firstMBGL

Folks

I am about to pull the trigger on the attached GL450. Its a certified 2014 with ~38k miles. Doesn't really have ALL the great features, but has some that I know the wife will appreciate. Tried to look for a GL550 but certified GL550's for the same age are listed at least $10K - $12K more.

The truck was originally priced ~$53K, marked down to approx. ~$48k in the last couple of weeks and I have negotiated it down to a final sales price of $45k.

Appreciate if you can let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

pjw1967

As you said, missing a few things. But new rear brakes and tires is a big out the door plus. $33k off MSRP and CPO make this a good deal IMHO.

firstMBGL

Thank you for the feedback. Any other insights our watch outs??

jlim

Good at parking? Reverse and parallel? I think it is missing the surround view camera.

firstMBGL

I noticed that, but it has the rear view and active park assist. Shouldn't that be enough??

jlim

I've never got the park assist to work for me when parallel park. I've seen demos of it on YouTube, but it never worked for me. Perhaps I needed to have more patience.

Again it depends on how good you are at parking esp a large vehicle like this. Of course we humans have been parking without any gadgets for so long. How did we manage to survive all these time?

I use the surround view mainly to make sure I get as close as possible to the curb without gashing the rims. So that leaves plenty of room on the passenger side (or driver side) such that the next car doesn't dink the doors.

firstMBGL

This is going to be my wife's car. Sure currently drives and parks a Honda Pilot. I understand the usefulness, but is this deal good enough to forego the convenience? Also, from what I understand, there was a period in 2014 when the active parking assist came with the 360. How do I know for sure this doesn't have if? Is it usually listed separately or just part of the package? Maybe I get lucky?

jlim

Definitely not a must have unlike say the lightning package.

If she can park a Pilot which is also quite boxy in itself, she'll be fine with the GL. Perhaps if you can see if any wheels have curb rashes currently on the Pilot

The best way to find out is turn on the camera display and see if you can toggle it to the 360 split screen view.

firstMBGL

CURB RASH - ✔

firstMBGL

Ok.. Picked up the truck. Easy question - where can I buy a screen for the third row pano roof??

anothercar

This screen should have been factory installed?

jlim

Apparently on some year build, it wasn't included. I think for 2014, later build included them. My earlier 2014 CPO didn't come with it but I mentioned to my sales person prior to buying that it should be standard and they bought a new one for me as they couldn't find it.

See this thread for more info. Even if I have it, I've removed it since I don't use the 3rd row often. Having it off allows natural light to the cabin and I like it better this way.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x166/517680-picked-up-new-2014-gl-450-panorama-sunroof-3rd-row-has-shade.html

firstMBGL

I use the third row a lot. Two of three carseats are there permanently. I was able to find one on ECStuning but it's in black only. Anyone know if I can get one in tan?

anothercar

So if the screen was not included on some early 2014 builds.........it's another example of the Germans nickel and dimeing us to death.

jlim

Actually the reverse. If earlier didn't come with it, but later on, MB includes them, how is it nickel and dime-ing you?

fabbrisd1

The 3rd row cover is "dinky" anyway - and not convenient to put-in/pull-out/store.

Best solution I recommend is 3M Crystalline tint job on the 3rd row pano - even Crystalline "clear" will cut 90%+ of the remaining IR and UV.. like $45 installed by a competent installer.... do a google for trhe 3M product website which has a installer locator for your area that handles the film..

firstMBGL

Thanks for the advice. Headed to get the pano tinted in the morning. Next question-

I seem to now have a sour smell in the car.. Any suggestions?? I've ordered some charcoal based deodorizer.. Should I ask the dealer to change the cabin air filter??

4everalone

Definitely bring it up with dealer, hard to recommend anything useful just going by the description "sour smell".

jlim

Sour smell is usually associated with mildew in the ducts and A/C coils. In the past (not with the GL), I was able to remedy this by simply cranking up the A/C full blast and in fresh air mode, spray a can of Lysol into the fresh air intake on the outside of the car.

There are also some that you can spray into the vents itself (inside the car). One such product is shown below:


I've only used Lysol on 1 car in the past. If you want to go the Lysol route, find out where the fresh air-intake is. Usually it is at the base of the windshield on the outside. I would assume the GL is the same.