Would you consider trading the S for the GL350 bluetec?
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 811
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From: Bay Area
08' S550, 04' E320 4matic, 03' Acura TL-S 6 speed, 1968 Vespa P150
Would you consider trading the S for the GL350 bluetec?
Got a 2nd baby on the way and one of the discussion is to trade the S in for a larger SUV. At the moment, the QX56 is top on our list for looks and comfort. But the GL350 bluetec better fuel economy is pretty luring. 16/20 on the QX and 19/26 on the GL. My last few long distance trip (500 miles) in a QX56 rental, I was getting average 17.5 mpg in the QX. On the same strip of road in my S I was getting 24mpg so I would imagine the GL would be at least that if not better.
Wife doesn't like the look of the GL, we haven't driven one either so I dunno. If we trade it'll happen sometime next year, I would rather keep the S if I can fit both kids and all the stuff in the trunk though.
Anyone have both the S and the GL wanna chime in?
Wife doesn't like the look of the GL, we haven't driven one either so I dunno. If we trade it'll happen sometime next year, I would rather keep the S if I can fit both kids and all the stuff in the trunk though.
Anyone have both the S and the GL wanna chime in?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 187
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S550 is big enough IMO. Mine is 07 4matic hauling 2 kids (8-10) around with no problems at all. The trunk is huge. I wouldn't trade it for an SUV. I had Lexus GX470 along the S550 for 2+ yrs. recently, I picked up a used cls500 from a friend/original owner. I find cls500 is fun car to drive. My dilemma was... Possibly trading my s550 for a cpo cls550 locally but it's not a color of choice. It's palladium silver with Blk. I wish it was white or Blk.
Keep your s class :-)
Ned
Keep your s class :-)
Ned
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 177
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From: SoCal
07 S550
I have 3 kids (5, 2, & 9 month old) with 3 car seats in the back of the S & needed more room so I was looking at the GL but in my case the 3rd row wasn't as easy to get in/out to get the kids into their seats. Really wanted the GL to work out but ended up with cover your ears "mini van" (2014 Touring Elite). With 2 kids the S still works & the GL is plenty. Plus in the GL you can bring extra folks around. The only thing about most 3rd row SUV is the rear trunk space. It appears that there is more room in the S trunk then the GL, unless you fold the 3rd row seats. The good thing is that I still have the S class to cruise and the Odyssey to haul, lol.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area
08' S550, 04' E320 4matic, 03' Acura TL-S 6 speed, 1968 Vespa P150
I have 3 kids (5, 2, & 9 month old) with 3 car seats in the back of the S & needed more room so I was looking at the GL but in my case the 3rd row wasn't as easy to get in/out to get the kids into their seats. Really wanted the GL to work out but ended up with cover your ears "mini van" (2014 Touring Elite). With 2 kids the S still works & the GL is plenty. Plus in the GL you can bring extra folks around. The only thing about most 3rd row SUV is the rear trunk space. It appears that there is more room in the S trunk then the GL, unless you fold the 3rd row seats. The good thing is that I still have the S class to cruise and the Odyssey to haul, lol.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 84
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S65 GL320CDI GLS63 80 Series Landcruiser
I have an '08 GL CDI and I'm on my 2nd S Class. Had a 2000 that I drove to 220K miles and now an '08 S65. I try to keep the kids out of my car. We needed an SUV with the 3rd row and wanted a diesel so were limited in choice and got the GL. The GL will not be anything like your S obviously! We can get up to 25MPG on road trips with my wife driving (for me a little less) and she gets close to 20MPG around town. With the large tank fill ups are between 5-600 miles or more on road trips. At highway speeds the diesel is perfect as its right in its power band - around town its different than a gas engine and takes a little getting used to. Pulls my dual jet ski trailer nicely. We have 120K miles on it with just minor engine issues (mainly sensors), just the usual MB issues like air struts. We have the larger tires (sport package?) which last 20-25K miles and I have heard that with larger tires mileage decreases which makes sense due to the greater resistance. If I were to replace the GL I would do the diesel again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Got a 2nd baby on the way and one of the discussion is to trade the S in for a larger SUV. At the moment, the QX56 is top on our list for looks and comfort. But the GL350 bluetec better fuel economy is pretty luring. 16/20 on the QX and 19/26 on the GL. My last few long distance trip (500 miles) in a QX56 rental, I was getting average 17.5 mpg in the QX. On the same strip of road in my S I was getting 24mpg so I would imagine the GL would be at least that if not better.
Wife doesn't like the look of the GL, we haven't driven one either so I dunno. If we trade it'll happen sometime next year, I would rather keep the S if I can fit both kids and all the stuff in the trunk though.
Anyone have both the S and the GL wanna chime in?
Wife doesn't like the look of the GL, we haven't driven one either so I dunno. If we trade it'll happen sometime next year, I would rather keep the S if I can fit both kids and all the stuff in the trunk though.
Anyone have both the S and the GL wanna chime in?
Then bought the S, but the boys didn't like the low sitting, so now we have all three :-)
My brother has a LX570, and my friend have the QX. I have to say, they may be more polish then the Escalade (crappy build) and GL, but the ride is horrible on both, and car feel very cramp inside.
Nothing beat the Escalade ESV on long trips, or trips to Costco !!!!
Last edited by zam2000; Oct 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I would. The GL 350 Bluetec is a great vehicle. Very nice riding, and the interior is also very good. I love my S350 Bluetec as well.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 811
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From: Bay Area
08' S550, 04' E320 4matic, 03' Acura TL-S 6 speed, 1968 Vespa P150
I actually have an older suburban that I tow my boat with. I only take it out once or so a month but to be honest I hate the way it drives. I rented the new suburban LT on the same 500 mile trip and we were extremely tired and back ache when we got home. But the other couple trips in the QX we were both extremely energetic. I drive my friend's escalade and I have to be honest, beside the nicer trim and options it didn't feel much different than the suburban. Drove like crap and full of wind noise. So we took the Escalade out of the picture.
On top of that, the QX will hold its value better than the Escalade. When the time comes, I'll drive the GL and the QX again both on the same day then make my decision.
On top of that, the QX will hold its value better than the Escalade. When the time comes, I'll drive the GL and the QX again both on the same day then make my decision.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Texas
07 CL600
I was cross-shopping between the S600 and just getting a GL bluetec, and with the extra cash get a strickly-for-fun car later next year.
I decided to just go ahead and get an S600, so my first MB can be a fun one
If I get anything, Ill be getting a GL Bluetec(white or silver), and trading the S600 for a CL600...
But my mind changes so much, I find myself looking on Autotrader already, and my S600 hasnt even gotten here, yet. LOL
So yeah..you're not the only one cross shopping the GL/S
I decided to just go ahead and get an S600, so my first MB can be a fun one
If I get anything, Ill be getting a GL Bluetec(white or silver), and trading the S600 for a CL600...
But my mind changes so much, I find myself looking on Autotrader already, and my S600 hasnt even gotten here, yet. LOL
So yeah..you're not the only one cross shopping the GL/S
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
From: Bedford, MA
2013 S350, 2021 GLS450, 2003 SLK32
I'm wondering what ever happened with this poster. I've been looking at getting an S-Class because my 2013 GL is cramped. My old R-Class had way more room than the GL. The wife loves the GL but every time I sit in the 2nd row all I can think is that the leg room is pathetic.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I recently had a GL as a loaner. It is a great riding vehicle. I thought it was as smooth and quiet as my S. I would certainly consider the move, especially for the diesel. I love my S bluetec.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,630
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From: Chicago
W215 V12TT Build by Speedriven, W221 S550 4Matic
Keep it man, I have a boat and when I was getting my S I was going between the GL550 and S550 and still went with the S even tho I have nothing to haul with and now I have to keep it on the water or in storage. I think the GL will really really come in handy when the 3rd kid comes or you get a dog. But the S is just fine with 2 little ones.
Either way you go good luck
Either way you go good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
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2016 C300
We shopped SUVs last month for my wife and looked at the ML and GL plus everything else out there. We ended up with a 2014 Audi Q7. It's about as good looking as an SUV can get I guess. Not as comfortable (to me) as the Mercedes but ride is nice. it has a great infotainment system and lots of room. Supercharged V6 and decent towing capacity. $60k got us the 20" wheel package, pano roof, wifi and net based navi, lane assist. They can really get up there if you get the air suspension and the $5000 Bang & Olfsen audio upgrade and the diesel engine.
Maybe worth a look.
Maybe worth a look.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area
08' S550, 04' E320 4matic, 03' Acura TL-S 6 speed, 1968 Vespa P150
As of now, the S fits 2 kids nicely. Removing the 10w7 from the trunk now recover enough room for groceries. LOL I'm gonna stick with the S and if we do need a people hauler down the road we'll just add the QX to the list and keep the S as a fun car.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 7
From: New Jersey
2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
I wouldn't switch the S Class for the Infiniti QX56 but that's just me. How do u feel about the audi Q7 with sport package? That's a sweet truck.
