dannieboiz

Got a 2nd baby on the way and one of the discussion is to trade the S in for a larger SUV. At the moment, the QX56 is top on our list for looks and comfort. But the GL350 bluetec better fuel economy is pretty luring. 16/20 on the QX and 19/26 on the GL. My last few long distance trip (500 miles) in a QX56 rental, I was getting average 17.5 mpg in the QX. On the same strip of road in my S I was getting 24mpg so I would imagine the GL would be at least that if not better.

Wife doesn't like the look of the GL, we haven't driven one either so I dunno. If we trade it'll happen sometime next year, I would rather keep the S if I can fit both kids and all the stuff in the trunk though.

Anyone have both the S and the GL wanna chime in?

voml55amg

S550 is big enough IMO. Mine is 07 4matic hauling 2 kids (8-10) around with no problems at all. The trunk is huge. I wouldn't trade it for an SUV. I had Lexus GX470 along the S550 for 2+ yrs. recently, I picked up a used cls500 from a friend/original owner. I find cls500 is fun car to drive. My dilemma was... Possibly trading my s550 for a cpo cls550 locally but it's not a color of choice. It's palladium silver with Blk. I wish it was white or Blk.
Keep your s class :-)
Ned

walt2810

I have 3 kids (5, 2, & 9 month old) with 3 car seats in the back of the S & needed more room so I was looking at the GL but in my case the 3rd row wasn't as easy to get in/out to get the kids into their seats. Really wanted the GL to work out but ended up with cover your ears "mini van" (2014 Touring Elite). With 2 kids the S still works & the GL is plenty. Plus in the GL you can bring extra folks around. The only thing about most 3rd row SUV is the rear trunk space. It appears that there is more room in the S trunk then the GL, unless you fold the 3rd row seats. The good thing is that I still have the S class to cruise and the Odyssey to haul, lol.

dannieboiz

we have a NO VAN policy in our household LOL. our current stroller converts into a double so I know i can fit two babies and the stroller. I just don't have room for anyone or anything else. We'll see how things goes in a few months when the next one arrives. I just wanted to be mentally ready if I had to trade the S in.

UNderdog

I have an '08 GL CDI and I'm on my 2nd S Class. Had a 2000 that I drove to 220K miles and now an '08 S65. I try to keep the kids out of my car. We needed an SUV with the 3rd row and wanted a diesel so were limited in choice and got the GL. The GL will not be anything like your S obviously! We can get up to 25MPG on road trips with my wife driving (for me a little less) and she gets close to 20MPG around town. With the large tank fill ups are between 5-600 miles or more on road trips. At highway speeds the diesel is perfect as its right in its power band - around town its different than a gas engine and takes a little getting used to. Pulls my dual jet ski trailer nicely. We have 120K miles on it with just minor engine issues (mainly sensors), just the usual MB issues like air struts. We have the larger tires (sport package?) which last 20-25K miles and I have heard that with larger tires mileage decreases which makes sense due to the greater resistance. If I were to replace the GL I would do the diesel again.

zam2000

We had the Escalade ESV, then we figured that it's too big, so we ended up getting the GL. But then realized that the Escalade is much better for the kids, so we kept both.

Then bought the S, but the boys didn't like the low sitting, so now we have all three :-)

My brother has a LX570, and my friend have the QX. I have to say, they may be more polish then the Escalade (crappy build) and GL, but the ride is horrible on both, and car feel very cramp inside.

Nothing beat the Escalade ESV on long trips, or trips to Costco !!!!

ImInPA

I would. The GL 350 Bluetec is a great vehicle. Very nice riding, and the interior is also very good. I love my S350 Bluetec as well.

dannieboiz

I actually have an older suburban that I tow my boat with. I only take it out once or so a month but to be honest I hate the way it drives. I rented the new suburban LT on the same 500 mile trip and we were extremely tired and back ache when we got home. But the other couple trips in the QX we were both extremely energetic. I drive my friend's escalade and I have to be honest, beside the nicer trim and options it didn't feel much different than the suburban. Drove like crap and full of wind noise. So we took the Escalade out of the picture.

On top of that, the QX will hold its value better than the Escalade. When the time comes, I'll drive the GL and the QX again both on the same day then make my decision.

stone4779

I was cross-shopping between the S600 and just getting a GL bluetec, and with the extra cash get a strickly-for-fun car later next year.

I decided to just go ahead and get an S600, so my first MB can be a fun one

If I get anything, Ill be getting a GL Bluetec(white or silver), and trading the S600 for a CL600...

But my mind changes so much, I find myself looking on Autotrader already, and my S600 hasnt even gotten here, yet. LOL

So yeah..you're not the only one cross shopping the GL/S

SnowCub

I'm wondering what ever happened with this poster. I've been looking at getting an S-Class because my 2013 GL is cramped. My old R-Class had way more room than the GL. The wife loves the GL but every time I sit in the 2nd row all I can think is that the leg room is pathetic.

ImInPA

I recently had a GL as a loaner. It is a great riding vehicle. I thought it was as smooth and quiet as my S. I would certainly consider the move, especially for the diesel. I love my S bluetec.

kamilclk430

Keep it man, I have a boat and when I was getting my S I was going between the GL550 and S550 and still went with the S even tho I have nothing to haul with and now I have to keep it on the water or in storage. I think the GL will really really come in handy when the 3rd kid comes or you get a dog. But the S is just fine with 2 little ones.

Either way you go good luck

Mike5215

We shopped SUVs last month for my wife and looked at the ML and GL plus everything else out there. We ended up with a 2014 Audi Q7. It's about as good looking as an SUV can get I guess. Not as comfortable (to me) as the Mercedes but ride is nice. it has a great infotainment system and lots of room. Supercharged V6 and decent towing capacity. $60k got us the 20" wheel package, pano roof, wifi and net based navi, lane assist. They can really get up there if you get the air suspension and the $5000 Bang & Olfsen audio upgrade and the diesel engine.

Maybe worth a look.

dannieboiz

As of now, the S fits 2 kids nicely. Removing the 10w7 from the trunk now recover enough room for groceries. LOL I'm gonna stick with the S and if we do need a people hauler down the road we'll just add the QX to the list and keep the S as a fun car.

wilassasin

I wouldn't switch the S Class for the Infiniti QX56 but that's just me. How do u feel about the audi Q7 with sport package? That's a sweet truck.