Anyone Have the New Mercedes GL-450?

ViperJEDI

Picking one up this week for my wife. Drove all the SUV's from Expedition to Landrover but liked the Mercedes best myself.

Any thoughts or comments from owners/drivers? Any problems? I can only find good reviews when doing searches.

Thanks!

P.S. Picked up a new BMW M6 Coupe about 3 weeks ago, it's so smooth that you don't realize how fast the freakin thing is going. With the 500 hp and 7 speed F1 paddleshifted tranny it's my new daily driver!

Snorman

Yep...we've had one for about 4-months.
Great truck, plenty of power, handles well and makes great use of the interior space. FYI, I think the quality of the interior is better than my E55.
The 7-speed auto works great, and you're never in a "dead spot" of the powerband.
Third row seating is great, and although it seats two, there's plenty of room for even 6-footers.
S.

getbit

I bought one last night actually.
I think it is very smooth, quiet. The interior quality is impressive.
I prefer the GL450 to the GM and Ford SUV's for now, also.

Too soon to know of any problems but I do know the GL550 (completely replacing the GL450) should be available mid summer as an '08.
We decided to just pick up the GL450 and if the GL550 is a big enough step up, I'll just trade in...though I am hoping the GL63 will get announced and just step into it.

I traded my recently purchased E63 in on the GL450 and gave it to my wife. I took her Denali and am driving it until I find another daily driver that interests me enough...the E63 did not.

AMong

my dad's had one for about 6 months now ... make sure you get the rear- airt condidtioning option. also get the low range option on the 4 wheel drive.

he didnt get these two options and the rear A/C deal is a real problem for people sitting in the rear row during summer months. overall hes happy with it , and you will like it.

ViperJEDI

Thanks! I did see where the AMG (63) will be coming.

The one I have picked has all of the options including the "heat" package that has the rear seats heated. Yes, it does have the 3 zone ac. I imagine that the rear sunroof puts some heat back there in the summer months.

Thanks again for your input!

Tom

getbit

Tom, where did you see that the GL63 is definitely coming?

Snorman

I dunno', I think an AMG version of the GL is honestly going to be a waste of $$$.
These are 7-seater, full-sized SUV's...there's only so much performance they really need. Consider the R63. MB did an AMG package on the R350/500 and basically dropped in a big motor and big brakes.
I think if it was me driving it everyday, I possibly consider it. But handing my wife the keys to a 500+ hp SUV would be akin to giving her a loaded shotgun.
S.

ViperJEDI

The owner of the dealership that I bought mine from (Orlando FL)
gave me the inside on the AMG version. 500 hp with a subtle ground effects package and the typical AMG items.

Also, there is the GL-550 which will come later this year. 50 more hp then the 450 for a $ 17k bump in sticker.

The 450 is the quickest and fastest of all suv's even though it only has
335 hp. I'm not interested in going quicker than high 14's in the quarter
with my kids in the back. The AMG is for the NBA........LOL

They are delivering mine to me here in N. Georgia today. I will let you folks know what my thoughts are after
driving it a few weeks.

EV2DEMON

Apparently you don't consider the SRT-8 GC, Cayenne Turbo S, or Touareg V-10 TDI SUV's?

getbit

...quickest in it's class

Snorman

None of those seat 7-passengers or have the cargo carrying or towing capacity of the GL450.
Hell, you can't even tow with the SRT GC and the rear storage area is a cruel joke.
S.

ViperJEDI

Don't take my word for it, take a look at the December issue of Motor Trend. 22 SUV's tested, GL-450 was the winner. The cars you mention
are worthy, especially the SRT (I own and SRT-8) but not SUV's in the sense
of reality. The MotorTrend article layed out the requirements for being
considered in their testing. Items like seating, towing, headroom, legroom,
cargo capacity......you know SUV kinds of stuff that you won't find in the VW or the Porsche.

Just got mine off of the truck, what a machine!

getbit

mine...

Emanon

Dear Getbit,

Stop spending money on cars. There are starving children in Africa.

Signed,

A. Conscience

ViperJEDI

Nice,

Mine is Capri Blue with Macadamia(appears to be the same as yours). I have to fly tomorrow, but will take a few pics when I get back on Friday.

joshwars

Its not the cars its the depreciation! The GL looks great by the way. What was the final verdict on the E63? I remeber you having some issues with advertised power vs. real power. Did that ever get resolved?

getbit

Didn't wait for the resolution. Just got rid of it.
As I said, the GL is for my wife
I need a new daily driver and have no idea what I want...so I am stuck with her old Denali until I figure it out.

Emanon

Read: this '06 is a P.O.S.





Just givin' ya a hard time.

CHAD

Getbit, check out the new Maserati Q auto, Audi S8 and Merc CL (2 door cruiser).

getbit

Those three are on my list, actually.

I drove the CL and loved it except for the looks...NEEDS a sport package to look right. The seats are unbeatable.

I'm waiting on the Maserati auto to hit as the tranmission was the major issue I had with it in the past.