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Been 16 years since I've placed a new car order. Current 2009 ML350 has been a solid performer. A few air suspension bag replacement and minor other not-unexpected repairs over the years. She's been a solid performer for multiple long trips. Although this list trip which had the alternator die while on the road up the East Coast was the tipping point for a new car. Current car has a little over 133,000 miles and will remain in the driveway as another vehicle for around town travel.
New car ordered is 2026 GLS 450, Twilight blue metallic with the 22" AMG multispoke wheels (already working with dealership to figure out an all-season tire solution for Virginia). Interior is the Yacht Blue leather which I'm excited to see. A few other options will top this all off. Dealer says deliver in mid-January. Is there a way to track the build progress other than nagging my dealership for updates?
The car reportedly comes with the Apple Digital Key, which will help reduce the risk of losing the key (which has never happened in this household). A couple of inexpensive Faraday bags have arrived for the keys to keep the car protected. Dealer says this vehicle comes with Digital Headlights but I'm a little skeptical as reading about the feature, seems like it varies by model and the latest digital headlights don't appear to be an option for this model.
Have appreciated everyone's feedback throughout this forum on things to avoid and things to embrace. Happy to provide updates along the way.
... New car ordered is 2026 GLS 450, Twilight blue metallic with the 22" AMG multispoke wheels (already working with dealership to figure out an all-season tire solution for Virginia). Interior is the Yacht Blue leather which I'm excited to see. A few other options will top this all off. Dealer says deliver in mid-January. Is there a way to track the build progress other than nagging my dealership for updates?
Congrats! I have a GLS 580 ordered in the same color! I'm also wondering if there is any way to track the build process. Others (Dodge/Ram for example) make it easy, but no idea on MB. I'm surprised on your mid-January statement - my dealer said to expect it late February best case. But I have no idea how the allocation/sequencing works with MB, and don't see it discussed anywhere either.
Today was pick up day. Working with the dealership, I was able to source all season tires for the 22” rims. American Roadstar brand, the only brand I could find with sizes to fit the original OEM specs in all seasons. I’ll be selling the original Continental summer tires that came with the car. If anyone is interested, let me know.
Feels like I need training on this car with all of the features/menus/etc. Once I’m back from an out of town trip, I’ll be spending some time getting to know this new platform. My 2009 ML350 was a pretty straight forward approach. Not so here.
Some pictures today before the light gets too low.
The car looks better than I thought it would. I was worried that blue outside and blue inside would be a bit much. I had to balance competing needs for the car… I got the tech I wanted, partner got the colors.
Discovered last night one of the second row massage seats isn’t massaging so it’s already scheduled for its first service visit. Hopefully something silly like a disconnected plug. Also trying to get the digital key function to appear on my MB app on the phone. No joy yet.
Now for some fun exploring aftermarket products like mats, puddle lights and supplemental lighting. I’m sure there will be more.
Congrats! Blue on blue - has to be pretty rare combo for sure. Looks great!
I ordered a GLS580 late November, same blue with the brown interior. Liked the MANUFAKTUR interior, but couldn't see the exorbitant up-charge and didn't want the bench in the back. No news yet from the dealer on vehicle status. I wonder if they didn't really have an allocation like they had told me that they did. The lack of build status is disappointing, esp when compared with other experiences I've had with ordered vehicles from Chrysler/RAM and Chevy in the past.
The car looks good with the carpet “AMG” mats. I also got the rubber mats as a backup but can always sell those if they don’t work out. The rubber mats are still in their original packaging.
Ive looked at several mat companies and one I’m leaning toward is x1mats.com. I like the colors, 2-layer options and fit that the website shows. Question for me is how to know overwhelm a blue outside and inside with something complimentary. I might be leaning toward a lighter, neutral color for the mats. We’ll see. I’m also looking at options, other than an x1mats for the cargo space. A company called Canvasback.com makes cargo liners that seem to work well. Unfortunately, for the GLS, the installed carpet flooring isn’t plush enough to use the Velcro and they send a supplemental adhesive strip to attach the carpet. Still on the hunt for other options before making a final decision on the cargo protection.
Your mats look great and I hope these after market mats fit as well as the OEM.
Dogs as passengers drove the desire for the back bench seat. And the center fold down armrest with MBUX tablet was cool for the backseat pax. I was in touch with my sales rep several times during the build and he provided regular updates on the build, when they were available. Sounds like he didn’t always have good intel as well. Not sure what’s behind the philosophy with MB on lack of build transparency. For me, everything seemed to work out largely as planned, including wheel, even if it took a little longer than planned.
For that mats, it’s been discussed before, the only option for the GLS X167 is the Tuxmat. They are great. Am not sure if 3D Maxpider started to offer mats for the GLS now. I use 3D Maxpider for my sedans, but I’d use the Tuxmat for the GLS since I’ve tried them and the coverage is almost 360. Tuxmat coverage in my GLS is much more 360 than Maxpider.
They have a high profile along all the edged. Kids can eat chips or whatever they want, and nothing gets around the edges. They are more like a mirror template of your floor with a high profile all around the seats. If you have captain chairs, the tunnel is also fully covered.
Question: did you get winter tires? I have a 2024 with the factory wheel/tire setup. In light snow on a rural freeway, I could feel the car literally swaying. Unnerving. Curious what your plan is for snow.
By the way, my early production 2024 GLS has that cheap black plastic on the center consule and I notice yours has the nice wood!
Question: did you get winter tires? I have a 2024 with the factory wheel/tire setup. In light snow on a rural freeway, I could feel the car literally swaying. Unnerving. Curious what your plan is for snow.
By the way, my early production 2024 GLS has that cheap black plastic on the center consule and I notice yours has the nice wood!
Thanks! Current travel has prevented me from doing anything more than taking delivery and parking in the garage. More to come.
she was built and spec’ed with summer tires. Turns out they were Continental EcoComfort tires. I would not have taken delivery of this vehicle in January with piles of snow and ice with summer tires. My dealer rep and I were able to source all season 22” tires from American Roadstar in original tires sizes (they’re big tires!)
More evaluation on fit and finish perspectives in the coming weeks. The wood grain on the dash is a really great option. Hopefully posting more pictures soon.
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