Hello,

After being unable to find one with the options I wanted, I just ordered a new GLS! I was hoping someone who currently has one or custom ordered one has any advice or information I should know about before they lock in my options/selections. I got it pretty much loaded with all the options except for a few.

I have ordered a Mercedes once before and it had this problem where because of one of the options, the passenger side seat head rest was not automatic and had a fake button.

I just want to avoid anything like this that they don't tell you about.

Thanks!

 

Hi Senatov. Can you list what options you did order? And which model of GLS (450/550/63)?

 

GLS 450.

 

did they tell you when you will be getting your car? what is the build date?

I just placed an order 2 weeks ago, my build date is August and should be getting my car late August to early September

 

6 weeks.

 

Very well equipped. You should give thought to adding Active Curve. It really does work as advertised.

 

I'll think about that. I was really hoping I would not have to build. I remember years ago you could just walk in and pick out a car. Nowadays there are 2 vehicles in the country with a particular option. I still think it was the right choice at this price point to get what I wanted.

 

Does automatic second row fold-down seats change the type of seat they put in the second row? Or does it just automate the folding down of the seat backrest and seat?

Thanks

 

The 3rd row is no different with or without the auto fold.

 

Sorry I meant the second row because I ordered that feature too. It's the easy 3rd row entry.

 

The only visible difference is the headrest is spring-loaded to stay in the out position so it can be folded when the EASY ENTRY button is pressed. Otherwise, it looks the same as the standard seat. I'm surprised your dealer didn't have a GLS or GL on the lot with this option to show you how it works.

 

They did but I never compared the seats with a car that didn't have it. I remember seeing the spring headrests and didn't have a problem with them.

 

What was your experience with ordering the car? Did you try to find one with the options you want first, not find one and order, or did you just custom order right away? I was amazed at how limited some of the options I wanted were. I mean, 99% of these cars come with trailer hitches, something few people use, but then if you want grey leather, 1 car in the country has it.

 

1) Add Lighting Package - unless I missed that when I scanned your specs.

2) Trailer hitch is VERY useful feature - since it provides much added passenger protection in the event of rear end collision.

4) Please understand for Pano roof option - if I read that correctly - very factory limited and unless the dealer already has a existing production slot including Pano with the factory for end-July - a fresh/new dealer order w/Pano confirmed today most "likely" be 1st/2nd decade September production

Keep the beat !

 

I ordered my GLS550 as soon as it was possible to order so it went smoothly. I order my previous GL550 that I traded and that went smoothly as well. Keep Fab's post in mind about the Pano roof if you want one sooner rather than later. Personally, I would never order a GLS with out it.

 

I want to keep the Pano roof since I custom ordered to have more features, not less. The dealer said something about it being a "retail order" and that this would make it arrive more quickly.

The last time I ordered a Mercedes, it was the ML and I got 2 of them. One had MB-tex and the other had leather with ventilated seats. The one with leather had this problem where the headrest button for the passenger side was a stationary button, and the headrest could only be adjusted manually. The car with MB-tex did not have this problem. The dealer had no idea either. I felt like it has something to do with ventilated seats, but I'm just guessing. Since this car has the same setup, would it make sense that this one would have this problem due to a package incompatibility, or does it sound like a factory mess up?

Thanks.

 

1) Ask your dealer what the scheduled factory build date is for your specific rig - with Pano roof - for order placed last week - "6 weeks" may not be the case - they "should" answer "scheduled for 1st/2nd/3rd "decade of June/July/August"

2) The ask what the "normal" delivery time from the factory is to the dealership

3) You are ordering a GLS - you won't have the passenger headrest issue - however ask them is passenger seat has memory or not - and they can give you clear answerr

4) The salesman cannot pull s apsce sheet on your order from his side of the system - yet - because it's a 17 too early before formal release. However dealer CAN email you copy of their PO request to confirm they have ordered the options you wanted

Keep the beat !

 

I have a GLS450 on order & am new here. I'm curious as to what the "headrest issue" is. I pulled up an owner's manual online & it shows both front seats have the memory function.

Am I missing something?

Thanks

 

I once ordered the smaller version of this and when it came in from the factory it had this problem where the button to adjust the headrest on the passenger side was a fake button and you had to manually adjust the headrest. The dealer had no idea what the problem was, and told me it might have something to do with ventilated seats.

This time around, the GLS I test drove had ventilated seats and an automated headrest, so I guess it was just some factory error with mine. I never got a definitive answer as to why that happened, and wanted to make sure my configured options weren't somehow causing it.

 

I'm going to order also as I want Active Curve, and extra airbags in the 2nd row but without pano and RSES- a combo that I'll never find on a lot. What kind of discount off MSRP are people getting on GL550's?

 

With Mercedes San Diego, Mercedes El Cajon, Hoehn Mercedes in Carlsbad, and Mercedes Escondido - all within 45 minutes - you are in a prime SoCal spot to ask..

If you're not USAA - then consider joining Penfed - google and you can get a non-profit membership that qualifies you for PenFed - almost done for under $100 - which gives you in hand Penfed Fleet discount to lever into your deal - if you're considering purchase then you have Penfed comp rates to balance the dealer for aggressive rates.

As compared to GL550's last year - the number of GLS550's for this year built will be about the same - Mercedes growth is coming from more models - not necessarily "more" of any particular model.

So, have the PenFed tools on your side - then you have four quite competitive dealers within 45 min..

Timing on a GL550 - from now/mid-July into mid-August all four of those dealers will have open/changeable build slots mid-Sept into October.. going forward from end-Aug into Sept - factory lead-time will get progressively longer, and changeable build-slots will start "drying up" for this calendar year - as they "dry-up" you will be in less of a competitive position with the 4 dealers you have at hand.

Just trying to be helpful..

 

You're always helpful Fab. I still use your referral Franz in Escondido to service my E63. Thanks for your help.


The last time I came close to ordering a GL550 I was offered 6% off MSRP. Are those type of deals still around?