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Mercedes Benz GL-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

716 messages,  Last post on Feb 11, 2013 at 6:02 PM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Car Leasing, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 18 of 73

#163 of 716 Re: New 2007 GL450 [lbibum] by derwin

Feb 10, 2008 (9:21 am)

Replying to: lbibum (Feb 09, 2008 2:27 pm)
Got it at Tysinger in Hampton. Wife flew done and drove it back yesterday; it was the last '07 they had. We searched autotrader for new 2007s and found a bunch. We also considered a barolo red with similar package from Mercedes of Austin Texas and an Iridium Silver at Valencia MB in California. Dealers can arrange shipping to your home. Shipping from Texas is about $800. You can easily get a new '07 for $10,000 off MSRP. Shipping from California will run you more, but the California dealers have more cars and were willing to cut a better deal. With shipping it was a wash versus the car in VA, but wife wanted the Capri Blue.

#164 of 716 Re: So Cal 08 GL450 price paid [bugati] by bmwconvert

Feb 12, 2008 (11:58 am)

Replying to: bugati (Feb 08, 2008 6:17 pm)
Our GL is black, and my wife and I like a light color interior, hence our choice. Unfortunately the results didn't work out to our liking. If I had the choice again, I would try to find a macadamia leather interior. The problem though is that it's very difficult to find this car, and when you order from the factory, negotiating a competitive price is next to impossible.
 
I should have known better. A friend had the same interior on an '07 model. His wife became so incensed with the "dirt" on the seats that they complained to their dealer and were ultimately able to trade the car in for a new one with black MB-tec. I convinced myself that the problem must have been unique to him. It was not. I intend to raise my complaint with Mercedes. I will post the outcome.
 
Another general comment about the MB-tec material. It has the appearance of being high quality (until it gets dirty), but it definitely doesn't feel that way. It has an almost rubbery, tacky feel to it. It's not so easy to slide in and out of. Your backside kind of grabs when you try. This must explain why the light material picks up the dye from blue jeans. I took delivery of my vehicle in November so I haven't yet had it in warm weather, but I suspect that it's going to be awful during the summer. Nothing worse than sweating against a synthetic seat.
 
Readers are probably thinking "then why'd you get it". My mistake, but again, it was hard not to. Mercedes has so few leather cars built, the color options are limited and those that are available had a bunch of useless options that I refused to pay for ($500 illuminated door sills anyone?). Several salemen I spoke to all said the material was "just like leather". Trust me -- it is not.
 
Honestly, I find it to be an outrage that a nearly $70k car doesn't come standard with leather. I can appreciate that there are those out there that may prefer a synthetic interior for ethical reasons, but the reality is that the vast majority of mid range and above vehicles have leather, and that's because it's what most consumers prefer.
 
BTW: aside from the seats, my wife, children and I all love the GL. It's exceeded our expectations in every other way and is an absolute pleasure to drive -- in fact the best riding and handling SUV I've ever been in.
I just completed my JD Powers new owner's survey. 4,000 miles in and not a single defect or reliablity issue has arisen. I am happy (and maybe lucky) to be able to say that the vehicle is flawless.

#165 of 716 MB tec by wopel

Feb 12, 2008 (12:11 pm)

I have an R320 cdi (because I needed a car and couldn't wait another few months for the GL), and have the macadamia MB tec seats. I have never been able to understand why my seat is always dirty. I can't keep it clean.
    I had a 320E wagon for many years and miles before this with MBtec - a light tan color, and it never was a problem. It's still going strong with another owner, and still looks good at 10yrs of age.
    I thought it was me! Please keep us posted.

#166 of 716 Re: So Cal 08 GL450 price paid [bmwconvert] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 12, 2008 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: bmwconvert (Feb 12, 2008 11:58 am)
Ever see the movie, Lost in America, with Albert Brooks? circa 1985..
 
He is ordering his new Mercedes over the phone... and gets into a whole discussion with the salesman about MB-Tex..
 
It's hilarious..

#167 of 716 Re: So Cal 08 GL450 price paid [bmwconvert] by occarfan

Feb 12, 2008 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: bmwconvert (Feb 12, 2008 11:58 am)
I also own GL450 with 5000 mile. White w/ macadamia interior. You're right. The fake leather look 2 yrs old already. Our 2003 S-Class looks newer even with the kids abusing it. I should have persisted and found leather interior. I had no idea the fake leather was so bad. The salespeople are there to sell cars, so they'll tell you whatever it takes to sell that car.

#168 of 716 Any update on reasonable prices for new GL550's? by chile96

Mar 02, 2008 (9:25 am)

Unfortunately I'm stuck in a single dealer town in Texas with the next closest dealer 5 hrs away. We've decided on an '08 GL 550 with an MSRP in the low 80's. We are trading in our realtively new tahoe/offroad vehicle for the city kid hauler.
 
Any suggestions on negotiation and ralisticexpectations would be kindly appreciated

#169 of 716 GL 550 pricing by chile96

Mar 04, 2008 (5:03 pm)

Local dealer just offered me $1500 off without any haggling on a price for a 550. Is this what I should expect or go for more....realistically?

#170 of 716 Re: GL 550 pricing [chile96] by ocautoseeker

Mar 07, 2008 (2:42 am)

Replying to: chile96 (Mar 04, 2008 5:03 pm)
You'd be better off buying the vehicle at or near invoice, and then having it trucked to your front door from a volume dealer like Fletcher Jones Mercedes in Newport Beach California. Seriously! probably cost you $1k or so to have it put on a flatbead.

#171 of 716 Re: GL 550 pricing [ocautoseeker] by danf1

Mar 07, 2008 (8:57 am)

Replying to: ocautoseeker (Mar 07, 2008 2:42 am)
The only problem with that is that it is becoming difficult to find a dealer that will not require you to sign papers in the presence of a dealership representative. There is a rampant problem with these vehicles being bought in the U.S. and shipped overseas. When that happens the dealership faces a very large financial chargeback unless they can prove due diligence in verifying the identity and intentions of the purchaser.

#172 of 716 Re: GL 550 pricing [ocautoseeker] by chile96

Mar 07, 2008 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: ocautoseeker (Mar 07, 2008 2:42 am)
I would buy from anywhere in the country if I could get it at invoice or close to. My last 4 cars I've purchased out of state and would gladly buy from Fletcher Jones if they really could do that. Is this just internet jargon or do you have definite knowledge of their pricing?

Messages Page 18 of 73

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