GL350 BlueTec Test drive
06-06-2011, 01:11 PM
#1
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GL350 BlueTec Test drive
Went looking at 3row SUV's with my family yesterday. I was really looking forward to driving a 2011 GL350, I had driven a GL320 several years ago and had awesome memories.
Looking at the car in the lot and checking out the interior, it was the most convenient and spacious that we had seen. I was psyched to drive it and I think we were all sure that this was the car for us. But then we drove it. The test course included a rather bumpy road that gives my E320 a slightly rougher ride on.... But the GL350 was another story. It was creaking, shaking and rattling. My wife said that sitting in the rear seat was like being in a torture chamber. Her back was killing her when she got out. I have to say the ride up front was not much better.
What happened to my dream car? Is this the result of the new runflats? The 20 inch wheels?
Looking at the car in the lot and checking out the interior, it was the most convenient and spacious that we had seen. I was psyched to drive it and I think we were all sure that this was the car for us. But then we drove it. The test course included a rather bumpy road that gives my E320 a slightly rougher ride on.... But the GL350 was another story. It was creaking, shaking and rattling. My wife said that sitting in the rear seat was like being in a torture chamber. Her back was killing her when she got out. I have to say the ride up front was not much better.
What happened to my dream car? Is this the result of the new runflats? The 20 inch wheels?
06-06-2011, 02:59 PM
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2011 GL350 Bluetech, 2000 Porsche 911 C2, 2005 Honda S2000
I have a 2011 GL350 and also heard the run flats are impacting ride quality. Did your test car happen to have the ADS option and was it set to comfort or sport?
However, I did notice that my GL can be a bit rough on bumpy roads even in comfort mode. The 2010 I test drove seemed smoother. I'm not sure if 2010's had run flats yet? I'd be happy to have a spare tire or tire repair kit in place of run flats! They're also overpriced! A friend of mine with a Toyota Sienna 4wd also had run flats come with the car. He ended up getting non-run flats later on and leaving a spare tire in the trunk.
However, I did notice that my GL can be a bit rough on bumpy roads even in comfort mode. The 2010 I test drove seemed smoother. I'm not sure if 2010's had run flats yet? I'd be happy to have a spare tire or tire repair kit in place of run flats! They're also overpriced! A friend of mine with a Toyota Sienna 4wd also had run flats come with the car. He ended up getting non-run flats later on and leaving a spare tire in the trunk.
06-06-2011, 03:30 PM
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2011 GL 350-Lighting Pkg-P2-Parktronic-Blind spot assist-Heated everything-Running brds ,etc
Do you know how much the tiers were inflated? When I got mine new, all tires had a cold pressure of 39 PSI! I deflated the front ones to 32 PSI and rear to 38 PSI (as per the manual). Now the ride is noticeably smoother on bumpy stretches.
If you commute includes long stretches of bumpy roads, I don't think the 350 is for you. My commute on the interstate is buttery smooth and I wouldn't trade it for any other.
If you commute includes long stretches of bumpy roads, I don't think the 350 is for you. My commute on the interstate is buttery smooth and I wouldn't trade it for any other.
06-06-2011, 03:49 PM
#7
Every time I take my GL to the dealership they put 38 to 40 in all four Goodyear Runflats. Per the fuel door, all 4 tires get 32 unless you are loaded heavy in the back. In that case, only the rear tires get 38. Having said that, rough roads are not the GL's forte. Also, the second row reclines. For an adult, the seat back is way too vertical if not adjusted. I have 26000 miles on mine and not one squeak or rattle has presented itself.
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06-06-2011, 04:44 PM
#8
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Looking at the car in the lot and checking out the interior, it was the most convenient and spacious that we had seen. I was psyched to drive it and I think we were all sure that this was the car for us. But then we drove it. The test course included a rather bumpy road that gives my E320 a slightly rougher ride on.... But the GL350 was another story. It was creaking, shaking and rattling.
Go cross-shop some other 3-row SUVs and compare the ride to them instead. That's the fair comparison.
- Mark
06-06-2011, 05:08 PM
#9
I had a 2010 E-Class rental last year in San Diego and I couldn't wait to get back in my GL because I thought the E rode so rough. The E had the AMG wheels which I'm sure didn't help it but it was way rougher than my Runflat equipped GL to the point it was uncomfortable. Something doesn't make sense unless the tires were over inflated.
06-06-2011, 05:40 PM
#10
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I had a 2010 E-Class rental last year in San Diego and I couldn't wait to get back in my GL because I thought the E rode so rough. The E had the AMG wheels which I'm sure didn't help it but it was way rougher than my Runflat equipped GL to the point it was uncomfortable. Something doesn't make sense unless the tires were over inflated.
06-06-2011, 05:47 PM
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2011 GL350 Bluetech, 2000 Porsche 911 C2, 2005 Honda S2000
These are the cars I test drove before deciding on the GL: Porsche Cayenne S, Audi Q7, BMW X5, BMW 750i, and S550. The GL beat all the other SUVs in ride quality and space but of course was last place in handling and acceleration. The S550 naturally had the nicest ride but I needed a Tahoe car with a decent 3rd row for the kids.
06-06-2011, 05:59 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Mine too was rough (when I had 38/41 F/R to optimize highway fuel economy) until I reduced the fronts to 35 and rears to 40 for the summer. The car rides noticeably smoother but still not a luxury sedan ride. Oh but on smooth highway...it rides like my previous S550.
