Noise levels: GL vs ML
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From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
GL is quiter both on highway and street IMO, I drove a 2012 ML when it came back and felt like a window was open the whole time. as far as I know the ML does not come with the laminate front windows and windsheild.
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A gaggle of MB's
Correct... X166 is a bit quiter than W166 - frankly the W166 is quiter than other SUV's in it's class .. foru luxury 7-seat SUV's the GL is simply amazingly quiet.... Mercedes calls this design objective Psycho Acoustics or something like that - where they have been focusing on low and mid frequebcy reduction in those frequencies where we are most "sensitive"
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GL550
GL definitely is a quiet vehicle. You have to go no further than how you can't hear its super noisy engine from the inside 
When was the last ML major redesign - similar to the GL X166? Thinking to our next car and I sat in the ML the other day and it looked like a mini GL. We may downsize as our needs change and wondering if we would be as happy with the ML as we are with the GL?
When was the last ML major redesign - similar to the GL X166? Thinking to our next car and I sat in the ML the other day and it looked like a mini GL. We may downsize as our needs change and wondering if we would be as happy with the ML as we are with the GL?
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C63, GL550
Interesting, is the difference in noise pretty marginal with the laminate glass? i wonder what other things were implemented on the X166 to make it quieter than the W166, Thanks for the feedback!
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I have a GL63 but am driving a 14 ML loaner....the 63 is louder.. And I like it that way!
As far as wind noise...I do think the pano roof adds a bit of noise in either car just because of the glass.
But seriously..... If you are choosing a V6 ML against a V8 GL 450/550 by the sound levels in the cabin... You should probably check a Lexus.
As far as wind noise...I do think the pano roof adds a bit of noise in either car just because of the glass.
But seriously..... If you are choosing a V6 ML against a V8 GL 450/550 by the sound levels in the cabin... You should probably check a Lexus.
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2014 GL450
I'm pretty happy with it. It's the quietest car I've owned, that's for sure. The new Michelin tires they put on to replace the original Pirellis seem a bit louder so I can't recommend those. Stick to the Pirellis or whatever the car comes with if possible.
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GL550
What wheel size do you and what type of Michelins are they?
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2014 GL450
It's the 20" appearance package wheels. Was having some vibration problems after car was delivered, so eventually they switched to Michelin Latitude Sport which is more of a summer tire with less tread life. They do run smooth on the hwy after the first few miles - they do tend to develop a slight amount of flatspotting when car sits outside at work for several hours, but this tendency has been improving as they wear/age. They seem slightly louder on hwy than original Pirellis.
All in all if ride quality matters more than looks, go with the standard 19" wheels. Less likely to have vibration issues with them.
All in all if ride quality matters more than looks, go with the standard 19" wheels. Less likely to have vibration issues with them.
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From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
