osus2k

I love everything about my 2014 gl350 except the lack of get up and go, I thought that all the reports of the great low end torque would overcome the lack of top end but everytime i get on it, im disappointed. I was spoiled with a turbo s but i feel like im pulling a pig through 4 feet of mud....
Anyone else disappointed.

Trimmer2

Either a tuned GL550 or GL63 (also tuned) solves the problem! I drove both a Cayenne Turbo S and my GL63 back to back to back. My 63 (tuned) was noticeably faster out of the hole and just kept on pulling effortlessly despite it's weight. The Cayenne however while still very quick inspired more confidence in the handling department. if I wasn't fortunate enough to also have a phenomenal 911 Turbo, and only one car in budget, the Cayenne Turbo & S solves a lot of needs! In the price department, a tuned GL63 is still considerably less money than a CTurboS.

osus2k

i might have to go out and test drive one, i bet the gl63 volume is rather low. the gently used 2014 cayenne turbo s is running in the 130s now and dropping day by day.

Trimmer2

A GL550 tuned gets to a stock 63hp which is PLENTY of power and low end torque. The interior of a GL63 is far superior to even a Designio 550. If you/one does't see them back to back, the 550 is very, very nice.

cookstar

you are comparing a 3 litre turbo diesel to a 4.8 litre gas twin turbo v8, they aren't meant to compete in any shape or form when it comes to power.

osus2k

agreed, but i have had 2 different e class diesels and was satisfied with the torque giving me confidence in daily conditions, I feel as though there is a bit too much mass to pull around with the gl. Maybe i m just needing a car that gets to 60 in 7 seconds or less to feel comfortable with merging/overtaking....

The cost of a new gl350 and a used cayenne turbo are dead on so this is where i am comparing them....

cookstar

torque is fine in the GL but in my opinion after owning both the last gen and current gen GL diesels, it needs around 280-300 hp, off the line it is slow. what kind of used are we talking about for the turbo? the last gen or current gen and mileage wise? I paid close to 20k in options on my GL to be almost fully loaded, same thing on a cayenne would have cost me 60k in options on top of the 68k base price. I was seriously considering the Cayenne S.

osus2k

My gl pretty well equipped approaches 90....most recently
I have found s 2013 cayenne turbo 7k miles for 92
That was a 136k car, which is pretty well equippefp

The 2014 turbo s is still 130+ so not a fair comparison

mist68

Trimmer 2-why do you think the GL63 interior is "that" much better than GL550 with Designo? Both have leather dashboards, leather door panel, leather consoles and I appreciate the diamond pattern better.

I wanted the 63, but concerns about the limited 4 matic on 63 compared to 550 and residing in NE USA forced me to 550 with on/off road package. Optioned out to just over $108 and should be a great vehicle. Will most likely get chipped (Renntech). Any experience with that?

jbattan

As a former Cayenne Turbo owner until I sold it last week, and as a current GL550 owner, I will say that while the Cayenne had better and more exhilarating off-the-line pull, it fell far short in every other area: smoothness, comfort, features, sound, creaks, fit-and-finish, and styling. As others have said, it's a tad ridiculous to compare a GL350 to a Cayenne Turbo in acceleration.

Trimmer2

My GL63 has been flashed by RENNtech as has previous turbo Mercedes over the years. The car is much more willing and the torque kicks in at lower rpm's. Yes, I recommend it.

The GL63 interior is much more plush and more detail than the 550's Designo. Do a search and you will find more discussion. Unfortunately, the 63's interior can not be added/purchased on the 550.

mist68

Notice you have the B&O. I wanted the B&O, but was told no spare and at some level, thankfully, no run flats. We have a Carrera S Cab w/o spare and have been stranded-that's why we did not order B&O.

No concerns ??

sam9187

I have B&O in my GL63. I wasn't much concerned about a spare. The sound system is good but not as good as the high end burmester in the current S.

sam9187

I have both a GL63 and a GL550 with Designo. I don't think it's a fair comparison between the 2 interiors. I find both to be of excellent quality - far better than standard interior.

BlownV8

GL450 and 550 use the same engine so same power on flashed ECU's for both. If you don't need to body kit and want the get up and go, the 450 is a very good alternative.

a330captain

pulling a pig through 4 feet of mud....

Do you remember saying this

"i thought i did a rudimentary search and couldnt find anything about dropping a cdi into a g. My wife has a new ml and we love the diesel powerplant. I have a cayenne turbo s and really dont need nor use the power and would love cruising with the extended range of a diesel. I assume importation is excessively expensive for a new g 350"

Im so sorry you feel this way. But did you not NOTICE that when you test drove the both of them.
You did test drive the PIG didn't you.

Sorry Flame Off

Keep the Blue side UP

xxGenericSNxx

The 63 and 550 (with Designo) interiors are the same except the 550 has diamond stitching (while subjective, many prefer) over the 63's regular looking seats.

Both use the same Nappa Leather for the dash, door panels, and seats, both have alcantara headliners. There's no discernible difference aside from the aforementioned diamond stitching vs. regular stitching.

hyperion667

that's like comparing a scooter to roller skates

Trimmer2

I'd like to see pics of the GL550 Designo as I believe there are many more differences than just the diamond stitching. The ML63 came with a Designo interior but with diamond stitching which is more similar to the GL63.

Flyingman

Really not a fair comparison. We love the GL350, plenty of get up and go for a family SUV. Love the long range on road trips. Wish my bladder could do that!

We traded in a Tahoe LT, V-8, and do miss the passing acceleration ability and the tone of the exhaust, but it is a diesel engine that gets 26MPG on the highway. That is what it is all about, isn't it?

Maybe you need to look at the VW Tuareg with the V-10 Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine? If they still make it.

emilner

Lol, and my wife was just telling me how much she loves the power of her new GL350. Especially compared to her 2010 Escalade ESV. As she calls it, it's far more "zippy". The only place it lags is off the line. It blows away the ESV on the highway, I can't see how you feel the Tahoe was faster knowing the ESV has nearly 100 more hp.

OP- I don't know what you were expecting- the GL350 is on par with other full size gas SUVs, which is incredible considering its mileage and range, but you can't compare it to race trucks or, you know, fighter jets and stuff....

Flyingman

Perhaps it is just perception. The ESV has something like a 6.8 0-60 time while the GL is probably around 8.6. The beauty of the diesel is it doesn't have to drop down two gears to pass, so you do save that split second when actually passing.

I'm totally happy with the GL350, but it is my wife's car. She picked it, I pay for it!

emilner

They are both around 7.5 0-60 but how they get there is very different. The ESV rockets off the line but dies at the top end while the GL is dead opposite. If it had some more off the line grunt it would be perfect but it's close enough for me.

Flyingman

I doubt they could be that close to each other. The Escalade with 6.2l V-8 would pretty much wipe up the GL350 in anything straightline, other than perhaps a 24 hours at Lemans, where the diesel range would eat up any speed advantage.

My Tahoe was of course the shorter version, so rather light as compared with the GL350 which indeed feels heavy.

But if you want a luxury diesel SUV with enough room to haul the kids, luggage, bikes, etc... without putting crap up on the roof, the GL350 fits the bill. And the 3rd row is actually useable.

If it was purely my choice I would have gone with the X5D, but the rear space is still limited and the Audi Q7 was also a bit tight.

No regrets.

For the "need for speed" I have my BMW335D which will hold it's own with most 335i and still gives me 30mpg and 500 miles/tank.

Trimmer2

I checked out the 2014 configurtor and yes, the Designo interiors look VERY similar. There are some differences including the AMG sport seats and other minor things but yes, very similar. That all being said, from day one, the seats in the 63 are NOT up to the same fit and feel as other high line AMG cars.