Looking into purchasing a GL
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Looking into purchasing a GL
Im looking into purchasing a GL and considering getting the bluetech model. Are there any cons in doing so? Would you recommend this over the gas based models? Thanks in advance.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
Do yourself a favor and spend some time reading as much as you can on this forum.
Having owned one for two years, here are my lists:
Pros-
Fuel economy
Tank Capacity (You can top it off with about 30 Gal)
Range (>600 miles on the freeway, ~500 city)
Acceleration (anything other than from a dead stop)
Engine sound at idle (any vehicle over 5000 lbs should have this engine sound)
Engine sound at cruise (there is none)
Engine character, it grows on you
Cons-
No spare tire
Adblue (Tank is refilled during oil/fluid regular service interval. Really not an issue other than small additional cost.)
Turbo Lag when accelerating from a stop. You learn ways to adapt such as gently accelerating prior to full acceleration.
Complexity of the exhaust/emissions system. Non issue for in warranty ownership but huge issue for potential out of warranty expense. I just had my adblue heater replaced. Was told that it would have run me $1500-$2000 if I wasn't under warranty.
The GL costs me so little to own though that I'll probably replace it at 4 years. If you buy the diesel for the right price, there probably isn't a luxury vehicle that is as cheap to own in warranty. It is my first diesel and I won't buy another SUV that is gas unless the economics change, I like it that much.
Having owned one for two years, here are my lists:
Pros-
Fuel economy
Tank Capacity (You can top it off with about 30 Gal)
Range (>600 miles on the freeway, ~500 city)
Acceleration (anything other than from a dead stop)
Engine sound at idle (any vehicle over 5000 lbs should have this engine sound)
Engine sound at cruise (there is none)
Engine character, it grows on you
Cons-
No spare tire
Adblue (Tank is refilled during oil/fluid regular service interval. Really not an issue other than small additional cost.)
Turbo Lag when accelerating from a stop. You learn ways to adapt such as gently accelerating prior to full acceleration.
Complexity of the exhaust/emissions system. Non issue for in warranty ownership but huge issue for potential out of warranty expense. I just had my adblue heater replaced. Was told that it would have run me $1500-$2000 if I wasn't under warranty.
The GL costs me so little to own though that I'll probably replace it at 4 years. If you buy the diesel for the right price, there probably isn't a luxury vehicle that is as cheap to own in warranty. It is my first diesel and I won't buy another SUV that is gas unless the economics change, I like it that much.
