1985mb

Has anyone gone through the decision-making process of trying to pick one? I plan to testdrive both but in the meantime would like to hear others' thoughts. On paper, I like the power/acceleration of the 450, but the 350BTC is a more rational choice with much better fuel economy & range.

What did you like (and not like) about each one?

Were dealers more willing to negotiate on one versus the other? IIRC, the 450 has a +1% better residual value, but IF the 350BTC has more negotiating room on the selling price, it could be a wash or slightly better value.

blittle

Do a thread search....there is one that deals with the gas vs. diesel issue.

JimBarnhart

This thread has quite a bit of detail:

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...tec-450-a.html

If you are just starting to research, you'll soon discover that the 350 is hard to find, vast majority are ordering and it's getting to the point where you will be in MY14. 450's are easier and more available.

Flyingman

I really did not consider the 450 vs the 350BT due to the better MPG of the BT. Unfortunately getting my hands on one has proven a bit elusive. Couldn't find one with options we wanted so placed an order in March for a Late May/June delivery only to find out a month later my orginal order was never accepted by the factory.

Dealer advised he would order a MY14, same build, same price as 13, and it would have a late July/August delivery date, he hoped but wasn't sure about that date.

I decided to hold for the 14 after no success looking wider for a 350BT. Found one and the dealer I was negotiating with advised it had just sold for $8k over MSRP.

I don't mind waiting until Fall to get one but they appear to be quite hard to get.

fabbrisd1

Just so you know - for most MB dealerships, selling "over MSRP" is simply never done - that's "old school thinking" from the '90's.. banditry.

As of today there are a few higher volume dealers who might have GL350's allocations for end-June or early July that are changeable for color/features..

Flying's dealer is a jerk too - that particular dealer didn't have a open/allocated fatory orders at that time - then strung him along - and frankly 1st 2014 GL350's will not be delivered until October since diesels cannot be released until after Federal and Cali regulatory approval..

2014 order bank for GL350's has not opened yet - but a dealer has to have a allocated slot to get a order into the factory.

China guys are literally scouring the US to try to get GL350's - it's now the go-to-bad-boy luxury SUV there..

Keep the beat !

1985mb

Seems like the current general consensus is that the 350 BTC is hard to get and high in demand (and thus harder to negotiate on)?

This surprises me, because last summer E350 BTCs weren't exactly common either but they were very negotiable on the selling price. Anyway, if that's what it is, then so be it.

Thanks, I did read that thread but the majority of the discussion was from late last year and I was looking to get a sense of current market conditions.

JasonMayes

There are a few GL350 2014 allocations out there, but just like fab said, unfortunately August build date makes it September/October for change over and regulations, etc...

And yes, charging over MSRP, that is just simply not done anymore, from where Im at anyways..