Just Committed to Purchase 2013 GL550. Missing Anything Big?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
Just Committed to Purchase 2013 GL550. Missing Anything Big?
Hi Everybody,
I'm fairly new to Mercedes, and just wanted to make sure the GL550 I just secured for my wife isn't missing any major options. I agreed to purchase the car pending inspection because it isn't local. I'd appreciate your expertise. It's a very early build, explained by the "MAJOR TEST VEHICLE" options code, but otherwise looks well optioned to me. Thanks!
2013 GL550
Bright Silver Metallic/Gray
25K Miles
6/29/2012 Build Date
Options:
233 AUTONOMOUS INT. CRUISE CONT. PLUS (DISTRONIC PLUS)
235 ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
237 ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST
238 ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST (FAP)
23P DRIVING PACKAGE
430 OFFROAD PACKAGE
468 ACTIVE DRIVING STABILITY (ARS)
501 360 DEGREE VIEWING SYSTEM (SURROUND VIEW
550 TRAILER COUPLING
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
610 NIGHT VIEW ASSIST
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
845 THIRD SEAT ROW, ELECTRICALLY FOLDABLE
866 PREINSTALLATION, REAR ENTERTAINMENT
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
889 KEYLESS - GO
P35 LIGHT PACKAGE (FFO)
I'm fairly new to Mercedes, and just wanted to make sure the GL550 I just secured for my wife isn't missing any major options. I agreed to purchase the car pending inspection because it isn't local. I'd appreciate your expertise. It's a very early build, explained by the "MAJOR TEST VEHICLE" options code, but otherwise looks well optioned to me. Thanks!
2013 GL550
Bright Silver Metallic/Gray
25K Miles
6/29/2012 Build Date
Options:
233 AUTONOMOUS INT. CRUISE CONT. PLUS (DISTRONIC PLUS)
235 ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
237 ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST
238 ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST (FAP)
23P DRIVING PACKAGE
430 OFFROAD PACKAGE
468 ACTIVE DRIVING STABILITY (ARS)
501 360 DEGREE VIEWING SYSTEM (SURROUND VIEW
550 TRAILER COUPLING
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
610 NIGHT VIEW ASSIST
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
845 THIRD SEAT ROW, ELECTRICALLY FOLDABLE
866 PREINSTALLATION, REAR ENTERTAINMENT
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
889 KEYLESS - GO
P35 LIGHT PACKAGE (FFO)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,433
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From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
Hi,
It looks nice. It must be one of the first cars in this series!
I generally try to avoid first 1-2 years of production.
Look up model year updates and fixes and check if, and what has been fixed by MB previously.
Good luck!
It looks nice. It must be one of the first cars in this series!
I generally try to avoid first 1-2 years of production.
Look up model year updates and fixes and check if, and what has been fixed by MB previously.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
Originally Posted by Jan AMG
Hi,
It looks nice. It must be one of the first cars in this series!
I generally try to avoid first 1-2 years of production.
Look up model year updates and fixes and check if, and what has been fixed by MB previously.
Good luck!
It looks nice. It must be one of the first cars in this series!
I generally try to avoid first 1-2 years of production.
Look up model year updates and fixes and check if, and what has been fixed by MB previously.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
Originally Posted by TristarGL450
I have a 13 with the black headliner option. Looks really sharp with the gray leather. Yours is extremely well optioned, though!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 241
From: Usa
mgLipGD
Have a fairly early run car too but not as early as this one. Active Curve option 468 was the hardest to find on a 550. Active Curve is great for such a big and heavy car. We didn’t really need the off road package but nice bonus for you. The night vision I haven’t tried on a Benz but heard it’s that that great.
Issues? At 85k miles now have had steering rack replaced was $3k under warranty. The intake tubes fall apart due to heat and are really horrible, had one replaced again under warranty. The fuel level sensor was, and I quote the Benz repair order “eaten by a critter”, but under warranty. The there was a vacuum line to a turbo that got torn or something which resulted in lost pressure and lack of performance. Can be an issue on early models as they made changes later on. There is also a chain tensioner clatter on cold starts on early models. Resolved on later models. Can have fixed by a check valve being installed.
All issues covered under warranty if out of warranty $$$ if done at the dealer. Having a friend who works at the factory and can tear the car down quickly since he builds them has been great. Added our heated and cooled cup holders just like it came from the factory. Plus the black emblems straight from the factory. Still love the car and love driving it. I have had the car tuned, catless downpipes and some other fun mods. Have a thread on some mods but need to update it, it’s titles “Panda Build”.
Issues? At 85k miles now have had steering rack replaced was $3k under warranty. The intake tubes fall apart due to heat and are really horrible, had one replaced again under warranty. The fuel level sensor was, and I quote the Benz repair order “eaten by a critter”, but under warranty. The there was a vacuum line to a turbo that got torn or something which resulted in lost pressure and lack of performance. Can be an issue on early models as they made changes later on. There is also a chain tensioner clatter on cold starts on early models. Resolved on later models. Can have fixed by a check valve being installed.
All issues covered under warranty if out of warranty $$$ if done at the dealer. Having a friend who works at the factory and can tear the car down quickly since he builds them has been great. Added our heated and cooled cup holders just like it came from the factory. Plus the black emblems straight from the factory. Still love the car and love driving it. I have had the car tuned, catless downpipes and some other fun mods. Have a thread on some mods but need to update it, it’s titles “Panda Build”.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
Originally Posted by black06c230
Have a fairly early run car too but not as early as this one. Active Curve option 468 was the hardest to find on a 550. Active Curve is great for such a big and heavy car. We didn’t really need the off road package but nice bonus for you. The night vision I haven’t tried on a Benz but heard it’s that that great.
Issues? At 85k miles now have had steering rack replaced was $3k under warranty. The intake tubes fall apart due to heat and are really horrible, had one replaced again under warranty. The fuel level sensor was, and I quote the Benz repair order “eaten by a critter”, but under warranty. The there was a vacuum line to a turbo that got torn or something which resulted in lost pressure and lack of performance. Can be an issue on early models as they made changes later on. There is also a chain tensioner clatter on cold starts on early models. Resolved on later models. Can have fixed by a check valve being installed.
All issues covered under warranty if out of warranty $$$ if done at the dealer. Having a friend who works at the factory and can tear the car down quickly since he builds them has been great. Added our heated and cooled cup holders just like it came from the factory. Plus the black emblems straight from the factory. Still love the car and love driving it. I have had the car tuned, catless downpipes and some other fun mods. Have a thread on some mods but need to update it, it’s titles “Panda Build”.
Issues? At 85k miles now have had steering rack replaced was $3k under warranty. The intake tubes fall apart due to heat and are really horrible, had one replaced again under warranty. The fuel level sensor was, and I quote the Benz repair order “eaten by a critter”, but under warranty. The there was a vacuum line to a turbo that got torn or something which resulted in lost pressure and lack of performance. Can be an issue on early models as they made changes later on. There is also a chain tensioner clatter on cold starts on early models. Resolved on later models. Can have fixed by a check valve being installed.
All issues covered under warranty if out of warranty $$$ if done at the dealer. Having a friend who works at the factory and can tear the car down quickly since he builds them has been great. Added our heated and cooled cup holders just like it came from the factory. Plus the black emblems straight from the factory. Still love the car and love driving it. I have had the car tuned, catless downpipes and some other fun mods. Have a thread on some mods but need to update it, it’s titles “Panda Build”.
Last edited by Dewilmoth; May 20, 2018 at 07:47 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Hi Everybody,
I'm fairly new to Mercedes, and just wanted to make sure the GL550 I just secured for my wife isn't missing any major options. I agreed to purchase the car pending inspection because it isn't local. I'd appreciate your expertise. It's a very early build, explained by the "MAJOR TEST VEHICLE" options code, but otherwise looks well optioned to me. Thanks!
2013 GL550
Bright Silver Metallic/Gray
25K Miles
6/29/2012 Build Date
Options:
233 AUTONOMOUS INT. CRUISE CONT. PLUS (DISTRONIC PLUS)
235 ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
237 ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST
238 ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST (FAP)
23P DRIVING PACKAGE
430 OFFROAD PACKAGE
468 ACTIVE DRIVING STABILITY (ARS)
501 360 DEGREE VIEWING SYSTEM (SURROUND VIEW
550 TRAILER COUPLING
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
610 NIGHT VIEW ASSIST
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
845 THIRD SEAT ROW, ELECTRICALLY FOLDABLE
866 PREINSTALLATION, REAR ENTERTAINMENT
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
889 KEYLESS - GO
P35 LIGHT PACKAGE (FFO)
I'm fairly new to Mercedes, and just wanted to make sure the GL550 I just secured for my wife isn't missing any major options. I agreed to purchase the car pending inspection because it isn't local. I'd appreciate your expertise. It's a very early build, explained by the "MAJOR TEST VEHICLE" options code, but otherwise looks well optioned to me. Thanks!
2013 GL550
Bright Silver Metallic/Gray
25K Miles
6/29/2012 Build Date
Options:
233 AUTONOMOUS INT. CRUISE CONT. PLUS (DISTRONIC PLUS)
235 ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
237 ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST
238 ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST (FAP)
23P DRIVING PACKAGE
430 OFFROAD PACKAGE
468 ACTIVE DRIVING STABILITY (ARS)
501 360 DEGREE VIEWING SYSTEM (SURROUND VIEW
550 TRAILER COUPLING
582 AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
610 NIGHT VIEW ASSIST
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
845 THIRD SEAT ROW, ELECTRICALLY FOLDABLE
866 PREINSTALLATION, REAR ENTERTAINMENT
872 REAR SEAT BENCH HEATING LEFT UND RIGHT
889 KEYLESS - GO
P35 LIGHT PACKAGE (FFO)
Some major options it does not have:
- Designo leather interior
- Bang and Olufsen sound system (killer sound)
- Active Curve
- Rear seat entertainment (the one you're considering is only pre-wired)
- Multi-contour active seats with massage
- Heated and cooled front seats
- real leather interior (it probably only has MB Tex vinyl...which is quite durable)
So it appears to be lacking more than $15k in optional equipment.
Don't be worried about reliability of a 2013 model. They are every bit as reliable or unreliable as later models. The engine and trans have been around since 2010, and the safety systems that come with it have been around at least that long. The engine is easily tune-able to push out more power and torque than the AMG GL63. The low miles will be a plus as long as all of the maintenance has been done at the normal time intervals. Be sure to purchase an after-market warranty on it (preferably exclusionary coverage). You don't want to own one of these without coverage.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
That's a pretty bare bones optioned truck. It has a couple of options that the majority of them don't have, such as the off-road and night view assist....both items that you will likely never use, especially night view since it is worthless and will likely cause you to get into an accident if you do try to use it.
Some major options it does not have:
- Designo leather interior
- Bang and Olufsen sound system (killer sound)
- Active Curve
- Rear seat entertainment (the one you're considering is only pre-wired)
- Multi-contour active seats with massage
- Heated and cooled front seats
- real leather interior (it probably only has MB Tex vinyl...which is quite durable)
So it appears to be lacking more than $15k in optional equipment.
Don't be worried about reliability of a 2013 model. They are every bit as reliable or unreliable as later models. The engine and trans have been around since 2010, and the safety systems that come with it have been around at least that long. The engine is easily tune-able to push out more power and torque than the AMG GL63. The low miles will be a plus as long as all of the maintenance has been done at the normal time intervals. Be sure to purchase an after-market warranty on it (preferably exclusionary coverage). You don't want to own one of these without coverage.
Some major options it does not have:
- Designo leather interior
- Bang and Olufsen sound system (killer sound)
- Active Curve
- Rear seat entertainment (the one you're considering is only pre-wired)
- Multi-contour active seats with massage
- Heated and cooled front seats
- real leather interior (it probably only has MB Tex vinyl...which is quite durable)
So it appears to be lacking more than $15k in optional equipment.
Don't be worried about reliability of a 2013 model. They are every bit as reliable or unreliable as later models. The engine and trans have been around since 2010, and the safety systems that come with it have been around at least that long. The engine is easily tune-able to push out more power and torque than the AMG GL63. The low miles will be a plus as long as all of the maintenance has been done at the normal time intervals. Be sure to purchase an after-market warranty on it (preferably exclusionary coverage). You don't want to own one of these without coverage.
It does have Active Curve (468), unless I'm missing something. It also has the massaging and heated/cooled front seats. No designo or B&O, both of which I'd prefer. But I haven't found any 2013 with them, while also having the trailer hitch and Active curve, which are both requirements for me. The MSRP was just over $100k, and from what I can tell, that's on the higher end. As for the warranty, the CPO warranty expired last week. I wasn't intending on buying a warranty, but you have me rethinking that. Thanks for the info.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
It does have Active Curve (468), unless I'm missing something. It also has the massaging and heated/cooled front seats. No designo or B&O, both of which I'd prefer. But I haven't found any 2013 with them, while also having the trailer hitch and Active curve, which are both requirements for me. The MSRP was just over $100k, and from what I can tell, that's on the higher end. As for the warranty, the CPO warranty expired last week. I wasn't intending on buying a warranty, but you have me rethinking that. Thanks for the info.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
Likes: 12
2016 Viper ACR
Sorry....I must have missed that since you called it Active Driving Stability. The options it doesn't have still totaled about $15k. A fully optioned GL550 back in 2013 was around $120k. But that's fine if it's optioned the way that you like it. My original MSRP with a bit north of $102k with Designo & B&O, but I don't have the off road package, Active Curve, rear seat entertainment, or Night view assist. You found one of the rare ones with NVA, but like I mentioned, it's a worthless option that is dangerous if put into use. GET A WARRANTY! This truck could bury you on potential repair costs without coverage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I recommend that you ask the dealership to print you up a sample policy so that you can read a detailed list of all of the exclusions....not just the brochure that they hand out.
You can also talk with local credit unions and banks in your area to see if any of them sell warranty coverage. Many do.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 52
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2016 Viper ACR
I ended up buying the GL550 I was referring to in the OP, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase. I was very skeptical based on the price and low miles, but it is in showroom condition as promised by the seller. While I have several family members with MB, this is my first, and I can see why people are diehard fans. They are built like tanks. So impressed. Time to go find a GTR to drive.
