troymir350

I had an interesting thought last week, as I saw the USAA incentive and heard about the deals people were getting on new '11 GLs. Obviously the GL holds its value quite well, so with the help of a forum member (Thanks Alex!) sending me auction values I was able to determine that another new GL might make sense.

Our dealer had 1 leftover '11 GL450 that had great options: P1, Lighting, Appearance, Parktronic, 3 zone climate, Blind Spot Assist, tow hitch, heated steering wheel and rear seats, plus the rear cargo box/tray. MSRP was $74,515 and it's black/black (just what my wife originally wanted).

We got a white '11 GL450 in March of this year, and after driving it 6 months we were able to trade it in at basically no loss and get the new one. So we went from an 11k mile '11 GL to a 100 mile '11 GL that is better optioned for less money! Not a bad deal in my opinion. That and all my accessories still fit: chrome crossbars, winter floor liners, cargo liner, etc etc.

Anyway, thanks to all for posting your experiences and allowing our minds to wander and determine that maybe crazy thoughts aren't so crazy after all!

troymir350

From white to black!

wyelit239

well played

aeggroup

Congrats.....enjoy your "new" GL

jchochla

I live in Grosse Pointe. Who took care of you at MB of St. Clair Shores?

Texas993

So you went from a GL350 diesel to a GL450? If so, yes, the diesels hold their value well.

troymir350

No, 450 to 450. We had a BTEC ML for a while but only gas in the GL. We replaced our BTEC after hearing some of the diesel fuel/water horror stories. I know they're rare, but after talking to some MB engineers that work on the fuel system we decided not to chance it. Now I see some more fuel system recalls are popping up.

Fourdiesel

I must have missed the fuel system recalls. Where did you see them? Any links?

aeggroup

It is here, but there is no reason to worry.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...h&summary=true

This thing can happen and happens to any model, but this time diesel fuel filter had some defect, so they will change it for free.

troymir350

Thanks Alex. I did see that and I used "that" word (recall). But, actually I was thinking more about a discussion I had with MB engineering about the dirty fuel purge system and the water issue of fuel in the US. Until they found the right way to design the system there is always a possibility that water can get to the injectors. That's trouble. The new engine iteration with the increased power has the new fuel delivery and filtration system also. That system was (at least partially) designed to deal with the high water content (dirty US fuel) and allow for proper purging of the filtration system. This will also (hopefully) finally allow the diesels to be proliferated over more of the vehicle lines. A lot of discussions recently about any way to increase corporate fuel economy and diesels clearly are that direction.

Texas993

My mistake. Sorry.

We traded a '10 GL350 for a '11 GL350 this summer with fully loaded USAA discounts. Really didn't cost us much, $2-3k. The dealer asked more for our '10 on the lot than we paid for our '11 new.

Fourdiesel

I HAD seen that about the '011 fuel filters. Since it involved a redesign and didn't seem to affect my '08 I dismissed it as not relevant. but the plural recalls was used and I thought there might be more.
troymir350's discussions with Mercedes engineering staff, while interesting, are misleading with a lot of emphasis on the low probability events engineers have to design for. eg - US owners propensity to 'fuel and go' with little attention to the details of fuel and maintainence. Caterpillar said it best: BUY CLEAN FUEL - KEEP IT CLEAN. Its not a suggestion or a hint, its a command!
Buy at major, high volume, fuel suppliers with a 'good' name and you won't have any trouble. And stay away from home brew biodiesel.

jchochla

I noticed that it was MB of SCS because of the background in the pictures.. i was like, "that seems similar to my local MB dealer"...lol

troymir350

Fourdiesel I agree they design for the extreme case (typically the idiot or extreme user) and that can drive decisions. This is moving toward more of a diesel discussion but your point about the fueling station is absolutely correct. But when I had the ML BTEC a worker in our area filled all his equipment at the same station I always used for diesel. He left it in our drive overnight in the winter and his fuel filter was split in the morning after it froze from all the water in the tank. I was surprised and didn't use that BP any more! I'm sure any station can get a bad tank occasionally. I'm a diesel fan don't get me wrong. It just doesn't add up for us.

43221B

Just an FYI, the newer filling stations have electronic monitoring systems to alert the staff to water in their tanks. You can ask the attendant to check and they have the capability to check for water instantaneously. They can even print you off a receipt that shows the exact water content at the tank bottom.

aeggroup

Yes..this is true. I used to own gas station and there is computer monitoring system, that tells you that. The problem is that nobody from gas station personal will do it for you ( in real life) , because there is no law ( i believe ) , that attendant should give you that receipt.
This system installed for 2 main reason :
1. Franchise company monitors when you feeling up the tank to avoid unauthorized purchase of gasoline(diesel) from another suppliers.
2. For Owners and Environmental department - to see if the tank is leaking and liquid spills into the ground and to see the level of water,dirt..etc.

So, for us, who using diesel - it's only luck.
To avoid all those water problems - I usually get diesel only at well known
franchise stations and pray

So Good Luck guys