So, I looked at an F-Pace yesterday...




I really liked that the FPace has a diesel model. The VW scandal has scared so many other manufacturers off of the technology, so this is one of the few cars in this style that has diesel. However, I couldn't test drive a diesel since they won't be out until later in the fall.
One concern that I had with the F-Pace was reliability, particularly because (1) it's a brand new model, and (2) it's a Jag. The GLC has a year under its belt so hopefully they've had more time to fix initial issues.
Regardless, I'm sure you'll be happy whatever post you make!
I am swayed some by the power and I am sure the diesel Jag will be slower slower than the base GLC.
The one point I don't agree with is in the handling. I feel the Jag is sportier, but also firmer. With the $1k adaptive suspension it beats the GLC on both smoothness and agility. Without, it is a bit too firm. This of course is completely subjective.
The hard one for me is the size. I want/need more space in the back and in the shoulder room up front than the GLC can provide. Haven't decided on that one yet. In fact we were leaning towards a GLE (leftover '16) before we saw the FP.








The platform is shared with the XF and XE like the C300 and GLC. LR are built in the same plant yes, but totally different lines.
My issue is the GLC is a bit too small for what we want and the GLE is probably too big. The FP fits nicely in the middle here.
My opinion:
-FP is nicer looking outside, GLC is nicer inside.
-FP is sportier with a lot more power, GLC perhaps more luxurious with that interior but The FP is not bad
-Size goes to the FP
-Price (MSRP) goes to the GLC (not by much at least by my config) but then we are comparing a 4cyl to a 6 - 95% confident that it will be cheaper than an AMG GLC43.
- not much discount on the FP (if at all), 10-15% (if you believe what you read) on GLC (big win there)
-Noteworthy reliability questions on Jag but it has 5 yr 60k warranty and 5 yr 60kmi free scheduled maintenance
-Sound - FP wins this one by a mile (that is if this matters to you).
-full digital dash is very nice (I'll agree not as nice as the Q7), NA on the GLC.
-The pro-reviewers like the FP, but this doesn't amount to much IMO.
Anything else I am missing?
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
http://i62.tinypic.com/28tdjt2.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/2l92qur.jpg
- Cost (value): base MSRP is good, but options rapidly price it higher than the GLC--and the discounts will likely be nil due to the lower production numbers and scarcity. Price differential on comparably-equipped vehicles will be substantial.
- Lack of dealers: Even though I live in Los Angeles, the closest dealership is 20 minutes away.
- Fuel efficiency: This is a personal choice, of course, but I value MPG. The F-Pace is a great performer, but the cost in MPG is too high for me. I think the GLC is a great combo of decent performance and efficiency.
- Reliability: Time will tell, and the warranty on the Jag is good, but I'm still not convinced the Jags will be dependable enough.
- Cost (value): base MSRP is good, but options rapidly price it higher than the GLC--and the discounts will likely be nil due to the lower production numbers and scarcity. Price differential on comparably-equipped vehicles will be substantial.
- Lack of dealers: Even though I live in Los Angeles, the closest dealership is 20 minutes away.
- Fuel efficiency: This is a personal choice, of course, but I value MPG. The F-Pace is a great performer, but the cost in MPG is too high for me. I think the GLC is a great combo of decent performance and efficiency.
- Reliability: Time will tell, and the warranty on the Jag is good, but I'm still not convinced the Jags will be dependable enough.
Are they as perfect (overrated in my opinion) as Toyota/Lexus are claimed to be? No. Are they expensive to service or repair if something were to go wrong? Yes, unless you find a good indie mechanic or do the work yourself.
Unfortunately, Jaguar and Land Rover sell in such small numbers that impossible to find out how they're doing. The worst thing I'd imagine happening is glitches with the electronics. A common issue with all expensive cars.
I'm somewhat apprehensive about the long-term cost of ownership of the Mercedes, to be honest. I've been a Honda guy for a long time, and my experience with them has been great. Very low cost of ownership and very reliable cars. But, we take good care of our cars and do all the recommended maintenance, so hopefully, the GLC will be also be a good one for us.
I'm somewhat apprehensive about the long-term cost of ownership of the Mercedes, to be honest. I've been a Honda guy for a long time, and my experience with them has been great. Very low cost of ownership and very reliable cars. But, we take good care of our cars and do all the recommended maintenance, so hopefully, the GLC will be also be a good one for us.
How long are you keeping the car? During the warranty, I highly suggest getting the prepaid maintenence plan. About $1k even and it covers ALL wear items. Whether it be breaks, break fluid flushes, transmission fluid flushes, coolant system fluid flushes, wiper blades, cabin filters, everything.
Once the warranty is up, find an indie mechanic to do your services. You will find that these cars aren't necessarily "high maintenence", they just cost a bit more to service.
You might want to consider looking into BMW. Their reliability is good nowadays, plus you pay nothing for maintenance for 4 years and a 4 year, bumper to bumper warranty. So you pay virtually nothing for 4 years except for insurance and fuel.
Last edited by TSchuettinger; Sep 4, 2016 at 08:28 PM.
I certainly wouldn't consider their reliability to be "good", either. My BMW ownership experience was a complete nightmare. I saw my BMW Service Advisor more times in a year and a half than my previous three cars combined over a 10-year period.
I certainly wouldn't consider their reliability to be "good", either. My BMW ownership experience was a complete nightmare. I saw my BMW Service Advisor more times in a year and a half than my previous three cars combined over a 10-year period.
About the reliability, I'm getting info from stats. I don't know when you owned your BMW or what model it was...
The included maintenance is great, but I did not know that they cut it down to three years.
Coming from a Mercedes SLK and now E Coupe, I became a real Mercedes-lover, but on the other side I want something "new" now...
F-Pace has more exclusive looks on the outside and more storage space, the GLC has a better engine, brand reputation and money value over 5 years...
Who can help me decide? :-)
Coming from a Mercedes SLK and now E Coupe, I became a real Mercedes-lover, but on the other side I want something "new" now...
F-Pace has more exclusive looks on the outside and more storage space, the GLC has a better engine, brand reputation and money value over 5 years...
Who can help me decide? :-)
The F-pace, sounds good, looks good (on the outside at least), ect.... it's not a good value, it's not the most luxurious, there isn't alot of available options either.
The GLC is fun to drive, it luxurious, lots of options available, is a good value, it's predecessor was also a kbb best resale value winner.
Have you looked into the X3, Q5, QX50, Macan, XT5 as well?
So yes, I really like it but only in the range topping version and the gap between that and the entry level is ridiculously large for a car in the same range here in the UK and frankly not worth it. I paid less than that for my current full size GL.
I think it is a car that is very sensitive to what paint and wheels you choose, beautiful and fugly at the same time. Drives nice though in the range topping engines, but feels like Fred Flintstone in the bottom of the range engine. But to be fair, I think that is the same with the GLC220/250d.
The F-pace, sounds good, looks good (on the outside at least), ect.... it's not a good value, it's not the most luxurious, there isn't alot of available options either.
The GLC is fun to drive, it luxurious, lots of options available, is a good value, it's predecessor was also a kbb best resale value winner.
Have you looked into the X3, Q5, QX50, Macan, XT5 as well?
I say do the Jaguar (highly popular where I am - even more than the GLC it seems). You can always get a Benz next time around.
Take a few more test drives. Go with what you feel, if you think you could live with the car day in and out. Which car would make you feel alive on that drive home.




The F-pace, sounds good, looks good (on the outside at least), ect.... it's not a good value, it's not the most luxurious, there isn't alot of available options either.
The GLC is fun to drive, it luxurious, lots of options available, is a good value, it's predecessor was also a kbb best resale value winner.
Have you looked into the X3, Q5, QX50, Macan, XT5 as well?
IMO the GLC interior is nicer than the FPace no doubt, but not by that much, and the FPace exterior styling is hands down the best out there (but the GLC is nice too).
The drive of the FPace is more sporty but still smooth and luxurious (on the std 19" or 20" wheels) and the GLC is a nice but a bit bland (on std 18" wheels). For me, the Jag wins this by a lot, but that is a matter of my sporty preference.
At least here in the US price/value shouldn't really come in to play as they are very similar. In fact Jag should win easily because of the tiny $1500 premium to get the 3.0l six (what do you think the GLC 43AMG will cost). I built similar cars on the perspective web sites and they were very close. GLC 3004M with P2, Lighting and pano vs FP 2.0 premium, with cold weather, vision (lighting and blind spot, parking sensors etc) and Nav. The FP was $49.5k and the GLC (without parking sensors or rear seat heaters) was $50.1k. Similar difference if you went with the GLC sport and the FP prestige (you don't get leather interior with the GLC and you don't get stitched dash in the FP). Maintenance is $1.2k extra on the Merc for 4 instead of 5 yrs. Discounts will be better on the GLC - now you probably won't get much more than $1k off on an FPace.
To me the real consideration should be things like:
-Size, the FP is significantly bigger and more useful and yet still more sporty
-Brand - MB wins this for reliability history and number of dealers but Jag has been doing very well here recently and has 5yr warranty and free maintenance for 5 yrs. Both have a high luxury prestige.
-Sport vs lux and styling preference - totally subjective you gotta go look for yourself on this one.
Bottom line, you really should drive them both, preferably on the same day. Pictures don't do either of them justice, and you can only measure feel (road, to the touch, and emotional) and things like ergonomics from the drivers seat. Bring some golf clubs or boxes or whatever to see if the sizes are right for you.
Last edited by ddeliber; Sep 29, 2016 at 09:25 AM.


