GLK Insights on Front, Rear, and Cargo Space
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
GLK Insights on Front, Rear, and Cargo Space
I went to my dealership yesterday and had a good look at the GLK for the first time. I took for a spin around the block, and much like those that have commented so far on driveability, I was impressed.
I spent most of my time comparing the GLK with my B-Class for space. I am considering the GLK to replace my B when the lease expires next year and wanted to see how we would fit along with our things in the back.
Overall, I was quite pleased with the space gains in the front and the cargo area. I was disapointed in the rear seat.
I spent most of my time comparing the GLK with my B-Class for space. I am considering the GLK to replace my B when the lease expires next year and wanted to see how we would fit along with our things in the back.
- Front seat - significantly more shoulder and head room. We have always felt somewhat cramped in the B. Not here. Just looking at hom much wider the center console is tells the story.
- Rear seat - I often drive my in-laws with my 9 year old in the back seat. The rear seat in the GLK is only about an inch wider than the B. Leg room is a tad smaller. My (unscientific test) is that set the driver seat where it needs to be and then sit right behind it to see how much leg room I would have. It was almost the same. However, the center back passenger would have to contend with a much bigger hump than in the B. So it's not really better back there.
- Cargo area - space in the GLK is a bit bigger. The door opening is equivalent. I was comming back from picking up a new bar fridge in my B which fitted quite nicely without having to put the seat down. I did have to remove the cargo curtain. It would of fitted in the GLK with more room to spare.
Overall, I was quite pleased with the space gains in the front and the cargo area. I was disapointed in the rear seat.
Last edited by emesap43; Dec 14, 2008 at 01:19 PM. Reason: fixed typos
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BMW 325iX Sport Wagon, Range Rover
Regarding junk room with rear seats up. On my second test drive I took the tape measure and the GLK passed the tailgate party gear test, with back seats UP.
A std folding leg card table fits perfectly flat on the floor with an inch to spare. That means four lawn chairs can be stowed on their side with room for a large cooler, mini-weber bbq and plenty of groccery bags and extras. And you can see out the back window, no problem.
Done deal. I am getting an obsidian black, black/cashmere interior, 20" wheels/roof rails, Lighitng Pack, Prem 1 Pack, Media Pack, trailer hitch for bike rack, and of course heated seats. MB-tex us so good, I not sure I need the leather. Any advice?
I will order as soon as wood interior trim can be ordered in the USA.
A std folding leg card table fits perfectly flat on the floor with an inch to spare. That means four lawn chairs can be stowed on their side with room for a large cooler, mini-weber bbq and plenty of groccery bags and extras. And you can see out the back window, no problem.
Done deal. I am getting an obsidian black, black/cashmere interior, 20" wheels/roof rails, Lighitng Pack, Prem 1 Pack, Media Pack, trailer hitch for bike rack, and of course heated seats. MB-tex us so good, I not sure I need the leather. Any advice?
I will order as soon as wood interior trim can be ordered in the USA.
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by MtnMachine
I will order as soon as wood interior trim can be ordered in the USA.
No Keyless Go might kill this for wife
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BMW 325iX Sport Wagon, Range Rover
OKNISH, Thanks, Great new info. I have been so busy last few days I have not checked site, so thanks.
Great news about wood trim. It will be interesting to see if it is a feature you must order with a delayed delivery, but I bet it will be available.
Any advice from anyone on MB-Tex vs real leather. I have always upgraded my BMWs to leather, but MB-tex looks great, feels great. Any advice?
Great news about wood trim. It will be interesting to see if it is a feature you must order with a delayed delivery, but I bet it will be available.
Any advice from anyone on MB-Tex vs real leather. I have always upgraded my BMWs to leather, but MB-tex looks great, feels great. Any advice?
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by MtnMachine
Any advice from anyone on MB-Tex vs real leather. I have always upgraded my BMWs to leather, but MB-tex looks great, feels great. Any advice?
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BMW 325iX Sport Wagon, Range Rover
Thanks much for experienced advice OKNISH.
The black and almond interior, with wood trim looks great in the black exterior. Going Obsidian Black.
Thanks again, late January or early Feb for my order to go in. Online build hits $48k.
The black and almond interior, with wood trim looks great in the black exterior. Going Obsidian Black.
Thanks again, late January or early Feb for my order to go in. Online build hits $48k.
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
Well... today's family test drive sealed the deal... The GLK is not for us. Like I said, rear seat space is important for us and it did not work out. My wife is taller than I am and with her at the wheel and me siting behind her, I had my knees pressed against the front seat pretty hard. Getting out was very difficult. It was also very hard for her to get in the back seat with me driving. So I can only imagine my in-laws who are in their 70's. The rear wheel well intrusion is part of the problem and second, the rear leg room is not sufficient.
I must say, I am very disappointed.
So, I am looking at an other B200 or potentially an ML320. Part of me wants to go look at the Q5 and X3 but we have been treated so well at our dealership and really enjoyed the last 3 years with my first MB. Also, I am not too fond of the local BMW dealership... went in a couple of weeks ago and stood in the showroom for a good 10 minutes and not a soul came up to me and said hello – not even the receptionist. I just left... Almost the same experience in the Audi dealership. I was about to leave when the sales rep finally acknowledge my presence when he finished cleaning his desk.
I am sure you will all fully enjoy your GLKs.
PS The dealer had a good number on the lot. Even one in Bonamite Silver... you know the one with the greenish tint to it. Can't say I liked it.
I must say, I am very disappointed.
So, I am looking at an other B200 or potentially an ML320. Part of me wants to go look at the Q5 and X3 but we have been treated so well at our dealership and really enjoyed the last 3 years with my first MB. Also, I am not too fond of the local BMW dealership... went in a couple of weeks ago and stood in the showroom for a good 10 minutes and not a soul came up to me and said hello – not even the receptionist. I just left... Almost the same experience in the Audi dealership. I was about to leave when the sales rep finally acknowledge my presence when he finished cleaning his desk.
I am sure you will all fully enjoy your GLKs.
PS The dealer had a good number on the lot. Even one in Bonamite Silver... you know the one with the greenish tint to it. Can't say I liked it.
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From: Far West Texas
GLK 4Matic
Emesap43, your complaint of the rear seating area or lack thereof, is a real problem. We are not blind to the problem but it doesn't really affect us like it would you and your family. Shop around until your needs are fulfilled. The GLK didn't fulfull our need, just our desire. Good luck with your search.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
Rear seat leg room
Well... today's family test drive sealed the deal... The GLK is not for us. Like I said, rear seat space is important for us and it did not work out. My wife is taller than I am and with her at the wheel and me siting behind her, I had my knees pressed against the front seat pretty hard. Getting out was very difficult. It was also very hard for her to get in the back seat with me driving. So I can only imagine my in-laws who are in their 70's. The rear wheel well intrusion is part of the problem and second, the rear leg room is not sufficient.
However, given the variety of responses to the rear seat leg room issue, some saying it is more than adequate, others saying not enough leg room, I wonder if you or your wife took advantage of the high available seat position when adjusting the driver's seat ?
When the driver's seat is adjusted into an upright position with your knees well off the floor, then the seat is not positioned as far back as it would be if one chose a lower seating position.
Since the GLK has so much headroom, the driver's seat can be lifted well up, not only improving visibility, but also maximizing the rear seat leg room.
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
Oh yes... We tried that too. It may be the biais from having a B with so much space for the legs. I was surprised that when we test drove the ML we had equivalent leg room.
I do appreciate the suggestion. I am still mopping!
I do appreciate the suggestion. I am still mopping!
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
I tested both and decided on the GLK which is so much more fun to drive, more responsive and easier to park and just as good, if not better, in the snow than the ML.
Did you consider testing a GLK with running boards ? This might help your older, rear passengers getting in and out and perhaps your children as well.
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
We tried one with the running boards too. It was worse as they are not terribly wide. The sales rep told us that one of his other clients has an adult with special needs and had similar issues with the width of the door and the leg room to rotate in.
Aside from that I loved the ride, the spaciousness of the front and all of the great features.
The more I think about it, the more I think we will get a B200 Turbo with many of the GLK features... Well not all of them.
Aside from that I loved the ride, the spaciousness of the front and all of the great features.
The more I think about it, the more I think we will get a B200 Turbo with many of the GLK features... Well not all of them.
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B200 Turbo
I'm upgrading from a B as well. Mercedes knew what they were doing by releasing the GLK at the exact time the first round of lease holders from the B are coming due. I would be curious to know how many other lemming s like us are taking the GLK jump
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BMW 325iX Sport Wagon, Range Rover
This may not relate to some of you taller folks, but I am only 5"10" and givien the GLK's telescopic sterring wheel adjust and given that I like an upright back position with arms out straight, the rear seat of the GLK has lots, lots of leg room. We were looking for a replacment of my wife's Range Rover and I re-checked the GLK today before we test drove an E Wagon for my wife.
If you need a big SUV, the GLK just is not the car, but for so many of us that like extra ground clearance for snow and like the SUV utility, the GLK is perfect.
You would need to have a 6ft+ driver with a 6ft+ passenger directly behind to experience a problem or even notice tight knee room. IMO
If you need a big SUV, the GLK just is not the car, but for so many of us that like extra ground clearance for snow and like the SUV utility, the GLK is perfect.
You would need to have a 6ft+ driver with a 6ft+ passenger directly behind to experience a problem or even notice tight knee room. IMO
Last edited by MtnMachine; Mar 8, 2009 at 11:38 PM.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
[QUOTE=emesap43;339900
The more I think about it, the more I think we will get a B200 Turbo with many of the GLK features... Well not all of them.[/QUOTE]
Yes, you are right about the B200 having similar utility to the GLK, BUT the B200 is a front wheel drive car with a buzzy 4 cylinder engine. I have only driven the B200 non-turbo, but it does drive reasonably well and it has excellent visibility all round like the GLK. However, the ride is not as good as the GLK which has independent suspension front and rear and of course there is no 4Matic B200.
Price wise, I think the GLK is a much better buy. You can easily surpass CD$43,000 (incl PDI/FRT) for a B200 Turbo by adding a few options (Premium Pkg, Bi-zenons, Metallic Paint, Automatic transmission). This makes no sense to me when comparing this car to either the C Class with 4Matic or the GLK or some of the non-MB competition.
The more I think about it, the more I think we will get a B200 Turbo with many of the GLK features... Well not all of them.
[/QUOTE]Yes, you are right about the B200 having similar utility to the GLK, BUT the B200 is a front wheel drive car with a buzzy 4 cylinder engine. I have only driven the B200 non-turbo, but it does drive reasonably well and it has excellent visibility all round like the GLK. However, the ride is not as good as the GLK which has independent suspension front and rear and of course there is no 4Matic B200.
Price wise, I think the GLK is a much better buy. You can easily surpass CD$43,000 (incl PDI/FRT) for a B200 Turbo by adding a few options (Premium Pkg, Bi-zenons, Metallic Paint, Automatic transmission). This makes no sense to me when comparing this car to either the C Class with 4Matic or the GLK or some of the non-MB competition.
Last edited by DerekACS; Mar 9, 2009 at 12:27 AM.
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
Yes, you are right about the B200 having similar utility to the GLK, BUT the B200 is a front wheel drive car with a buzzy 4 cylinder engine. I have only driven the B200 non-turbo, but it does drive reasonably well and it has excellent visibility all round like the GLK. However, the ride is not as good as the GLK which has independent suspension front and rear and of course there is no 4Matic B200.
Price wise, I think the GLK is a much better buy. You can easily surpass CD$43,000 (incl PDI/FRT) for a B200 Turbo by adding a few options (Premium Pkg, Bi-zenons, Metallic Paint, Automatic transmission). This makes no sense to me when comparing this car to either the C Class with 4Matic or the GLK or some of the non-MB competition.
Price wise, I think the GLK is a much better buy. You can easily surpass CD$43,000 (incl PDI/FRT) for a B200 Turbo by adding a few options (Premium Pkg, Bi-zenons, Metallic Paint, Automatic transmission). This makes no sense to me when comparing this car to either the C Class with 4Matic or the GLK or some of the non-MB competition.
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I like the fact that GLK is only 178 inches long. Makes parallel parking and fitting into garages that much easier.
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From: Halifax, Canada
2012 ML-350 BT
We used to drive a Rendez Vous and I hated it... it was so big. While the ML rode much better (what a surprise), I still had the feeling of being in a very big vehicle. Not so in the GLK.
To get equivalent leases... at least from my calculations, you need some heavy duty discounting on the ML... I am comparing a bare ML320 to a GLK350 with premium and metalic paint.
To get equivalent leases... at least from my calculations, you need some heavy duty discounting on the ML... I am comparing a bare ML320 to a GLK350 with premium and metalic paint.
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From: Toronto, ON
GLK 350 4matic
I almost bought a B200T last year, but my procrastination helped me to find the GLK, fell love with it and bought it last week. And I agree with Derek's comment for their value that for almost just $10k extra you pay, you get a lot more in GLK (I thought they break even in leg room). Compare to other countries, for some reason MB Canada over priced B and under priced GLK.
Sorry to hear emesap43 have to revert to B200T. In the end B is a very nice car and won't go wrong with it.
Sorry to hear emesap43 have to revert to B200T. In the end B is a very nice car and won't go wrong with it.
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From: San Diego
G63 AMG, SL65 AMG, CLS550, S550, Tesla Model S Performance, Challenger SRT8
That's what ML is for. From what I read they are leasing them out for the same price as GLK even tho it costs 10k more. This is prolly the reason I've been seing so many new ML's already (they updated it slightly), and only 2 GLKs.
I like the fact that GLK is only 178 inches long. Makes parallel parking and fitting into garages that much easier.
I like the fact that GLK is only 178 inches long. Makes parallel parking and fitting into garages that much easier.
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
Compared to an E, the GLK has less legroom in the rear, more headroom, foot room and similar shoulder room. The cargo area of the GLK is significantly larger than the E Class trunk.
The front seats of the GLK are more comfortable than the C Class seats, especially with the leather optioned seats.
The front seats of the GLK are more comfortable than the C Class seats, especially with the leather optioned seats.
