Need your help.... GL420 CDI input
Discussion
Gents I am looking at getting a Merc GL420CDI (07) 90k miles as family run around. We need loads of kids and stuff space as well as we ride around the Alps a fair bit during the ski season. So big heavy'ish 4WD SUV is the way to go. Also thought of getting a minibus, but lack of 4WD along a totally crappy ride versus the only half crappy SUV ride means no minibus for me. Also had a look at BMW X5 and Volvo X90 7 seater, but they are too small for us.
Since 2007 we have had a Q7 4.2L petrol 7 seater which have been a great daily run around, but it died in a big traffic accident a week ago. Was thinking of getting a decent 2nd hand 4.2L TDI Q7, but have been drawn to Merc GL420 CDI. Looked at a full option car in Germany today with full dealer history and it drives and looks immaculate. Previously to the Audi we had an AMG ML and I also had an AMG CL as daily, both of them were great cars for their time with no issues other than maintenance and a lot of tires.
Are there any known problems with these cars if well maintained and what kind of mileage do you get out of a tank, is it realistic to expect 450-475 miles on mixed driving around daily for the missus and 550-600 miles for motorway cruising... I hate tanking, unless it one of my 911's :-) Any experiences and input are appreciated.
Since 2007 we have had a Q7 4.2L petrol 7 seater which have been a great daily run around, but it died in a big traffic accident a week ago. Was thinking of getting a decent 2nd hand 4.2L TDI Q7, but have been drawn to Merc GL420 CDI. Looked at a full option car in Germany today with full dealer history and it drives and looks immaculate. Previously to the Audi we had an AMG ML and I also had an AMG CL as daily, both of them were great cars for their time with no issues other than maintenance and a lot of tires.
Are there any known problems with these cars if well maintained and what kind of mileage do you get out of a tank, is it realistic to expect 450-475 miles on mixed driving around daily for the missus and 550-600 miles for motorway cruising... I hate tanking, unless it one of my 911's :-) Any experiences and input are appreciated.
Wouldn't discount the Q7 4.2 TDI either, fantastic engine.
Only have experience from a 1500 km round trip with a GL 420 CDI where it returned 8 km/litre cruising at 150 kph (Germany/Poland), and since it holds 100 litres that would give it a range of 800 km, so about 500 miles on a tank. A lower cruising speed would obviously give greater range.
Only have experience from a 1500 km round trip with a GL 420 CDI where it returned 8 km/litre cruising at 150 kph (Germany/Poland), and since it holds 100 litres that would give it a range of 800 km, so about 500 miles on a tank. A lower cruising speed would obviously give greater range.
rassi said:
Wouldn't discount the Q7 4.2 TDI either, fantastic engine.
Only have experience from a 1500 km round trip with a GL 420 CDI where it returned 8 km/litre cruising at 150 kph (Germany/Poland), and since it holds 100 litres that would give it a range of 800 km, so about 500 miles on a tank. A lower cruising speed would obviously give greater range.
Cheers... We had a Q7 7 seater for the last years and I quite fancy something diff. Pro for The GL is usable size which is substantially more then the Q7. Already tried a Q7 V8 TDI and agree its a very nice engine, better for the Q7 than our V8 petrol.Only have experience from a 1500 km round trip with a GL 420 CDI where it returned 8 km/litre cruising at 150 kph (Germany/Poland), and since it holds 100 litres that would give it a range of 800 km, so about 500 miles on a tank. A lower cruising speed would obviously give greater range.
I had the 420 engine in my ML and its a gorgeous engine and from my extensive research I done on the rare beast I found it to be known as a very reliable engine also keeping in mind information is not as readily available as it is for the 320 engine.
With that being said they MAY be other issues you need to look if (or not if it is from a main dealer). The GL's come with airmatic suspension as would have your AMG's on the whole very reliable but expensive if needing repairs. 1k a corner.
The rest of the car is very good, well built and the GL is regarded as the S class 4x4 - very nice sold vehicle with capable off roading for what you need.
There is one weak point and that is PART of the gearbox - I can't remember the exact details but theres a part near the gear selector that is known to give up and is a 1k fix. but it is well known and easily done.
With that being said they MAY be other issues you need to look if (or not if it is from a main dealer). The GL's come with airmatic suspension as would have your AMG's on the whole very reliable but expensive if needing repairs. 1k a corner.
The rest of the car is very good, well built and the GL is regarded as the S class 4x4 - very nice sold vehicle with capable off roading for what you need.
There is one weak point and that is PART of the gearbox - I can't remember the exact details but theres a part near the gear selector that is known to give up and is a 1k fix. but it is well known and easily done.
I have one, had it 8 months, bought for same reasons family bus, like plenty of space need 7 seats. I love it, plenty of power and very comfortable, done 340 miles in it today, at about 26 mpg without hanging about. Feels big in town but manageable. Re weak spots, no probs so far with mine gone onto 76k miles and feels very solid. Would recommend one!
Thanks guys... I have now driven a few more and of same conclusion. The ultimate family run around. I used to think that about the Q7, but the GL is better all round and also feels really solidly build. Now I gotta pick one and move on, it's getting a little boring looking through classifieds for a family bus.
Mc F said:
Hi H,
hope your keeping well.
Did you get the family Bus sorted?
Some would say a lot more important than fast cars and fast bikes!
We must grab a beer if your ever Noosa way.
Yup bud, bought another one and having little bits and a tweak done now, we should get it in a few weeks. hope your keeping well.
Did you get the family Bus sorted?
Some would say a lot more important than fast cars and fast bikes!
We must grab a beer if your ever Noosa way.
Wasteful me?? Not all, spent most on fast cars, alcohol and woman :-)
Planning to take the kids/wife to Aussie & kiwi land in a few years.
All good, no missing EUR tax and great weather?
Just searched for "GL420" before doing a fresh post.
I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
Dave Thornton said:
Just searched for "GL420" before doing a fresh post.
I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
Can't comment to Disco vs GL, but can add that after having run the GL for a year now, we are quite happy with it. No real maintenance issues and decent mileage return for a V8. It was halfway considered as a stop gap solution until we could get the new Q7, but we have decided to keep it few more years and run it in the ground while the kids still climb around the car as little monkeys treating it as a playground. I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
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Dave Thornton said:
Just searched for "GL420" before doing a fresh post.
I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
Can't comment to Disco vs GL, but can add that after having run the GL for a year now, we are quite happy with it. No real maintenance issues and decent mileage return for a V8. It was halfway considered as a stop gap solution until we could get the new Q7, but we have decided to keep it few more years and run it in the ground while the kids still climb around the car as little monkeys treating it as a playground. I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
Dave Thornton said:
Just searched for "GL420" before doing a fresh post.
I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
See my post in Off Road - basically, there's a lot to like, little to dislike, and the engine is a stunner. Better as an ownership proposition than a Disco, though realistically it'll probably depreciate faster. I'm looking to replace my Discovery 3 which is on 141k. It's probably worth £7-8k. An 80k Discovery 4 is £25k, whereas an 80k GL420 is £18k. Mpg not an issue as I get a work fuel card and pay 17p/mile for private mileage, so 30mpg is "underwritten". I had a ML430 before and quite liked that.
So it seems like a no brainer - a £65k car for £18k. Anybody gone from a Discovery to GL? What's not to like?
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