Experience with Mercedes GLK350 and GL450

[Dan2010]

Recently got a new CFO job and they are offering to buy me one of these two SUVs as a company vehicle. I already have a truck that I love so I plan on letting the wife drive the company vehicle. Anyone have any first hand experience with either of these two?

[caryyee]

Lucky bastard! :-)

[blassy]

recently test drove both. GL is a tank. I called it the most luxurious bus I had ever driven.
GLK is smaller and sportier. If you're looking for a 7 passenger mover, go GL. If you're looking smaller, sportier go GLK.

[boogiebot]

the GLK is actually based off the C series chassey so from a size perspective its similar to a nissan x trail or honda CRV. much nicer inside of course.

the GL like blassy stated is much larger bigger than a BMW X5 but a tad smaller than a Escalade.

if it were up to me of the 2 i would go GL. Do you have to take a Benz or can you choose other manufacturers. there is so much to choose from if you are looking in that GL range

[jhilly8982]

What about the ML350? Same size as X5. GLK is pretty small, too small in my opinion.

[boogiebot]

ML is same size as X5 and Lexus RX 350. the direct competitor. great all around SUV. Got the chance to drive one a while back and the new 2012 is fully redesigned. great car in my book

edit- sorry jhilly8982 i just realized that you were making a suggestion. not asking a question my bad

[Dr. Robert]

Just make sure your firm pays for the service bills.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by boogiebot

the GLK is actually based off the C series chassey so from a size perspective its similar to a nissan x trail or honda CRV. much nicer inside of course.

the GL like blassy stated is much larger bigger than a BMW X5 but a tad smaller than a Escalade.

if it were up to me of the 2 i would go GL. Do you have to take a Benz or can you choose other manufacturers. there is so much to choose from if you are looking in that GL range

No, don't have to go Benz. Can get whatever I want.

[Sixshooter]

G55 AMG Too much maybe?

[Peppers90]

I used to own a BMW X5; great SUV, sporty with a lot of pickup. Now, I own the Benz ML350; it is a bit more luxurous, smoother ride, but not as fast. I have two little kids, and I did not want to drive a mini van, so it works for the family. Fortunately, I did/have not had any major service issues with either. And, I agree with Dr. Robert, get the company to pay the service fees- Benz labor rates can reach $150 per hour!

[blassy]

I drove both...ended up with the X5. Service is free for first 3 years anyway. Sportier, faster, handles 100 times better.

[jhilly8982]

Originally Posted by blassy

I drove both...ended up with the X5. Service is free for first 3 years anyway. Sportier, faster, handles 100 times better.

BMW service and maintenance are free for the first 4 years or 50k miles. Audi also is doing free service/maintenance thing too now. But the Q7 is the same as the GL, really big.

I have been perfectly happy with my X5, redesign coming out in 2013 I believe and I really do like the ML350, redesign looks great.

[Dan2010]

Thanks for the insight everyone.

[psv]

Unless you have a big family, I'd opt for the ML first, either 350, 450 or diesel. MLK is a cute-ute, there are other cars I would suggest before. GL is great, I almost bought one but opted for a Land Cruiser instead. If the company was paying I would gone with the GL but I have a large family.

[Feras]

G55 as Caleb said , otherwise i would go for the GLK since the size is perfect for a lady to drive

[swatty]

I wouldn't go GLK or GL but the new ML is nice

[GothamG8or]

The G55 is so damn nice! Got to look at one the other day up close (not buying... not even close) & it is outstanding. I know that's not in the conversation but just had to add my admiration for it.

We love our Range Rover Sport. Picked it over an X5 but the X5 is very nice. Preferred both to the 2 Mercedes you mentioned but it's really just personal preference. I liked the GLK over the GL due more to size/aesthetics but you'll be very happy whichever route you go.

[Andad]

Surely if I ever got to your level I could option out??

Why would they do this to you?

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Surely if I ever got to your level I could option out??

Why would they do this to you?

Ok, you lost me.......???

[AvechuchoAxel]

BMW X6 Turbo Diesel engine (SUV)... It's a BEAST, roomy and a very fuel efficient vehicle. You will never notice that you are driving a diesel engine.. Mercedes are the ones that feed my pockets every day....

[Dan2010]

Wife took a look at the two Mercedes but she has no interest in the GLK. She actually likes the new 2012 Dodge Durango that has ALL the bells and whistles for half the price. I have the new 4th generation Dodge Ram that has the top of the line package in it and it is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Dodge has revamped their line and they are NOT the Dodge of old in the quality department. They are MUCH, MUCH better now. To be honest, I am underwhelmed by the Mercedes SUVs.

Going to look at more SUVs today but I have a feeling she is going to want the new Durango.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

To be honest, I am underwhelmed by the Mercedes SUVs.

yeah, from the B-pillar back, the new M class reminds me of a kia or hyundai. i know that aesthetics are personal, but, that's my two cents.

if you can somehow pass the MB invoice at the company and pick up the durango, you can pick up a YG daytona for your efforts. now, as CFO, you might not want to go that route, but, hey, if the company was going to pay anyway....

[Lmbeauleap]

Wow, I cannot imagine contemplating a Dodge over Mercedes. We bought a used '08 Dodge Caravan as an impulse buy and it is the lowest quality vehicle I have ever owned. It was almost as if a 3rd grader designed the interior. Everything is out of place or hard to reach. It constantly needs $200-$500 repairs. It seems we get a recall notice in the mail weekly.

Sounds like your truck is nice though. They must have really changed their company.

[Tri-Tip]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Highlander Summit, and I would consider it a total luxury vehicle, but it sounds like they are looking to spend more than $45K on you.

Check out the Audi Q7.

[GermanyMatt]

GLK is not a good SUV; consistently ranks at the bottom when compared to other similar makes/models.

Q5 or X3 if you want smaller; Q7 or X5 if you want larger. ML might be on that list, but they've been having quality issues.

Only American SUV I would recommend is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I would run away from any Chrysler product, other than their truck line. That seems common across Ford and GM too.

[Ebruner]

Go big and buy an Cadillac Escalade.

-Eddie

[NiceRide]

Originally Posted by feras

G55 as Caleb said , otherwise i would go for the GLK since the size is perfect for a lady to drive

G55 is a horrible driver, but man does it make a statement. Plus, currently discontinued. I vote GL.

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Lmbeauleap

Wow, I cannot imagine contemplating a Dodge over Mercedes. We bought a used '08 Dodge Caravan as an impulse buy and it is the lowest quality vehicle I have ever owned. It was almost as if a 3rd grader designed the interior. Everything is out of place or hard to reach. It constantly needs $200-$500 repairs. It seems we get a recall notice in the mail weekly.

Sounds like your truck is nice though. They must have really changed their company.

Yes, they have changed considerably. However, I would NEVER consider a Caravan or any mini van for that matter. Not when you can buy an SUV. Also, everyone I talk to has their Mercedes in the shop quite abit including everyone here at the company. I think people equate the Mercedes name as some perfect automobile but its not. I'm not saying its not a great vehicle though.

[Dan2010]

Wife got to test drive the GL450 and the new Dodge Durango. I know by "name", it seems the Mercedes is the way to go but I am here to tell you based on driving the Durango and the totally new features and build, I am leaning Durango. Add that its half the price...........hmmmm.

However, my wife did like the GL450 she drove today as well. It doesnt really matter to me as she is going to be the one driving it with my 3 year old in the back seat.

[gwalker]

I got a GL550 as a courtesy car 3x in the past year when we were having out SL550 serviced. I really liked it and probably drove it a total of 10 days combined. I've driven X5s, RRs, LX570s, and a few other various luxury SUVs and I really liked the GL550. I'm not sure how I'd feel about the 450 as I don't know what kind of power it has. I'm a huge MB fan and our SL550 is about as good as it gets for a luxury roadster in that price range. That said I love the MB cars but for a SUV I'd rather have a new Tahoe, Denali, or Escalade. The american SUVs are a better SUV IMHO. I will say the new Durango is a beast as well. My brother in law has a dodge dealership and its pretty freaking impressive. I use my SUVs and trucks as they were intended and not as a grocery getter. If you are going European GL all the way but if you are going off road or towing look elsewhere.