Complaints-Unpainted Wheel Arches & Bad Leather Colors
10-25-2019 | 02:07 AM
#26
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a
10-25-2019 | 03:42 PM
#27
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Merc one day I hope
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Viha22 (10-25-2019)
10-25-2019 | 06:46 PM
#29
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I actually prefer the wood. Its what I have in my current 2007 GL. It feels high class to me.
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univ0298 (10-25-2019)
10-25-2019 | 11:17 PM
#30
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Merc one day I hope
10-26-2019 | 05:47 PM
#31
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Germancar1 (11-17-2019)
10-26-2019 | 08:05 PM
#33
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Importing from Canada
I had to sign a "Agreement not to export vehicle outside the United States" that is in effect for one year, subject to $15k damages to the dealer. Other countries may have the same. Then there are likely import duties and perhaps DOT equipment differences.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 10-27-2019 at 04:25 PM.
10-27-2019 | 11:01 AM
#34
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2020 Corvette Z51
Many Canadian MB dealers are Mercedes Corporate owned and all dealers cannot knowingly sell to a foreign customer by corporate policy. There would not be any duties under NAFTA but there could be other changes required for the vehicle to be imported like speedometer/odometer, daytime running lights disable etc. I am a former dealer/importer/exporter and have not done this for quite a while but I believe it is still current info. Mercedes will also not honor warranty on a vehicle exported to another country. When I was shopping for a dealer one non corporate store told me I had to sign an agreement to not sell it out of the country and give a $50,000 bond to ensure I did not export it. They had issues previously with Canadian vehicles being exported to China and other countries, I was told. I did not buy from them and did not even discuss a bond from the dealer I eventually ordered from.
10-27-2019 | 04:46 PM
#35
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
However, if you want to spend a few million to certify your car to the Federal Government you can.
10-27-2019 | 09:32 PM
#36
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Most of the MB cars imported into Canada should be available to be imported back the US. The GLS is made in the US so it should be very easy. You may have to change speedo readout but that's easy to do. I have a Canadian imported E55 that was imported a year of so after it was originally sold in Canada. Had an emissions issue and the US EPA even made MB honor the US emissions standards because there was no difference in the vehicle sold in the US vs the one sold in Canada.
10-28-2019 | 08:07 AM
#38
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2020 Corvette Z51
I exported to the US hundreds of cars, suv's and trucks all were 6months to 2 years old that were first originally Canadian registered vehicles and made for Canada. The only changes I had to make was to the speedo's/odometers to read in miles. No duty. Canada and US have the same standards for vehicles with a few exceptions.
11-04-2019 | 05:55 PM
#39
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Merc one day I hope
Decision change!
I reached the same frustrating conclusion that it was really annoying that GLE or BMW buyers can pay for styling enhancements in a sensible way, whereas GLS buyers have to pay about $20K extra for a V8 that is nice but not really needed, just to achieve the same.
one dealer told me it’s a “tradition” with the GLS that only the top models (including full AMG) get such enhancements. I call BS.
Ultimately I compromised to the 450 because:
1) That $20k will be fun to spend on my car instead of the family drive
2) The 580 power isn’t that big a thing for me in this type of car and I’ve heard the 450 semi-hybrid performs well
3) The 580 steering wheel cannot be heated. SMFH
4) the front grille on the 580 does not get enough uplift
5) 23” wheels (only on 580) are kind of cool but also expensive and a little too attention seeking for me
6) We picked a dark color (lunar blue) so hopefully the wheel arches will be relatively innocuous.
I am still a bit disappointed though. The MB front grill, AMG styled, would be really nice to have.
one dealer told me it’s a “tradition” with the GLS that only the top models (including full AMG) get such enhancements. I call BS.
Ultimately I compromised to the 450 because:
1) That $20k will be fun to spend on my car instead of the family drive
2) The 580 power isn’t that big a thing for me in this type of car and I’ve heard the 450 semi-hybrid performs well
3) The 580 steering wheel cannot be heated. SMFH
4) the front grille on the 580 does not get enough uplift
5) 23” wheels (only on 580) are kind of cool but also expensive and a little too attention seeking for me
6) We picked a dark color (lunar blue) so hopefully the wheel arches will be relatively innocuous.
I am still a bit disappointed though. The MB front grill, AMG styled, would be really nice to have.
Also wish we could get that heated steering wheel but you can't have it all apparently.. not even for > $100K !
11-06-2019 | 12:38 PM
#40
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From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
This is why I ordered 580 (we wanted after January, so don’t have a date yet).
You can get heated steering wheel, just not with the 580 steering wheel. I am getting it.
You can get heated steering wheel, just not with the 580 steering wheel. I am getting it.
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GS2020 (11-06-2019)
11-06-2019 | 09:57 PM
#41
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After having a 2014 GL 450, followed by a 2017 GLS 450, I was excited to get a 2020 GLS 450. I immediately cancelled the order when I saw the wheel arches in person, and just took delivery of a leftover 2019... Having spent a lot of time with the V8TT in the '14, and the V6TT in the '17, I found that I prefer fewer trips to the gas station over extra power, so it makes no sense for me to step up to a 580 just to get a fully painted car. The fact that Mercedes gives markets outside of the US the option to have a fully painted GLS, even on the base model, while leaving their US customer base with inferior exterior options, is a strange strategy. I wonder how those unpainted plastic arches are going to look after a few years of sun exposure.
11-06-2019 | 10:56 PM
#42
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Upainted wheel arches
After having a 2014 GL 450, followed by a 2017 GLS 450, I was excited to get a 2020 GLS 450. I immediately cancelled the order when I saw the wheel arches in person, and just took delivery of a leftover 2019... Having spent a lot of time with the V8TT in the '14, and the V6TT in the '17, I found that I prefer fewer trips to the gas station over extra power, so it makes no sense for me to step up to a 580 just to get a fully painted car. The fact that Mercedes gives markets outside of the US the option to have a fully painted GLS, even on the base model, while leaving their US customer base with inferior exterior options, is a strange strategy. I wonder how those unpainted plastic arches are going to look after a few years of sun exposure.
11-07-2019 | 09:58 AM
#44
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Painted wheel arches
Probably easier to just have them (and the rocker panels) painted by a good body shop. That's what I did with my W163. It should be noted that the GLS 580 ones are completely different from the unpainted ones, because part of the arches is part of the front & rear fascias.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; 11-07-2019 at 10:56 AM.
11-07-2019 | 10:32 AM
#45
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GLS 450
11-07-2019 | 10:58 PM
#46
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The unpainted arches are pretty much standard in the industry for SUVs, the X7 not included, even on the base Cayenne. However, most allow an upgrade without spending $10k. As far as appearance, the black plastic holds up quite well with a little treatment like you do to your tires, but still never looks great.
11-10-2019 | 10:42 PM
#47
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Wheel arches-STILL!
I went to the dealer to see a Lunar Blue they had gotten in. I just can’t get past the black plastic wheel arches. They look cheap, and they catch wax and will be grey before the warranty is up...I have no interest in paying special attention to dressing the wheel arches in some element-protectant product. Interior Macchiato is basically cream, not tan. Still griping
Only strange thing I couldn’t find an explanation for was two different types or wheel arches on different cars. One protrudes more and has a lip. Tried to get a pic but light wasn’t good. No rhyme or reason I could see. Any ideas?
Only strange thing I couldn’t find an explanation for was two different types or wheel arches on different cars. One protrudes more and has a lip. Tried to get a pic but light wasn’t good. No rhyme or reason I could see. Any ideas?
11-11-2019 | 08:15 AM
#49
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2012 CLS63
I am so disgusted with the black wheel arches on the 450, and the inability to upgrade those. This is just as bad as the black unpainted bumpers on the first ML when it debuted in 1998...which was CORRECTED in 2000.
Spending $76+++ and getting unpainted "plastic" is ridiculous.
That and the lack of a warm interior color choice are huge turnoffs to me. You can't even get the Macchiatto without a grey "complementary" color. There is ZERO warmth in having no earth-tones available, and this is NOT a Scandinavian vehicle (Volvo has a killer Amber interior, which is basically Saddle).
Just had to complain.
Spending $76+++ and getting unpainted "plastic" is ridiculous.
That and the lack of a warm interior color choice are huge turnoffs to me. You can't even get the Macchiatto without a grey "complementary" color. There is ZERO warmth in having no earth-tones available, and this is NOT a Scandinavian vehicle (Volvo has a killer Amber interior, which is basically Saddle).
Just had to complain.
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11-11-2019 | 12:22 PM
#50
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
That is a NOVEL idea. Instead of commenting on a forum specifically meant for the exchange of opinions, knowing that MBUSA does pay attention, you mean?
