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Hi everyone, I am looking for some insight and personal opinions on these two vehicles as I am placing an order soon.
To give a backstory, I have had many MB in my life as my family works for the company. Mostly C/E Class vehicles. As I am expecting my second child, I need something with some trunk space for work equipment (I am in sales) and travel often. I was looking at the Tesla Model Y but decided it doesn't make sense with how much driving I do. I recently had the GLB 250 loaner vehicle and was pleasantly surprised with how it drove and the space it provided.
When I am building my vehicles, I am stuck on whether or not to purchase the AMG 35 or the standard GLB 250 with AMG sports package. I like the performance of an AMG, but not sure if it's worth the extra money with the amount of driving that I do. On average I travel about 2k a month.
If this has been brought up before, I apologize. I searched but did not find anything similar.
We went from GLK350 (302 HP V6) to GLB250 (221 HP I4). We missed the 80 HP more that the GLK had for about a week, but adapted quickly because the DCT8 transmission is well adapted to the engine. The upgrade GLB250->GLB35 will get that 80 HP but will cost ~$10,000. You have driven the GLB250 and seem to like it. Maybe test drive a GLB35 if you can find one?
I love my GLB35 and it’s perkiness. In fact, early on, it almost got away with me a couple of times when I accelerated. I did not test drive the 250. The 35’s space behind the second seat Is quite sufficient, compares to that of my old RAV4. Legroom in backseat is also good.
I went with the GLB35. I did test the 250 and I had a 250 as a loaner on my last service visit. Definitely glad I went with the GLB35 - test drive both - there's no comparison.
Here is where I don't get the concept of the "AMG" version of the GLB. I have the GLB 250. I bought it as a drive around town get "good" gas mileage kind of car and holds are decent amount of crap/kids if you need to haul that around. The AMG line of cars from Mercedes are PERFORMANCE cars. I also have a 2014 C63. The GLB has the aerodynamics of a brick on wheels. Putting some AMG badges and tuning the lawn mower engine doesn't make it a performance vehicle. If you want the GLB as a practical car, get the 250. If you want a performance car, get a different AMG model.
The build quality on these GLBs from Mexico is substandard in my opinion. If the GLB35 is made is Germany that might justify the cost somewhat but if you've driven a real AMG, the GLB35 is honestly a joke.
I had the chance to drive the 35 today. Honestly I was impressed, maybe more than I thought I would be. But I had the same thought when driving this versus a friends c63. This would be my first AMG so maybe I was a bit excited, but I didn’t have the same feeling when testing the c63.
Originally Posted by skullbox15
Here is where I don't get the concept of the "AMG" version of the GLB. I have the GLB 250. I bought it as a drive around town get "good" gas mileage kind of car and holds are decent amount of crap/kids if you need to haul that around. The AMG line of cars from Mercedes are PERFORMANCE cars. I also have a 2014 C63. The GLB has the aerodynamics of a brick on wheels. Putting some AMG badges and tuning the lawn mower engine doesn't make it a performance vehicle. If you want the GLB as a practical car, get the 250. If you want a performance car, get a different AMG model.
The build quality on these GLBs from Mexico is substandard in my opinion. If the GLB35 is made is Germany that might justify the cost somewhat but if you've driven a real AMG, the GLB35 is honestly a joke.
Perhaps consider buying GLB250 and installing Panamerican grill on it. It does look good on this car 😃.
Besides how much performance driving can you do sitting in traffic.
We just got a GLB35 this week (9+ month wait). My wife wanted a smaller SUV (came from Buick Enclave), but we liked having the optional 3rd row that the GLB has, and she liked the way the 250 felt and drove more than other contenders (BMW X5, Lexus RX350, Infiniti QX60, etc.)
But I have a C8 corvette and could not see driving around in an SUV with 220HP. I’ve blown up a couple transmissions in my life and felt like that was bound to happen if we didn’t get the 35.
Only have 100 miles on it so far, and am adhering to the recommended 1,000 mile break in, so can’t report too much on it, but so far we really like the ride and the aesthetics, and it really does have some really nice pickup without seeming like it’s struggling, even with keeping the RPMs low for now. But it doesn’t shift as gracefully as the 250, which I’m used to but the wife still isn’t (just like she’s not used to it in my C8).
So I’d say to me, for my driving style, the 250 wasn’t enough and the 35 is perfect, but that’s probably a pretty specific situation.
One weird thing to note is that the 35 is apparently an inch lower and qualifies as a wagon, not an SUV in the US, so the rear windows don’t come tinted. If you have a baby, you might want to shell out the couple hundred to get the back windows tinted if you go with the 35.
@PColasanto is there steering on the 35 tighter? My 250 is the typical very light mercedes steering. After driving it for a month and getting back into my C63, the 63 feels like it doesn't have power steering... it's that much of a difference. I personally love the tight steering, my wife hates it... LOL
Hmm, I don’t have a good answer for that. We test drove the 250 in October, so it was too long ago for a direct comparison. Trying to think how it compares to my E350 and my C8, but haven’t thought of it that way and haven’t driven it enough to be sure. I’ll pay attention some today when I drive the different cars and I’ll post later.
Originally Posted by skullbox15
@PColasanto is there steering on the 35 tighter? My 250 is the typical very light mercedes steering. After driving it for a month and getting back into my C63, the 63 feels like it doesn't have power steering... it's that much of a difference. I personally love the tight steering, my wife hates it... LOL
I came from GLK 350 to GLB35 also... Every morning I merge to highway traffic with no merge lane, so I wanted to stay around the 300 HP and the boxy body similar to GLK. GLB reminded me also XT Forester with the turbo lag compared to V6 of GLK. However the biturbo and dual clutch picks up faster than GLK 350 and GLC 300.
GLB35 AMG has harsher ride esp with 21" summer tires, no air suspension option. GLB35 steering wheel gets heavier and suspension gets tighter with the Sport and Sport +. Stiffer suspension and 4cm lower body (compared to GLB250) makes it more car like compared to other SUV's. It is fun to drive when you push the car. Per Motortrend reviews, GLB35 track time matches 2017 GLC43 with 362hp and beats 2022 X3 M40i with 382hp on MT figure 8 track. Again it is not an AMG track car, but drive/body roll is better on the everyday curvy roads...
I had the GLB 250 loaner last year, its ride was similar to GLK, more SUV like. I don't remember the GLB250 steering wheel, but the GLB250 gas mileage on highway was over 30mpg.
I had recent GLC 300 loaner and that has a numb steering wheel and floaty suspension with less road noise that cuts you from the road if you are looking for a comfy ride... However its steering wheel was vibrating significantly after a bump or manhole, even on concrete pavement.. MB service told me that it is a well known problem with 2022 GLC's,,,
Hi everyone, I am looking for some insight and personal opinions on these two vehicles as I am placing an order soon.
To give a backstory, I have had many MB in my life as my family works for the company. Mostly C/E Class vehicles. As I am expecting my second child, I need something with some trunk space for work equipment (I am in sales) and travel often. I was looking at the Tesla Model Y but decided it doesn't make sense with how much driving I do. I recently had the GLB 250 loaner vehicle and was pleasantly surprised with how it drove and the space it provided.
When I am building my vehicles, I am stuck on whether or not to purchase the AMG 35 or the standard GLB 250 with AMG sports package. I like the performance of an AMG, but not sure if it's worth the extra money with the amount of driving that I do. On average I travel about 2k a month.
If this has been brought up before, I apologize. I searched but did not find anything similar.
I appreciate all of your input.
Thank you
All of the time we drive, we are sitting in the seat. Only some of the time are we putting max HP on the street.
Having had several GLB loaners and almost purchased the GLB with AMG trim, the AMG seats are NOT as comfortable- my wife and I, now in our second half of life, noticed the difference right away.
In my view, with gas and prices what they are, unless you are buying for performance you intend to use in each drive, go with the GLB 250 and skip the sports seats
All of the time we drive, we are sitting in the seat. Only some of the time are we putting max HP on the street.
Having had several GLB loaners and almost purchased the GLB with AMG trim, the AMG seats are NOT as comfortable- my wife and I, now in our second half of life, noticed the difference right away.
In my view, with gas and prices what they are, unless you are buying for performance you intend to use in each drive, go with the GLB 250 and skip the sports seats
Approaching middle age, I agree. My Alcantara/leather seats aren't that comfortable so I covered them with a set of seat vests from US Sheepskin. They make the seats SOOO comfortable. My only regret is ordering the charcoal color which looks gray after having been sat on. The black would have been a better match with my interior.
It is the same engine, different turbo. I had a GLB250 loaner 2 weeks ago, totally different driving experience compared to GLB35 eg SUV vs a sports car...
Approaching middle age, I agree. My Alcantara/leather seats aren't that comfortable so I covered them with a set of seat vests from US Sheepskin. They make the seats SOOO comfortable. My only regret is ordering the charcoal color which looks gray after having been sat on. The black would have been a better match with my interior.
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