GL 320 or 550
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
It's a luxury SUV. Even without the current gas prices, you'll lose a huge percentage of value before the ink dries on the contract.
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I agree with that STP, but they are both considered luxury suv, so im asking between the two which one does this forum think will hold better resale value??
Also again any experiance about life expectancy on 550 tires??
Also again any experiance about life expectancy on 550 tires??
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Should be obvious the diesel will retain better value.
I bet your dealer is licking his chops as he'll be rid of a hard-to-sell model and have in return one he can make some money on pretty easily.
I bet your dealer is licking his chops as he'll be rid of a hard-to-sell model and have in return one he can make some money on pretty easily.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
As for tires lasting longer on a 550 or shorter, based on the engine I'd say shorter. But it's the tire more than the model of the car that'll determine wear life, as well as driving habits. Taking it on high speed cruises? More wear. Improper inflation? More wear. Skid pad turns? More wear. However, the '09 550 will have a spare, where the '09 320 will not.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
They should last about the same as the crappy michelin or continental tires that come on the 320, but of course that depends on how aggressively you use them and how well you take care (read: rotate) them.
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Right now a 25k mile 320 is bringing low 40s at auction..the 550s were bringing mis 70s till the 6k rebate from mercedes and thean they still brought 68+ at auction..but the 6k rebate is only for 08 leftovers...so om wondering the 09s will be in the mid 70s again...the 550s had around 15k miles on them when they ran thru auction...Apparently the 550s are being shipped thus the stronger value on them
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From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
Diesel is a better option on resale especially if you plan to hold onto it. There are very few on the resale market. Your dealer is hot to get his hands on your diesel.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I don't know. I'm a big fan of the diesel but, so far from what I've been reading, they have been far less reliable than their gas siblings. Not to mention, when you factor the cost of diesel, the savings from the more efficient engine is pretty much offset in the crazy high cost of diesel in the US.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I don't know. I'm a big fan of the diesel but, so far from what I've been reading, they have been far less reliable than their gas siblings. Not to mention, when you factor the cost of diesel, the savings from the more efficient engine is pretty much offset in the crazy high cost of diesel in the US.
If you go in for that sort of thing.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Eh, I don't know about that with the cost. I think that given the math, you're looking at a net savings, mile over mile. Not as big of one as it used to be, surely, but someone else here was actually doing the math and the 320 is (if I recally correctly) about 20% more efficient than the 450. Considering gas prices at about 15% under diesel still (thank you environmentalists and boutique ULSD fuel), that's still a 5% net. I think it gets even better against the 550.
If you go in for that sort of thing.
If you go in for that sort of thing.
I actually had a 320 on order but I picked up a 450 that was less than two months old, a 100,000 mile warranty, and a $10,000 discount off MSRP. I did the math and it would have taken me 15 years to make up the difference between the 450 and the 320. Comparing side by side and given the same options, if you shop for fuel, the diesel will be the less expensive fuel. If you live in Canada, there is no doubt the diesel is the way to go since their diesel is not taxed as high as ours.
Given the issues the diesel owners have been experiencing, I feel comfortable I made the right choice. I'm not knocking the diesel but some of the 320 issues, others have shared on this forum, have been very eye opening. Will the problems disuade me from trading mine in on a 2009 320? Maybe.
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Personally i havent had any problems with my 320, its been flawless, my wifes on the other hand had a tranny replaced at 19k miles, they say it must have been a fluke thing...what other problems are you talking about???
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I actually had a 320 on order but I picked up a 450 that was less than two months old, a 100,000 mile warranty, and a $10,000 discount off MSRP. I did the math and it would have taken me 15 years to make up the difference between the 450 and the 320. Comparing side by side and given the same options, if you shop for fuel, the diesel will be the less expensive fuel. If you live in Canada, there is no doubt the diesel is the way to go since their diesel is not taxed as high as ours.
As for finding the prices that make a difference, I know it will sound cheesy but driving a few miles more for a bigger savings in fuel is more worthwhile in the 320 with its better mileage than in, say, a V10 Excursion. (Which might be a non sequitor but I've got one of those, too.)
STP
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Then there's the crankshaft sensor which had to be replaced. It would cause a complete shutdown of the vehicle.
And then all models have had liftgate issues. Most were minor but still a huge annoyance in a top-end European luxury vehicle.
Somewhere around here is a link to a list of service issues (and recalls?) on the 320. Kind of a big list.
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E55
I don't know. I'm a big fan of the diesel but, so far from what I've been reading, they have been far less reliable than their gas siblings. Not to mention, when you factor the cost of diesel, the savings from the more efficient engine is pretty much offset in the crazy high cost of diesel in the US.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
There are zip/zero diesel reliability problems.
Replacing a sensor before it fails is not a reliability problem.
I had zero problem with the intercooler hose, too, but I have a new one.
Those two, BTW, are the only diesel-specific recalls and any diesel you can buy now will have those things fixed so it's no longer an issue.
The biggest problem with the diesels is that they don't match as smoothly to the 7-sp transmission, but it's a driveability not reliability problem.
Anything else on the mysterious "list" applies to all models.
It's not really the point, the point being the diesel is only $1K more than the 450 and will return that in a heartbeat with much greater resale value. The original poster is fixing to get raped by his dealer.
Replacing a sensor before it fails is not a reliability problem.
I had zero problem with the intercooler hose, too, but I have a new one.
Those two, BTW, are the only diesel-specific recalls and any diesel you can buy now will have those things fixed so it's no longer an issue.
The biggest problem with the diesels is that they don't match as smoothly to the 7-sp transmission, but it's a driveability not reliability problem.
Anything else on the mysterious "list" applies to all models.
It's not really the point, the point being the diesel is only $1K more than the 450 and will return that in a heartbeat with much greater resale value. The original poster is fixing to get raped by his dealer.
Last edited by lkchris; Aug 25, 2008 at 01:26 PM.
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IKchris..much better resale value??? My 320 was a 69500 vehicle...Now its low 40's.......And my salesman showed me manhein auction numbers, so they are real numbers not fabricated....The older school diesel, i agree with you they held great value, but that was when diesel was cheaper than regular,, now diesel cost more than super, 50-60 cents more
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C32 AMG
There are zip/zero diesel reliability problems.
Replacing a sensor before it fails is not a reliability problem.
I had zero problem with the intercooler hose, too, but I have a new one.
Those two, BTW, are the only diesel-specific recalls and any diesel you can buy now will have those things fixed so it's no longer an issue.
The biggest problem with the diesels is that they don't match as smoothly to the 7-sp transmission, but it's a driveability not reliability problem.
Anything else on the mysterious "list" applies to all models.
It's not really the point, the point being the diesel is only $1K more than the 450 and will return that in a heartbeat with much greater resale value. The original poster is fixing to get raped by his dealer.
Replacing a sensor before it fails is not a reliability problem.
I had zero problem with the intercooler hose, too, but I have a new one.
Those two, BTW, are the only diesel-specific recalls and any diesel you can buy now will have those things fixed so it's no longer an issue.
The biggest problem with the diesels is that they don't match as smoothly to the 7-sp transmission, but it's a driveability not reliability problem.
Anything else on the mysterious "list" applies to all models.
It's not really the point, the point being the diesel is only $1K more than the 450 and will return that in a heartbeat with much greater resale value. The original poster is fixing to get raped by his dealer.
Chris:
Sorry to jack this thread, but I was just in your region (ALBUQ, Santa Fe, Durango) and was stuck driving an awful Dodge Grand Caravan. I was wondering how my wife's GL320 would have dealt with the altitude and the steep climbs. I know that in a gasoline engine, turbos make up for the lack of oxygen at altitude. Is it the same with diesels?
PS: To return this to the point of the thread -- we've had the 320CDI for about 4 months now, and it has been literally flawless. I cannot even invent a complaint (other than not liking the brake pedal feel).
PPS: I think the diesel resale advantage will come when (if?) diesel fuel prices drop, and as more and more manufacturers bring diesel engines into the US. It already appears that the demand for the GL320 exceeds the supply. We had to order ours.
Last edited by Fifth Ring; Aug 25, 2008 at 01:50 PM.
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GL 320CDI
IKchris..much better resale value??? My 320 was a 69500 vehicle...Now its low 40's.......And my salesman showed me manhein auction numbers, so they are real numbers not fabricated....The older school diesel, i agree with you they held great value, but that was when diesel was cheaper than regular,, now diesel cost more than super, 50-60 cents more
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GL 320CDI
There have been one or two issues; first, like many others here, I had a turbo hose blow off. Twice. (Three times? I forget.)
Then there's the crankshaft sensor which had to be replaced. It would cause a complete shutdown of the vehicle.
And then all models have had liftgate issues. Most were minor but still a huge annoyance in a top-end European luxury vehicle.
Somewhere around here is a link to a list of service issues (and recalls?) on the 320. Kind of a big list.
Then there's the crankshaft sensor which had to be replaced. It would cause a complete shutdown of the vehicle.
And then all models have had liftgate issues. Most were minor but still a huge annoyance in a top-end European luxury vehicle.
Somewhere around here is a link to a list of service issues (and recalls?) on the 320. Kind of a big list.
