Gl vs. the rest1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
So, I own a diesel. But in the US we tend to try to continue to make the American farmers multimillionaires by mandating biodiesel. The MBUSA says greater than 5% biodiesel might damage your engine and not covered by warranty, so I drive a time bomb. Maybe the bomb never explodes, but I'll tell you I'll never buy a Mercedes diesel in the US again.
I will admit, my bias is that a big SUV like the GL needs 8 cylinders in a gasser. Maybe the 6 is good enough, but I'm old school and that heavy vehicle needs an engine with 8 cylinders.
I will admit, my bias is that a big SUV like the GL needs 8 cylinders in a gasser. Maybe the 6 is good enough, but I'm old school and that heavy vehicle needs an engine with 8 cylinders.
Last edited by JimBarnhart; Dec 6, 2014 at 09:57 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 481
From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
There aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to full size "luxury" AWD SUV. More importantly, most people will not take such a expensive SUV "off rodin'", such as yourself. If you are talking about light off roading (not to include rock crawling) and driving in light to moderate snow, every AWD and 4x4 with adequate clearance can accomplish what the GL can and in most cases, even better; those SUVs may or may not be ranked as a "luxury SUV" however, many can be found in the same class. That's all I'm sayin', bro.
If you want to compare apples to apples, the various Ranger Rover models will do circles around the GL when it comes to off roading. Though the 4matic is a good system, it's capabilities are very limted. The Audi Quattro is a better system. As I have always said, the GL is a nice all around AWD luxury SUV. It can do a little bit of everything.
If you want to compare apples to apples, the various Ranger Rover models will do circles around the GL when it comes to off roading. Though the 4matic is a good system, it's capabilities are very limted. The Audi Quattro is a better system. As I have always said, the GL is a nice all around AWD luxury SUV. It can do a little bit of everything.You own the 2015 GL450 with the V6, do you feel it is good engine for the size of the GL? What is your real-world gas mileage? Any complaints about the V6?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
Car and Driver just tested the short wheelbase Denali. 0-60 in 5.5 and 14/21 mpg. According to MBUSA.com, the 2015 GL450 goes 0-60 in 6.6 and gets 17/21 mpg. Mercedes certainly hasn't added value by switching to a V6. And yes, I know, you don't need all the power the V8 has but that isn't the point. The V8 provides effortless acceleration from any speed at any rpm. That makes for a comfortable driving experience. For the money I paid for my GL, that is what I expect and I just won't pay that again if Mercedes can't deliver that in their products for a reasonable price. I don't think I should have to pay MB $100,000 for acceleration that I can get in a $66,000 Denali.
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'15 GL450
As for the MPG, We are getting 17 MPG combined (80% city-soccer mom driving), so we are pretty happy with that considering the size of the vehicle.
Car and Driver just tested the short wheelbase Denali. 0-60 in 5.5 and 14/21 mpg. According to MBUSA.com, the 2015 GL450 goes 0-60 in 6.6 and gets 17/21 mpg. Mercedes certainly hasn't added value by switching to a V6. And yes, I know, you don't need all the power the V8 has but that isn't the point. The V8 provides effortless acceleration from any speed at any rpm. That makes for a comfortable driving experience. For the money I paid for my GL, that is what I expect and I just won't pay that again if Mercedes can't deliver that in their products for a reasonable price. I don't think I should have to pay MB $100,000 for acceleration that I can get in a $66,000 Denali.
The V6 will accelerate to 60mph in 6.6 seconds effortlessly. That, too, makes it a comfortable driving experience. The X164 V8 has the same performance figures as the new V6 biturbo. Do we hear much complaints from X164 owners regarding performance figures? The V6 engine revs at lower RPM vs. speed than the X164 V8 due to a better gear box.
It's a fact that the V8 twin turbo is a great engine; MB knows it too. You can figure out the economics yourself.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
So, I own a diesel. But in the US we tend to try to continue to make the American farmers multimillionaires by mandating biodiesel. The MBUSA says greater than 5% biodiesel might damage your engine and not covered by warranty, so I drive a time bomb. Maybe the bomb never explodes, but I'll tell you I'll never buy a Mercedes diesel in the US again.
I will admit, my bias is that a big SUV like the GL needs 8 cylinders in a gasser. Maybe the 6 is good enough, but I'm old school and that heavy vehicle needs an engine with 8 cylinders.
I will admit, my bias is that a big SUV like the GL needs 8 cylinders in a gasser. Maybe the 6 is good enough, but I'm old school and that heavy vehicle needs an engine with 8 cylinders.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
There aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to full size "luxury" AWD SUV. More importantly, most people will not take such a expensive SUV "off rodin'", such as yourself. If you are talking about light off roading (not to include rock crawling) and driving in light to moderate snow, every AWD and 4x4 with adequate clearance can accomplish what the GL can and in most cases, even better; those SUVs may or may not be ranked as a "luxury SUV" however, many can be found in the same class. That's all I'm sayin', bro. If you want to compare apples to apples, the various Ranger Rover models will do circles around the GL when it comes to off roading. Though the 4matic is a good system, it's capabilities are very limted. The Audi Quattro is a better system. As I have always said, the GL is a nice all around AWD luxury SUV. It can do a little bit of everything.
If you want to compare apples to apples, the various Ranger Rover models will do circles around the GL when it comes to off roading. Though the 4matic is a good system, it's capabilities are very limted. The Audi Quattro is a better system. As I have always said, the GL is a nice all around AWD luxury SUV. It can do a little bit of everything.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 1
GL550
Nope.......As I said....with the ON/OFF pack, my 3 GL's have performed better than any other 4wd/AWD's I have previously owned ...including, GMC Suburban, GMC Yukon, WV Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Sequoia......if the Audi has a better AWD system, I'd have to study that to see why. If you want luxury, size AND capability....Audi doesn't have all three, neither does Land Rover ( both are smaller )...but YES, Land Rover can top MB in the capability,(capability to manually lock both rear AND front differentials ) and , even some aspects of the luxury angle....but the last five years of reliability reviews have not been good. I could cut back on the "luxury" area.....but do have to admit I've gotten used to that with 1000 mile round trips every month! Had to back up for 1/10th mile on ice covered one lane dirt road today.....snow mode on the ON/OFF pack, low gear ( for forward) and raised her up a few inches to clear a snow pile.... and the 360 cam were all helpful! Hey.....its all in what you want, but I have tried many!
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Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'15 GL450
Nope.......As I said....with the ON/OFF pack, my 3 GL's have performed better than any other 4wd/AWD's I have previously owned ...including, GMC Suburban, GMC Yukon, WV Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Sequoia......if the Audi has a better AWD system, I'd have to study that to see why. If you want luxury, size AND capability....Audi doesn't have all three, neither does Land Rover ( both are smaller )...but YES, Land Rover can top MB in the capability,(capability to manually lock both rear AND front differentials ) and , even some aspects of the luxury angle....but the last five years of reliability reviews have not been good. I could cut back on the "luxury" area.....but do have to admit I've gotten used to that with 1000 mile round trips every month! Had to back up for 1/10th mile on ice covered one lane dirt road today.....snow mode on the ON/OFF pack, low gear ( for forward) and raised her up a few inches to clear a snow pile.... and the 360 cam were all helpful! Hey.....its all in what you want, but I have tried many!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 481
From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
The GL450 represents the largest number of sales for the entire GL class so it makes sense that MB would target this model for a more fuel-efficient V6 engine. And most of those GL450's are sold right here in the US. MB cannot ignore 2016 CAFE Standards which requires truck standard rise from 23.5 mpg to 28.8 mpg by 2016. And it would appear they are a long way from 28.8 mpg and have more work to do.
As for me, I'm very happy with my GL550 and plan to buy another when the mid-cycle refresh comes out. One of the best looking large SUV's on the road!
As for me, I'm very happy with my GL550 and plan to buy another when the mid-cycle refresh comes out. One of the best looking large SUV's on the road!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Originally Posted by luv2sleep;6256180[COLOR="Red"
]Your opinion and facts are two different things[/COLOR]. Numbers and figures don't lie. In any case, it's great that you love your GL with the off road package. Cheers!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 20
From: HHI, SC
2002 C4 Cab, 2014 Audi A5 cab, 2017 X5 35d
V6 biturbo is now the standard in the Cayenne S and Panorama S. Nothing (I've owned) beats the V8 biturbo in my Audi S6..........but I gotta tell you this diesel in my 2015 GL 350 is a performer!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
