nabzy555

I am currently working abroad and my wife is going to school in Philly....

We have decided to buy a GLK 350 4matic for her and I have a couple of questions

1. I personally love the look of both the AMG package and the Appearance package, however I am worried that the ride quality will suffer with either of these, especially given my wife would prefer a softer ride and being in PA the winters could be potentially harsh....so is there a huge difference in ride quality between the stock rims and the rims from these packages and is winter handling compromised significantly or at all

2. I have noticed on this board that no one has opted for the leather seats is that because the MB TEX is that good, or is it more due to cost

3. Does the rear seat entertainment system have speakers inbuilt or does it purely utilise the wireless headphones, (if no speakers may go for the iPad dock as this option will be for our 3 year old) and can anybody comment on either the RES or iPad dock

3. Finally pricing on Edmunds indicates I should be paying approx 500 over invoice, would that be what I should be aiming for

TIA

Kevin R

I haven't ridden on both to confirm but I doubt there will be much of a ride difference between the 19 and 20 inch wheel setups. If the winters are harsh over there you might want to consider getting a set of proper snow tires on 17 or 18 inch wheels for winter use anyways.

Hopefully someone who has tried both can chime in.

kozak79

If you care about the ride then don't get the AMG or Appearance Package. I would get the lighting and premium packages.

I didn't get leather because I felt $2000 was not worth it and after checking out the MB Tex, I new I wouldn't miss the leather.

N91K

I chose looks over comfort going with the AMG package, it depends on what your priority is and I haven't tried the standard wheels so I don't actually know the difference. I chose the MB tex because of price but I must admit that I regret it a little bit because of my black interior slowly turning to lighter grey. I'm not sure why that is happening or maybe it's normal. I might just be a perfectionist. Lol.

grane

The 2013s we tested handled crisply with standard 19" rims and tires. The sales manager joked that he loves 20" rims because he sells a lot of "insurance" on them.

Having lived in Philly, I think you'll have fewer headaches with the 19" rims and tires.

boylston

I bought the car for its looks and find that the Appearance Package enhances them. I live in the city but don't find a noticeable difference in ride between the 19" and 20". I didn't get leather because I bought off the lot- I don't think that they had one with leather. Leather is nice but it doesn't look that different. I had 17" wheels on my 2010 C300. On my last three cars I had wheel insurance and it paid for itself every time. Highly recommended.

venchka

The Minister of Finance & Keeper of the Purse Strings (a.k.a. - SWMBO) has a few requirements in a vehicle. Leather is a given. Case closed. 'Nuff said.
As for the Appearance Package: That was one of my requirements.
We are both pleased. However, we drive mostly in Texas. Texas takes care of it's roads.
YMMV.

Wayne

rmfnla

Leather is not commonly found in this model... not sure if it is the price point or the off-road sporting aspect, but you just don't see GLKs with that option.

Fortunately yes, MB Tex is that good, so you won't really miss it.

ralawren

I am on my third MB TEX car and am very satisfied. It is not suppe but loos like the other enty level leather pkgs in Acuras, BMW 3 series and Volvos. My passengers don't know it is man made unless on tell hem.

I suggest you use the money for a set of wintr wheels and tires. Especially if you buy used OEM wheels. This gives you an extra set in case of damage. Instead of wheel insurance I bought a second set of used wheels. Much better value!

3.5L

A review I read on R/T or M/T indicated that the 20" wheel package was noticeably noisier than the standard 19" package. I'm very satisfied with our stock 19" package, but you should probably do your own research on this issue.

I've never owned a vehicle with leather, but the MB in my GLK is very nice; no complaints, even with the heated seat option.

3.5L

JALLEN4

I have two cars with MB Tex and live in Florida where the heat and humidity in the summer can be extreme. Never a problem with the Tex even on a black interior. Your wife will thank you when she finds how easy it is to clean and care for.

I was a Cadillac dealer for twenty years and looked at thousands of older Mercedes with both leather and Tex over the years. The Tex cars always had a great interior even when the rest of the car was totally beat. Leather not so much.

QSHIP

Tex is better,less maintenance and last longer. Just like a wash n wear item.

Fung63

my c63 is all leather... while i like the smell and the softness, my wife's glk with tex is perfect. durable and comfortable. plus it is a suv after all, we use it as our grocery shopper so it needs to be able to handle some abuse.

rmfnla

We actually bought our GLK for the dog (really!) so leather was not a big priority.

The MB Tex is still slippery so I ended up putting a fabric seat cover on the back seat... now everone's happy!

grane

The leather on the 13 GLK is more like a designo package. We love it. (We've owned MB Tex cars in the past and like those too.)

Many dealers have a hard time comprehending and selling designo in the higher end cars.

They also see the GLK as sort of an entry level car in price competition with the pretenders so they order many without MB amenities.

NYCGLK

1. I have 20s and when I get loaner with 19s the ride is better. Also 20s are VERY easy to scuff. I only have 2 scuffs but I don't drive a lot and very careful and still managed 2.

2. MB Tex holds up great with minimal maintenance, leather has to be taken care off. Unless you order it's hard to find real leather in any C/GLK/ML.

3. Don't know

4. I paid invoice 4 years ago, some paid less. I read MB gives up to 3500 for new GLK, so you might be able to get it under invoice.

nabzy555

However (and this pains me as a Benz fan) after test driving the GLK, Q5, and x3 my wife and I both rated the GLK last out of the 3 vehicles. Sadly the GLK felt rather cramped and as someone who sat in back seat in all 3 drives it gave me a rather cheap feeling in terms of quality of materials and fit and finish compared with the other two.

For those who maybe interested we had a tough time deciding between the other 2, we thought the X3 was the best overall deal dollar for dollar given the price with incentives, plus free maintenance while the Q5 was more of a desirable car given new engine, quality feel, overall looks/shape. However the wife really wants blind spot assist option which the X3 does not offer, sadly the only Q5 model to offer this is the priciest prestige model with new 6 cylinder engine so that's the one we shall ultimately order.

Thanks again.

mitmoht

Choices to include X3, Q5, and GLK. X3 out because have 335i. Q5 looks very nice inside and great panoramic sunroof and sliding shade, but GLK exterior looks nicer and more aggressive/ sporty.

Got Mtex. Their man leather is much much better than other's man leather.
Wife has the 20". Ride is still smooth and quiet (probably more because of MB sound proofing) and looks nicer than 19".

rmfnla

Don't forget, the X3 base comes with a 3.0... the 3.5 upgrade is about $6K!