thenew3

So negotiations for a new 17 GLS450 fell through. We are now looking for a CPO with less than 30k miles. Going through the inventory on MBUSA, it seems all the CPO are missing one or more options that we want.

So I'm checking here to see if anyone knows if any of these things can be retrofitted and at what cost.

Things we are looking for,
1) Trailer hitch (for bike rack)
2) Second row sun shade.

Can either of these be installed (with either OEM or after market parts)? Does the sun shade just fit into the plastic window frame so can it be bought and installed myself?

Also for those without the 3rd row vents, does it get hot in the 3rd row on long trips during the summer?
Currently have a E350 wagon with the rear facing 3rd row without any AC vents in the 3rd row. Kids who get stuck in the 3rd row complain that it's too hot after just 1/2 hour back there. (this is on an 80 degree day).
Since the GLS will fit adults in the 3rd row, want to make sure it's comfortable on long road trips on hot days (100+ degree). It seems not many GLS 450 have the 3 zone option with the 3rd row vent. (is it standard on the 550?).

Thanks!

fabbrisd1

Well... 1st things 1st... the key option you have mentioned is 3rd-zone climate control - and frankly that overtrumps both yout other two - depending on exact confoguration adds power 3rd row quarter windows (driver controlled)

1. Trailer hitch for bike rack can be added affordably for like at/under $350 at any U-Haul installation center, They order in the correct Curt hitch - install - all righteous.

2. 2nd row side shades - MB version not available as add-on - but a whole TON of just-as-effective equivalents are available in the general market place. Most MB side window shades for family day-to-day hauling - sh*t the MB sunshade gets broken - kids are kids...

thenew3

Thanks for the info. On the E350, the pull up shade is just part of the inner door trim and the plastic window surround. If you have right part # you can order and install yourself. I was hoping (haven't seen it in person but looking at online pictures) that the GLS would be similar and that it's just part of the plastic around the window/door frame and can be ordered and replaced.

Does the rear bumper have to be cut or modified to fit the uhaul hitch? Is there not an OEM option that maybe the dealer can install (or self install with dealer part?).

I think you are correct that the key thing is the 3rd row vent. I doubt that can be retrofitted. So will have to find a CPO with that option. (Is that standard on the GLS550 or is it optional on the 550 as well?). Might only focus on the 550 if it's standard on the 550.

c4004matic

Adding opening windows to the rear would be ridiculously expensive. The third row has ac vents which should suffice for all conditions except running with the ac off. Adding oem shades is probably expensive too but not as much as in sedans. The shade on the GLS sit on the window pillar rather than the door so maybe all that needs to be change is that portion of the trim. In sedans the whole door panel is different making it ridiculously expensive. Either way its probably much simpler and cheaper to go after market. You can call uhaul for the hitch installatioon instructions or they me available online.

thenew3

Thanks for the info. I guess best bet is to keep looking for that CPO with all the options I want to save headaches and $$. I don't know why so many people spend $80k on a GLS450 but don't get the lightning package.

Strafzettel

Not everybody cares about it and it's not fun to wait 3+ months for a custom order

fabbrisd1

Well... yes, the SUV sun-shades are vertical/roling our from B-pillar - the rear "issue" is the "hook" end of the shade - which to me (and to my customers) not as rugged as the sedan shades.

Lighting package and/or/both 3rd zone climate control are the two "key" features - and yes - by and large the GLS550 takes care of both of those - subject to confirmation on the exact rig you're looking at.

Frankly - based on planned miles-per-yr you might enjoy build-to-order-and-lease vrs pre-owned-with-exact-detailed-features-my-wife-says-she-wants

thenew3

We were going to order a new 2017 GLS450 a few months ago, negotiations were done then when we went in to sign paper work and put down deposit, dealer suddenly raised price by $3k without explanation so we left.
Looking at our usage, we really had a hard time justifying purchasing a new one. We only do about 5k to 7k miles a year. A 2 year or so GL/GLS 450/550 is about 25k to 30k off original price. We think that's a much better deal for us.
The hard part is finding one with all the options we want. We've always bought new and almost always ordered the cars with the options we wanted. But that was easy to justify when we used to drive anywhere from 30k to 50k miles a year. Now we are much closer to work and do a combined 12k between our two cars.

For the price of an entry level GLS450 brand new, we can get into a well equipped 2 year old GLS550 with only 20k or so miles. I think I would enjoy the V8 much more than the V6.

I guess just have to stay patient and hope to find the unicorn.

What we are looking for
GLS550 less than 30k miles (or if price is right GLS450)
White exterior Black interior
Lightning package
Driver assistance pkg
Parking assist,
3rd row vent
2nd row sun shade
harmon kardon
tow hitch
cooled front seats

Many of those are standard on the 550 but optional/rare on 450.

Strafzettel

Did you check on autotrader? sometimes the description isn't great but when you google the Vin it often shows the dealer website with more info:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...searchRadius=0

thenew3

Yeah checking autotrader, carmax, and mbusa cpo listings 3 or 4 times a week.

Mike Bender

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c4004matic

That is the reason I ordered a 550. By the time you check all the boxes the 450 is almost the same price as the 550 and missing 2 cylinders and a lot of power. Though they are rated to tow same, they are not in the same planet when towing or fully loaded. The V8 will tow 7500 with ease, the bigger brakes are also much better for the heavier loads. The fact is the six is fine if you are going to use the car as an occasional 7 passenger vehicle, however, if you are towing big loads the v8 is much more capable, in fact its more capable than an F150 despite its lower tow rating.

drwolf

Well for me i stumbled on the Bi-Xenons given i didnt know how good they would be until i started driving with it at nightime. Second, in terms on the price, i 100% agree, for a 80k car it should be standard, but the CPO with the options you want are out there you just have to find it, keep looking, im sure you'll find it. Good luck!

thenew3

Thanks. Yeah I'm sure it's out there, although rare. Just have to be patient and keep looking.

c4004matic

Looking for a used 550 will be very difficult unless you are willing to simply take what shows up regardless of color or options. I would not be surprised if 550 sales are about the same as AMG 63 numbers. Many buyers paying over 100K will simply pony up another 20 to get the "baddest" one given that the AMG has basicly no options, essentially every option is baked in.

cemeek

Hmm, I just leased a 550 - and I own an E63s Wagon - had little to no desire to spend 40k more on the AMG version, the 550 for what it is, is sufficient. And they had an AMG version, and another local had a CPO. Still cool with the 550, but that's just me of course, I may not be a typical high end buyer?

thenew3

I'm keeping eyes on both 450 and 550. I think the 550 is plenty powerful and don't see the need for the AMG. Even 450 should be sufficient (most reviews I can find show less than 1 second difference 0-60 between the V6 and V8). With a tune, the 450 can get to 400hp and 400+ tq. If a 450 pops up with all the options I want at the right price then I will jump all over it.
I saw a 2015 GL550 with 38k miles for $57k. Missing a couple of small items and not my ideal color. Saw another 2015 GL450 with 33k miles for $51k that was the color I wanted and had 95% of the options I wanted. It's a few hours away, if it's still there when I get back from a work trip in 2 weeks, I plan to go take a ride there to check it out.

But I prefer the face lifted 2017+ GLS with the updated interior. Haven't found any 2017 GLS 450/550 that was the color I wanted and had all the options I wanted.
I'm not in a rush so I'll keep looking. Thanks!

c4004matic

I did the same but I bought. Just from personal observation, Ive seen many 450s and a few 63s, Ive never seen a 500 in the wild. In Seattle the 450 it seems to be the preffered lux soccer mom SUV.

pjw1967

https://www.ipacket.info/4JGDF7DE1HA800144#MSRP

c4004matic

Both can be aftermarket. As we discussed peviously the shade will not be a door integrated one rather an add on the window or frame.