first MB SUV for me. Which one should I get? My purpose is just getting a family car. GL for sure is good choice. 350 Bluetec is slow for sure comparing to my current SUV (X5 4.4), never drove the new GL yet.. I think 450 is about the same feel with my X5. Do I really care the addtional gas cost with 450? not really. but I think about 2000$ a year saving in gas, not bad... how about the issues and maintainance? which one is better?

I plan to buy a fully loaded pkg GL. a 350 Bluetec with Sport package? looks sporty, but slow...

 

Let me clue you in about something - the GL350 is not slow, and the GL450 is another leg up from there.

1st - please understand that your GL should be in the GL450 1st : quietest luxury SUV ever, as quiet as a S-Class, a driving machine - meaning you are not driving inside the box, you are actually driving the vehicle, smoothness that makes you question how a SUV can shift thru gears under power so smoothly like glass, a cabin and sophisticated driving experience that goes to another level almost pampered.

There are (4) reasons to purchase a GL350 MB BlueTech diesel: (a) you want to be different, strike in a different direction (2) you can use massive torque, either for towing or to savor the feel of V8 power delivered by a V6, (3) based on the miles you drive and your location (diesel fuel cost vrs premium gas) you will benefit substantially from increased fuel efficiency, (4) you are a diesel guy, more specifically a Mercedes diesel guy, from prior experience.

Fuel efficiency alone for most cannot be the only deciding factor - you need at least one other factor that is of significant value to you.

The other coin is the GL450 - with faster performance than the outgoing GL550 - and open ended with the possibility of custom ECU tuning that can forseeably deliver a lot-lot more if that's your thing.

Look - the overall most important thing for you to understand _ GL's are SCARCE and will STAY SCARCE at least thru late spring. It's that SCARCITY that needs to bring urgency to bear in securing your test drive - and from there the major deciding factor in your final purchase strategy.

X5's are way old news until the next generation launch next year - there like over dude and in your GL test ride you will find that out for yourself.

 

thank you! very well explained everything. I think I'm the guy who really prefer to have 450 with ECU tune, I can't find the second reason to get 350 bluetec. maybe a 450 without ECU tune since I think warranty is very important to have.

 

Here's a good reason to own a diesel. I filled mine up the day before hurricane Sandy, and still have half a tank since I get about 600 miles per tank. So I completely avoided all the long gas lines!

As far as performance goes, the 350 is fast enough. It's an SUV, not a sports car. My wife drives it, so she doesn't care about doing 0-60 in 5 seconds - I do that in my Audi S5.

 

How about the GL450 miles per tank? Around 400?

Isn't there additives for a diesel that need added every other tank also?

 

I had a GL450 (2007), now have a 2013 GL350. I don't drive the SUV like a sports car, but I do feel the 350 gives me enough snort. I was on a road today (for safety reasons let's say it was a closed track) at 93 mph and said to my wife does is feel like we're going 93? Point being the 350 has plenty of performance for me.

For me the choice of a 350 was fuel consumption. As FastMoneyPlay stated, it sips the fuel and goes forever. I filled up today for the first time after picking her up on Halloween. I like the notion that I'm using less barrels of fossil fuel per year. I guess I could say that's reason 1) above.

I do think the USA needs more diesels, so I'm planning to be an evangelist with this awesome vehicle.

I should add, I think you should plan on waiting 3 months or so to get a 350, you can probably find a 450 sooner.

 

this video makes me to consider 450 more now.

 

It's not really an additive as it doesn't go into the fuel its a separate system for the exhaust but you are correct. Mercedes estimates every 10k though which is about 20 fill ups on the diesels, though in my real world experience on ML and E it doesnt use the full tank in 10k, it's just designed around the service interval.

So I am one of the mercedes diesel guys so am looking at the 350. 450 is great though I drove it. If you aren't in love with diesel i'd just go for the 450. If you only going to get diesel purely for $ savings probably not worth it at the end of the day.

For me it's nice being able to drive all week (90+ mile a day) without filling up and going almost a month on my wife's vehicle between fill ups. Also always been more of a slow roller than sporty driver so the speed isn't a big deal for me, though I love the diesels when merging etc and the turbos really kick in. Also have satisfaction knowing i am driving 4,000+lb luxury cars getting mileage equal to a corolla and some hybirds (E not ML/GL)...

To each their own though. I am just really happy Mercedes is supporting diesel in the USA and hope they keep expanding...

 

Sure, the fuel economy of the 350 is best-in-class, including fuel range per tank.

No one is short on power with the 350 - unless you drive the 450 for comparison !

AdBlue tank will go 10K-12K under normal circumstance before indicating low - low indicator still gives you approx 2K-2.5K miles of AdBlue in reserve. Top off's are easy with generi DEF (disel exhasut fluid) using a MB bottle cut-off as a funnel with the Mercedes connector.

Keep the beat !

 

yeah. 350 is the way to change my lifestyle. one tank per month. that's gonna be good. it has enough power in highway and daily driving. it's just a little slow at start, slow response.

 

The video above was taken in New Mexico at high elevation. Motortrend clocked the GL350 at 7.5 seconds to 60 mph. Honestly, how often does anyone need to accelerate a 5500 lb suv full of kids faster than that? Even if you had the 450, how many times in a year are you going to use its full 0-60 in 6.0 seconds capability? Maybe never.

Also, look at the total cost of ownership at a site like Edmunds. The 350 is significantly less expensive to own. Spend the money to get some options you wouldn't otherwise purchase.

Also, you really don't realize how convenient the extended range is until you experience it. 700 freeway miles per tank is incredible. I very rarely stop for fuel when on long trips. It just makes traveling with kids that much easier. I recently did an 11+ hour (about an hour and a half of stop and go traffic included) trip on one tank. I still had almost 80 miles of fuel left upon reaching my destination.

 

I'm a big fan of Diesel Engines in all types of vehicles. Today's Diesel Engines are nothing like anything you may have thought if you were around in the 70's, 80's oil shortage. Those loud, clattering GM 350 blocks with smoke sputtering out of them. What a disaster those were.

Just take a trip to Europe and you will be amazed that approx 60% or more of all vehicles on the road are Diesels.

They are quiet, powerful, torquey, efficient (about 30% better than a similar gas engine), and they don't smoke.

I drive a BMW335D which will easy go head to head with the like minded gas version 335i. I think the 335D was quicker off the line but the 335i had a higher top end.

It was an Audi Diesel that has been kicking butt in the 24 hours of Lemans. Why? Is it faster? No. It makes fewer stops as it gets 30% more MPG! This pays off on road trips for sure!

 

They only thing I'm worried about with diesel is the USA's politics of using biodiesel. In Minnesota there is a mandate to go to 20% biodiesel. It hasn't been enacted yet, but our 350's only support up to 5% bio.

 

Buy what you want.......based upon your objectives and needs. Me.... I want the smooth power and uncomplicated operation of the gasoline engine.... I occasionally drive in very cold weather ( diesels, by nature, don't like sub zero weather ), diesel fuel can be a bit of a risk in that not all suppliers are created equal or are willing to play by the same rules....... If you can afford to buy a GL, then the cost of premium gasoline should not be an issue....what is important is where and how you drive, and, what your values are with regard to environment, fuel conservation, etc. All that being said........ if I were going to pull a trailer, then 350 it would be!

 

I am of the opinion that "gassers" and "diesels" are more closely converged in two l key areas: longevity - both gassers and diesel engines adequately maintained have equally long lives - and the "gap" in fuel efficency is closer than ever before, especially in counting in the power efficiency increases in both technologies.

That said - to me the new diesel technolgies on driver's experience can provide even greater and wider torque bands - and in addition to towing/full load benefits the torque characteristic of the MB 350 diesel really gives you a solid "old school big American V8 feeling" coming off the line and in normal town/city traffic from 1500 to 2750 rpm or so when coupled with the new 7G+ tranny.

That is balanced against the ultra-smooth and straighline power delivery of the gasser 350 V8 when coupled to the 7G+ transmission from 1200- 3500 rpm - and if you are not aware of that "smoothness"/"quietness " characteristic most gasser test drives in the 450 seem to lack that little edge of "dramatics" that driver's are keyed to hear/feel for a SUV - and frankly for those not initiated in ultra-luxury big body sedans (like S550) the gasser GL's almost seem to bland, again to the uninitiated.

Diesel fuel economy needs to be balanced against diesel fuel pricing in your area of operation - unfortunately most states are almost punitive in taxes/fee's on pump diesel - and in "good" diesel states diesel is priced at premium fuel levels (when in fact it could be based on cost to produce diesel could easily be priced at/below non-premium gas), and in key areas (like Cali) diesel has been priced in excess to premium gas.

I am also not in tune with two "perception" of diesel - first your maintenance costs will be more about 20% more than a gasser - if for no other reason because of the 20K diesel fuel filter replacements which is a bit labor intensive. Second - I am not in tune with "higher resale" and MB does "support" diesel leases with higher residuals, but those higher residuals are not born out in the real world since most diesel resale vehicles from the non-lease market come back in with higher mileage (relative to gassers) and flip side resale market differentials between low mileage (let say 40K mile diesel) and higher mileage diesels (let say 70K mi) the 70K'ers pull the actual resale market down, in effect a lower resale retail premium for low mileage diesels.

That's what I see - I have a lot of love for the GL350 due to the "driveability" plus of monster torque.

I understand that MB's decision to implement the 250 CDI in the ML, in part was in response to the bio-diesel direction in several states - as aptly pointed out in a earlier post - and if there are bio-diesel initiatives - and you should research if there are regulations or pending bio-diesel initiatives in your operating area before making your final decision.

Keep the beat !

 

Owned a ML350 BT for 3 years and now switching to the GL450.
Reasons:
1. Diesel is noisier and the engine shake more. If you are buying a luxury SUV, why pick the diesel?
2. If you cant find the diesel station, you will be pissed. Happened to me many times in Cal.
3. I do full throttle pretty often. The punch from the 450 is much stronger.
Diesel engine is great for trucks, go stronger than ever when mine was 40k miles. 700 miles range for a full tank. But not for a S-class like SUV.

 

Fab,

So the 2014 E250 and ML250 will be able to run B20? Interesting... Any idea if the E250 will still be on runflats?

Thanks

 

This is a good topic. We're in the market for a new GL and likewise currently have a BMW X5 V8. I haven't driven the 350, but have driven the 450. I would say that it is quite powerful and responsive to be such a large, heavy SUV, but it does not compare to the X5 in acceleration. I drive a BMW 335d and am a real fan of diesels, especially the torque and highway mileage. However, I'm not sure the 350 would be satisfactory to someone coming from the X5.

 

Sounds like we are in similar shoes. My daily drive is a 335D and I'm still in love with it 3 1/2 years later. Nothing like it out there IMHO.

If I had to choose for myself, it would have been an X5D well outfitted. This would have been perhaps $15-20k cheaper than the GL350BT moderately outfitted.

But alas, this is for my wife and she did not care that much for the X5 and was particularly concerned with the smaller carrying spec in the rear, which I too must agree with.

The X5D is a driving machine, but the GL350BT will be a much more elegant transporter and road trip vehicle, and the wife likes it!

Not only was the X5D significantly cheaper to buy (better discounts), it comes with the 4yr 50k maintenance free which can be extended to 6yr/100k for a nominal sum. I did this with my 335D and I've yet to pay for anything other than a new set of tires (non-RFT please).

I do expect to enjoy the GL very much for the purpose intended, road trips in luxury with plenty of space and won't break my credit card at fill up time, which should be very infrequently.

 

Has nothing to do with S-Class like SUV's. Take a look at Europe. S-Classes, 7-Series BMW's, Audi A8's are mostly Diesels. They run smooth, efficient and have enough power for every day driving, including on the Autobahn. They don't shake, are quiet, and smooth.

I switched from a GL550 to a GL350 a couple of years ago, and don't regret a second of it. We live in a very cold climate, the GL Bluetec does fine. Not once have I experienced problems due to freezing temperatures. Plus the benefit of over 900 clicks on a single tank is a nice bonus. I have the new GL on order, and it is another Diesel! For all the other fun aspects I have my AMG.

 

We love our 2013 Gl350.

I can not even hear the diesel on our 2013 GL350 and the engine has not shaken yet. It never did on our last two GL350's either. The 2013 GL350 is a true luxury SUV - it is one of the best cars/suv's we have driven. We have owned it since end of Oct and still can't believe how well it drives and how quiet it is. Probably the first car that I am totally satisfied with so far.

Never had a problem finding a diesel stations and we travel all over the place. Maybe CA has less? Not so in the Midwest, NE or Canada.

Mileage in the GL350 is great and especially on trips, especially for such a big, heavy SUV.

 

Good to hear the comments relative to the 350 and cold weather......if thats not an issue these days, then the only thing I would still worry about is the fuel issue ( at least here in the US ).....seems to be issues of "bad fuel", "different grades", price gouging, etc. and over all availability in some areas. Also....back on the W164 forum, it seemed that most of the mechanical (engine issues ) that developed 07 thru 12 were related to the 350 rather than the 450.......not the engine per se, but the various related support systems; fuel pump, turbo hose, etc. Made me think that the diesel variety was just a bit more "fussy!" Probably just a perception......

 

I agree. When the windows are closed on the vehicle you can't hear or feel a thing in my opinion. When the windows are down I can definitely heard the subtle knocking of the diesel. But, it is still pretty quiet. Personally I got the GL350 because I wanted the best of all worlds, ride height - seating position - functionality of an SUV, luxury and tech features of a high end sedan, tons of power 450+lbs of torque and 29mpg highway. If you do not care about your fuel consumption - get the 450.

 

according to MB over 80% of GL sales in Canada which include last generation as well are GL350 ( I personally believe it is over 90%), the engine in the current gen is far smoother than the last gen but you have to take Mercedes claim of S-class SUV with a grain of salt. There are issues with the vehicle that I have, mainly with the 7G tronic "plus" which lags behind the ZF in terms of smoothness when shifting. looks like the 2014 S-class will be stuck with the same outdated transmission as well according to the order guide.

All in all I think the GL350 has adequate power and I believe it is one of if not the most powerful 3.0 liter V6 that is out right now. everyone else has the same hp at 240 but torque seems to be from 400-420.

 

To the 350 folks,
Basic facts:
The 350 is quiet, but not as quiet as the 450
The 350 is smooth, but not as smooth as the 450
I had a 350 for 3 years, i know what it is.

If the 350 and 450 have the same MPG, which one will you pick?