GL Class

[psmart]

Finally found the car I really want, a GL 420cdi V8 diesel... just got to hunker down and save the extra cash! A real mans 4x4, a worthy successor to the ML series 1.

The German site is: http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...ger_cars/home/products/new_cars/gl_class.html

Anyone got any comments on this (excluding the anti 4x4 brigade) as to its pedigree?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I had a drive in the E420cdi [left hand drive]. It was the successor to the earlier 400cdi which never came in right hand drive either and seems the new 420 may or may not either. It is some performer, nothing else like it at all.

I would love the GL too, the R class is no good to me because it only has 6 seats but the thoughts of a US built Merc after the well documented poor quality control compounded by their apalling warranty service and customer attitude is enough to make a wiser person give them a wide berth. If Mercedes spent their advertising budget on custoemr service instead I am sure they would sell a lot more cars.

 

[psmart]

On enquiry, the new ML wont be getting the V8d for at least 1-2 years (no exact decision known to Stuttgart main dealer), and given DC current reliability issues, you'd need to wait at least 1-2 years for them to sort out reliability. The V8d GL/ML will only be LHD apparently, strange decision though, as I would have thought loads of Brits, Japanese, Indians, Aussies, Kiwis etc would plumb for a RHD V8d.

The big issue is cash, V8d commands a EUR17000 premium over the V6d and once you add up needed options (steering wheel ) your looking at a whopping EUR85-90,000. This is for the GL and judging by previous ML 400 pricing, will be very similar for the ML 420.

 

[DC_insider]

On enquiry, the new ML wont be getting the V8d for at least 1-2 years (no exact decision known to Stuttgart main dealer), and given DC current reliability issues, you'd need to wait at least 1-2 years for them to sort out reliability. The V8d GL/ML will only be LHD apparently, strange decision though, as I would have thought loads of Brits, Japanese, Indians, Aussies, Kiwis etc would plumb for a RHD V8d.

The big issue is cash, V8d commands a EUR17000 premium over the V6d and once you add up needed options (steering wheel ) your looking at a whopping EUR85-90,000. This is for the GL and judging by previous ML 400 pricing, will be very similar for the ML 420.

The ML420CDi goes into production shortly and will come to the UK later this year. The GL420CDi should be available from launch (late this year for the UK).

 

[psmart]

Your right! How can a Stuttgart Main Dealer not know when a car will be released? I was going through the motions in January this year, and a quote from his email:

Your questions:
The V 8 Diesel maybe will come in the M-Class, but I don´t know when.

Further discussions indicated next year, but on reviewing the latest German price lists, it will be available in Germany, in 4th Quarter 2006, for EUR65,000.

The question is, will there be RHD models for the UK? Hr. Hüßler, Stuttgart Main Dealer indicates that RHD wont be available. LHD is not a problem for myself, but UK purchases will need RHD.

 

[psmart]

More info...

For anyone else thats interested in the GL/ML prices and info regarding the V8 diesel etc, please follow the links below. They are in German, but relatively straightforward to understand.

GL Price List:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...s/home/products/new_cars/gl_class/prices.html : Click on 'Download Preisliste GL-Klasse (PDF 554 KB)'
GL Technical Info:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...s/new_cars/gl_class/modelle___technische.html : Click on 'Download technische Daten GL-Klasse (PDF 712 KB)'

ML Price List:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...rs/home/products/new_cars/m_class/prices.html : Click on 'Download Preisliste (PDF 651 KB)'
ML Technical Info:
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content...ts/new_cars/m_class/modelle___technische.html : Click on 'Download technische Date M-Klasse (PDF 347 KB)'

My interest is primarily getting a car with the V8 diesel, giving you sports car performance: ie. 0-62mph 6.5 seconds!

 

[BIGjoe]

The ML420CDi goes into production shortly and will come to the UK later this year. The GL420CDi should be available from launch (late this year for the UK).

Is this the Gospel truth, as I've got an ML320 CDi on order, and I'm in two minds as to cancel for various reasons and reorder for next spring, but if I can have a 420CDi RHD next year instead, that will swing it

 

[psmart]

Is this the Gospel truth, as I've got an ML320 CDi on order, and I'm in two minds as to cancel for various reasons and reorder for next spring, but if I can have a 420CDi RHD next year instead, that will swing it

Yep, its correct. Was looking at a 420 LHD on Friday, very nice cars, in my mind, the natural successor to the Original ML.

 

[BIGjoe]

Yep, its correct. Was looking at a 420 LHD on Friday, very nice cars, in my mind, the natural successor to the Original ML.

Ahh, but are they going to do RHD versions, we had the old type ML 400CDi in LHD, but it was never engineered to RHD for reasons known only to MB.
Hopefully, as the G class is essentially a stretched M, and is available with the 420CDi, the engineering for the M is already in place. Crossed fingers

 

[DC_insider]

Is this the Gospel truth, as I've got an ML320 CDi on order, and I'm in two minds as to cancel for various reasons and reorder for next spring, but if I can have a 420CDi RHD next year instead, that will swing it

RHD ML420 CDi should have started production in August. However, I notice that it has not been added to the Mercedes-Benz UK website. I would check with your dealer for more information on delivery dates. The model is definitely on the price list on the dealer information system. The ML420 CDi is available in SE or Sport spec and has the same standard specification as the petrol ML500.

On-the-road price is £50,435.

 

[BIGjoe]

RHD ML420 CDi should have started production in August. However, I notice that it has not been added to the Mercedes-Benz UK website. I would check with your dealer for more information on delivery dates. The model is definitely on the price list on the dealer information system. The ML420 CDi is available in SE or Sport spec and has the same standard specification as the petrol ML500.

On-the-road price is £50,435.

Thanks DC I'll ring the dealer tomorrow with the good/bad news