Nevada Jack

Since there still seems to be great interest here in the GL420 for the US market, how many green ones (as in money) are we willing to pay for it over a gas model? Keep in mind the 420 V8 diesel will not be cheaper than the gas models like the 320. Would we be willing to pay $8-10K more, say a base of $70K for a stock 420 or $90K for a fully equipped model like the GL550 as a diesel? Just like to hear some opinions...

shooter90027

If they'll run Bio Fuel from the Factory the People in So.CA will pay 70 - 90k.

carpersn

It's time they "up" the allowable content ratio in bio-diesel, that's for sure...

MB Fanatic

same as my GL550. Jack, any issues with your GL550?

HoustonRider

based on what gas vs diesel is right now, it would depend on what that extra 10mpg (possibly) at a cost of roughly $.30-.50 higher than premium fuel is.

Too me it wouldn't be worth an extra $20k... it would take FOREVER to get that $$ back. (are we assuming the 320 isn't available?)

Nevada Jack

Don't quite understand your response MB..."same as my GL550"

No issues at all with the 550...great machine!

Nevada Jack

From the figures I have seen on mpg for the 420, it gets about 24mpg on the highway. That is about 6mpg better than the 550.

The assumption is the 320 would still be in the model line and the 420 would be an addition.

HoustonRider

maybe the question should be how much more are you willing to pay for a 420 over the 320? When I bought, the 320 and the 450 were the same price. Now that the 320 is harder to find on a lot, the price may be up a bit.

I would pay a little more for a diesel with the same performance of the 550. Assuming the mileage difference, it would depend on what kind of driving I did and how much I anticipated fuel increasing over the life of the truck (it would be linear anyway).

StevethePilot

I would pay more. Why? Mileage is about the same as the 320 but with higher torque and horsepower both. That means better starts, greater towing, less wear on the engine from normal driving. And I would expect it to be closer to $85 loaded up, or for the 550 to go $5-8k higher to price point it up from the 420. I would not necessarily prefer it to be like a 550 versus a 450 or 320, though I do like that styling.

Of course, given what we know this is all an academic question, pure fantasy.

STP

scottybdiving

HR, the GL320 is 2500 less than the GL450. 54225 vs 56725 base MSRP.

I think people will be willing to pay more for a 420. Here in the US, diesels have always cost a premium. If I remember correctly, my 1982 F250 cost around $2500 above, and the price has steadily risen to over $8K on the current group of diesel trucks. There were a couple reasons other than fuel economy that made them sell; reliability, longevity, and resale value.

GL Fahrer

Just looked up some numbers from the DAG website:
In Europe, the GL420 is priced $22K (equiv) higher than the GL320.

In the USA, a (base) GL420 would be $76.3K and a fully equipped version (like the 550) would be $93.8K

GL320 CDI - $54.2K
215 hp / 398 lb-ft torque
24 mpg / 0-60 in 8.5 sec

GL450 - $56.7K
335 hp / 339 lb-ft torque
18 mpg / 0-60 in 6.7 sec

GL550 - $78.2K
382 hp / 391 lb-ft torque
17 mpg / 0-60 in 6.0 sec

GL420 CDI - $76K - $94K
272 hp / 516 lb-ft torque
24 mpg / 0-60 in 7.4 sec

Nevada Jack

From my point of view I would stay with the 550 at $82.3 (fully loaded) against $94K for the 420 equipped like the 550. If the 420 had mileage in the 27-30 range I could be tempted but I could get a 320 fully equipped for a lot less money and the same mileage as the 420 gets now. I would not have the power of the 420 or the 550 but I would have the same ride and gain about 6-7 mpg on the highway.

MB Fanatic

I would be willing to pay the same amount as my GL550 for the DL420 CDI. Sorry about that. Of course, optioned out equally as the GL550.

I too am glad to say that the GL550 has the same reliability and quality that our S550 and my CL63 has. Surprisngly great and my wife loves it since she is the one that drives it the most.

scottybdiving

So, if I am understanding this correctly, the base 420 @ $76K would not be loaded up like the 550. If this was the case you would be paying a 22K premium, only for the larger engine. That's pretty unlikely.

m0n0x!de

CDI 4 ever!!!

gordongl450

After reading this thread, it seems to me to prove that the GL320 is a well thought out combination of size, style, features, convenience, safety, value and fuel economy.

Maybe the boys at Mercedes are not so stupid after all. Despite what we sometimes say about them.

oknish

Staying with 320 won't give you the same grill star as 550, Jack

I would go with 420 simply because of more torque. Some heavy towing is in my future.

nantucketsleigh

If I were buying a GL today it would be the 550. If a comparably equipped 420 was offered at the same price as a 550 I would choose the 420.

oinick

I think I would buy the 320 again. I have been very happy with it. But my crankshaft sensor hasn't failed yet nor has my turbo hose blown off. It is a great ride for the interstate as well as for around town. No complaints.

StevethePilot

If it was between the 320 and the 450, I'd have to say I'd go for the 320 again, and I have had problems with it. In a different financial situation, I might go for the 550 as that is one good looking vehicle. If there were a V8 diesel available, I'd probably go for that one.

scottybdiving

If the 420 came equipped like the 550, for the same price, it would be a no-brainer for me, being the diesel fan that I am. I'm still having a hard time swallowing the fact that it would be 22K more than a 320, bare bones. That would be the hugest premium ever charged in history for a diesel engine

nantucketsleigh

Jack,
From responses thus far it looks to me that a pretty significant number of GL owners would be likely buyers of a 420. What do you think?

TV550

I think they would sell like hot cakes in the U.S.

oknish

Well, you do get the BIG star also

Nevada Jack

I think that would be so if the GL420 was equipped to the level of the GL550 and the price was close. But based on random information the 420 diesel would not be sold at a price less than the gas model like the 320....but the price would be significantly higher. On that basis I think most would go for the gas option...I would.

I just do not think we will see the V8 diesel here. Certification and the extra cost of building the engine would just make the price too high to compete with the LX570, Cayenne and whatever else large SUV's were available.