GLC/GLB/(new) GLA??

[Monday]

Briefly in local MB dealership yesterday for an MoT. I had a quick look on the showroom floor as thinking about an SUV to replace current E300 coupe at end of the year.

There was a GLB which I believe is pretty new but it seems rather chunky and has a 3rd row of seats which we don't need. Also a GLC (even chunkier than GLB) but this seems to have disappeared off the configurator and from discounts being offered it appears to be a run out - or is there a new one coming?

And there is a new GLA with a properly integrated dashboard (no more stick on iPad) with a possible GLA 250e hybrid.

Any experience/thoughts? One downside is that they ALL have black seats (artico/microfibre/possible leather in top end models but still black) no other choice. Brochure pictures infuriatingly show all sorts of colours. Second downside is Option Packages only (Premium at +3k, PremiumPlus at +£6k, sometimes Executive at +£4.5K. No other choices except paint.

 

[Blobcat]

I really don't get the SUV thing, especially not after a nice E-Class Coupe

 

[John Laidlaw]

the GLB looks like a downsized GLS IMO, no bad thing

 

[Blobcat]

the GLB looks like a downsized GLS IMO, no bad thing

It's already apparent your taste filter is out of calibration...

 

[Srdl]

I went from an E Class Coupe (C207) to a GLC a couple of years ago and I’m very happy with my choice. The GLC was facelifted last year so very much a current model for the foreseeable future.

 

[A.J.]

Matt Watson (Carwow) has done a road test on the GLB on Youtube and he really rates it. Its not that much more to buy than a GLA which is basically just an A Class on stilts, and not that high ones either. It was also quite a lot cheaper that the GLC. Have a look and on Youtube and see what you think

 

[grayb]

I went from an E Class Coupe (C207) to a GLC a couple of years ago and I’m very happy with my choice. The GLC was facelifted last year so very much a current model for the foreseeable future.

Replaced next year...
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/next-gen-mercedes-glc-hits-road-production-bodywork

 

[Monday]

I really don't get the SUV thing, especially not after a nice E-Class Coupe

It IS nice but we now have a grandchild and SWMBO says she needs 4 doors.......

AJD - thanks for the pointer to the road test; I will follow up. It just looked very blunt and bulky in the showroom; most of the SUV's I have seen have been "coupe-bodied" including a GLC63 (or was it 45?) I drove at an MB "AMG day" last year. I agree GLB pricing is not much over the GLA.

grayb - from that article, new GLC not in the showrooms until late 2021 so strange it has departed the configurator so early (unless it was just a glitch). Maybe it will have a choice of seat colours.....?

Anybody have any experience of the new GLA?

Thanks to all.

 

[Blobcat]

It IS nice but we now have a grandchild and SWMBO says she needs 4 doors.......

AJD - thanks for the pointer to the road test; I will follow up. It just looked very blunt and bulky in the showroom; most of the SUV's I have seen have been "coupe-bodied" including a GLC63 (or was it 45?) I drove at an MB "AMG day" last year. I agree GLB pricing is not much over the GLA.

grayb - from that article, new GLC not in the showrooms until late 2021 so strange it has departed the configurator so early (unless it was just a glitch). Maybe it will have a choice of seat colours.....?

Anybody have any experience of the new GLA?

Thanks to all.

E-Class saloon or estate then some amazing deals on them because saloon and estate cars are currently out of fashion

 

[John Laidlaw]

GLB35.....

 

[S500 Pete]

My wife's GLA 250 is great in the front back seats are a bit tight if the front ones are all the way back. Engine is really nice and it handles like a hatchback. Reminds me a bit of the original Rav4 before it went on steroids.

She has cream leather with the AMG line and premium pack so memory seats etc and some trim details that liven it up

 

[JBell]

the GLB looks like a downsized GLS IMO, no bad thing

From a distance looking via a circus mirror possibly

 

[eman]

It IS nice but we now have a grandchild and SWMBO says she needs 4 doors.......

AJD - thanks for the pointer to the road test; I will follow up. It just looked very blunt and bulky in the showroom; most of the SUV's I have seen have been "coupe-bodied" including a GLC63 (or was it 45?) I drove at an MB "AMG day" last year. I agree GLB pricing is not much over the GLA.

grayb - from that article, new GLC not in the showrooms until late 2021 so strange it has departed the configurator so early (unless it was just a glitch). Maybe it will have a choice of seat colours.....?

Anybody have any experience of the new GLA?

Thanks to all.

Friend of mine has just bought the new GLA he traded in his older one. He was after a diesel as that is all he ever had but was told no diesels into the country until December. So he opted for the 1.3lt turbo petrol kicking out 165 bhp and loves it. Said it goes when he needs to and is returning mpg in the 40s although he’s only had it 2 weeks. It’s his first auto to as his missus wasn’t Sure about auto but she has got used to it now. The only downside on his part is a week later they are now offering 3yrs free servicing. I told him to go back and complain. Oh and his is mountain grey which looks very nice.

 

[Monday]

My wife's GLA 250 is great in the front back seats are a bit tight if the front ones are all the way back. Engine is really nice and it handles like a hatchback. Reminds me a bit of the original Rav4 before it went on steroids.

She has cream leather with the AMG line and premium pack so memory seats etc and some trim details that liven it up

Unfortunately, upholstery choice these days is black, black or black. Possibly the GLB35 as John Laidlaw suggests, might have a Designo option but I am (a) not spending that sort of money or (b) letting SWMBO loose in one of those. Anyway those front grilles look pretty naff!
Back seat space is not really an issue, it is only going to take a child seat most of the time. But you need the Premium Plus pack (+£6k) to get memory seats.

AJD - I looked at the CarWow video for the GLB and for the GLA; they both got good reviews. As was highlighted, the GLB is as big, if not bigger, than the GLC (and much cheaper) - I wonder if this is what is making MB withdraw the GLC earlier?

Taking Blobcat's point, I guess a C Class saloon/estate (E Class too big - yes I know the coupe is an E Class but we are trying to downsize a bit) would do but just a bit boring.

I suspect that the GLA is adequate for what we need these days but I can see some interesting test drives coming once things settle down.

Thanks to all.

 

[Blobcat]

Unfortunately, upholstery choice these days is black, black or black. Possibly the GLB35 as John Laidlaw suggests, might have a Designo option but I am (a) not spending that sort of money or (b) letting SWMBO loose in one of those. Anyway those front grilles look pretty naff!
Back seat space is not really an issue, it is only going to take a child seat most of the time. But you need the Premium Plus pack (+£6k) to get memory seats.

AJD - I looked at the CarWow video for the GLB and for the GLA; they both got good reviews. As was highlighted, the GLB is as big, if not bigger, than the GLC (and much cheaper) - I wonder if this is what is making MB withdraw the GLC earlier?

Taking Blobcat's point, I guess a C Class saloon/estate (E Class too big - yes I know the coupe is an E Class but we are trying to downsize a bit) would do but just a bit boring.

I suspect that the GLA is adequate for what we need these days but I can see some interesting test drives coming once things settle down.

Thanks to all.

In my experience having to have child seats normally entails a sizable amount of associated accouterments to go with it...
Not much more distracting than a small offspring kicking the back of the your seat...
I really wouldn't discount an E-Class the W213 is a really pleasant place to spend many many comfortable hours. It's also safe for occupants which with child seats is definitely high on the priority list. Take one for a test drive and I doubt you'd regret it.

 

[JBell]

If i was going to spend £45k I would look for something like this, even has air suspension and Prem Plus pack and a good load of depreciation

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...rchad=Used&radius=1500&postcode=tq12lr&page=4

 

[JBell]

Even a boring C Class

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...el=C CLASS&radius=1500&postcode=tq12lr&page=1

 

[grayb]

Unfortunately, upholstery choice these days is black, black or black. Possibly the GLB35 as John Laidlaw suggests, might have a Designo option but I am (a) not spending that sort of money or (b) letting SWMBO loose in one of those.
Thanks to all.

The black interior thing may eventually drive us away from MB for the tow car...

 

[Srdl]

If i was going to spend £45k I would look for something like this, even has air suspension and Prem Plus pack and a good load of depreciation

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008042070894?sort=price-desc&advertising-location=at_cars&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&aggregatedTrim=GLC43 V6&model=GLC CLASS&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&postcode=tq12lr&page=4

I can recommend!

 

[Monday]

Just to sum up: thanks to all for suggestions, some of them are very tempting (GLC43 etc). I cast no aspersions on the E-Class or even the "boring C-Class". We have had several of both, indeed I think the E350 V6 diesel (W212) we had before this current coupe is possibly my all time favorite motorway cruiser. As I said earlier, I drove the GLC43 at a recent AMG day and very nice it was too, if a bit conspicuous. But we have the SL for go-faster days and my wife wants something a bit smaller (but with 4 doors). We do not need a lot of space, except to fit the car seat which is one of those swiveling ones apparently designed to absorb g-forces on the way to the moon. But as regards the rest of her paraphernalia, she has parents for that!
So once things get back a bit nearer to normality, we will take some test drives and see what happens. And like grayb above, the black seat thing might just drive us across the road for a sneaky look in BMW!
Thanks again.