texasGLK

I was looking to purchase a fairly barebones GLK 350. In the course of test driving, I took the opportunity to testdrive the 250 as well, and I was impressed by the responsiveness of the car and the MPG stats. I've never owned a Diesel, but I'm not opposed to it.

Any thoughts from other recent purchasers on the advantage of choosing one or the other?

fabbrisd1

Sure - the GLK250 has a LOT going for it - the only caveat is future tire replacements will be a bit more pricey since they are run flats.

The new 2013 GLK really hit a sweet spot with the market starting this past Spring - at this moment MY13 GLK inventories are very tight - and new MY14 (no major changes at all) will continue to be tight as well.

The GLK250 pulls strong around town like a champ - downright peppy - versus with the GLK350 you have a lot of power on tap but you either need to develop a heavier foot to grab that, or alternatively you need to learn on how to use the paddles smoothly like they were intended.

The maintenance cost of the GLK250 is a bit higher - which you can minimize by doing your AdBlue refill at 10K miles on your own with generic AdBlue/DEF fluid - there are diesel fuel filkter change outs due every 20K that your dealer will need to do.

Other than that - everything is to the good.

Our definition of "barebones" may differ somewhat - I consider the Premium 1 package and the MultiMedia package to both be good investments if within your budget - which with 4matic included on the GLK250 takes that to about MSRP $45K

texasGLK

Thanks for your helpful response. My "barebones" is actually just the base GLK with no packages. There are a couple of things I'd like in the tech & premium packages, but most of it I can easily live without. The base GLK is pushing the top of what I'm looking to spend which is approx $40k)

Bob338

There are many advantages to diesels over gassers and in my experience as a M-B diesel owner since 1977, the advantages are many over gassers. I believe that over the long haul that the operating costs of diesels are considerably less than a gasser. Engines seem to wear considerably less in diesels than gassers and they run longer without being oil burners. Just go to a pick and pull, or other wrecking yard, and see how many diesels you find versus all the gassers that are stacked up there. I visit regularly for parts for my '85 and in almost 3 years of visits to 5 different yards, I've only seen one M-B diesel in any yard, versus hundreds of gassers.

Either will serve you well but with the ability to buy anything I want, I chose the GLK250. After you own a diesel a while you become part of the cult that loves them and I suppose that's where I am. It was a no-brainer for me and after putting 2100 miles on my GLK in Europe recently, I'm in love!

Bottom line is that YOU have to make the decision and it is a personal choice.

decocritter

I found a barebones GLK with only the pano roof and heated seats, and becker connection.


This option was only available for a few weeks, or it was not ordered. Just a few out there. About half $ of a Package 1 ,which kept price down for me.

I do not have a garage, so that was not needed. Dimming mirrors on package 1 would be nice.

Alex Bel

When do you expect to get the car back in US?

bugelrex

Just curious, what kind of deal for the GLK250 did u get from dealer? % off MSRP?

Bob338

Two questions there. The car will be in the US, Long Beach, CA, on July 24. "I" expect to receive it about 8-10 days later. It must go through customs and the VPC where a couple of minor paint repairs need to be made and the car converted to US, then it has to be trucked about 500 miles to my dealer where it will be detailed. In all it's much quicker than I expected because I delivered the car to the shipper outside Germany (in Nice, France.) It then had to be hauled across Europe to Bremerhaven where it now sits waiting for boat departure (which will be June 27,) and someone to load it. I should be driving it in the US about August 8, or maybe sooner, still pretty good considering initial handling outside Germany and a canal trip to deliver on the West Coast.

I'm completely impressed with the improvements to the European Delivery (this is my 3rd one,) and the new shipper they now use. Everything top notch and first class as you would expect from M-B. Best experience of the 3 for me.

texasGLK

I haven't purchased yet, but I'm being shown 5% off approx. Is it possible to get these below invoice?

vin_de_merc

When me and the wife got our GLK250 just over two weeks ago, we used the USAA car buying service. $500 over dealer invoice prior to geting a $2000 MB "incentive" so $1500 under dealer invoice, about $7000 under MSRP. not to mention the insurance with USAA saves us some more money as well, and the GLK250 is a USAA perferred vehicle due to its safety and MPG fuel ratings.

Alex Bel

What is the dealer invoice for the 2013 GLK250?

glayfan40

Dealer invoice should be approx. 93% of the vehicle MSRP.

vin_de_merc

i dont have the paperwork in front of me but i want to say it was below 41k and the sticker was around 48k. with the MB incentive it put it just below 40k.

Showa

I only got 12% off msrp and you got almost like 17.5% off msrp...wow!

texasGLK

That's a crazy good price. I doubt it can be replicated for non-USAA members. Was the MB incentive specific to USAA?

decocritter

I got mine for around $36,500 plus tax (which is now Georgia advalorem Tag fee, of one time, upfront 6.5% instead of the yearly advalorem.

Base, plus heated seats, pano roof, becker connection. It does have memory seats.