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My brain hurts - Good GL years for 4 seasons and moderate offroad
My head is spinning. I am looking at mid to large options for hauling mountain bikes, skis, and occasionally hitting some somewhat gnarly forest roads for dispersed camping. I currently have a 2003 F250 7.3L diesel with a 4" lift that is too much for me at this stage.
- I like diesels for low-end torque to get up loose, rocky forest roads 6-10 times a year. Not a requirement.
- I think I need at LEAST 8" of clearance... more if possible. I am not sure about breakover.
- Most other driving is up and down I-70 to and from the mountains in all kinds of weather.
- It would be nice to have some options for skid plates
- I would prefer to stick with stock, but am willing to lift a pinch if I am not going to hose the geometry and all the bearings / CV's etc...
- I need to haul a full size spare.
- The G-wagon is not an option
- No, I don't want one of the billion 4runners or Lexus' driving around. I own a truck and would like something that's more fun to drive around town.
Obviously, reliability is going to be key. I have read about the M276, and it sounds great.. but what options am I missing? I tend to chose function over form. I don't need a 2024, but I'd like to step into the 2010's at least.
Am I going to destroy the air adjustable system as soon as I knock it around on the rocks?
I have basically given up on lockers. I don't think they're needed in my case.
Current leader on the board is a used Porsche Cayenne Diesel or S.
Thanks!
Last edited by charlatan; Dec 23, 2024 at 11:36 PM.
Reason: many, many mistakes and additions
I think I've narrowed it down after taking a brain break.
It looks like I want to stick with the x166 m276 TT v6 or the 3.0 diesel for the powertrain.
I've found that the GLS has the highest ground clearance at 7.8". I am guessing that's fully raised?
I may be able to get it over 8" with some 18's and beefy tires....
Last edited by charlatan; Dec 24, 2024 at 09:35 AM.
I've found that the GLS has the highest ground clearance at 7.8". I am guessing that's fully raised?
I may be able to get it over 8" with some 18's and beefy tires....
If you find a GL or GLS with the on&off-road package you get 12 inch of ground clearance.
If you find a GL or GLS with the on&off-road package you get 12 inch of ground clearance.
Thanks.
Is that different than the off road package with the skid plates etc...?
I was looking at the manual for the 2017 GLS, and it shows some settings for offroad.
II thought I was looking for a second dial (with locking diffs). Are either of these settings available outside of the full off-road package with the skid plates?
I am hoping the first offroad setting is not part of the full package with the skid plates. Is this accurate? I think I see this on some of the GLS's I am looking at without option '430'.
Does the last setting on the right side of the dial get me 11" of clearance?
Last edited by charlatan; Dec 31, 2024 at 12:54 PM.
Reason: Additions
Thanks.
Is that different than the off road package with the skid plates etc...?
I was looking at the manual for the 2017 GLS, and it shows some settings for offroad.
II thought I was looking for a second dial (with locking diffs). Are either of these settings available outside of the full off-road package with the skid plates?
No, it's the same. Officially it's call On&Offroad package, but most call it just Offroad package.
It includes the two metal skid plates, the higher ground clearance, 2-speed transfer case, and locking differential. And yes, it has a second dial for the ground clearance, the diff is controlled by the offroad setting from the main dial.
I found a bunch of GLS 550's with the ORP when I was looking. Just about pulled the trigger on one but I needed something that got better mileage and then there's the M278's reputation, so I went with the 450.
I found a bunch of GLS 550's with the ORP when I was looking. Just about pulled the trigger on one but I needed something that got better mileage and then there's the M278's reputation, so I went with the 450.
Yeah, in all my research I think you made the right call. Those V8's are bad ***, but age is not their friend.
I am about to start looking into diesels. If I have to pick from non-off-road options, I think the diesel is better, as it has more torque in lower gears which will make getting up some steep loose forest roads easier. For many of these a running start isn't an option.
Yeah, in all my research I think you made the right call. Those V8's are bad ***, but age is not their friend.
I am about to start looking into diesels. If I have to pick from non-off-road options, I think the diesel is better, as it has more torque in lower gears which will make getting up some steep loose forest roads easier. For many of these a running start isn't an option.
I've got the 63 and the mileage is atrocious. Didn't need another one. If you are looking at a diesel, don't look at an MB diesel after the CDI and I wouldn't even recommend that.
I've got the 63 and the mileage is atrocious. Didn't need another one. If you are looking at a diesel, don't look at an MB diesel after the CDI and I wouldn't even recommend that.
Thanks. I am aware of the pitfalls. Frankly, I am not sure I can find anyone beyond a dealer to even look at a diesel.
There's got to be a better way to do diesel than these DEF systems....
X166 with diesel are model year 2013, 14, 15, 16. They were 20% of production I think. Most owners get fed up with emission faults, leak, and sell them. Around California, I do see those with ~110k miles for 13-18k. However deferred maintenance may be costly. I keep looking at these because I love my current diesel so much that I consider getting a spare . If you can deal with the faults, or can remove def, then it is a very nice mild off-road cruiser.
X166 diesel with ORP is a unicorn. Haven't seen one. The DEF tank hangs low behind rear bumper, so it would scrap at incline (mine did often). I tried offroading with mine (without the low speed transfer case available in ORP) and it doesn't want to got up steep incline or gnarly bits. Mine got Cooper AT3 (wonderful tires), on 18" rim from X164. Without ORP, air suspension raise only about 1" from normal, so doesn't help much. I gave up trying to offload with X166 (got an old Landcruiser for that now)
The x166 M278 reputation seems to be true. Around here, a handful are on sale with bad engine, or replaced engine. If you get the bore score, it is so expensive to get a replacement (likely to get scored too), and wouldn't affect resale value much.
X166 diesel with ORP is a unicorn. Haven't seen one.
To my understanding, it was never offered for the Diesel. I am surprised by that, but maybe I am alone on that one.
Originally Posted by hai00
The x166 M278 reputation seems to be true. Around here, a handful are on sale with bad engine, or replaced engine. If you get the bore score, it is so expensive to get a replacement (likely to get scored too), and wouldn't affect resale value much.
Yeah. I bailed on the M278 option. I've actually just purchased a 2017 M276 I found with the ORP. Super stoked for it to ship my way.
The replaced engine really doesn't solve the problem IMHO, just puts it off. I called a few engine places in Denver and none of them thought it was a good idea to rebuild properly as a forum member here does. That's honestly the only M278 I'd buy with confidence.
2015 GL350 (mine) 2006 E320 CDI (20 year-old son took from me)
I've had my 2015 GL350 for 4 years and it's been great. I use it regularly in the Pacific Northwest for weekend adventures, hauling bikes, etc. After getting rid of the original Pirelli Scorpions (which I didn't like), I switched to slightly oversized 275/55/R20 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires. These tires made a huge difference - they're quiet on the road, the GL feels more stable, and they handle snow and primative forest service roads really well. In fact, I've driven on some pretty crazy, awful roads - zero issues. Understanding it will never be in the same off-road category as a Jeep... for a heavy GL, it's very capable.
I bought the GL after its emissions warranty work was done, but had some initial headaches with 4-5 sensors that needed replacing (no charge) at the dealer. Once those issues were sorted out though, it's been very reliable. The new emissions warranty also is pretty generous IMHO.
Disclaimer - I drove a 2006 E320 CDI for 10+ years until giving it to my son (it still performs like new today), so I was already a huge MB diesel fan. The GL's diesel engine's been impressive; good power, "good enough" acceleration, and 600-700 mile range. In fact, I recently towed a loaded 14' U-Haul box / cargo trailer for 400 miles and still got 19 mpg!
I've had my 2015 GL350 for 4 years and it's been great. I use it regularly in the Pacific Northwest for weekend adventures, hauling bikes, etc. After getting rid of the original Pirelli Scorpions (which I didn't like), I switched to slightly oversized 275/55/R20 Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires. These tires made a huge difference - they're quiet on the road, the GL feels more stable, and they handle snow and primative forest service roads really well. In fact, I've driven on some pretty crazy, awful roads - zero issues. Understanding it will never be in the same off-road category as a Jeep... for a heavy GL, it's very capable.
I bought the GL after its emissions warranty work was done, but had some initial headaches with 4-5 sensors that needed replacing (no charge) at the dealer. Once those issues were sorted out though, it's been very reliable. The new emissions warranty also is pretty generous IMHO.
Disclaimer - I drove a 2006 E320 CDI for 10+ years until giving it to my son (it still performs like new today), so I was already a huge MB diesel fan. The GL's diesel engine's been impressive; good power, "good enough" acceleration, and 600-700 mile range. In fact, I recently towed a loaded 14' U-Haul box / cargo trailer for 400 miles and still got 19 mpg!
That's great to hear, thanks for the reassurance!
I wound up going with the gasser, but I would've probably gone diesel if I could've found one with the off road package.
Thanks for the tire recommendation. I put Blizzaks on mine as soon as I got it for the Colorado winters. Once I get into spring I'll take a look at the Coopers!
2015 GL350 (mine) 2006 E320 CDI (20 year-old son took from me)
Originally Posted by charlatan
That's great to hear, thanks for the reassurance!
I wound up going with the gasser, but I would've probably gone diesel if I could've found one with the off road package.
Thanks for the tire recommendation. I put Blizzaks on mine as soon as I got it for the Colorado winters. Once I get into spring I'll take a look at the Coopers!
Great to hear - I hope the GL works out great for you.
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My brain hurts - Good GL years for 4 seasons and moderate offroad
. If you can deal with the faults, or can remove def, then it is a very nice mild off-road cruiser. 
