GL450CDI

guys:
as this is going to be my first MB i have few questions:
1) how is MB reliability as compared to japanese segment.
2) How much the oil changes and normal repairs cost?
3) Does it make sense to wait for the Diesel to be out in CA? I want the 420 or 450 diesel and not the 320.

thanks,

StevethePilot

As a huge fan of my GL320, I can say there's no comparison; despite the downgrading from Consumer Reports, Toyota reliability still soars over Mercedes'.

Oil changes and normal repair costs are in line with other luxury car dealerships, including Lexus (though probably noticeably more than Toyota due to higher labor and parts costs).

While I think it makes sense to wait for the diesel (being a kerosene burner myself), based on extensive research done by a number of folks on this very forum you will not see the 420 in the US in the forseeable future. The 320 is quite an adequate vehicle (also as noted elsewhere here on the forum) and has in fact been rated in some cases as a better value than the 420 because of less than impressive differences between the V6 and the V8. That said, if there were a 420 here in the US, I'd dive on the sucker.

Another option, of course, is to get a (gently) used 320 (needs more than 700 or so miles, I believe) for your California driving experience, which is a bit difficult to do but again in my opinion much worth the added efficiency of the diesel engine. You'd also be taking the relatively first-year depreciation of the vehicle and therefore getting more truck for your buck.

I hope that helps!

STP

PS There is no 450 diesel

PPS We're not all guys - right, Jen, Chicky? ... I know I'm forgetting someone else ...

LEOSOPHIE

In CA, the car would have to have to be a little more used but can be registered. I believe 2-5 thousand miles. The only 320 diesels in 2008 will be E class under a test program. 1000 vehicles will be leased for about 2 years and then moved out of the state. No opportunity to purchase lease. This info is 2 months old so ask your dealer.

Nevada Jack

I think the mileage for CA and a used diesel is 7500...

LEOSOPHIE

I was trying to not throw cold water but I'm sure you are correct. Several years ago I was interested in the V10 Touareg and DMV was discouraging so all is great now with the 550.

SteveY

7500 is correct. I was shown one in a CA dealership with over 7500 miles.

Japanese vehicles are more reliable hands down.

LEOSOPHIE

If you want that much power here in CA check out the GL550. My fuel mileage average for the first 3100 miles is 17.3 MPG with an average speed of only 39 mph, 60% in city which I am thrilled with. My Navigator driving the same exact route is currently 11.6 MPG.

StevethePilot

What moron forgot the extra zero?! Geez, what a doob. I knew it was more than 7000 miles, but I couldn't remember if it was 7500 or not.

Thank you for the corrections in info, guys! Ugh.

S, TP

GL Fahrer

Then why buy anything else?

oknish

To support a global economy

mortenmol

Regarding the difference between a GL320 and 420, I've tried both, and there's no comparising, the V8 diesel has a brutal amount of torque- where as I find the V6 is more smooth in its power-delivery.
I've raced a couple of ML320 cdi on the autobahn and they def. couldn't keep up.
But the economy in the 320 i far superior, but then again I have a very heavy right foot.

GL450CDI

yeah, i have the same problem with the right foot. but the wait to get a diesel in CA is probably another 9 months. it is painful.

tm4exc

Correct.

StevethePilot

As I said before, if I could've gotten a diesel Land Cruiser/LX470, I don't know that I would've met any of you guys. I didn't want a US truck but an SUV, and I didn't want the VW Touareg V10 diesel.

STP

StevethePilot

I defer to your experience above the very small amount of investigating I've been able to do. If I could have had the personal experience of a GL420 CDI, I'd know better! Thank you for the information.

STP

scottybdiving

I have said it before. The diesel is what brought me to MB as well.

StevethePilot

My biggest disappointment in a car was getting the V10 gas Excursion when the big 7.3 turbo was available.

SteveY

That's the beauty of democracy and freedom to choose. I'm sure we based things not only on reliability...but performance, styling, etc. How funny would it be if we all selected things by reliability only...we would all buy the same things including vehicles.

mortenmol

No worries, you didn't get the chance to test-drive it....
I don't understand your legislation, the 420cdi with the particel-filter (or what ever it's called in english) hardly pollutes and you get loads of power with a good fuel economy. Why not sell it, or is it MB-usa who doesn't want to?

scottybdiving

Yes, then you would regret selling it like I do. I don't regret buying the GL, but I wish I had found a way to keep the Excursion with the 7.3, and not even a door ding. I'll really regret it in about 20 years when it would be a cool vehicle to cruise around.

Mortenmol, I can assure you that if/when MB USA decides to release the GL 420, there will be a lot of interested folks. Although I am very happy with the power and acceleration of the 320, coming from a 7800 lb truck. Where are they built, anyway? It would really $uk if they were built here and all shipped to EU. My dealer told me that 75% of the 320's were shipped to EU.

mortenmol

Well then it sucks, because mine was built in alabama with all of the others... And you're missing out...

Nevada Jack

Scotty, I think all the 420 CDI's are built in Vance and shipped to EU and where ever else they sell it. The engines are manufactured in Germany (pretty sure of that.) It is a case of marketing it and how it fits into the competitive price structure here in the USA.

lkchris

Plus it's the cost of certifying a drivetrain in the USA versus whether MBUSA thinks it will recover those costs.

Yes, all Mercedes engines are built in Germany--as was explained to us when I toured the V gasoline engine factory in Unterturkheim in 2006. The engineer/guide was happy to point out that no more Audi engines were built in Germany. It's Mercedes policy and a goal to continue German production of engines.

When the UK's Mercedes Enthusiast magazine and others as well test the GL420CDI, they usually complain about the poor fuel economy. It's still viable in that market because diesel is cheaper than gasoline, which of course it often isn't here.

http://www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/Car...20-CDI/222178/

It's clear USA marketing arms are quite timid as regards diesels, recently again evidenced by the BMW announcement it's only going to offer diesels in 3 series and X5s, i.e. not in 5 or larger series.

I'm convinced Mercedes doesn't believe it can sell diesel as anything but economy and something less than 25 mph in a GL won't impress.

It's also likely Mercedes and BMW feel Americans don't equate diesel and luxury, either, meaning the V8 isn't likely to arrive in the S-class, even moreso making the USA market seem small for this engine.

The drivetrain certification cost problem apparently also explains why the off road package is only available on GL450s in the USA. It's standard equipment with any engine in the UK.

GL Troll

I pulled this from MB UK site:
320CDI 0-62: 9.5, top 130MPH, 224 Hp, 376lb-ft
420cdi 0-62: 7.6, top 143MPH, 306 HP, 516 lb-ft

Keep in mind they also said the GL450 would do 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. None of the car magazine track tests could perform it this slowly. So take these with a grain of salt. Looks like their 320 is tuned a little different too.

And, interestingly their GL500 – the only V8 gas motor - is chipped to top out at 149 MPH. The US gets cheated again!

lkchris

MBUSA doesn't trust Mercedes owners to pay the price for VR-rated tires--with good reason.

I can remember the 1970s when all the 450SLs came with VR-rated tires and when they wore out (quickly) they all got Sears Roadhandler whitewalls.