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...I had absolutely no plans to get rid of my C450 (and then some...)... but unfortunately my aging SUV had alternate plans. Initially, the plan was to replace the SUV with an E63S wagon and keep the 450. My only requirements were all-wheel drive (and to be honest 4MATIC+ was all that I was really interested in), designo interior (specifically the diamond stitching), and V8 (aka AMG).
I got to drive in the E63 sales demo vehicle (notice how this wasn't an "S" variant, so this vehicle was never sold in the U.S. and was actually destroyed after the national tour). That was fun (even though I didn't get to drive it). And I was 100% on board with the E63S.
Sadly, no designo for the E63S... the E300, yes... the E400, yes... the E63S, not today.
I was pretty excited when they announced the GLC63's with the same variable all-wheel drive as the E63S'. GLC63S SUV here I come! ...Wait...what? The SUV only gets the "non-S" variant? Seriously?? Who is running the U.S. leg of this parade? Please take yourself off of auto-pilot. (Having the SUV and coupe compete against each other might be the dumbest move that I have seen).
No E63S and no GLC63S... as Ralphie put it "skunked again."
Unreal
Well, after months of being content in my effort to refrain from forking over large sums of money to Mercedes, my reliable Dodge Durango RT started to show it's age. I decided the GLC63 was the way to go... For those at Mercedes International and Mercedes USA that are keeping score, that's the cheapest option that I was considering (mainly because of the questionable choices made).
Since I wanted the designo interior, I had two options: Black, or Platinum White with Black. That's when I decided that I would downsize and merge two vehicles into one. I could get the exact same interior as the 450 but in an SUV (and remove two vehicles from the garage in the process). This way I will have room for the GT73S 4-door, when it comes out (but if the wife asks - you didn't hear that from me).
I started my search through this Perks at Work program which uses TRUECar to search car inventories. Ultimately, I was paired up with a dealership a few hours away in Akron, OH (so, none of the dealerships in PA, except for some around Philly participated in the TRUECar network).
I would have to say that one of the best parts of this entire experience was being directed to Mercedes of Akron (part of Ganley Automotive Group) where I ultimately started working with Alan Fejes (AFejes@ganleyauto.com). Alan has been nothing but a pleasure to work with. The one thing that you will immediately notice about Alan is that he is a car guy first and a salesmen second. He wanted to talk about the car... and that was welcome, refreshing, and unexpected... I would 100% recommend going to Alan, no question.
My initial spec was no where to be found in the country, so I started down the path of building a MY19. Considering the wait for a MY19 build and the likelihood that my Durango would survive the wait, I finally just asked "are there any GLC63's with the platinum designo interiors (any color exterior) available?"
And the answer was "There are 3 in the country, a regular black, obsidian black and diamond white. Both of the black ones are in California."
About a week later, I asked for specs on the white one and it really was just about everything that I would have built into the MY19 (without the wait). Alan gave me a great deal, I sold the C450, drove to Akron, and picked up the GLC.
I've been trying to adhere to some semblance of a break-in-period, but... wow, this monster doesn't want to be on a leash.
OK.....Stop. I had just changed into a nice new clean t-shirt and now I've drooled all over it and have to change again! Those wheels are so cool as is the rest of the car! We've been friends here a long time now, so as your friend, I'm very jealous, but truly happy for you!!
OK.....Stop. I had just changed into a nice new clean t-shirt and now I've drooled all over it and have to change again! Those wheels are so cool as is the rest of the car! We've been friends here a long time now, so as your friend, I'm very jealous, but truly happy for you!!
Thanks man! (I'm trying not to picture that shirt! )
Awesome, the white with those black rims looks amazing. Congrats! I’m personally not into the designo interior, but I’m sure it looks good. I agree on the stupidity of MB not giving the “S” to the SUV for the USA...and don’t get me started on the lack of Apple Car Play/Android Auto with COMAND (Multimedia Package). On the plus side, it’s saved me from trading in my less than a year old GLC43 for one. Perhaps, I’ll succumb to that dumb financial decision in 2020. Enjoy the break-in period and more so after that.
Awesome, the white with those black rims looks amazing. Congrats! I’m personally not into the designo interior, but I’m sure it looks good. I agree on the stupidity of MB not giving the “S” to the SUV for the USA...and don’t get me started on the lack of Apple Car Play/Android Auto with COMAND (Multimedia Package). On the plus side, it’s saved me from trading in my less than a year old GLC43 for one. Perhaps, I’ll succumb to that dumb financial decision in 2020. Enjoy the break-in period and more so after that.
Son-of-a! how do I go on a rant and completely forget the Apple Car Play / Android Auto debacle? Thanks man, good catch. Since I ended up not building, I ignored that whole mess.
Son-of-a! how do I go on a rant and completely forget the Apple Car Play / Android Auto debacle? Thanks man, good catch. Since I ended up not building, I ignored that whole mess.
That's the singular reason I didn't go for a fully loaded GLC. I think the GLC size is perfect and it's a great car. How they could in 2019, not include Apple Car Play/Android Auto WITH Comand in a modern, new Benz is unbelievable to me.
That white with the night package exterior bits looks really good. I wish I could have hold off on getting the GLC43 in 2017 but there was no way I was waiting another 1 year and 4 months for the 63. Super jealous of you 63 guys. The good thing is that since Mercedes hasn't added the car play, "S" option, or digital dash yet, then I can feel comfortable in waiting for the 2020, just in time for my lease to be over and step into a 63.
Mercedes dealerships around me are pricing the SUV version very aggressive. I found one the other day not to far from me on sale internet price of $76,000. My spec'd GLC was $71,500. Like wtf.
Now, what year was the Durango R/T and what happened to it? My 2015 has been phenomenal and we are at 63k miles now, not even the ridiculous water pump plaque.
My Jeep SRT on the other hand has divorced almost all the carbon fiber trims on the doors and dash, water pump replaced at 42k miles and rear tailgate electronic strut just died at 66k miles. That is what i am giving up for my GLC.
That white with the night package exterior bits looks really good. I wish I could have hold off on getting the GLC43 in 2017 but there was no way I was waiting another 1 year and 4 months for the 63. Super jealous of you 63 guys. The good thing is that since Mercedes hasn't added the car play, "S" option, or digital dash yet, then I can feel comfortable in waiting for the 2020, just in time for my lease to be over and step into a 63.
Mercedes dealerships around me are pricing the SUV version very aggressive. I found one the other day not to far from me on sale internet price of $76,000. My spec'd GLC was $71,500. Like wtf.
That's what I was thinking... I figured, screw it, I'm getting this one that is available right now.
Now, what year was the Durango R/T and what happened to it? My 2015 has been phenomenal and we are at 63k miles now, not even the ridiculous water pump plaque.
My Jeep SRT on the other hand has divorced almost all the carbon fiber trims on the doors and dash, water pump replaced at 42k miles and rear tailgate electronic strut just died at 66k miles. That is what i am giving up for my GLC.
Thanks man!
So the Durango is pretty old school, it's a 2002 that I got right after 9/11 when the rates all dropped to zero. Exterior-wise, it still looks great (same with the interior) and there are not an extraordinary number of miles on it (somewhere in the 90K range), but it's seen some better days. Something from the engine is smelling a little off, and I think I had something chew through the break line and put a really small hole in it. It also needs tires. If I can track down the leak in the break line, I might be able to fix that and get it past an inspection but tires could be a deal breaker.
Not answering for him, but if you read the story, he didn't build this car. It was already built and he only had a couple options available in the entire country that met most of his requirements.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
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