GEMINIDAN

Coming out of an Infinity FX$% 8 cyl, 330 Hp 315 torque, How would you judge the performance on the GLK...

Highway approach
From Stoplight

Also does anyone keep it in sport mode, and how do you like manually shifting the 7 spee4d trans.????thanks for your replies..Dan

NYCGLK

Have you test driven GLK?

The good thing about GLK's engine compared to Nissan's VQ, is that most of the torque is there at 2000 rpm, and 1st gear is pretty low for quick take off from a stop light. As far as highway, 60-100 mph doesn't take long.

I kept my car in S from day one. Also sport mode is really normal mode. There is no really manual mode. "Manual" mode just limits shifting to the selected gear. It does come handy in spirited driving, as GLK rushes to upshift. With "manual" mode you can go between limiting to 3rd and 4th gears keeping RPMs high. As far as manual shifting...it's too slow.

W210

Agree with NYCGLK's assessment. I wish they have the gear shift buttons on the steering wheel like in Europe.

I wonder if it can be added?

Frank Zappa

I have a G35 and a new GLK and there is no comparison in regards to raw aceleration capabilities, the G35 wins hands down (it's fun, the GLK is not). The GLK rides nice, is classier and has decent performance don't get me wrong, but it is disapointing in the power area, its not a G35. If your thinking of replacing an FX with a GLK you'll be disapointed. My opinion.

GEMINIDAN

Does anyone feel this GLK is a sled or can it get out of its own way... I understand it weighs 4000lbs but it has the same engine as the full size ML and that seems to be able to hold its own..what about instant respone and passing, How about some replies...tx Dan

W210

The strength of the GLK lies in a nice ride and solid chassis. But then, being a smaller car, it is quite nimble actually, compared to other full size SUVs. I have the 20 inch wheels and find it quite fun to zip around town.

I would suspect the FX35 being far slower than the G35 as the FX35 is almost 1,000 lbs heavier than the G35, with a higher centre of gravity too.

Comparing the FX45 and GLK350, Looking at the specifications, 8 cylinder FX45 maybe faster than the GLK350 but not night and day.

If you trust those reviews, per Car and Driver, due partly to the gearing (5 speed in FX vs 7 speed in GLK), the GLK350 actually has better acceleration numbers:

FX45
0-60 mph 6.4
0-100 mph 17.5
top gear 30-50 mph 4.0
top gear 50-700 mph 4.8

GLK350
0-60 mph 6.6
0-100 mph 17.3
top gear 30-50 mph 3.4
top gear 50-700 mph 4.4

Of course, the above tests were done on different days so it is not a controlled experiment.

My personal experience, if you don't mind changing gears, the GLK350 is pretty fast. Much faster than the heavier ML350.

PT Barnum

The GLK is defiantly not a "sled"! Performance, passing etc is decent, build finish and cabin amenities are quite nice (my opinion). To W210's point if the FX is 1K lbs heavier than a G35 you may not notice a significant difference in performance. I haven't driven an FX so I can't comment. Dealer test drivers are free though so "drive it like you stole it". Best of luck in the quest.

NYCGLK

1,000 pounds will def. alter perfomance, look at GLK vs. ML 350. Same engine same tranny, two very difference cars.

W210

And I agree with PT Barnum, the cabin amenities are really nice. My personal favorites, iPod integration, best I have seen in any car, even shows foreign 2-bit languages, and keyless go.

Duke_on

I used to have a ML 350 and I can tell you that car was way under powered for its weight. I think GLK 350 hit a nice balance with good performance and ride quality.

If you want performance out of your car, you should buy a sport car. Not a mid size SUV.

Or buy the V12 Brabus GLK

ftttubrgcm

I know this isn't here nor there but back in my street racing days, I had a buddy with a '70 Buick GS Stage 1 with NO2. Even though it was faster than hell, it didn't seem as fast as the smaller pony cars at the time because it was just so big and heavy. Quarter mile track times proved it different! Our GLK isn't a rocket but I would only think that those disappointed are coming from lighter, more performance oriented vehicles.

MBRedux

I'm with Zappa... Sleds do = SUV's in General... there's no mystery here, just differing degrees of sledding between them... that's when compared to cars now.

After owning a few SUV's such as the Infiniti FX and the Nissan Murano etc., I'd say the GLK sleds the least. And if it wasn't for the poor steering feedback and feel of the GLK, I'd prefer it over our Audi Q5 sport.





Then again.... maybe not.

JT01

Had I known how cool the Q5s headlights look... and how "sporty" it looks when you look at it while laying down on the street at a 45deg angle a few feet from the right rear corner... I just might have bought one!