Seeking advice if I should pick up a 2015-2017 GL450
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 136
Likes: 64
ML400 - 128i - Atlas VR6
Seeking advice if I should pick up a 2015-2017 GL450
Hi all,
My family is growing and it has me thinking of selling one of our cars to purchase a GL450. We currently have a BMW 1 series which we won’t sell unless something horrible happens and we need the money. We also have a 2016 GTI 2 door and 2013 ML350. We both love the cars but if we want to pick up a GL, one of them has to go.
I love the GTI because it is a blast to drive, but the bimmer is manual as well so fun is not completely lost. The issue with the GTI is interior room and durability against rust. As kids get older, more space is needed and driving the ML is just the chef’s kiss in regards to interior space, comfortability and the heated steering wheel! The ML will cost more to drive in terms of gas and cost of tires, and a tad more in maintenance. Fortunately I wrench on my own cars unless an engine needs to be replaced!
Both cars have similar miles at around 60k, and both would be around the same value when I sell them privately, with the ML edging out more value compared to the GTI.
I am just at a fork in the road, do I take advantage of this car market and sell one of the cars in early spring and wait for a possible used market correction later in the year? Do I sell one of the cars now and just pick up a GL? Or do I just ride the cars out for a few more years and sell one when a third kid comes since my wife just gave birth to our second a few months ago.
We are pretty set on the GL450 with the M276 bi-turbo as we are very happy with our M276 in the ML. We thought about an Atlas but prices are insane for what I consider a lower quality car.
My family is growing and it has me thinking of selling one of our cars to purchase a GL450. We currently have a BMW 1 series which we won’t sell unless something horrible happens and we need the money. We also have a 2016 GTI 2 door and 2013 ML350. We both love the cars but if we want to pick up a GL, one of them has to go.
I love the GTI because it is a blast to drive, but the bimmer is manual as well so fun is not completely lost. The issue with the GTI is interior room and durability against rust. As kids get older, more space is needed and driving the ML is just the chef’s kiss in regards to interior space, comfortability and the heated steering wheel! The ML will cost more to drive in terms of gas and cost of tires, and a tad more in maintenance. Fortunately I wrench on my own cars unless an engine needs to be replaced!
Both cars have similar miles at around 60k, and both would be around the same value when I sell them privately, with the ML edging out more value compared to the GTI.
I am just at a fork in the road, do I take advantage of this car market and sell one of the cars in early spring and wait for a possible used market correction later in the year? Do I sell one of the cars now and just pick up a GL? Or do I just ride the cars out for a few more years and sell one when a third kid comes since my wife just gave birth to our second a few months ago.
We are pretty set on the GL450 with the M276 bi-turbo as we are very happy with our M276 in the ML. We thought about an Atlas but prices are insane for what I consider a lower quality car.
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 20
From: Alberta, Canada
GL350, C43 Wagon, 911 C2S
I'm in much the same predicament as you except that my wife and I are about to go straight from a 3 person household to 5, twins are expected to arrive in late April. We also have 3 cars in our stable, a '16 Cayenne Diesel, a '08 Audi RS4 and a '98 911 C2S. With twins on the way we've decided to let the Cayenne go and basically trade it in for a '17+ GLS450. We'll have to top up a bit but not as much as I initially thought. The RS4 will stick around for a bit until I can import a RS4 wagon on an RS6 wagon from Europe later this year. I still need a fun car after all. And no, the 911 isn't a fun car. With the appreciation on those things it's an anxiety inducing heart attack on wheels any time I take it out. It will become even more of a garage queen until I sell it to pay for the kids' education.
So what I'm saying is, I would keep the either the 1 series or the GTI as the fun car, sell the Ml to fund the GLS and maybe even swap the 1 series or the GTI for a fun car that's a bit more practical.
I also don't think there will be a used market correction in the next year, maybe mid-2023 once new car supplies are back to "normal" levels.
So what I'm saying is, I would keep the either the 1 series or the GTI as the fun car, sell the Ml to fund the GLS and maybe even swap the 1 series or the GTI for a fun car that's a bit more practical.
I also don't think there will be a used market correction in the next year, maybe mid-2023 once new car supplies are back to "normal" levels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
1) The width of the 2nd row may, or may, not, permit 2 car seats (on one side) or 3 across depending on the width of the specific car seats. For the same reasons the middle position can be tight with outboard car seats.
2) With car seats installed in outboard positions the 2nd row, the 3rd row is inaccessible without climbing over the 2nd row, or entering through the rear hatch, or removing a seat.
Now that our kids have outgrown the car seats it's like having a different vehicle. We should have had a minivan instead for a couple years, but minivan.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 136
Likes: 64
ML400 - 128i - Atlas VR6
I'm in much the same predicament as you except that my wife and I are about to go straight from a 3 person household to 5, twins are expected to arrive in late April. We also have 3 cars in our stable, a '16 Cayenne Diesel, a '08 Audi RS4 and a '98 911 C2S. With twins on the way we've decided to let the Cayenne go and basically trade it in for a '17+ GLS450. We'll have to top up a bit but not as much as I initially thought. The RS4 will stick around for a bit until I can import a RS4 wagon on an RS6 wagon from Europe later this year. I still need a fun car after all. And no, the 911 isn't a fun car. With the appreciation on those things it's an anxiety inducing heart attack on wheels any time I take it out. It will become even more of a garage queen until I sell it to pay for the kids' education.
So what I'm saying is, I would keep the either the 1 series or the GTI as the fun car, sell the Ml to fund the GLS and maybe even swap the 1 series or the GTI for a fun car that's a bit more practical.
I also don't think there will be a used market correction in the next year, maybe mid-2023 once new car supplies are back to "normal" levels.
So what I'm saying is, I would keep the either the 1 series or the GTI as the fun car, sell the Ml to fund the GLS and maybe even swap the 1 series or the GTI for a fun car that's a bit more practical.
I also don't think there will be a used market correction in the next year, maybe mid-2023 once new car supplies are back to "normal" levels.
In all seriousness, the GL is a PITA with multiple car seats. IMHO, there are multiple issues:
1) The width of the 2nd row may, or may, not, permit 2 car seats (on one side) or 3 across depending on the width of the specific car seats. For the same reasons the middle position can be tight with outboard car seats.
2) With car seats installed in outboard positions the 2nd row, the 3rd row is inaccessible without climbing over the 2nd row, or entering through the rear hatch, or removing a seat.
Now that our kids have outgrown the car seats it's like having a different vehicle. We should have had a minivan instead for a couple years, but minivan.
1) The width of the 2nd row may, or may, not, permit 2 car seats (on one side) or 3 across depending on the width of the specific car seats. For the same reasons the middle position can be tight with outboard car seats.
2) With car seats installed in outboard positions the 2nd row, the 3rd row is inaccessible without climbing over the 2nd row, or entering through the rear hatch, or removing a seat.
Now that our kids have outgrown the car seats it's like having a different vehicle. We should have had a minivan instead for a couple years, but minivan.
So we were thinking we could do the same with the GL and if we have a third then the oldest kid can sit in the third row.
Thanks fellas!
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 20
From: Alberta, Canada
GL350, C43 Wagon, 911 C2S
In all seriousness, the GL is a PITA with multiple car seats. IMHO, there are multiple issues:
1) The width of the 2nd row may, or may, not, permit 2 car seats (on one side) or 3 across depending on the width of the specific car seats. For the same reasons the middle position can be tight with outboard car seats.
2) With car seats installed in outboard positions the 2nd row, the 3rd row is inaccessible without climbing over the 2nd row, or entering through the rear hatch, or removing a seat.
Now that our kids have outgrown the car seats it's like having a different vehicle. We should have had a minivan instead for a couple years, but minivan.
1) The width of the 2nd row may, or may, not, permit 2 car seats (on one side) or 3 across depending on the width of the specific car seats. For the same reasons the middle position can be tight with outboard car seats.
2) With car seats installed in outboard positions the 2nd row, the 3rd row is inaccessible without climbing over the 2nd row, or entering through the rear hatch, or removing a seat.
Now that our kids have outgrown the car seats it's like having a different vehicle. We should have had a minivan instead for a couple years, but minivan.
And yes, we would do the minivan route but we've both decided as you so eloquently stated "but minivan".
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 306
Likes: 78
gl450
Get the minivan for at least a few years. I did it - drove a 2005 Honda Odyssey for almost two years and survived. There's just no substitute for 2 sliding doors, access from front passenger seat to the rear seat etc.
Oh, and from someone whose second kid just got into college - good luck with having one car pay for 3 kids' education
College tuition is insane!
Oh, and from someone whose second kid just got into college - good luck with having one car pay for 3 kids' education
College tuition is insane!
Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 130
Likes: 20
From: Alberta, Canada
GL350, C43 Wagon, 911 C2S
@mtm A few of you that have joined the minivan dark side have said this but I'm convinced it's just because you want more people to go through the shame and embarrassment of minivan ownership and feel better about those "dark years" in your automobiling life.
My wife is fully on board with this thinking btw so it's not just me. We actually went to a Toyota dealership and honestly tried to do the minivan thing but both of us just couldn't stomach it. We realize that we're giving up a certain amount of convenience and comfort and that we may very well end up eating our words at some point in the future but for now, we're not quite ready to admit defeat. Maybe once we try the GLS out for a little while we'll think differently. But considering that our first plant was to make it through with just the Cayenne, I think we've come a long way.
As for college, thankfully I'm up in Canada where tuition is a bit more reasonable than south of the border so I hope that the 911 will still help put a significant dent in that.
My wife is fully on board with this thinking btw so it's not just me. We actually went to a Toyota dealership and honestly tried to do the minivan thing but both of us just couldn't stomach it. We realize that we're giving up a certain amount of convenience and comfort and that we may very well end up eating our words at some point in the future but for now, we're not quite ready to admit defeat. Maybe once we try the GLS out for a little while we'll think differently. But considering that our first plant was to make it through with just the Cayenne, I think we've come a long way.
As for college, thankfully I'm up in Canada where tuition is a bit more reasonable than south of the border so I hope that the 911 will still help put a significant dent in that.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 136
Likes: 64
ML400 - 128i - Atlas VR6
@mtm A few of you that have joined the minivan dark side have said this but I'm convinced it's just because you want more people to go through the shame and embarrassment of minivan ownership and feel better about those "dark years" in your automobiling life.
My wife is fully on board with this thinking btw so it's not just me. We actually went to a Toyota dealership and honestly tried to do the minivan thing but both of us just couldn't stomach it. We realize that we're giving up a certain amount of convenience and comfort and that we may very well end up eating our words at some point in the future but for now, we're not quite ready to admit defeat. Maybe once we try the GLS out for a little while we'll think differently. But considering that our first plant was to make it through with just the Cayenne, I think we've come a long way.
As for college, thankfully I'm up in Canada where tuition is a bit more reasonable than south of the border so I hope that the 911 will still help put a significant dent in that.
My wife is fully on board with this thinking btw so it's not just me. We actually went to a Toyota dealership and honestly tried to do the minivan thing but both of us just couldn't stomach it. We realize that we're giving up a certain amount of convenience and comfort and that we may very well end up eating our words at some point in the future but for now, we're not quite ready to admit defeat. Maybe once we try the GLS out for a little while we'll think differently. But considering that our first plant was to make it through with just the Cayenne, I think we've come a long way.
As for college, thankfully I'm up in Canada where tuition is a bit more reasonable than south of the border so I hope that the 911 will still help put a significant dent in that.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
I know you guys are looking for a 2015 or newer but I have my 2014 GL550 listed in the SUV Classifieds forum
$46,000 located in northern Va. Loudoun county
Designo Edition 2014 GL550. Excellent condition, low mileage for a 2014, (6,500 miles avg/year), panoramic roof second and third row seats., AMG wheels with new tires, new rear brakes. MSRP $101,300
-Designo porcelain package
-Heating steering wheel
-trailer hitch
-Power easy entrance
-heated rear seats
-accessory chrome package
-driver assistance package
$46,000 located in northern Va. Loudoun county
Designo Edition 2014 GL550. Excellent condition, low mileage for a 2014, (6,500 miles avg/year), panoramic roof second and third row seats., AMG wheels with new tires, new rear brakes. MSRP $101,300
-Designo porcelain package
-Heating steering wheel
-trailer hitch
-Power easy entrance
-heated rear seats
-accessory chrome package
-driver assistance package
