GL 450 and 550 Guys - Read it and weep...
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
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From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
GL 450 and 550 Guys - Read it and weep...
This is coming home yesterday from Carmel, 83 miles @ 64 miles per hour resulting in 28.2 miles per gallon. It was about 95 degrees outside so I had the air conditioner on the whole time, and I also think this shows the factory "chunky" roof rack crossbars aren't exactly messing up my MPG. Full tank range well over 700 miles. I have very much been pleasantly surprised with the mileage I'm getting from the GL 350 Diesel...
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From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
My highway speed usually 75-80 and it's easy to get 26 mile per gallon.
That's the beauty of diesel engine.
On the other hand - I don't think anybody, who can afford to buy GL , especially 550, weeps at gas station stop.
Happy driving to all.
That's the beauty of diesel engine.
On the other hand - I don't think anybody, who can afford to buy GL , especially 550, weeps at gas station stop.
Happy driving to all.
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
On the other hand - I don't think anybody, who can afford to buy GL , especially 550, weeps at gas station stop.
Now if we're talking 458 Italias, well, I can justify that mileage in a heartbeat.
- Mark
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From: New York
14'G63 AMG ,1994 Mercedes E500, 2020 Range Rover HST
For the 4th of july weekend went to Lake George doing steady 78mph i hit 26.7 mpg(ac running plus 4 people and a German Shepherd in my GL). Did around 540 miles on that weekend and still came back with 3/4 of diesel left in my tank.
friend had his 2011 camry and he was getting less than me plus all that comfie room i have in my GL
friend had his 2011 camry and he was getting less than me plus all that comfie room i have in my GL
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From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
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I was similarly delighted yesterday with my GL350. I drove from Connecticut to Williamsburg, VA. It was a nine hour trip in 85-90 degree heat with A/C on and over one-hour of stop-and-go construction traffic (including a side detour thru BWI airport). I had three people in the car including luggage.
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From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
I'm happy to pay the 550 fuel tax. That 5.5L is a great motor even in something as big and heavy as a GL. The 320/350 is very nice for a diesel, but isn't even in the same league for acceleration and especially responsiveness. I'd be more interested in one if MB brought over the bigger diesel. I've gotten 18 mpg on the I5 Disney run, so it isn't *that* bad.
Mark - you're just used to that E30 M3 level of acceleration. :P
Mark - you're just used to that E30 M3 level of acceleration. :P
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
I'm happy to pay the 550 fuel tax. That 5.5L is a great motor even in something as big and heavy as a GL. The 320/350 is very nice for a diesel, but isn't even in the same league for acceleration and especially responsiveness. I'd be more interested in one if MB brought over the bigger diesel. I've gotten 18 mpg on the I5 Disney run, so it isn't *that* bad.
I agree - I'd love the 4.2L diesel. That would be the best of all worlds.
Mark - you're just used to that E30 M3 level of acceleration. :P
Honestly, I find the GL350's acceleration to be more than adequate. I came out of an Escalade with that ginormous 6.2L, 400hp V8 and I don't really miss it at all.
Having a race car to get my speed fix from definitely helps, though.
- Mark
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From: SoCal
Porsche 911
That's pretty sweet! What are you guys getting in mixed driving, say 75% city 25% hwy???
I'm with EWT on the nice responsiveness of the gas V8 (although I only have the lowly 450) but it's nice to see the efficiency capabilities of the diesels in a big heavy platform. Also, what do you guys get at 80mph on the hwy cuz I just can't do 65!
As a side note, I took a trip to Yosemite in May with 5 passengers, FULL luggage compartment, bikes, and a large rooftop carrier and still managed 18mpg average. That's rolling 80+ on the highway and as fast as I could through the mountains without anyone getting carsick!
I'm with EWT on the nice responsiveness of the gas V8 (although I only have the lowly 450) but it's nice to see the efficiency capabilities of the diesels in a big heavy platform. Also, what do you guys get at 80mph on the hwy cuz I just can't do 65!
As a side note, I took a trip to Yosemite in May with 5 passengers, FULL luggage compartment, bikes, and a large rooftop carrier and still managed 18mpg average. That's rolling 80+ on the highway and as fast as I could through the mountains without anyone getting carsick!
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From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
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From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
I have averaged roughly 24 MPG over the 4,000 or so miles since I purchased the truck...
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From: Hudson Ohio
2014 slk55 amg, 2011 gl350, lambo gallardo, 800hp supercharged viper
I think that everybody forgot to mention the $15,000 more it costs to buy the GL550 vs the GL350 and THEN the fuel savings!
Even the GL450 is $1,000 more MSRP and THEN the fuel savings.
Not to mention the torque in the diesel during normal driving conditions is awesome and even more durning certain rpms, which makes quick acceleration during normal driving conditions (just not from a stop).
ddruker, take your roof racks off when you dont use them and you will gain a little bit more mpg. Its free money / less gas usage. Put them back on for the occassions you need them which surely wont be everyday use.
Even the GL450 is $1,000 more MSRP and THEN the fuel savings.
Not to mention the torque in the diesel during normal driving conditions is awesome and even more durning certain rpms, which makes quick acceleration during normal driving conditions (just not from a stop).
ddruker, take your roof racks off when you dont use them and you will gain a little bit more mpg. Its free money / less gas usage. Put them back on for the occassions you need them which surely wont be everyday use.
Last edited by pteam; Jul 8, 2011 at 02:02 AM.
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From: San Francisco, CA / Middlebury, CT
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The 5.5L is a great motor. Very smooth. For my "need for speed" I have a Cayenne Turbo (with Fabspeed catback by passes) which is good for 0-60 in 4 seconds (Car & Driver).
Last edited by dbtk; Jul 8, 2011 at 10:42 AM.
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From: New York
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Your picture looks impressive...28 is unbelievably good. Do you press on a gas pedal sometime's or it's strictly downhill? )
No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
)No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
Last edited by aeggroup; Jul 8, 2011 at 04:39 PM.
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2011 GL 350-Lighting Pkg-P2-Parktronic-Blind spot assist-Heated everything-Running brds ,etc
Your picture looks impressive...28 is unbelievably good. Do you press on a gas pedal sometime's or it's strictly downhill? )
No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
)No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
Edit: I also drove from Miami to Chicago.. first loooong drive on the new truck. Got an average of 29 through the entire trip. Am quite happy.
Last edited by giffie; Jul 8, 2011 at 05:03 PM.
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From: SoCal
Porsche 911
Your picture looks impressive...28 is unbelievably good. Do you press on a gas pedal sometime's or it's strictly downhill? )
No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
)No offense, but it looks like your city barely has any traffic lights.
I drive in NYC (actually my wife) and our city driving is no more than 16MPG. My average from the time I got the truck is 18.5 MPG ( NYC driving ).
Of course, when I get on a highway - it usually about 26-27 MPG.
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I can't compare with GL450, because I never had one, but my previous BMW X5 4.8i was getting 13.5 MPG. BMW was much faster than GL from the start, but on a highway I like GL better.
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14'G63 AMG ,1994 Mercedes E500, 2020 Range Rover HST
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
http://www.insideline.com/bmw/x5/200...mw-x5-48i.html
http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-b...enz-gl450.html
Motor Trend has the GL450 at 6.5 seconds:
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/...s_pricing.html
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If the diesel guys wanted to buy a 450 or a 550 we would 
especially if 2 year used the 350 is the same money (if not more expensive) as its gasoline counterparts...
To each his own i guess. Matter of choice.
Now on the mfd reading - my truck always showed less mpg than pen and paper results.
especially if 2 year used the 350 is the same money (if not more expensive) as its gasoline counterparts...To each his own i guess. Matter of choice.
Now on the mfd reading - my truck always showed less mpg than pen and paper results.
Last edited by alx; Jul 10, 2011 at 04:43 PM.
