Hi all,


This is my first post in the X166 forum but I've been over in the W212 forum with my 2012 E550. Great to be here!! My wife and recently decided to order a 2015 GL 550 with production slated for May and we should take delivery in July. I'll be selling my E550.....it has been a great car. It's quite the wolf in sheep's clothing.


Just a couple of questions for you all, and please excuse me if I have missed a previous post on a similar topic.


1) We ordered the designo Black Nappa leather with Anthracite Poplar trim (Obsidian Black exterior) but my wife has been contemplating switching to the designo Porcelain/Black before the order is frozen in the system. I've been reading and understand that the porcelain nappa will take more time & effort to maintain but my question is whether any of you have regretted getting the Porcelain nappa? We don't have any kids so it's just my wife and I most of the time, but we do have a dog. I have a seat cover for the rear seat that I used for my old Audi Q7 that will work to cover that.


Any of you regret getting the Porcelain over the other color designo options? How bad is it for color transfer for clothes other than jeans? How does the light colored stitching in the diamond quilting hold up?


2) Since I am in Canada, more specifically Calgary, a proper winter wheel and tire package is the only way to go. Would prefer to downsize to the smallest diameter wheels and taller profile tires because the roads here in the winter are like an obstacle course of moon craters.


Any of you go with a 19" package on the GL550 and if so, which tires did you get? I've been looking on Tire Rack for a package but there are only 20" or 21" winter packages. Maybe there will be a better selection in the fall?


Thanks for your time. Glad to make the move from an E550 to a GL550. Can't wait until we take delivery!!


Cheers,
Randy

 

Welcome to the GL550 world, and do you mind telling us how much discount on MSRP you got on GL I know Canada's pricing is more expensive then US but would love to know approx price you paid.

 

Congrats on your purchase. We just went through our first winter here in Maryland with our '14 GL550. I also checked Tire Rack for a winter wheel and tire package and would prefer a smaller diameter wheel with a taller tire. Maybe someone else can chime in here with some suggestions.
Sorry I can't comment on your interior choice, we have the standard black leather interior. With 3 children and a dog it's been very easy to maintain and keep clean.

 

Considering the GL550 in Canada omes with most items standard (panoramic roof, window shades, premium package, trailer hitch, easy entry 2nd row, heated 2nd row, climate controlled cupholders, multi contour seats), and I added the advanced driving package (Canada) $2,700, and optional 21" wheels from the GL63 for $500, the price difference between the similarly equipped US model and Canadian model is $8,500. Dealer is giving me rear cargo tray and all weather mats at no charge and a total discount of 4%.


I was told by two different dealers; one said there are no discounts on the GL's, and another said a maximum 3% discount. So I'm not too disappointed with a 4% discount. Cheers!

 

On interior - the Designo lack and Designo Porcelain - due the different color/tanning process - each have a somewhat different feel - both good, but slightly different.

The black Designo has the "sexist feel" on the two - best interior I have ever felt in a SUV - Designo Porcelain has just not quite the ultimate sexiness of black - but not rough by any means.

Here in the US - MBUSA has a "interior package" which is application of a DuPont teflon protectant unique to MB - also offered by many dealers is a 3rd party product in the US called "Permaplate".

With Designo interiors - with it's premium Italian Napa leather - many owner's here in the US choose a protectant package - which adds about 4 hrs (or overnite) to the delivery - for application and "set/"cure" time - and each protectant package has it's own "insurance coverage" as to what the protectant supplier says they will cover in the event of stain-damage.

 

Luckily, I have the designo porcelain as my interior paired with anthracite poplar for almost 6 months now. To me it is THE MOST AESTHETIC interior combination among all MB has offered. That would also make sense since MB also used this combination in their GL's official gallery.

To answer your concern,

1. From 1-5, rate the effort on maintenance.
1 for MB-Tex 3 for regular leather (dark color) 4 for designo leather (dark) 5 for designo porcelain

Basically, you will spend much more efforts if you just moved from MB-Tex to designo porcelain. BUT there won't be much differences between dark color leather to porcelain.


2. I wear black jean everyday and the blackish stain would be noticeable in like 1 month or so. HOWEVER, it could be cleaned very easily by using the mildest leather cleaner for a quick wipe.

 

@francotse. Thanks for your post. That does shed some light on things for me and it seems that the move from the regular dark leather (which I have now in my E550) to the designo Porcelain Nappa should not be too drastic.


The quicker I can clean up a stain with the leather cleaner, the easier it will be to remove. I usually clean my current leather every 3 months so I will probably have to clean the Porcelain Nappa every month.


Cheers!

 

you can purchase 21inch Pirelli winter scorpion (not the snow and ice)...they work great!

 

Hi all,


Just got the call from my dealer that my GL550 has arrived! Going to see the dealer on Saturday to decide which protection packages to go with.

My question for you guys is on what clear bra product you would recommend. I am going for full front coverage (hood, bumper, fenders, mirror caps). They are offering 3M, Suntek and XPEL Ultimate. I have the 3M on my E550 currently and it is showing a lot of scratches and is turning slightly cloudy.


Any of you use the Suntek or XPEL Ultimate? What do you think?


Cheers!

 

Congrats on your ride and do post pics....

And yes I wont even do a second guess it should only be XPEL Ultimate I got on full front and it looks great, just make sure you ask the dealer to wrap the edges or a custom cut dont go for pre-cut, else it will look ugly after few months of wear and tear.
And also make sure you get the Opt-Coat done on the whole car including Xpel

And once you get the Xpel demand for the Warranty card or let the dealer\detailer know you want the warranty card just to be sure he has put XPEL and not XYZ Crap.

If you are in Toronto I could refer you to some best detailers.

Thanks

 

Decided to go with the XPEL Ultimate. I pick it up on Wednesday afternoon and will post some pics as soon as can.

Cheers!

 

Hi all,


Picked up my GL550 last night. Thought I would post some pics as promised.

Cheers!

 

Nice Ride! Congrats.....
I so badly wanted these GL63 wheels on my 550 I forgot did you special order it or it came with it?


Thanks

 

I did a factory order back in early March. In Canada, the GL63 wheel is an option on the 350, 450 and 550 (Code 798) for only $500. At that price, it was an easy decision.

 

Gorgeous! The porcelain interior is so sharp!! Congrats and enjoy!