Upgrade to GL from ML Bluetec?
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2015 ML 350 Bluetec
Upgrade to GL from ML Bluetec?
I recently bought a 2015 ML 350 BT upgrading from a 2007 ML320 CDI. It is very nice except for a few issues:
- 2nd row legroom
- cameras are useless after dusk
- cannot manually turn on high beams with the auto light feature on.
- I lost about 2mpg in fuel efficiency with the upgrade from CDI to BT and may have lost some towing capacity as well.
Generally though the car is a real joy to drive. However, I need more space as we have 3 kids and 2 dogs and I am realizing that the ML just does not cut it. My wife has 2015 Honda Odyssey which is awesome and I am trying to find an equivalently sized vehicle, but rather a luxury Cross Over, such as a GL.
Can anyone share with me their experience upgrading from the ML to the GL? Is there more legroom in the 2nd row of GL than in the ML? is there a captains chair arrangement int he 2nd row so kids can walk to the back row? Is the space increase worth it or is it better to go for a lot more space in a full size SUV?
- 2nd row legroom
- cameras are useless after dusk
- cannot manually turn on high beams with the auto light feature on.
- I lost about 2mpg in fuel efficiency with the upgrade from CDI to BT and may have lost some towing capacity as well.
Generally though the car is a real joy to drive. However, I need more space as we have 3 kids and 2 dogs and I am realizing that the ML just does not cut it. My wife has 2015 Honda Odyssey which is awesome and I am trying to find an equivalently sized vehicle, but rather a luxury Cross Over, such as a GL.
Can anyone share with me their experience upgrading from the ML to the GL? Is there more legroom in the 2nd row of GL than in the ML? is there a captains chair arrangement int he 2nd row so kids can walk to the back row? Is the space increase worth it or is it better to go for a lot more space in a full size SUV?
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2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
I also own a GL450 and a 2014 odyssey. There is ample leg room in the GL but there is no capt chair arrangement. we have three kids two in car seats and they all fit comfortably in the second row. The surround cameras are useless at night. I am having the camera software upgrade on Tuesday.Hopefully that will improve the visibility at night. I hate the auto light feature on the GL for the same reason you mentioned above.
with three kids and two dogs, a GL sounds like its a better fit for your family, but you will take a hit on the ML. Good luck.
with three kids and two dogs, a GL sounds like its a better fit for your family, but you will take a hit on the ML. Good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Suburban Chicago
2013 GL550
I am somewhat sure you can have the high beams on demand if you move your main headlight switch from AUTO to ON. Also, aren't the ML and GL cabins mostly the same as far as 1st and second rows go? I'm too lazy to google the specs. 
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I too think the ML/GL are the same cabin in row 1 and 2 from a leg/headroom perspective, but never checked the specs. Should be easy enough to look up.
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2015 ML 350 Bluetec
Every car maker over the last decade has trained us to use the auto headlight feature in their car and I would say it has been a resounding success in the marketplace. But even with auto headlights we as drivers have always been able to manually turn on our high beams - a function which is as important as shifting gears or turning the volume up or down on a radio. I should not have to turn off a great feature (auto headlights) to have access to a standard feature I have used my entire driving life (manual high beams). The turn signal stick should allow me to turn on the high beams and leave them on regardless of whether the auto headlights are on or off. This is simple human interface engineering and Mercedes has a big FAIL hear.
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Every car maker over the last decade has trained us to use the auto headlight feature in their car and I would say it has been a resounding success in the marketplace. But even with auto headlights we as drivers have always been able to manually turn on our high beams - a function which is as important as shifting gears or turning the volume up or down on a radio. I should not have to turn off a great feature (auto headlights) to have access to a standard feature I have used my entire driving life (manual high beams). The turn signal stick should allow me to turn on the high beams and leave them on regardless of whether the auto headlights are on or off. This is simple human interface engineering and Mercedes has a big FAIL hear.
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2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
Every car maker over the last decade has trained us to use the auto headlight feature in their car and I would say it has been a resounding success in the marketplace. But even with auto headlights we as drivers have always been able to manually turn on our high beams - a function which is as important as shifting gears or turning the volume up or down on a radio. I should not have to turn off a great feature (auto headlights) to have access to a standard feature I have used my entire driving life (manual high beams). The turn signal stick should allow me to turn on the high beams and leave them on regardless of whether the auto headlights are on or off. This is simple human interface engineering and Mercedes has a big FAIL hear.
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From: Long Island
'14 GL550 , '79 911SC
I also own a GL450 and a 2014 odyssey. There is ample leg room in the GL but there is no capt chair arrangement. we have three kids two in car seats and they all fit comfortably in the second row. The surround cameras are useless at night. I am having the camera software upgrade on Tuesday.Hopefully that will improve the visibility at night. I hate the auto light feature on the GL for the same reason you mentioned above.
with three kids and two dogs, a GL sounds like its a better fit for your family, but you will take a hit on the ML. Good luck.
with three kids and two dogs, a GL sounds like its a better fit for your family, but you will take a hit on the ML. Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 379
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GL550
Every car maker over the last decade has trained us to use the auto headlight feature in their car and I would say it has been a resounding success in the marketplace. But even with auto headlights we as drivers have always been able to manually turn on our high beams - a function which is as important as shifting gears or turning the volume up or down on a radio. I should not have to turn off a great feature (auto headlights) to have access to a standard feature I have used my entire driving life (manual high beams). The turn signal stick should allow me to turn on the high beams and leave them on regardless of whether the auto headlights are on or off. This is simple human interface engineering and Mercedes has a big FAIL hear.
Do you guys have an option on the headlights that I don't on the standard headlights?
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2024 GLS450, Previously 2020 GLS450, 2017 GLS450, 2014 GL450, 2012 GL450
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2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
yes I will! getting it done tomorrow. I asked for a loaner, but they said it only takes 45 minutes, so I decided to wait for it. I sure hope it helps. I will post the results as soon as I test it which will be tomorrow night.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Eastern PA
2020 S 560 4 Matic
I am very unhappy with my Auto lights feature as well. I don't like that the high beams are speed sensitive, they only come on at speeds over 39 mph. When I drive at lower speeds in my neighborhood I would like high beams to see pedestrians and deer. I usually just turn my lights on to manual but then as I am used to the auto light feature on all my other vehicles, I find myself driving around the next day in the daytime with my headlights on! Also when the headlight switch is in manual mode rather than auto, the lower LED DRLs go off, even when the headlights are in the low beam position. I wonder my the MB engineers did this. I like the look of those lower LEDs. I also find that when in the auto position out in the countryside, the high beams turn off frequently at streetlights and road signs with no opposing or following traffic. In my opinion they didn't do a very good job engineering this feature. This might be the ONLY thing I am disappointed with on our GL, otherwise we absolutely love it. A related problem to the GL was that last year, after taking delivery in May, I had only driven the 911 2600 miles this summer rather than 6-7K! Damn the GL is comfortable!!!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
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2024 GLS 450 AMG Package 2024 GLC 43 AMG
I am very unhappy with my Auto lights feature as well. I don't like that the high beams are speed sensitive, they only come on at speeds over 39 mph. When I drive at lower speeds in my neighborhood I would like high beams to see pedestrians and deer. I usually just turn my lights on to manual but then as I am used to the auto light feature on all my other vehicles, I find myself driving around the next day in the daytime with my headlights on! Also when the headlight switch is in manual mode rather than auto, the lower LED DRLs go off, even when the headlights are in the low beam position. I wonder my the MB engineers did this. I like the look of those lower LEDs. I also find that when in the auto position out in the countryside, the high beams turn off frequently at streetlights and road signs with no opposing or following traffic. In my opinion they didn't do a very good job engineering this feature. This might be the ONLY thing I am disappointed with on our GL, otherwise we absolutely love it. A related problem to the GL was that last year, after taking delivery in May, I had only driven the 911 2600 miles this summer rather than 6-7K! Damn the GL is comfortable!!!
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From: Eastern PA
2020 S 560 4 Matic
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
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2013 GL450
High Beam Problem
Go into "settings" on the display where the mileage, speed, etc... is located. Under "settings" you will see "lighting" and just below that you will "adaptive high beam setting" and the ability to enable it or disable it. Disable it, and the high beams work like you want them to in the "auto" mode. Hope this helps!!
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 159
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From: Eastern PA
2020 S 560 4 Matic
Unfortunately, under settings,light, there is no disable or enable adaptive headlights. I only have daytime running lights, ambient light color and intensity, surround delay, and interior delay. What vehicle do you have? Thanks for trying though.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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2013 GL450
Todd, under the lights settings my second option down is Adaptive Highbeam. The first choice is daytime running lights, then adaptive, ambiant intensity, ambient color, surround, interior delay.
I have a 2013 GL450 with lighting package.
I have a 2013 GL450 with lighting package.
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From: Genoa, NV
2014 GLK250 BlueTec & 2009 ML320 BlueTec
You will be more unhappier with the fuel mileage on the GL, as a matter of fact, I owned one and traded in for for the ML.
Last edited by theine; Jan 17, 2015 at 10:26 PM.
