bdyyz

My 2008 C350 4matic is almost at lease end. This has been my first Benz and can officially say I am hooked. The car has been spot on and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I am sort of a car guy, and my wife has a Lexus RX, but if I stay with Benz I have to go SUV. I also want more legroom as the C is a bit cramped, kids are getting older and I occasionally carry clients.

Choices are; 2011 GLK (fully loaded) or a 2011 ML 350BT. Concerns are as follows;
GLK is a side-step or step down from the C/ML
GLK is more empty nester than middle age executive
GLK isn't a big size increase (although the seating position makes it feel so)
ML is big
ML is going to drive big (I have spent little time behind the wheel)
ML is slow
ML build and reliability won't stack up to German built C

I am tossing a lot in the air here, but I am hoping I can get some advice. Any ML lovers chime in...

Thanks

aggst1

I went to the dealer a year ago to buy a GLK and bought a ML instead. I just couldn't spend $46K plus on an entry level Benz. Don't get me wrong, it is a great SUV, it just seems to me a bit overpriced for being entry level. The reason for me also was room especially in the back seat. As far as performance is concerned, the ML does not feel big, or is slow. In fact both GLK350 and ML350 share the exact same motor. It definitely feels slow compare to my R500 (V8) but it certainly isn't slow. Handling on ML although fine, is greatly improved with lower profile tires (19, 20 inches +)

As far as I am concerned, I have yet to see clear evidence that German assembled cars are better than US built ones! If one believes that, then they also should believe that their German counterpart is a much better employee/worker than they are. I just don't believe that. Skilled employees are everywhere, not just in Germany. In fact most C classes are assembled in South Africa, not in Germany.
The quality problems MB was faced with 10 years ago or so were not concentrated in the US assembled products but they were all over the product line.

If you carry passengers as you state (clients) then the choice is obvious. The only thing you may want to check on is that the ML is about to be redesigned. Of course, most people shy away from first year models so they work out the bugs first! (Ask anyone with a 2006 model year)

Vernl

I have had a gas Ml and now have a diesel ML...if they ever bring a diesel GLK to N/A I will order one, didnt care for it with the gas motor

lkchris

IMHO GLK is "Sex and the City," i.e. a chick car.

Why not compare window stickers? You'll note the diesel ML gets better fuel economy than the supposedly smaller GLK. Heck, even the diesel GL does.

You know, of course, that the GLK is built on the C-class platform and production is soon moving to the USA.

dgiturbo

Hard choice. If you carry clients and kids, go ML. You mentioned the Bluetec model. Good choice. The fuel savings is worth it. I have never had the "slow" moment you mentioned with mine. The turbo spools up fast and you can leave the majority of cars on the road behind.

The GLK would feel faster as it is a little smaller with the ML gas motor, and you are used to the C350, but 650+ miles to a tank is hard to pass up.
By the way, when I visited the ML factory in Alabama, they were in the process of setting up to make the C class there.

Also, the look on your clients face when you tell them that they are riding in a diesel with such a quiet motor or that pins them in their seat when you floor it is priceless.

559EVO

The GLK should be smaller than your wife's Lexus RX so its a no brainer to go ML. If a 350 is slow then get a ML550, it will be close to your C350 performance, maybe faster top end. If you cant afford a new one just get a cpo 2008/2009.

CDNROCKIES

The GLK is the worst SUV I have ever driven. It was almost embarassing to call it a Benz. I'm not saying the ML is the end all and be all of Benz's, but the GLK was a complete joke in comparison to the ML or even the C350.

C-rod

When our Cambridge plant in Ontario, Canada won the 2010 Gold plant award for J.D. Power, the Mercedes plant in South Africa won the Platinum award..we were second in the world, they were 1st !!!!!!!! So here we are, us "Canucks" making a Japanese vehicle and "South Africans" making a German vehicle ???? An auto worker is an auto worker.........as long as the processes are set up correctly and the supplier line is efficient and reliable, it doesn't matter where the vehicle is produced............JMO.........

sosh

Actually I believe that the ML550 is quite a bit faster in acceleration than the C350. It is quite quick.

jralstondr

Go for the ml 350 bluetec diesel and dont look back.. Great gas mileage and great overall vehicle. Have owned 2 ml diesel over the years. Wife drives alot have about 75k on 2008 currently. Just perform routine maintenance and you should be good to go....

C43AMG

I believe it will be here 2012....with a C-class diesel !

roadrutz

I agree with the comments about build quality. Most of the mechanical components come from Germany, most of the body is built by robots, and I see no reason why American assemblers are any better or worse than the primarily Turkish workers who assemble most German-built vehicles in Germany.

Diesel is an acquired taste, so make sure you test one thoroughly before following the advice of those here who are diesel fans. Acceleration in the ML diesel is impressive at low speeds but less so at highway speeds -- all torque, no horsepower. Great fuel mileage but, IMHO, about as exciting as a fridge.

Good luck whatever you do.

559EVO

I do to, just didnt want to start a c350 vs ML550 war
I want one for myself one day.

cal1

I'm not really an SUV kind of guy, but that said, I love my ML500 (06). The "utility" part really fits and that's why I have it. It can haul kids, groceries, hounds and still take the neighbors out to dinner in more style than their minivan ever could.
The ML can also definitely pull off the roll as an executives SUV. Not so sure the GLK could.

Cb4h

gonna kinda rock the boat a little i guess. I had an 06 X5 4.4i which i really like just had an issue with the size but since i had a G35 coupe at the time too i could get my speed fix when i needed it as well. However, being young (22) i drove the X5 since it was new and i really did love the car i wanted something just a little smaller and not as bulky. I looked at the ML bluetec loved the motor and the fact that you could get so much mileage out of one tank, but at the end of the day i ended up with GLK with more gadgets and i honestly really like the size the only thing in your case you will not like is the rear leg room and therefore i would say go with the ML but i believe someone stated the GLK was an embarrassment, i totally disagree i mean it is an entry level car technically but it still by far imo is a better car than X3...i love it...do i love it as much as the X5 jury is still out but they are both very good in their own respects...btw i am a guy and love the looks of the GLK to me the ML is very soccer mom...but just my opinion thought i would throw it out there..sry if i rambled its friday and i am ready to leave the offfice

bdyyz

Ya, GLK is out. I am no closer to making up my mind though. I need to drive the ML, there is a piece of me that wants to wait for the 2012 C-350....Does anyone know when it will be out?

The ML is amazing, but seems like a bit of a step back without the Command

AMGC60-3

The ML is the best all around vehicle I have ever had and with the V8 under the hood it hauls a$$ when needed and puts many cars to shame on the Autobahn. I was also looking at a GLK and wasnt turned on or impressed enough like I was with the ML, to me they are two different worlds.

eeferber

If the price difference isn't an issue, then I'm not sure why you would even consider a GLK.

I drove a C class as a service loaner - felt tiny and cramped, whereas the ML feels very roomy inside without actually being a big vehicle. Never did care for the interior of the GLK, looks cheap. Cargo capacity and passenger roominess - no comparison between the 2 vehicles. The backseat of the ML is far from cavernous, but the GLK is downright minimal. Huge difference in total cargo room. Check out interior specs at mbusa.com.

Only 1mpg difference between the V6 version. Of course, only the ML has the V8 option. Ride quality is far better in the ML, rides more like an E class. The GLK is noticeably rougher and more road noise.

gsrjc

I have both... can't go wrong with either one. GLK will drive more like the C-class and ML will drive more like a usual SUV.

mikapen

I have a 2010 ML BlueTec. The Command system is a step into the past with its "human interface." It's distracting and it's probably my biggest complaint with the car.

I had a GLK loaner for a week, before the ML, and the dial selector (like the C-Class) is far superior.
Other comparisons: the GLK is quick and responsive, but the added weight (not that much) on the ML makes it seem sluggish - at least, with an unbroken-in engine.
I went with the diesel because, while not "quick," it moves the heavier ML with more "authority." And because of the better fuel economy, which appears to be real.
I'm getting about that same as my C240 gas - low 20's in town and @ 30 on the road. (That's by calculation, not the trip computer - the computer is about 1.5 mpg overstated.)

Hu99

After multiple test drives in both the GLK350 and ML350 Bluetec I bought the ML. I like the styling, performance and sportier handling of the GLK, but ML was an overall better experience from behind the wheel and I was pretty sure I wanted a diesel this time around.
There is nothing wrong with the GLK but from a personal standpoint I prefer the true SUV experience of the ML, and I love the character of the Bluetec motor.

betrezra

07ML500 since new...... no problems, 20mpg on highway, tows jeetskiis to/from lake, great car. Timeless looks.

Very Capable 4wd.

bdyyz

What about overall costs to run each vehicle (I know its a Benz and I shouldn't worry about such things), but, is the ML going to cost considerably more over the 3 years...

- tires
- brakes
- obviously the Adblue cost
- is maintenance more? A/B/A2 run about $250/$500/$250 on C in the Toronto area...is the ML a lot more?

Great info in here by the way...thanks. I look forward to actually driving them both...I am trying to arrange an over-nighter...

The ML I am looking at is the Base model, the AvantGarde adds $5000.00 for Command NAV and a bunch of other stuff...I can't really justify the "other stuff" given I don't really use NAV that often. Keyless go will be missed, however.

eeferber

the AvantGarde package is almost a fricken bargain at $5k. Get it!

• Exterior sport details
• Power-tilt/telescoping steering column
• Rear view camera
• Exterior power-folding mirrors
• 115V power socket
• PARKTRONIC
• Blind Spot Assist
• Power-adjustable passenger's seat with 3-position memory
• Media interface (with iPodŽ, USB and auxiliary connections)
• Power-adjustable driver's seat with 3-position memory
• Heated rear seats
• COMAND APS with HDD navigation, LINGUATRONIC voice control, DVD changer and SD memory slot
• KEYLESS-GO
• EASY-PACK power tailgate

dgiturbo

Hard to say on all as it depends on your driving habits.
Tires: Several of us had issues with the wear life of the earlier Continental tires, but yours will have runflats. Heard more bad stuff about those than good. I use Nokians WRG2 and been happy ever since.

Brakes: I have 83,000 mostly highway miles on mine and never heard a squeak. Planing on replacing the components at 100K.

Adblue: Sorry, I have a CDI. but I do add 8 oz (+-250ml) of Power Service per tank if that helps. Pay about $9.00 for 80 ozs.

Service: When I use to have the dealer do it, cost was around $350-500 for a B service. (Included air and fuel filters). A service was around $150-225. Now I do it all myself.

As for overall cost, with the diesel I save so much in fuel that the name of my fuel station appears only twice monthly on my credit card bill. When I had a gas vehicle, their name had its own page...