GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

soon to buy a GLK 250 or 350 DIESEL

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 9, 2018 | 07:40 PM
  #1  
oldhifi's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
f350
soon to buy a GLK 250 or 350 DIESEL

I am looking to a get 2013 GLK 250 I4 diesel or the 2012 GL 350 3.0 diesel, I have been reading a lot but can't decide which one, I know the I4 will get great MPG, but I want it for reliability and comfort, which one should I be looking at ?. I am trying to get one for less than $25K

thanks
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2018 | 11:45 AM
  #2  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The GL is a much nicer vehicle but the OM642 engine has been very problematic for many. The 4 cylinder diesel is going to be more efficient but I don't know the long term reliability of that engine. These are two totally different vehicles and should not really be in a comparison.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2018 | 12:47 PM
  #3  
DennisG01's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Agree with the two vehicles being "non-comparable". The GLK is much smaller - totally different.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2018 | 03:06 PM
  #4  
a64armt's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 7
2018 E400 4matic coupe / 2015 GLK 250 BT / 2008 F250 Diesel
As stated above, 2 different vehicles with different characteristics. How many people will ride around on a regular basis? Any towing? Space requirements?

While the GL is a much nicer vehicle and offers much more space than the GLk, we love our GLk250. Our daughter is grown and out of the house, so the back seat is only occupied occasionally. For just 2 with occasional passengers and oversized cargo, the GLk is a great vehicle. We love the fuel economy and have taken several trips. We did take one trip with our daughter (20 y/o) and it was cramped for a long distance and we ran out of cargo space.

We have taken several long distance trips with just 2 of us and think it is among the best trip vehicles we have owned. Handles and rides like a sedan, fuel economy like a sub compact, space and AWD characteristics of a small SUV.

The 4cyl diesel is adequate, but you won’t win any stoplight races. You will see 30+ mpg average if you drive it sensibly. That says a lot for a heavy AWD compact SUV. Ours was awesome when driving through snow storms with 3-6 in of snow on two occasions.

THe GL (or GLS) is a very nice vehicle and if we had the need for passenger space, it would probably been the way to go. Also, I think there are late model ML or GLE with the 6 cyl diesel.

Good luck with your decision.

OJ

Last edited by a64armt; Jun 10, 2018 at 03:11 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2018 | 03:11 PM
  #5  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The GLE also came with a 4 cylinder diesel.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:56 AM
  #6  
sak335's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 437
Likes: 84
From: Espoo, Finland
2012 GL 350
If you're looking for reliability, you are looking in the wrong place with the 350. It is not a reliable vehicle.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2018 | 02:41 PM
  #7  
Gphunk's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
GL350
Own both! 2015 GLK 250 with 44k mi (DPF problems and BlueDef tank and sensor problems in the past) and 2014 GL350 with 65k mi (Clean bill of health since new). I truly believe you have to ride diesels hard!

We us our GL as a weekender car, and to tow a 4k pound travel trailer at least once a month.... GL has had no problems. I do a lot of maint. on my own though, and stay on top of changing the oil every 5k miles, fuel filter changes every 10mi, air filters every 10k, trany changes at 25K mi intervals, etc. Wife uses GLK as a commuter to and from work, and loves it. Avg 30mpg mixed driving, but can be a little on the small side if you've got a family and stuff to lug around.

GLK or GL? - Parts and service will run you about the same, but choose based on what you will be using it for...…...
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:39 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE