Dear all,
I'm currently considering a new GLC 300 to replace my good old Volvo XC90. I've been working with dealers to get quotes and also with the web configurator, but still hesitate between options. Appreciate your guidance and feedback on the following:

- Suspensions
Some say the stock suspensions are OK, others say the Air Body Control is a must have. I have not read a lot of feedback on the Dynamic Body Control and my dealer says it's not a very common option on the GLCs he has sold. I do quite a lot of mountain road and therefore I'm looking for agility rather than comfort. Hence I thought the Dynamic Body Control, which basically if I understood well can only make the suspension stiffer, would be a good choice. Also ABC may be more costly to maintain on the long run (I tend to keep my cars for long time, e.g. my current XC90 is 11 years old). What's your opinion?

- Sound system
I understand this one is super tricky because it's a question of personal preference, but I'm not sure if the Burmester would be a good choice for me. From what I saw on the forums that's probably the most controversial topic about the GLC. I like to listen to loud, electro, pop and rock music, played over bluetooth from my mobile phone (Deezer). As you can imagine I'm not obsessed with high-fidelity. It seems many people are disappointed with the Burmester, which seems to be lacking on power/loudness and bass. If that's the case I prefer to skip it and go for the basic sound system, and perhaps later look for a good aftermarket solution. Your thoughts?

- Navigation
The navigation system here in Switzerland comes as an option, a very costly option: more than $800. My intention is to use Google maps via my phone and Android Auto. Therefore I'm not too sure if I want to spend all that money for something of inferior quality which I will probably never use. I believe all GLCs come with the navigation feature preinstalled, and all what is missing is the SD card with the map, which you can find online at a much cheaper price. Is it still the case for the Phase II GLCs?

Thanks a lot for your answers. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I should be able to sign the purchase order!

 

Sounds like you need extra clearance so get the air suspension.

Burmester is must because base lacks the tweeters and dedicated amp.

Skip the nav. Use Android auto.

Whatever you do make sure you have at least static led headlight.

 

We are quite happy with the Android Auto option, it meets our needs perfectly and has never let us down yet.

 

Excellent, thank you so much for your inputs. @openwheelracing what do you mean at least static led headlight? I only have the option to upgrade the default lights with the "multibeam" which looks way too expensive. Can you elaborate?

Also one more question: SWMBO wants the car to be black. It's OK for me (I would have preferred silver though) but I'm wondering if there is any reason to choose the metallic paint over the standard black paint... Your opinion?

 

Just ensure you have LED headlights. Not halogen.

I don't like black cars, so I vote neither. If I had to, I would choose the base black and put two coats of ceramic coating immediately. Black is too hard to keep clean. White car only in my family.

 

You are getting the faclifted version though? My dealer said that deliveries will be in late summer/fall and it comes new engines, mbux and more modern looking headlights. If you are buying a pre owned you can discount what I just said, but dont order a pre facelift when the facelift has been unveiled and is coming very soon (some dealers have already gotten demo cars in Sweden)

I would go for the burmester and have an aftermarket subwoofer installed, that is really what the burmester is lacking as the highs and mids are fine, Mercedes uses what they call frontbass (look it up) for lows and it is not good to be honest. Skip the navigation and go for smartphone integration then you can use maps or waze on the media screen.

Regarding suspension it is hard to say, some feel no difference with abc and some cant live without it, I would recommend trying all suspension setups. The standard passive system is adequate though.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I'm going for a facelift version. Here in Switzerland it comes with LED headlights by default. I'm definitely going for the Burmester, way better than the stock sound system.

 

Think they meant get the steering responsive LED headlights. Yes, get the Burmester too.

 

Unless you want the Driver Assistance Package? seems it requires the Multimedia Package? Or is this just an issue in the US?