Gl 320 Vs GL 450
08-22-2021 | 12:57 PM
#26
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
Pick up a GL450 for $4-5000, replace all airbags for $1000 and throw some nice wheels and tires on it for another $2000 - you’ll be hard pressed to find better value anywhere.
just look out for the early 2007s, some have the same issue your R350 M272 motor may have.
i get about 18 mph in my 450 but who cares when I have 0 car payments.
Just avoid the diesel if you’re not a engine out DIY type a guy.
just look out for the early 2007s, some have the same issue your R350 M272 motor may have.
i get about 18 mph in my 450 but who cares when I have 0 car payments.
Just avoid the diesel if you’re not a engine out DIY type a guy.
08-22-2021 | 12:59 PM
#27
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
BlownV8 ..do you know where i can Vin Search the Vin on these for the problematic engines ? do even the 2009 models have this ? ..
08-22-2021 | 01:42 PM
#28
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Yes, there is a listing of problematic engines but mine is outside of that list and still had issues. That's why I recommend a newer model than 2008. Maybe, just maybe they used all the old defective parts by 2009. You could always buy a 2007 for cheap and then put in a 2008 550 engine. It is a plug and play on the 450 then you don't have the dinner sized MB star in the front grill.
08-22-2021 | 02:23 PM
#29
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'08 GL 320 CDI
This is what I was elluding to above... much of this topic is opinion based. It is not "fact" that the 550 is a better vehicle. It has a bigger, stronger, gas engine - but not everyone wants that. The vehicle, itself, is the same, right?
08-22-2021 | 03:37 PM
#30
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
its more on the High end side too...from what i understand it usually also has all the premium features all together rims interior motor all the bells and whistles...
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08-22-2021 | 03:38 PM
#31
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
Yes, there is a listing of problematic engines but mine is outside of that list and still had issues. That's why I recommend a newer model than 2008. Maybe, just maybe they used all the old defective parts by 2009. You could always buy a 2007 for cheap and then put in a 2008 550 engine. It is a plug and play on the 450 then you don't have the dinner sized MB star in the front grill.
08-22-2021 | 04:42 PM
#32
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'08 GL 320 CDI
That sounds logical. I guess it all comes down to what a particular person sees value in. I'd still say, though, that the actual "vehicle" is the same. One just has more frills than another.
08-23-2021 | 12:28 AM
#33
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2011 GL 550, 2010 MB S550, 2004 BMW 645Cic 1988 Corvette
A friend of mine has the ML350 and he loves it. You can't beat 33 MPG on the highway compared to 20 MPG on the highway in the gasser. The diesel requires a lot of maintenance, DEF etc...He changes the oil in his ML350 every 4000 miles and uses Triax oil. One of the biggest issues these motors have is that they have so much sound deading material which makes them run hot. They basically cook themselves. He removed some of that material to get more airflow to the motor. Now, all that preventive maintenance still hasn't prevented him from having NUMEROUS problems with the SCR, EGR, and oil cooler etc.... Those issues should have run him thousands of dollars. However, he had an extended warranty on the truck that covered 95% of the issues he experienced. The engine in GL550 is BULLET PROOF!
08-23-2021 | 12:39 AM
#34
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2011 GL 550, 2010 MB S550, 2004 BMW 645Cic 1988 Corvette
My understanding is that the 5.5 from 2010 on is bulletproof. Speaking from my own personal experience (based in fact, not opinion) of driving a 2010 S550 for over 5 years I concur with that assessment. These motors don't require a ton of babysitting. I change the oil every 5000 miles and follow the MB revised maintenance guidelines for fluids, belts, pullies, etc.. The reason I looked for a GL550 for my wife in the 2010 to 2011 range was that I felt so comfortable with the fact that the 5.5 is so robust and reliable as well as the GL being a tough, hard to kill, go-anywhere utility vehicle. TBH the 350 is a good motor. It's all the unneeded emissions that have been slapped on it, and every diesel manufactured after 2007 that has wrecked their reputations.
08-23-2021 | 01:47 AM
#35
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Now just one GL450 with EORP.
08-23-2021 | 01:50 AM
#36
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Now just one GL450 with EORP.
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08-23-2021 | 02:08 AM
#37
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GL550 X164
It has already been said, so I will repeat it. Some features which are optional on the 320/350 and 450 are standard on the 550. If you are looking for particular options and those are standard on the 550 but optional on the others, it would be easier to just look for the 550. Unless you are looking at fuel consumption.
I own a 550 and have no experience with the 350 diesel, but I will say that diesel motors do not do well as grocery getters. If they are driven at highway speeds regularly from their first day on the road, and cover some miles (40-50 most days) I suspect that they will not be as problematic as we see here on the forums. I didn't care about fuel consumption and was looking for specific options, some of which were not available on the diesel model and were even hard to find on the 450, so I went with the 550 as its fuel consumption is not that much more than the 450.
I own a 550 and have no experience with the 350 diesel, but I will say that diesel motors do not do well as grocery getters. If they are driven at highway speeds regularly from their first day on the road, and cover some miles (40-50 most days) I suspect that they will not be as problematic as we see here on the forums. I didn't care about fuel consumption and was looking for specific options, some of which were not available on the diesel model and were even hard to find on the 450, so I went with the 550 as its fuel consumption is not that much more than the 450.
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08-23-2021 | 08:12 AM
#38
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'08 GL 320 CDI
That's a good, logical way to look at things. Good statement, Explorer.
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expl0rer (08-23-2021)
08-23-2021 | 09:51 AM
#39
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
the 550 has more power, but the gas mileage is about the same. I have never put regular gas in my GL550 or my S550.
A friend of mine has the ML350 and he loves it. You can't beat 33 MPG on the highway compared to 20 MPG on the highway in the gasser. The diesel requires a lot of maintenance, DEF etc...He changes the oil in his ML350 every 4000 miles and uses Triax oil. One of the biggest issues these motors have is that they have so much sound deading material which makes them run hot. They basically cook themselves. He removed some of that material to get more airflow to the motor. Now, all that preventive maintenance still hasn't prevented him from having NUMEROUS problems with the SCR, EGR, and oil cooler etc.... Those issues should have run him thousands of dollars. However, he had an extended warranty on the truck that covered 95% of the issues he experienced. The engine in GL550 is BULLET PROOF!
A friend of mine has the ML350 and he loves it. You can't beat 33 MPG on the highway compared to 20 MPG on the highway in the gasser. The diesel requires a lot of maintenance, DEF etc...He changes the oil in his ML350 every 4000 miles and uses Triax oil. One of the biggest issues these motors have is that they have so much sound deading material which makes them run hot. They basically cook themselves. He removed some of that material to get more airflow to the motor. Now, all that preventive maintenance still hasn't prevented him from having NUMEROUS problems with the SCR, EGR, and oil cooler etc.... Those issues should have run him thousands of dollars. However, he had an extended warranty on the truck that covered 95% of the issues he experienced. The engine in GL550 is BULLET PROOF!
08-23-2021 | 10:56 AM
#40
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'08 GL 320 CDI
My understanding is that the 5.5 from 2010 on is bulletproof. Speaking from my own personal experience (based in fact, not opinion) of driving a 2010 S550 for over 5 years I concur with that assessment. These motors don't require a ton of babysitting. I change the oil every 5000 miles and follow the MB revised maintenance guidelines for fluids, belts, pullies, etc.. The reason I looked for a GL550 for my wife in the 2010 to 2011 range was that I felt so comfortable with the fact that the 5.5 is so robust and reliable as well as the GL being a tough, hard to kill, go-anywhere utility vehicle. TBH the 350 is a good motor. It's all the unneeded emissions that have been slapped on it, and every diesel manufactured after 2007 that has wrecked their reputations.
Yes, it's the emissions crap that hurts the diesel - which is why I've been working to eliminate those. The oil cooler seals is one I've been thinking about, as well. Currently, I have about 7K - 10K miles on new oil cooler seals. IF I ever have to do that again, I may look into blocking that location off and re-routing to an oil cooler up front by the radiator - plenty of other engines have coolers there. I don't know if it's possible - it's just something that I'm wondering about.
Can you expand on the "hot" comment? Meaning, how did he KNOW that it was running hotter than normal? I have had zero issues with that and have never heard of that being a problem. In fact, diesels naturally run cooler than their gas counterparts.
08-25-2021 | 12:17 AM
#41
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2011 GL 550, 2010 MB S550, 2004 BMW 645Cic 1988 Corvette
08-25-2021 | 08:19 AM
#42
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R350 2008 4Matic Gasoline
10-30-2021 | 09:00 AM
#43
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01 E320
Do a search for OM642 engine failure or diesel problems. Should scare you away from them. If you don't tow more than 50% of the time, I highly recommend you move on to a gasser. If you were to ignore good advice and buy one, a 320 is the one to get since they are not as problematic as the 350 diesels. Keep in mind the 450 runs fine on regular unleaded and in my neck of the woods, last time I checked, diesel was around 30% more expensive than regular so your MPG increase in the diesel will typically not offset the additional cost of diesel. As stated by others, the diesel will require much more maintenance and repairs. Do not buy one that was serviced per factory specifications. Why? You need to change the oil in these at 5k intervals and not the 10k the factory recommends. If the previous owner/s maintained per factory recommendations, the diesel engine will sludge and that sludge causes a world of other issues including engine failure.
My 450 has been running regular unleaded for approx 200k miles of the 250k+ miles on the car. It has been the most reliable and least costly to operate MB that I've ever owned. It is still going strong and requires only regular oil changes. Of course there have been repairs along the way but most have been DIY or common with all GL's regardless of the engine type. If you want reliable, get a gasser. If you plan to do a ton of towing or want the feeling high MPG is saving you money, get the diesel.
My 450 has been running regular unleaded for approx 200k miles of the 250k+ miles on the car. It has been the most reliable and least costly to operate MB that I've ever owned. It is still going strong and requires only regular oil changes. Of course there have been repairs along the way but most have been DIY or common with all GL's regardless of the engine type. If you want reliable, get a gasser. If you plan to do a ton of towing or want the feeling high MPG is saving you money, get the diesel.
What year is your 450 again ?
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dwnsouf7 (10-31-2021)
