change. Floss out you GL, affix a GLS - done.

BUT the interior upgraded nav and new headlights like the headlights on the current E-class WILL hit the showrooms this fall.

Last edited by rougetrooper; 03-15-2015 at 09:52 PM.
Old 03-15-2015, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by rougetrooper
BUT the interior upgraded nav and new headlights like the headlights on the current E-class WILL hit the showrooms this fall.
That would be a refresh. How do you know for sure? What is your source?
Old 03-16-2015, 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by jerome8283
That would be a refresh. How do you know for sure? What is your source?
- two different dealers in recent times
- the fact the interior/exterior Refresh changes have been caught on camera since July 2014.
Old 03-16-2015, 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by rougetrooper
- two different dealers in recent times
- the fact the interior/exterior Refresh changes have been caught on camera since July 2014.
Dealers don't know anymore than us when it comes to MB plans. Until it is officially announced or they receive order instructions, its anybody's guess.
Old 03-17-2015, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeMa
I actually think the X7 will steal away some GL owners. Many owners have commented that they have always wanted BMW to offer a larger 3rd row SUV and soon they'll have that choice. I'm not a fan of the BMW interiors, a bit sterile for me. MB does a nicer job (IMO) and coming to MB from Lexus, who does a good job with their interiors has been an easy transfer. But I expect BMW will come loaded for bear and offer up a very nice alternative for all Large Luxury SUV buyers.
I agree, Joe, in that the x7 will steal some buyers away.

I think the key to that vehicle's success is the third row. The GL has a better third row than the 2 ft longer GM offerings. And needless to say, the q7's third row does not compare.

BMW has the benefit of being second mover in that they can mimic some of the packaging/proportions of the GL so that they don't have to bring a vehicle to market with too many compromises.
Old 03-17-2015, 11:03 AM
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2024 GLS 580. Formerly 2015 GL 550, 2003 S430.
Yeah, no kidding. I often feel the people at the dealership know way less than most on this forum; classic "deer in the headlight" stare in their eyes each time I ask about timelines and future cars.

Originally Posted by JoeMa
Dealers don't know anymore than us when it comes to MB plans. Until it is officially announced or they receive order instructions, its anybody's guess.
Old 03-17-2015, 11:04 AM
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I've seen that look myself ;-)


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