German Car Forum

Just wanted to update you on my order for a GL320CDI. Build was completed yesterday and should get a VIN today with estimated delivery date. I expect it will be delivered the week of May 21st.

I will be trading the S550 which I enjoyed no end but time marches on (sorry to say.) I will drive the S the 800 miles to Denver, Colorado and make the switch and drive the GL back to Las Vegas. I have not had a MB diesel since my '85 300 TD so I am looking forward to the new diesel technology.

It will be Obsidian Black with Macadamia Leather interior. Options include everything MBUSA has available for the 320CDI except for the trailer hitch, rear seat entertainment and the heating package (in the US you cannot get the wood wheel and with the heated steering wheel.)

I will post some (maybe more than some) images shortly after delivery.

Here is the NetStar Listing of the Options:

Congratulations, Mr. Jack! Thanks for the update and GCZ crew wishes you many happy miles!

Congratulations Your S was very nice and im sorry to see if go because i loved your pictures of it. I am looking forward to some pics of the new ride

Congratulations Mr Jack! Happy miles!

I expect that you will write us an S550 vs GL320CDI review

Congratulations Jack. Can't wait to see the pictures once you get it.

Can't wait to see it Jack. Though I've seen plenty of GL's your pics skills are what will make the difference here. Any chance I can get you to keep the S550?

M

No way on the S550 staying in my garage. I have no need for two cars anymore and one or the other would sit idle.

The S was a great experience and just a super car...everyone should have the opportunity to own one at least once in his or her life. The GL will not be close to the S but it is a fine automobile and provides a quality luxury ride and features for a SUV.

Well than can I have it?

Seriously though I understand your point, can't wait to see the GL.

M

Congratulation Jack!! I can't wait to see the first photos of your new car! It's great that you go for a black one - nevertheless a white GL would look also stunning...

Congrats on the new wheels. I had a chance to drive the GL recently and was very pleased with the level of refinement it offers in contrast to its conpetitors.

What's up with Denver? Do you have a relationship with a dealership there?

Jack, we're going to miss your valued comments and brilliant photography on the "S" forums, but you know we all wish you well with the new GL. You made the right choice for the hot vehicle of the month, as my MB dealer told me that the GL 320 CDI is almost impossible to get. Enjoy !

"What's up with Denver? Do you have a relationship with a dealership there?"


Yes...a super one. $500 over invoice is worth the 800 mile drive...:-) On such a scarce model that is an excellent deal.

Thanks. I ordered it in December and still 2 weeks to go waiting for it to get to Denver for delivery. Apparently there are only a limited number of diesel engines available for the US market with priority going to EU customers.

Jack - Don't discount how "excellent" you are for Greg and his crew at Mercedes Benz of Wesminster ! You deserve every penny of the discount !

Thanks and you are correct. Greg was right up front with the $500 over, even with a new Owner/Sales Manager. When I layed out the specs and asked Greg for a figure there was no haggle and he made the offer flat out. Told me they appreciated what I had done for them and all the referrals. They were also very fair on the trade and locked me in to a figure (no re-appraisal at delivery) with over 60 days to go on delivery of the new one.

A great place to do business. The thing I like about them is the no "snob" staff and the fact they just want to sell cars and treat the customer fairly. Greg is really a pleasure to talk with and will do everything he can to keep you up to date.

I know how it feels 'cause i can say the same about my dealer over here.

Glad that everything works fine for you, Mr. Jack.

I'm so excited and happy for you, Jack! Congratulations, you deserve it too!

Can't wait to see the phenomenal photos you're going to post of this baby. She sounds awesome. And the GL320 CDI, which I have testdriven, is a pretty sweet car. There is just something about driving a big and solid SUV, I think it's called FUN!

Don't worry about the engine and power, it's quiet, refined and has endless torque reserves. The GL320 CDI should stack up quite well.

I made the thread a sticky so you'll have no problems finding it and giving us the latest updates.

Thanks wimmer..looking forward to the change of wheels. Will post some images as soon as I can get delivery...:-)

Congrats! You are going to love this SUV. The diesel engine is a thing of beauty and it really grows on me.

Congrats Jack.
If I had the money, I would have bought that beautiful S550 of yours right away...

Good to see you've almost got the GL, looking forward to some awesome photography!

Yes, I cancelled my delivery scheduled for next week due to a technical problem with the GL320CDI engine.

Known as the Intercooler Hose event, the car will make a strange noise and lose power without warning. Several of these have occured, some to the same owner after the car was "repaired" with a newly designed hose and clamp. I received a phone call yesterday at noon from one of these unfortunate owners who had two repairs for the problem. On a trip from Orlando Florida to his home in Gulfport Mississippi the hose again disengaged from the turbo. The car did not go into limp mode so Telaide told him is was okay to drive it as long as it did not start overheating. 400 miles late when he got home the car was to be picked up by the dealer for another repair. He has since filed for a buy-back from MB.

My order for a 26th April build was delayed until May 9th due to a parts hold and it suspected that the third revision of the hose and clamp were the cause. This event by a friend first hand was the clincher for me. I refues to buy a MB for $70K+ and "hope" it doens't quit in the middle of the interstate. So I called my dealer and cancelled the deal. They were understanding and returned my deposit.

So it is the S550 for the near term future and I have no plans for another car of any make or model. I feel MB goofed on this one and handled it badly. The recall should have come in January/February when the problem occurred. Apparently the problem is only with the GL since the intercooler hose on the ML and R diesels are different in location and length of hose. Some more bad PR for MB which they do not need. But exhaustive road testing prior to US introduction in January '07 should have revealed this fault since it has occurred on vehicles with less than a 1000 miles.

Sorry no pics of Jack's GL...

Seems a shame you had to cancel it this close to getting the car, but don't worry, the S550 is good enough!

I'm surprised there are problems with the engine seeing as it's tried and tested across Europe! Do you think you'll try and buy another GL once these faults have been fixed, or wait for the V8 diesel to come out?

It's not really the engine itself but the intercooler hose connection to the turbo. Too bad but I am glad I have the S to suffer with...:-)))

No GL until maybe the Bluetec model for all 50 states is approved sometime in mid 2008 or so. If they would build a E wagon with Bluetec for the US market I would be on it very quickly though.

Sorry to hear that, Mr. Jack.

Well, at least you have something to "suffer" with...