Looking for some GL Advice...
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm currently looking for a used family bus and I've got to admit I am quite taken by the Merc GL.
I was in a 2007 320CDI the other week and really liked it. The dash and interior seem to be the same as the ML and I believe the running gear is a beefed up version of that found in the R Class.
Does anybody have any experience of them? Any words of advice or things to look out for?
I'm currently looking for a used family bus and I've got to admit I am quite taken by the Merc GL.
I was in a 2007 320CDI the other week and really liked it. The dash and interior seem to be the same as the ML and I believe the running gear is a beefed up version of that found in the R Class.
Does anybody have any experience of them? Any words of advice or things to look out for?
Hi,
I have looked into these at various points this year and I have never heard a bad thing said about. They are really regarded as the S Class 4x4 of their range and I can see why.
Generally its a great car however if I remember correctly air suspension is standard on the mercedes GL and should really be checked out if you are buying independant or private.
Reason being its bloody expensive to fix!! I had a ML420 which was fully loaded and had the air suspension and as great as it was one of the fronts went pop and it cost me 900 for the part alone and 300 for labour at an independant.
On the whole it is a reliable system but just wanted to make you aware of it. I was actually lucky as if I had not noticed it and left it it would probably have burned out the compressor and I can safely say that would be another 2k to fix.
Hope this helps
I have looked into these at various points this year and I have never heard a bad thing said about. They are really regarded as the S Class 4x4 of their range and I can see why.
Generally its a great car however if I remember correctly air suspension is standard on the mercedes GL and should really be checked out if you are buying independant or private.
Reason being its bloody expensive to fix!! I had a ML420 which was fully loaded and had the air suspension and as great as it was one of the fronts went pop and it cost me 900 for the part alone and 300 for labour at an independant.
On the whole it is a reliable system but just wanted to make you aware of it. I was actually lucky as if I had not noticed it and left it it would probably have burned out the compressor and I can safely say that would be another 2k to fix.
Hope this helps
Too big
Too thirsty
Too expensive
Other than that - great family car
:
Lots of space both in the front, mid and rear.
Not enough space if 7 up with their belongings.
Comfortable and refined.
Work fine in the bad weather.
Think of it almost as a S Class on stilts.
Try to buy one that has the FMBSH and had options fitted even though the standard kit is more than sufficient.
Bank on £1K for tyres whilst a monthly service package is a good investment.
Fun trying to park in supermarkets or using multi-storey car parks.
Do not get that many that pull up at the lights next to you, which is nice.
The infamous suspension has been mentioned. Also, ensuring all electrics work as they should,
Too thirsty
Too expensive
Other than that - great family car
: Lots of space both in the front, mid and rear.
Not enough space if 7 up with their belongings.
Comfortable and refined.
Work fine in the bad weather.
Think of it almost as a S Class on stilts.
Try to buy one that has the FMBSH and had options fitted even though the standard kit is more than sufficient.
Bank on £1K for tyres whilst a monthly service package is a good investment.
Fun trying to park in supermarkets or using multi-storey car parks.
Do not get that many that pull up at the lights next to you, which is nice.
The infamous suspension has been mentioned. Also, ensuring all electrics work as they should,
I have a 2007 320CDI, owned from new. Cost-wise it has been pretty good really. It has just passed 115,000 miles and the only major work to date has been:
- replacement rear air suspension on both sides - approx £1,100 fitted (total). Fronts will need doing in the next twelve months
- replacement brake pipes front to rear (for MOT) approx £1,000 fitted (6 hour labour and lots to come off for them to access pipes!)
- treatment of corrosion on rear arch lip on both sides, caused by spray from tyres "shot blasting" the paint work! (covered under corrosion warranty)
If I can find the receipts, I'll confirm the prices but I think the figures above are pretty close, and these were MB main dealer prices. The rear suspension is a little tricky as the rear seat have to come out apparently. No mechanical or electric problems whatsoever with ours and I've been really impressed with the build quality.
All three of the items listed earlier have been over the last six months with very little in the way of repairs/problems/costs before that except tyres.
Don't use the Michelin rubbish MB put on these from new. Our optional 20" rims came with these and tend to wear along the middle 2-3" long before the rest of the tyre! I switched to Continental UHP CrossContacts several years back and wouldn't use anything else now, the wear is consistent and they last much longer. The 20" rims run 275/50R20 and these will set you back between around £270-£300 a corner.
Acceleration is pretty good, particularly with the Brabus chip on it (ours was fitted from new) and we get anything from between 25 to 30 mpg, depending upon driving. The average for us is around 27mpg, based upon lots of driving on Lincolnshire/Leicestershire A and B roads.
We switch over 19" OEM rims for the winter, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow in 265/55R19 as we are rather rural and getting in and out of the village becomes quite a challenge in the snow! The Pirelli tyres make a huge difference!
We had six adults in the car on a long weekend trip to Bruge and the war memorials and there was plenty of space for all of us plus enough luggage to see us through. With the third row of seats in use, you still get a reasonable space for weekend luggage if you pack carefully!
In summary, excellent car and one that is quite rare in the UK. Lovely to drive and a great place to be in. Light colour interiors are rare but do lead to a more airy feel. We went for Tanzanite Blue with light grey interior and we love it, even if it is trickier to keep clean. My parents-in-law had a black one with black interior and it felt much more closed in.
I would thoroughly recommend the GL 320 based on by six years of owning one. I'm not sure anything comes close to it in that market and we no plans to replace our reliable daily workhorse. In fact, we have the 250,000 mile target firmly in sight....
- replacement rear air suspension on both sides - approx £1,100 fitted (total). Fronts will need doing in the next twelve months
- replacement brake pipes front to rear (for MOT) approx £1,000 fitted (6 hour labour and lots to come off for them to access pipes!)
- treatment of corrosion on rear arch lip on both sides, caused by spray from tyres "shot blasting" the paint work! (covered under corrosion warranty)
If I can find the receipts, I'll confirm the prices but I think the figures above are pretty close, and these were MB main dealer prices. The rear suspension is a little tricky as the rear seat have to come out apparently. No mechanical or electric problems whatsoever with ours and I've been really impressed with the build quality.
All three of the items listed earlier have been over the last six months with very little in the way of repairs/problems/costs before that except tyres.
Don't use the Michelin rubbish MB put on these from new. Our optional 20" rims came with these and tend to wear along the middle 2-3" long before the rest of the tyre! I switched to Continental UHP CrossContacts several years back and wouldn't use anything else now, the wear is consistent and they last much longer. The 20" rims run 275/50R20 and these will set you back between around £270-£300 a corner.
Acceleration is pretty good, particularly with the Brabus chip on it (ours was fitted from new) and we get anything from between 25 to 30 mpg, depending upon driving. The average for us is around 27mpg, based upon lots of driving on Lincolnshire/Leicestershire A and B roads.
We switch over 19" OEM rims for the winter, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow in 265/55R19 as we are rather rural and getting in and out of the village becomes quite a challenge in the snow! The Pirelli tyres make a huge difference!
We had six adults in the car on a long weekend trip to Bruge and the war memorials and there was plenty of space for all of us plus enough luggage to see us through. With the third row of seats in use, you still get a reasonable space for weekend luggage if you pack carefully!
In summary, excellent car and one that is quite rare in the UK. Lovely to drive and a great place to be in. Light colour interiors are rare but do lead to a more airy feel. We went for Tanzanite Blue with light grey interior and we love it, even if it is trickier to keep clean. My parents-in-law had a black one with black interior and it felt much more closed in.
I would thoroughly recommend the GL 320 based on by six years of owning one. I'm not sure anything comes close to it in that market and we no plans to replace our reliable daily workhorse. In fact, we have the 250,000 mile target firmly in sight....
Thanks for the great replies, I really appreciate everyone's input.
If I get one it will be from main dealer as I understand they do a good warranty.
They are a little thin on the ground though, looking at the MB website most of the cars are 320/350CDI with one or two 420's and a single 500.
I actually saw a lovely black one in town the other day, they really do look great!
I think I'll go and find one for sale and have a further poke around. I'll report back!
If I get one it will be from main dealer as I understand they do a good warranty.
They are a little thin on the ground though, looking at the MB website most of the cars are 320/350CDI with one or two 420's and a single 500.
I actually saw a lovely black one in town the other day, they really do look great!
I think I'll go and find one for sale and have a further poke around. I'll report back!
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