This. I didn't think the OT already had a lift.
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- Thread starter deadlikeme
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You guys had me paranoid for a minute there. Can confirm my GX definitely has heated rear seats lol
Not sure about the OT, but the spec sheet for the OT+ that my sales associate sent me has the fast-response interior heater listed as an interior feature.
In the US at least the OT+ has the heated 2nd row outboard seats but the OT does not.
Both OT and OT+ have the complete cold weather package, including the fast response heater.
My regular OT doesn't have rear seat heaters. I didn't "spec" anything, I bought this OT off the lot in July when it came available.
I'd have to be pretty pathetic if I thought I bought the wrong truck because it didn't have vents or heaters in the rear seats.
I won't be sharing this with the wife as there were 3 main reasons we went with the OT+ over the OT.
1. Memory seats
2. ML stereo - huge disappointment
3. Our OT+ came in Earth which was our #1 color and if you know how Lexus allocates vehicles nobody knows how long it would be before another Earth came along.
The AC in our '15 ML 350 had a slow leak and were looking forward to unloading it, otherwise we would've happily drove it for a while longer and waited.
1. Memory seats
2. ML stereo - huge disappointment
3. Our OT+ came in Earth which was our #1 color and if you know how Lexus allocates vehicles nobody knows how long it would be before another Earth came along.
The AC in our '15 ML 350 had a slow leak and were looking forward to unloading it, otherwise we would've happily drove it for a while longer and waited.
Not to hijack - can you elaborate on your experience with the ML? Just generally underwhelming? I see you have a TRD Pro Taco - I had a handful of TRD Pro 4Runnners. I found the JBL in that truck already significantly worse than the B&O in our Raptors and the HK in our BMW's. How does the ML compare in your experience to the Taco? Better or worse? I've convinced myself to forgo the OT+ since the only thing I wanted was the ML but your feedback may make my decision much easier to live with.
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To sum it up without reading further, the ML in the new GX550 sounds like the equalizer got flattened out.
My Tacoma didn't have the JBL due to the 6MT so it was equipped with the mid-grade Entune head unit. Just by replacing the 6 speakers, adding a little bit of power along with a 8" sub and some sound deadening in the doors and rear cab wall it was leaps and bounds better than a co-workers TRD Pro with the JBL. We have a Sienna with the JBL and although it's not bad, I'd hesitate to say it's worth the upgrade. I'm not using top tier hardware in the Tacoma; just Infinity Reference speakers and a small Alpine Class-D amp to drive the speakers. Behind the back passenger seats is a powered Rockford Fosgate 8" sub.
To give you an idea, I'm working with class-D amps and only 500 watts RMS and the factory head unit in the Tacoma. Obviously the sound stage in the Tacoma is inferior to the GX's. With that said, to my ear, sounds better than the ML in our GX. My Tacoma has more clarity and range. I am the type of person who prefers more midrange and treble over bass. Even then the ML in the GX lacks and misses alot in the low end that I'm used to hearing in the Tacoma and my home setup. Vocals and details seem muted in the ML on occasion. I'm talking about little details like scratching of guitar strings.
The GX replaced a '15 ML350 with the base stereo and I find them comparible in volume and power, with the old Mercedes having more low end and clarity. Mom has an E-class with the B&O and it's better in every single metric. Recently rode in a friend's S580 with the Burmester and that also hits all the checkboxes in what an upgraded stereo should be. Not once though have I felt it was worth the upgrade nor could I imagine Lexus's standard stereo offering less than the ML is bringing to the table.
Heard. Thanks for the write up. Sounds like I still stick with my OT and upgrade the system down the line should I absolutely get the itch. I am sure someone, like OEM Audio+, will eventually make some form of a plug and play kit.
Did you center the sound mixer?
As in move the bass, mid and treble levels to the middle? I believe it came from the factory that way. I've also played with the surround settings and nothing has made it sound outstanding to my ear.
With that said I know all ears are different and it can be very subjective. It can also be very biased when somebody spends a premium for a product that's supposed to be associated with quality.
I've got poor hearing thanks to tinnitus due to years of abuse from work and hobbies. So my ability to hear low volume and higher frequencies arent great. I'm no longer a musician but pitch, tone, harmony and timbre are things I'm still familiar with. By no means am I an expert audio consumer, individually we all have preferences and based on my experiences with other nicer car audio and musical choices I'm not a fan of the ML at all.
What they should announce is the real mpg. I’m still at 12.7 city and 17.7 or so hwy at 1500 miles in, in flat Florida. 
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