rosswell

Over the years in driving various MBs I've owned, I've noticed subtle but distinct reactions (mostly positive) from other drivers when driving my Mercedes and I thought this might make an interesting "story" thread. Personally I'm very aware when I drive and always attempt to be respectful in driving defensively.

(and Lately automotive commercials are selling "Aspirational" qualities of the products they sell... such as the VW tailgate closing and banging the guy's head as he stares enviously at a new Atlas across the street in the rain, etc.) Maybe it's dependent on where you live / how many Mercs there are in your neighbourhood - I don't know. Feel free to share any stories you have. Personally I love driving my Benzes, sometimes as a Friday treat, because of their spa-like supreme comfort, high quality artistic design language, and high technology load - and not for the "look at me" experience.

- I'm in my office at work the other day and out the window I see a co-worker staring for a good 2 minutes through the rear tinted window and at the exterior of my Black Diesel GL with AMG package.

DaveW68

My previous S600 got a lot more looks (and compliments) than my GL550. Perhaps it was the V12 badge, or maybe the AMG wheels....or perhaps that it was absolutely flawless.

But I'm fine with running under the radar with my GL.

kombifan

Bethesda where we live in the suburbs of dc is a very affluent neighborhood.
Mercedes is the most common brand due to the Mercedes dealer being in the middle of town, and having been there in the same location since the 90s. You will see the odd bmw or audi, but mercedes is more common and there is a comraderie (may sound we ird.) older mercedes are definitely valued and taken care of as there are plenty w163 ml, early 's and e classes and lots of w164 driven regularly and serviced at the dealer as well

I was driving home, and I saw a brand new gle450 at the light next to me and I rdlled down my window to ask him how he liked his. He had apparently just picked it up and was driving it home. He was more than enthusiastic to talk for the short minute about his new car, mine and his previous one.

So maybe there is some thing to it. But perhaps its all in our heads.
I do know bmw drivers in this area are usually *****s....and if you see a rr or land rover......steer clear. They are on a hair trigger.

DaveW68

jbattan

I get a “nice car” comment from someone almost every day in my S63 Cabriolet. The GL only gets a comment if someone sees how nice the interior is.

DC-BENZ

No reactions where I live, MB's are a "dime a dozen".

angelglo

driving to Monterey yesterday and the passenger in the car next to me on my driver's side kept staring at the red calipers of my GL. or maybe it was the bird poop that was on my fender. either way, I think he was could not stop staring.

black06c230

Unless you mod your Benz no one will glance at it. The only current Benz that get looks stock are G Wagons and AMG GT. Certain classic Benz always will.

My modded Benz create attention often hell even my lowly Volt does.

angelglo

I agree with you. My OG rides get a lot more attention and I paid a lot less for them.

cadetdrivr

Yup.

I think it all depends on where you live. My upper middle class suburb, and particularly my neighborhood, is full of luxury cars.

Nobody bats an eye.

BlownV8

GL, not so much. The SL, that's another story.

vivaitalia

coming from a 2010 BMW750 LXI ... disappointed in the interior of my GL but love the exterior ... but the new AUDI and Land Rovers and Jag SUVsssss ... I'm in love

DaveW68

That's probably because the 450 comes with MB Tex (vinyl) seats and lots of plastic all over the cabin as standard. That narrative changes drastically if you have the Designo interior where everything is wrapped in supple leather, including the dash, doors, etc....and the headliner is Alcantara.

Since yours has the 4.7L V8 motor, I suggest you get a tune from OE Tuning to push your HP from 362 to 550. By far the best upgrade you can do for your truck.

Doorkey

Here in Los Angeles it's not so much what you drive, but how you drive. Want respect? Use your turn signal. In traffic, don't leave 10 car lengths in front. Don't tailgate, just maintain the speed of traffic.

vivaitalia

@DaveW68 too lazy to research now (but will later), but will the OE Tuning (what does OE stand for) add any noticeable increase in low-end torque? major impact on MPG? ... agree that the vinyl seats are an eye sore but can't beat the practicality of clean it and wear n tear ... lol ... mind you I'm still miffed/sore about the standard halogen low beams and halogen bulbs all around ... ughhhh

DaveW68

OE Tuning? Original Equipment? Not sure. You'd have to ask those guys. Your factory tuned GL has 362 hp and 406 lb/ft torque. The OE tune can push that to 550 hp and 650 torque. So yeah....quite noticeable....and probably a lot more so for you since your baseline power and torque is quite a bit lower than the GL550. I've been averaging 1-2 mpg better since I got the tune. I do almost all local driving and average over 14 mpg. Recently on a trip with some stop and go....and highway speeds of 75-80 mph, I was getting over 21 mpg.

OE Tuning has a sale going on through midnight tomorrow. I'm jealous that they now come with a My Genius tuner that works through the OBD2 port. I had to mail them my ECU and paid a lot for shipping.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...june-sale.html