So I went to MB of Honolulu and ordered the diesel. Couldn't wait for the X5 diesel any longer. The weirdest thing is they said gas guzzler tax was $1300 on the GL. I thought the GL is an SUV and exempted from the tax. Scam or honest mistake? Not like there are no GLs in Hawaii. They are the only dealer and have sold so many MB suvs.

Also I have an 03 540i with sport package, an 05 M3 and an 05 Mini cooper S. Which should I get rid of, the 540i (25k mi) or the M3 (3k mi)?

 

There was no gas guzzler tax on my '07 diesel.

Was this on the official window sticker on yours?

 

there should not be any gas guzzler tax on GL 320 CDI, unless Hawai has some state laws for diesels

 

gas guzzler tax? Not here in Maryland? I would loose the 540i at this point. It a great car but the M3 will out perform it in every way, I had a 540 and loved it, a black one with sport package and the 6 speed manual.

 

I don't thing the HI dealer has sold many GL's. Does the GG tax apply to the 550?

 

Does it come with snow rated tires?

 

Thanks everyone for your reply. I will have this sorted out by the time the car arrives in March. The dealer quoted me MSRP for P2, dual screen rear entertainment, and running board. Is it the norm for one to pay MSRP in the other states on the mainland?

I test drove the 550 the first time and today the 320cdi. I was amazed it was so quite. Couldn't even tell it was a diesel. Enough pick up off the line. Great car.

 

How do you like your GL, compared to the X5? My wife and I always had BMWs and this will be our first MB.

 

dds28-

We had also always been BMW people our last cars in order were: 2005 X5 4.4, 2004 545i, 2002 x5 3.0, 2001 540i sport, 1999 328i Sport. We were loyal BMW customers.

This was a big change for me. I never thought I would drive a Benz. I thought they were more feminine than BMWs, and had no interest in ever owning one. My mother in law has the s550 AMG & CLK500. we drive them a lot and I knew MB made great cars but still, they weren't for me. I felt they were for older people who wanted more comfort than performance (my wife and I are 31 & 28).

I drive a lot and quickly put 100k on my 545. I was on the fence between continuing to run up the miles or get a new car.

Then I had a minor run in with a deer at 70 mph which changed my thinking:



Now I wanted a new car. This time it was going to be an SUV. I tow a boat a lot in the winter. I had been using my wifes X5 for that. We always fought for the X5 that time of year. I wasn't crazy about the new X5. I think the one I have now is better looking (metalic black/grey) than the new ones.

My wife suggested I look at the GL. I had never noticed a GL. She got me to the delaer and then it was all over. I loved it. It is much different than the X5. The GL is much larger and feels much larger/longer. The X5 drives more like a car, and the GL is more of a truck. I love how the GL rides. Ita a totally different feel, but both are very enjoyable to drive.

The GL has a few features that I love, that the X5 doesn't have:
1. the hydrolic lift gate
2. the back up camera
3. better nav (but not as good as nav in 545i)

I love our X5. It has had no problems. Our first x5, never had a problem either. My sister inlaw inherited our first x5, she has it at college now. It has 80k on it and has never had an issue. MY 545i has had many computer related issues. The engine has been perfect (like all our BMWs), but that 545 was always in the shop for software BS.

if the diesel X5 was available now, there is a good chance I would have never looked at the GL. I am glad it wasn't available.

 

There is no GG tax on SUV's since they are considered light trucks and trucks are exempt from it. If HI does not have a special state tax for diesels or SUV's then the dealer is hitting you with a bogus charge. Call him on it and make him provide an explanation of the charge.

Sorry, addressed to original poster.

 

[QUOTE=Nevada Jack;2538648]There is no GG tax on SUV's since they are considered light trucks and trucks are exempt from it. If HI does not have a special state tax for diesels or SUV's then the dealer is hitting you with a bogus charge. Call him on it and make him provide an explanation of the charge.

At first he told me that it was on the window sticker. I pointed out to him that I don't think an SUV has gas guzzler tax (my 540i and M3 had them). He said that his manager said it was applied on the GL. Of course he acted like he didn't know anything about it. I then called him outside to look at the window sticker. He said he will ask his manager and get back to me. I called him later in the day and asked him about what he found out. I was a little annoyed when he said he didn't find out yet. How hard is it to walk over 20 feet and ask the manager? I already know that there was no tax on the car.

So now I am contemplating on just cancelling my order and buy it from someone else. The thing that really bothers me is that the salesperson used to sell VW so he should know that those gas guzzling V8 Touregs were exempted from the tax.

 

Canvasback13

Thanks for the reply. I am coming from where you were. I never thought about buying an MB. My parents and two sisters all have MB. But I always thought they were a bit soft. But I was really surprised with the GL diesel. I really like the ride. My wife doesn't like suv but she really liked the way the GL drives and rides.

BTW, I like the wheels on you 5er. Reminds me of the M Parallels on my 540i.

 

Well that explains why that salesmonkey doesn't know anything about MBs.