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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Comfort wise are they better finished than the ML and size wise, is there much of a difference between the GL and the Range Rover?Ive driven a GL420 CDI. Very nice. Quick too for a big beast. Took it offroad and round a track and allong a road
Brilliant car.
If you don't know the answers can it be treated as a generalised type question please?
Thanks very much
Regards
John
marcos
MB Enthusiast
I had a GL420 CDI for a week whilst mine was in getting it's oil leak sorted.
My first impression was that it looked far too big and was nowhere near as good to look at as my ML.
After driving the looks just don't matter. It goes like stink, especially for it's size and is quite funny hurtling away from roundabouts leaving most other cars a third of it's size trembling in fear
The finish was good but I only have freinds with RR Sports so I can't comment on it's finish compared to a proper RR.
If I could afford the fuel bills I would have one tomorrow, but after spending a week getting no more than 16mpg I was sure glad to get my ML320 CDI back, the GL420 CDI is just too much fun not to hoof it everywhere, superb piece of kit.
The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that the car was listed at over £72k and it didn't have Bi-Xenons which made it look cheap at night
My first impression was that it looked far too big and was nowhere near as good to look at as my ML.
After driving the looks just don't matter. It goes like stink, especially for it's size and is quite funny hurtling away from roundabouts leaving most other cars a third of it's size trembling in fear
The finish was good but I only have freinds with RR Sports so I can't comment on it's finish compared to a proper RR.
If I could afford the fuel bills I would have one tomorrow, but after spending a week getting no more than 16mpg I was sure glad to get my ML320 CDI back, the GL420 CDI is just too much fun not to hoof it everywhere, superb piece of kit.
The only thing that annoyed me was the fact that the car was listed at over £72k and it didn't have Bi-Xenons which made it look cheap at night
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Thanks very much for the excellent post. The fuel consumption is an eye opener but I accept you were enjoying yourself. I must confess to not being a fan of the Range Rover Sport.
Regards
John
marcos
MB Enthusiast
Neither am I john but it seems everyone round my way just has to own a black RR Sport complete with crap dashboard and unreliability built in, no one I know who owns one would buy another though.
DarrinD
Member
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I no a guy who returned his RR Sport and got a replacement which is still causing him grief.
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
The RR is 2192mm wide including mirrors and 4972mm long. It is 1903 high.
The GL is 2127 wide inc mirrors (just over 2 inches less) and is 5088 long (about 4 inches longer in old money). It is 1840 high (couple of inches less.
The Range Rover Diesel does about 25 mpg combined and does 0-62 in 8.6 seconds. The GL 420 diesel is quicker at 7.6 seconds and does similar mpg (24.4).
Are you considering possible replacements for the W211?
There is a GL420CDI in the local MB showroom and there would certainly be enough room for the dog. Mind you I think that you'll have to put it in to training for the high jump to get in.
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Had a go in a GL420 CDi on tarmac, track, and off road, and it really is a wonerful car. I don't think the quality of the car, comfort or finish is any better than an ML, but IMHO it felt a teensy-weensy bit more special.
Straight line performance and handling exceeded my expectations, and off-road it was a doddle despite it's gargantuan proportions. My wife might argue that I struggled with the size though, as I clipped a cone in the salom - hey, I was just exploring the limits of the vehicle!! 
The interior is very germanic in design - it doesn't have the flair or elegance of the full-fat Range Rover (ie not the Sport) - but it's still a very nice place to be.
It is vast - both inside and outside, and would be ideal for moving the family, dog, and caravan around. How often we'd really use the extra space over the ML would remain to be seen - I do think we'd use it if we had it.
List price on all GLs are eye-watering - the 420 especially so. However the £599 per month deal that MB dealers are currently offering on a GL320 CDi looks fairly good value (not sure how big the deposit is though).
Given the current public attitude towards SUVs I would feel uncomfortable driving it in some ways, because it is quite bling, and very large - two things that probably wind up environmental extremists most - and one of the reasons I think the R-Class is OK. It's just less in your face!!
Straight line performance and handling exceeded my expectations, and off-road it was a doddle despite it's gargantuan proportions. My wife might argue that I struggled with the size though, as I clipped a cone in the salom - hey, I was just exploring the limits of the vehicle!!
The interior is very germanic in design - it doesn't have the flair or elegance of the full-fat Range Rover (ie not the Sport) - but it's still a very nice place to be.
It is vast - both inside and outside, and would be ideal for moving the family, dog, and caravan around. How often we'd really use the extra space over the ML would remain to be seen - I do think we'd use it if we had it.
List price on all GLs are eye-watering - the 420 especially so. However the £599 per month deal that MB dealers are currently offering on a GL320 CDi looks fairly good value (not sure how big the deposit is though).
Given the current public attitude towards SUVs I would feel uncomfortable driving it in some ways, because it is quite bling, and very large - two things that probably wind up environmental extremists most - and one of the reasons I think the R-Class is OK. It's just less in your face!!
BenzComander
MB Enthusiast
When we were looking at the R (which I think is OK as well BD ) we had a look round the GL.
Got to say that we thought it was great, better then the R for room, and the rearmost seats fold down electrically!!! We were impressed by the quality of the interior, very S Class if you ask me.
Personally, would not have the RR, would prefer the GL.
Lot of cash though, but as they say if you need to ask the price........
PS: Why do Merc not use the 420CDi in any other car in the UK?
) we had a look round the GL.Got to say that we thought it was great, better then the R for room, and the rearmost seats fold down electrically!!! We were impressed by the quality of the interior, very S Class if you ask me.
Personally, would not have the RR, would prefer the GL.
Lot of cash though, but as they say if you need to ask the price........
PS: Why do Merc not use the 420CDi in any other car in the UK?
Dieselman
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They claim it's too difficult to make it fit into RHD, but then they said that about original turbodiesels until they modified the exhaust.
Almost certainly the 400CDi could be persuaded into a RHD body, in fact given that it has twin exhausts how can it be different for a left hooker.
I think it's a marketing excercise to keep sales of petrols going as us, Japan and the USA are the only people that still buy them, the rest of Europe buy diesels.
my dad has got a GL500, he bought this car rather then the range rover because range rover is going to change there design soon and the GL has 7 seats if needed.
i have only driven the GL once and first impresson was you can feel road, bumps. but dont forget this car is made to be off road not your S class.
also when you get out of the GL it is a bit high, it will be a good idea to get side steps fitted to it.
i will ask my dad about his opinion on the range rover and the GL because he has driven them both and will let you know.
i have only driven the GL once and first impresson was you can feel road, bumps. but dont forget this car is made to be off road not your S class.
also when you get out of the GL it is a bit high, it will be a good idea to get side steps fitted to it.
i will ask my dad about his opinion on the range rover and the GL because he has driven them both and will let you know.
BenzComander
MB Enthusiast
I take it back, ML420
If I wanted an SUV and could afford a GL420, that's probably what I'd get. I like the looks, and it's new and rare enough to be a bit special compared to the Range Rovers you see all over the place.
As already posted, it's not actually that big compared to many other vehicles which are considered quite normal (other large SUVs and MPVs).
E.g. the 6-seat Vito Dualiner I'm getting is wider and taller than a GL, and only 95mm (about 3.5") shorter. Yet nobody rants about Vitos being "vast" or "unsuitable for British roads"!
As already posted, it's not actually that big compared to many other vehicles which are considered quite normal (other large SUVs and MPVs).
E.g. the 6-seat Vito Dualiner I'm getting is wider and taller than a GL, and only 95mm (about 3.5") shorter. Yet nobody rants about Vitos being "vast" or "unsuitable for British roads"!
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glojo
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
I think we all get that periodic itch and I'm simply thinking about the different options. The 211 is still outshining any of the opposition and I'm just looking at what is available. I certainly do not want sales staff pestering me and at present I just want to hear other folks opinions.
No sense in going for a replacement 211, the ML does not have enough space, we don't like the looks of the other two German marques. It would need something exceptional to get my interest and do these two fit into that description?
Regards
John
The Full Fat Range Rover is a design classic.
It may be big, but it is elegant, stylish, timeless and contemporary. The GL is just a big Yank tank with a MB grill on it. Looks wise, the GL is a transit van in drag. No comparison.
The FFRR interior is absolutely wonderful and utterly unique. It is unlike no other -- classy, beautifully finished with quite lovely interior combinations.
There is much more leather and the wood trim is staggeringly lovely. For me, the FFRR has the best interior of any 4x4xFAR.
The V8 diesel is also incredible. Powerful, torquey and quiet. I drove one and loved it. Only thing I didn't like was the bulk of the thing .. it is stately driving at its best.
FFRR everytime!
It may be big, but it is elegant, stylish, timeless and contemporary. The GL is just a big Yank tank with a MB grill on it. Looks wise, the GL is a transit van in drag. No comparison.
The FFRR interior is absolutely wonderful and utterly unique. It is unlike no other -- classy, beautifully finished with quite lovely interior combinations.
There is much more leather and the wood trim is staggeringly lovely. For me, the FFRR has the best interior of any 4x4xFAR.
The V8 diesel is also incredible. Powerful, torquey and quiet. I drove one and loved it. Only thing I didn't like was the bulk of the thing .. it is stately driving at its best.
FFRR everytime!
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
I find the GL far more attractive than the slab sided and very in-your-face Range Rover. Very much a chav vehicle IMO. And the lack of reliability in the Range Rover is now legendary.
I am surprised you say the ML is not roomy enough, Glojo, as in many respects I found it more roomy than the E class. But I haven't checked length of loading bay. Obviously the ML offers more room for tall objects. And the room for passengers is excellent. I thought the ML finish was excellent and the ride is quite superb.
