Guys:

Lifelong BMW fan boy here, about to order my first MB ever.

I've lurked and commented on this forum from time to time for the past few years waiting for the appropriate time to order a GL. That time has come.

I have my build pretty much figured out, but wanted to double-check a few things before I confirm/authorize it with the dealer.

I will be getting a GL450.

I added 214 - Adaptive Damping System hoping that would offer the ability to firm things up a bit by using the sport mode.

I considered 468 - Active Curve System and 430 - On/Off Road Package, but ultimately decided against them because of their cost.

I've gone back through past threads and read many people recommending these two options and saying they're worth the money. I have no problem spending the money on them if they actually make sense and make a difference, but I would prefer to save the money if possible.

My wife will be the primary driver of this vehicle. She doesn't drive fast or turn corners quickly. She won't be doing any off-roading with it.

We live in Utah, so usually we get a reasonable amount of snow in the winter (not this past winter), but nothing deep like those in the NE see.

I will drive it from time to time and on family trips, so would like it to be a bit more firm when, for example, making the jump from Utah to Colorado and into Denver on I-70.

I will probably take it off-roading from time to time, but nothing heavy, basically just gravel roads in the mountains and things, maybe a bit more than that, but don't plan on going through deep mud or using it on sand or anything like that.

Should I add these two options?

I will be leasing the GL, so I won't be "stuck" with the vehicle if I find I wish I had the options. But I also don't like the feeling of waiting for something I "should have gotten."

My wife doesn't want the features. But she is a non-spender too by nature. Since it will primarily be her vehicle, I tend to lean towards not getting them just because she says she doesn't want them.

The only other option I have seen a lot of people get is the 413 Pano Roof, which I did not include in the build because "they're just kids" and when we use the vehicle on a road trip, there'll be a carrier on top, so that'd obscure the view anyway. But if there are compelling reasons to get it, I would consider it.

Other than that, I've added every package and option except 811 - Bang & Olufsen, plus most of the important special options like U09 - MB-Tex Lower.

Thanks for the help!

 

I don't have Active Curve on my GL 550 but plan to trade it on GLS 63 AMG which comes standard with Active Curve. There are a number of owners that have posted how well Active Curve works for them so I am anxious to find out for myself one day soon. Owners who have the Off-Road package go on and on about how good that is. You might want to add that option. (blittle, if you read this give him your feedback).


I do have the Pano roof and love it. As for the B&O system, I've heard it and don't feel it is worth the premium cost. The Bermester in the S-Class is a much more refined sounding system IMO. I'm hoping the full redo of the GLS in 2019 (or whenever) includes the standard Bermester system and option upgrade Bermester.

 

Have you thought about adding the 360 camera? My wife is a very careful driver but it comes in handy for parking especially in tight spaces.
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the adaptive/active suspension systems on SUVs. If it was my daily driver, I would have gotten it but our GL is a soccer mom mobil and I drive it when we go anywhere with the family; come to think of it, I would never buy a full size SUV as my daily driver. That's just me. You should test drive one with and without them. I wasn't really impressed with both of those systems. Heavy SUVs were not made to take corners at high speeds, JMO. There is a noticeable difference, though may be not very drastic, but you can tell. Check it our for yourself.
As for the pano roof, we've had it on other MB vehicles. With the kids always staring at their phones and iPads, no one looks outside anymore so I don't spend money on those options. Lastly, when testing out the sound system, make sure you test it while you are cruising at highway speeds. Though the GL is very quiet, see how it sounds with the road noise. I haven't heard the B&O system on the GL, but on other vehicles I've tested, it wasn't worth the $$$. For a fraction of the cost, you can get a much better sounding after market system.

 

Personally, the most significant option I notice and appreciate daily is the designo interior.

While parktronic, drivers assist, pano, appearance pack and other " standard" options are nice, the designo options takes the interior and truck to another level.

Lighting package, gotta have that also.

Active curve did nothing for me. It's a truck. You'll still be out cornered by a Honda Accord,

 

First of all, thanks for all of the comments/thoughts.

My thinking agrees with a lot of yours. This will primarily be my wife's vehicle and we still have four kids at home ages 15 down to 6 (the oldest is 18 and leaving for college, so she doesn't count). This will be the vehicle's primary use.

Is this the Surround View System that is part of the Parking Assist Package? If so, then yes. We are getting all of the other packages and options I didn't ask about (except, also, we are not getting the designo interior: kids). If no, then I am interested and will need to find out the option code to get it included.

I have this feature on my 5er and it is my favorite feature. I only park in end parking spaces and I like to park a few inches from the curb without scraping the wheels to avoid door bangs from the neighbor parking next to me. This feature makes this a breeze and I'm hoping my wife will pickup on this good habit

I would love to test drive a GL with and without this feature, back to back, but the dealerships, at least the two where I live, don't stock GL's with the Active Curve option. I suppose I could test drive a GL63, but I'm afraid it would be difficult to get a true feel for it because the GL63 has a wider stance and larger wheels (if I understand correctly).

 

Thanks for the thoughts on this. We also *love* this option. But we still have young kids. We'll add an option like this on the next one.

This is how we currently feel. I've test driven the GL several times and didn't notice turning being much of a problem without Active Curve but then it's been a while since we've test driven one so I really can't remember.

I'm assuming it turns fine for an SUV without Active Curve when driving normal freeway. We do have freeway out here that has a posted speed limit of 80, so hopefully those who have experience driving the GL in the 80-90 speed range on winding freeway without Active Curve will chime in.

 

The black designo is rather kid friendly.

I have 3 children, 7-10 years old. The designo options I find desirable really aren't in reach of the children, they are mostly upfront, such as the covered dash, lower leather panels, and the stitching/weave/feel of the seats themselves.

If they're going to damage a designo interior, the potential to damage a standard black seating surface is there also. I don't think one is more durable than the other.
Color choice, that is another discussion when kids are a concern.

 

I would definitely get the lighting package. It makes a HUGE difference at night. The standard halogens are almost useless. I had to spend extra time and money to upgrade my lights to bi-xenons (and the installation was not easy).

 

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. It helps to bounce this stuff off people to get a sanity check.

I finalized the order today. It should arrive the first week of July. Already, I can hardly wait! And most importantly, my wife is stoked and is excited and asking questions ("Does it <blah blah>?")!

Here's the config I went with:

GL450

149 - Polar White
205 - Almond Beige Leather
H09 - Brown Satin Ash Wood Trim

Packages

P01 - Premium 1 Package
319 - Lighting Package
322 - Appearance Package
581 - 3-Zone Automatic Climate Control
980 - Accessory Chrome Package
996 - Parking Assistance Package
997 - Driving Assistance Package

Options

289 - Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
297 - 2nd row seats manual sunshades
399 - Multi-contour driver / passenger seat with massage and comfort headrests
401 - Ventilated front seats
550 - Trailer Hitch
810 - harmon/kardon sound system
864 - Rear-seat entertainment
883 - Soft-close doors

Special Order Options

214 - Adaptive Damping System
282 - Reat-seat center-armrest pass-through
293 - Rear side air bags
875 - Heated Windshield Washer Reservoir
U09 - MB-Tex lower wrapped dashboard, MB-Tex wrapped upper door panels, and contrast stitching

 

My 2 cents :- I believe you are in Colorado and winter up there is bad so I would recommend getting heated windshield washer system as you already had the Special ordered charged so why not another couple of hundred bucks and get what is really needed in winter.

And the way your build looks it is awesome so you already stretched out yourself a lot so why not go for a GL550 for few extra $$$$

Thanks

 

Awesome build. You'll love it. If you drove it a lot, I would recommend active curve or moving up to the 550 but I think for your wife, it will be a very comfortable and safe vehicle to drive.

The best option on the car is the Driver Assistance Package. I turn the lane departure stuff off but the other functions are incredible. The radar is like having an extra set of eyes on the road even when the cruise is off. You'll be glad you purchased it for your wife to drive your kids around in. If someone slams on their brakes in front of you, if you don't start braking, it will tell you to and if it is a panic stop, the car takes over the braking the second you touch the brake pedal to make sure the vehicle stops adequately.

 

Haha, good call. Actually, I *did* order the heated washer system It was a last minute addition, so I forgot to list it here.

Regarding the GL550, a similarly configured GL550 was about 97K MSRP. This GL450 will be about 89K MSRP. Since we are leasing, the 8K price difference and the residual being so much lower on the GL550 meant the monthly would have been several hundred dollars more.

I really wanted one and pushed for it, but my wife didn't. Since she is the primary driver of this vehicle, I wanted to go with what she wanted.

Admittedly, there was a psychological factor in her not wanting the GL550. We are getting the GL450 for a lease cost of about $1,000 under invoice, which means the monthly will be well under $1,000 with 10 MSD's.

We probably would have gotten the same deal on the GL550. So making that assumption, the monthly on the GL550 would have been well over $1,000/month.

I think she was a bit spooked by this. We've never paid more than $1,000/month for a vehicle and it was a bit of an uncomfortable precedent to set.

But, she did agree that we could consider the GL550 next time. So, you know, "there's always next time."

 

I just switched from a 14 450 to a 15 550 and the advice I would give is that anyone considering a fully optioned 450 WITH Active Curve should just go to the 550 without Active Curve. The 550 handles completely different from the 450. It has a much much firmer ride with way less body roll even without Active Curve. The engine is unbelievable.

 

You'll love it. Congrats.

 

Nice list of options! Bit late with my reply but park assist does have the 360 camera. Congrats and enjoy.

 

I have a similar feature on my BMW 550 and have loved it. I agree, this is one of the best features you can get not only for convenience but for safety.

It makes texting while driving totally safe (Just kidding)