We also looked at the QX... Its a nice truck, but quite frankly, the CR Reliability report scared me away running!

Also, I sat in the 3rd row of the QX... While I had plenty of leg room, my head hit the ceiling to the point where I had to sit permanently slouched. I am not really that tall (6'2") so it seemed that the QX lacked the headroom for teenage kids or adults.

The GL had a little less leg room in the 3rd row, but had plenty of head room for me.

In the end, it came down to the fact that MZB offers a Diesel in the GL... Something that I could not get anywhere else, and with my recent 26 MPG average 500 mile round trip, there is not another equivalent sized SUV that can touch that. We "smartly" chose the options and ended up paying under 65K for ours. If you do it carefully you can get the GL to fall in your price range... For example, take a good look at the MB Tex interior... You would be hard pressed to tell it from leather (I could'nt tell at all) and that will save you 2800 bucks.

I cried when I read your post, Kaumajet, it was so eloquent.



Jokes aside, I went from a 92 Prelude to GL. Can you imagine the change?

Pssst, I don't think it was my post that made you cry

As long as we're on the subject of beginnings, I feel compelled to chime in. I'm a first-generation native born American. My parents came from Cuba in the 60's with a buffalo nickle in their pocket and the clothes on their backs. Because they had both studied and gotten doctoral degrees in education, it was a big change for them to leave absolutely everything behind and seek freedom here in the States. They cleaned office buildings at night and worked in a factory during the day, and they eeked out an existence. When I was born, my mother shared a hospital room with someone who had been in her same shoes and guided her into presenting her credentials at the local school board, and that's how she entered the school system, where she taught for 25 years until I graduated Med school. My dad also taught for a few years, but at that time, it paid better to work elsewhere, so that's what he did. Nevertheless, both my parents went to college here and obtained college degrees (in English) and were able to live a middle class lifestyle, putting me through private Prep school and later helping me pay for what my college scholarships didn't pay. I worked summers and later taught middle school for a year before entering Med school; that helped pay for my first year, but my parents helped me the rest of the way. Having been blessed with such angels in my life, I always wanted to be able to afford a beautiful new car for them. I had helped them buy a Toyota Previa in the past, and later a Honda Odyssey when I finished school, but I drove a Mercedes (CLK). I always wanted my parents to drive a nicer car than mine, and my opportunity finally came in 2006, shortly after my father survived his second open heart surgery. After a month in the hospital, he finally came home and was healthy. I bought him the GL Premier Edition for Father's Day. My father was very happy and felt proud on many levels. This was a great joy for me as well, being able to give back for all the sacrifices they made for me. When I built my house a few years ago, I asked them to move in with me, and I've never regretted it. I'm their caretaker now that they're older. There's plenty of room in 4200 sq ft, so privacy is not an issue. Having them around is a true blessing. I'm now thinking what I'm going to buy my dad next after the GL lease is up next year. He'll be 80 then, and I'll have to consider his driving ability to determine if a GL will be suitable, or if the ML will be better, given the smaller size. All I know is that seeing my parents in their GL puts a smile on my face and I'm thankful that I was in a position to get it for them. If getting the GL will put a smile on your face, then treat yourself. You don't have to apologize for being successful and your family should be proud of your accomplishments. I won't deny that driving a Mercedes Benz gives one a certain feeling of prestige, but if you're a simple person on the inside, it won't taint your outside. Rob, you and your wife have made strides and from what you write, you haven't forgotten your humble beginnings. That won't change if you get the GL. Just decide what will be best for you and your family, but keep in mind that if you can afford something a bit nicer, you owe it to yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Funny how my long winded posts brought out the same in some of you. I love hearing about everyones experences and the feedback has been great.

Obviously, I'm leaning towards the GL at this point. For those of you that had questions about which model 320, 450 and 550, what made up your mind? Like I have stated before, it drives me nuts that I can't get one built the way I want. I love the muscular look of the 550, but would love to have the mileage of the 320. Some of the features I would like to have are only on the 450, but in the end none of them are deal breakers. I found one in TX that may be as close as I can find. It appears to be a left over 2007.

07 GL450
P1, but has all the extra packages to make it an 08 P2
hitch
RSE
ORP
KeylessGo
19" PKG
Full leather
distonic
multicontour seats
handsfree com system

Really, I think the only things I would like it to have that it doesn't are: running boards and illuminated sills.

For some reason I think I need the ORP, but it does come with the ADS system that people rave about on the 550s.

I may have to load up the family and take a test drive this week.

Thanks guys! It's been a lot of fun so far.

Rob

Actually, so did the Jeep Grand Cherokee (Mercedes diesel), but that was not an option.

CCROB,

I am responding solely to your issue of driveability after your kids have left the house. I find the GL (320 CDI in my case) to be a great vehicle to drive even comparing it to non-SUV vehicles. It feels very compact on the road, and although it is not as large as the largest SUV's on the market, it suits my family of 4 plus my kids' friends even on longish trips. I enjoy driving it so much, I think in hindsight I would choose it again even if it was just me and the wife and a car would normally suffice.

Several notes of caution. If you have three teenagers, you will have to use the third row seating pretty continiously. The middle seat in the second row is not built for comfort. And when the third row is up in seating condition, you will not have much storage behind it, so on extended trips, you may have to use a roof carrier, etc. if you are taking alot of baggage.

Good luck with your decision.

Running boards and sill lights could be installed at the dealer I believe (for a price of course).

Make sure it has Bi-Xenon lights.

ccrob, This has been a great discussion, and I enjoy reading as much about socioeconomics as about cars. I really liked my QX.

Our GL450 replaced both our QX56 and our X5. So with a total of 100,000 miles on the Q and 2 X5's I hope I can give you a pretty good read on them.

The X5's (a 2000 V8, and later a 2006 6) were our daily drivers. Haul the kids to school and go to the grocery or the airport. The QX became the tow vehicle, Lowe's and Depot project hauler etc.

Hands down, the QX 56 is the best truck I've ever owned. The independent rear suspension made it ride and handle well, and the 5.6 V8 never left me wanting for power, even when towing a car on a trailer. There is plenty of cargo area even with all 3 rows of seats up, and a cavernous gargo hold with even just the 3rd seat down. BTW, both rows of seats fold flat. The nav is great, and the front passenger seat back folds flat onto the cushion so I had a big workspace/storage tray when driving alone, or carrying long 2x4's. The driver's seat was extremely comfortable on long (7 to 800 mile) trips. You can open the rear window without raising the whole liftgate, and I really miss that feature. Our overall gas mileage was a respectable 16, and that included a good bit of heavy towing... it would easily or 18 to 19 at 70 mph on the highway without a heavy load.

If I needed a truck, or planned to do a lot of heavy towing, I'd buy another one. But we decided we liked the ride of the X5 and wanted a crossover. We tried all the premium brands, and bought a GL450. We're happy, but I really liked the QX for what it is.

Hope that is helpful,
Mike

Thanks for the comments on the QX and giving me some real world feedback on it.

I all but had given up on the Q after the comments posted here. Not that I didn't already have the idea in my head that the GL was a great vehicle, most likely the best out of the ones I am considering, but it was hard for me to think that not a single person had even given it a thought.

This has been a fun thread to read. I really didn't want to get to focused on the socio-economics, but for me it was a reality I have to deal with. Besides, I think it adds a little more perspective that is important for such decisions.

I think I am getting closer to having it narrowed down to which model out of the GLs I would like to have. After looking at my local gas stations, it seems that about 8 out of 10 are carrying the USLD required for the GL320. With the initial discount, better mileage and resale, it looks like the winner of the three GLs. A fully loaded QX56 comes in at $59k, the GL, loaded carfully looks like about $66k the way I want it. I still want to drive them both back to bak, but I can easily see the difference disappear when I factor lower operating cost and resale value. I may still choose the Q over the GL, but it will be more about the subjective feel vs the cost.

Your real world mileage seems almost too good to be true in the Q.

Thanks again,

Rob

Great reads on this link! I've enjoyed them. Rather inspirational - even though that was not the intention.

Rob,
The QX gas mileage numbers are straight from the onboard computer, and verified by the gas slips and mileage records I had to keep because the Q was primarily used for business.

Several things contributed:
The 5.7 V8 is not stressed at 70 mph and lopes along at a low RPM.
Tires were kept at 36psi
Selector was kept in 2wd instead of "auto" when roads were dry.

For its bulk, I was also pleasantly surprised by the gas mileage and the comfort.

As for the reliability comments, the early Armadas, QX56 and Titan pickups were plagued by brake disc warpage and a few smaller issues. Once those were resolved (05 model year), they were far more reliable. Our QX was only at the dealer for one unsceduled service: to fix a sunroof rattle.
Mike

As for the "social" factors... when I leased the QX I had turned my nose up at the mechanically identical Nissan Armada... only to find later that the differences were extremely minor... the Armada had the power pedals, the trick nav system (optional) and almost all the bells chimes and whistles that I thought were unique to the "premium" brand. The QX did get a unique grille, headlights, bumpers and liftgate design, nicer leather and wood, a power tilt wheel, and a much nicer dealer experience with free service loaners, etc. Was it worth the difference? Yes.

So when it came time to look for a replacement, I was pretty open-minded. We even rented a GMC Acadia for a week. The management at the Infiniti store had changed, and my wife nixed another QX anyway, wanting something new and different. To her, the new X5 didnt seem "new" enough, and the nose of the Audi was just ugly. She chose the GL. I lobbied hard for the diesel, but it took just one experience at the diesel pump with the motorcoach to end that debate... she couldnt stand the smell of the fuel.

She's very happy with the GL450 and her 750Li, and I'm finally getting reprogrammed from the long-held notion that we need two "good" cars plus a "runner" for errands, the airport and the lumber yard. The GL hauls stuff home from Lowes just fine.

Did ya dump it all over the ground or something?? I've never noticed the smell at all. I guess women are very sensitive to these things... too bad! Glad you like your GL!

[QUOTE=BJ021;2655157]Did ya dump it all over the ground or something?? I've never noticed the smell at all. I guess women are very sensitive to these things... too bad! Glad you like your GL![/QUOT

I guess I associate it with the smell of money, and it's not so bad.

QX56 is a horribly unreliable and overpriced POS! was among the worst cars of 2005 or 2006 - tons of electrical bugs. got a worse rating than the ford ranger...

only one that is comparable to the GL is the Lexus LX. The GL CDI is a hell of a lot cheaper, and I think, more pleasant to drive

BJ... my wife has a very sensitive sense of smell... the diesel really bothered her, and I've spoken to a number of women who dont want a diesel car for fear of spilling a few drops of fuel on their hands or clothes when refueling.

Messer... While I have read similar comments about the QX, did you own one? I cant speak for others, but my 36,000 miles were extremely positive... no elec problems at all.

Mike,

Thanks for the followup on the QX info. It does sound a bit more promissing than I was expecting.

I knew when I posted in this forum, I would hear good and bad about the trucks I was asking about. I continue to do my research on the GL and the QX, but your feed back was particularly appreciated as you have owned both. If people considered the QX when buying the GL, great. I just wanted to hear about the process and why they rulled it out. If people are only wanting to offer opinions, I see it as getting the bad with the good. It does help when they can back it up with something more than POS for this reason. That would be like me saying the GL is not great because it has problem A or problem B, but really I don't have any real world experince to back it up. All said, I DO think the GL is superior in most practical and subjective ways to the QX, but that doesn't mean it is still a no brainer for me to spend the extra on it.

I know this may start flames, but I really do see that there are more competitors than just the LX570 for the GL. Like I originally posted, I am looking at a premium brand, large SUV. Where they all fall out in the mix is up to each of us. I can tell you that Acura, Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, and Infiniti are premium brands to me just as Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi would be considered premium. That doesn't mean they directly compete in all instances, but they represent more than just a Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford or Nissan.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Rob

Mike,

I can appreciate the research before purchasing a vehicle. I have to disagree with including Acura - Lexus - Cadillac - Lincoln and Infiniti with the ranks of BMW - AUDI - MERCEDES, I think these brands are in a different league, they should be considered ULTRA PREMIUM. Cmon you can see the difference in the materials that are used in the manufacturing of these vehicles and the dealer support and knowledge of the dealer staff and the little things they do when you by a car (free car wash - free service loaner - free shoe shines - free ego boosting MR. so and so. free airport shuttles) granted you probably won't use 10% of the free services but they are there when you need them. Also as you know they have spent many millions of dollers marketing these cars throughout the years in America to create an Image and you pay for it - But it works (as much as you hate to admit it) You feel good to be able to drive a Mercedes or a BMW or a Porsche and you should! I know I know that is so shallow and materialistic but it is true. The Mercedes-BMW-Audi-Porsche product is built better and has a standard that I do not think Nissan (infiniti) Toyota (lexus) Ford (lincoln) Honda (Acura) GM (Cadillac) have. I know most people think Lexus is in the same ballpark, I personaly don't think so (they just do a great marketing "spell" like the swift boat guys).


Anyway - Drive both cars and buy what you like - Also don't just consider the difference in the vehicle price also consider - Service cost and Insurance cost - the Gl will cost you more in those areas as well, but most people who buy the GL's (or cars over $60k) do not worry about those costs as much, and if they do they should not buy them. I think the GL is the best ULTRA PREMIUM large suv on the market for the $. I also looked at the 08 X5 and the Range Rover. JUST GO BUY YOUR DREAM GL. you only live once.

KOPIER,

I see your point; and while part of it works for me, other parts don't. I do aggree that there is an ultra-premium catagory out there, but I for the most part think that Rolls Royce, Bently, Maybach, Bugatti, Ferari, Lamborghini... better represent that part of the market. I do agree with you on the point, that not all of the brands I mentioned are really in the same league as MB, BMW or Audi. But I think we all would conceed that the lines are getting blurred as time goes on.

I do think that there is cross brand shopping when you get to a point, and I would guess that the automotive magazines see this as well. They regularly compare offerings in many segments that fit certain parameters. One did a comparo of the LR3, Gl450 and Escalde. We all know which is the clear winner, But that doesn't discount that people see them as competitors for a segment of the market not everybody has access to.

Dealer experience is more of a seperate matter as far as I am concerned. Would I expect those services you mentioned from my local Nissan dealer? Nope, but I do expect them from my Lexus dealer and for the most part they deliver. My Audi dealer left me dissapointed almost every time, unless I was there to buy a new car I was more of a pest with a wallet. I love to feel good, and I am willing to pay for that privelage to a point. Would a different dealer in a larger market be more willing to work hard for thier customers? I suspect so. But, I see dealer experiences listed here in the GL forum as hit and miss too, just as I would expect from any marque's forum. If anything, I might even expect more out a dealer representing one of the brands I mentioned as premium.

The GL may be the pinical of SUVs right now. I can hardly dispute it in almost every catagory I can think of. In reality, for some people it may be very pedestrian or just another car. Bench mark; is they way that I see it all around. But that doesn't mean I see it standing out there all alone.

Thanks for your comments!

Rob

Here are some straight up impersonal comparisons from fueleconomy.gov

Based on 15,000 miles / year, 45% Hwy - 55% City

QX56 AWD
EPA 12/14/17
Gal / 25 miles = 1.79
Barrels of Petroleum / year 24.5
Carbon Footprint = 13.1 T / year

GL450
EPA 13/15/18
Gal / 25 miles = 1.67
Barrels / year 22.8
CFP = 12.2 T / year

GL320
EPA 18/20/24
Gal / 25 miles 1.25
Barrels / year 19.7
CFP = 10.6 T / year

You can't necessarily expect them from your Mercedes dealer either....I say this because I know. I don't have dealer support, a knowledgable staff, a loaner car or even a dealer who gives a ****.

Of course that's not the norm for MB. I personally got better treatment from the Honda dealer who serviced my minivan. (oh, and blech on the minivan...)

Now on the GL itself...it's an awesome truck. It just feels great and drives great.