GL/ML info needed - help

[Maxi4]

Hi All,
We're looking to chage the E soon. With all the snow we've had the other half suggested we look at a 4X4 as well...
So, my question is do any of these 2 (ML or GL) have the option of additional seats? ie 7 seat option? I cant seem to find any info on this on the mercedes site.
Our E has the rear facing child seat option, which has come in handy a number of times, so I dont really want to lose this in the new car (whatever we go for)

Cheers
And - a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New year to you all!!!

Pete

 

[Tan]

The current ML has no seven seat option but the GL is a 7 seater as standard I believe. On the previous model ML there was an option for 7 seats.

From what I have read, if going for the GL then the best bet is the 420 CDi

 

[gunning]

Yes the GL has 7 seats as standard I think, but even if it is an option most of them have it. ML doesnt have this feature any more. Id go for the GL any way just due to the fact i think its a nicer car.

 

[gunning]

The current ML has no seven seat option but the GL is a 7 seater as standard I believe. On the previous model ML there was an option for 7 seats.

From what I have read, if going for the GL then the best bet is the 420 CDi

I was going to say 420 CDI is the best option

 

[Maxi4]

Thanks for the quick response Gents. I guess the next step is to visit the dealers and have a poke around and a test drive...

Cheers
Pete

 

[raymont]

Hi All,
We're looking to chage the E soon. With all the snow we've had the other half suggested we look at a 4X4 as well...
So, my question is do any of these 2 (ML or GL) have the option of additional seats? ie 7 seat option? I cant seem to find any info on this on the mercedes site.
Our E has the rear facing child seat option, which has come in handy a number of times, so I dont really want to lose this in the new car (whatever we go for)

Cheers
And - a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New year to you all!!!

Pete

They are not optional on the GL, they are standard ( in the UK anyway).

They are individually powered and go up / down at the touch of a button.

They are better than the E options ( had one previously ) in that are suitable for adults. I've had adults in the back ( 3rd row) for an hour or so without complaint.

Not sure if thety're available at all on the 164 M class.


If you're thinking about ML /GL it's worth noting that the standard spec GL has much more kit than a std ML. Not sure of all details but GL spec includes:

Off road pack ( low range, hill descent, rear / centre diff locks and variable height airmatic)

Comand.

 

[gunning]

The GL is much higher spec than a ML, They also hold their money well too

 

[Maxi4]

Raymont - thanks for that. Very useful info especially as youve had the E as well. We're still umming and ahring about a 4X4...I dont really want a big 4X4. I want something low and fast...but the weather has had me beat this time around. The wife's polo has been outstanding wheres my E estate has struggled. Ok we've had a fair bit (around 6-7 inches where we are), still...who knows this time next year I might have a GL!!!

Pete

 

[gIzzE]

I looked at a 420cdi GL, it was a great price and had every option I wanted, but it was massive, and I mean massive, had the ML before and my wife just point blank refused to drive the GL, and if I am honest it did feel huge and a bit 'un-pc'.

Nice car though.

Oh, on my test I got 16mpg from it, not sure if that is a convern or not, I was expecting more like 24ish.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

How about an ML63?

Not-so-low, but very fast!!

Same sort of budget as required for a GL would get you into an ML63...

 

[raymont]

I looked at a 420cdi GL, it was a great price and had every option I wanted, but it was massive, and I mean massive, had the ML before and my wife just point blank refused to drive the GL, and if I am honest it did feel huge and a bit 'un-pc'.

Nice car though.

Oh, on my test I got 16mpg from it, not sure if that is a convern or not, I was expecting more like 24ish.

Massive? Yes it's bigger than an ML but it's only the length thats significantly different from the ML. They are the same width, the GL is 25mm higher and about 310mm longer.

Economy ( if that's the right word) on my 420 is around 20 in town, 22 on a long fast run ( I got 22 averaging 85mph from Bavaria to UK, long spells at 100+) and I can get 27 sticking to 70 on a motorway trip.


Low and fast? Certainly not low! Quite fast, ( 0 to 100mph in 20 secs) esp in gear acceleration courtesy of the torque. Corners quicker than you might think with the suspension in 'sport' mode but in no way comparable to a sports car. Brilliant long distance car, very quiet, comforable and relaxed.

 

[gIzzE]

But it feels so much bigger than the ML to drive.

MPG is a personal thing, I am just saying that I get 30 in my E320 round town and doing teh same in the 420cdi it was only 16mpg, in my 535d I only got 23mpg.

 

[timwood2000]

Have you thought about the R Class - 7 seats, 4x4, not as square and upright as a ML or GL and more like your E than the others?

Not everyone's cup of tea, but sounds like it would tick most of the boxes for you

 

[gunning]

The new ones nice, a R class with 20" rims or 22" brabus rims looks hot! Not a fan of the previous headlights but do like the car as it looks a solid bit of kit and its useful

 

[Tan]

Going from a car to a 4x4 is a hard decision and one that I keep debating.

I currently have an E-class and am once again debating changing it for a Porsche Cayenne, I love the way that the E-drives and am not sure that I will feel the same about the Porsche and as I am looking for a used car rather than new, getting a 24 hour test drive is not an option, at least not one that I have ever seen a used car dealer offer.

I looked at ML's and was not keen but love the GL, but doubt I would ever buy one purely down to the size of them, considering we live in Essex now but are moving to London soon.

 

[Maxi4]

Tan - yes the switch is a big one for me as well. I'm going to take my time on this and decide once I've had a test drive...with the whole family!!!

gizze - Mpg is a concern (I pay for my fuel, dont have it subsidised by the employer), however, if I'm getting 20-22 I guess I can live with it.

Bobby D - If only...initially I was going to try and convince the other half that we needed an E63...thats all gone out of the window after this winter. I dont think it would have worked anyway given the maintenance costs and fuel. I know I'll be pushing hard on the throttle...just to hear the music from those quad pipes!!!

Timwood2000 - Dint know that the R was a 4 wheel drive. I guess it makes more sense as an option for us. I need to seriously look into th R...probably come back for more advice once we decide. I've got the week after christmas off, so time to go around the local dealers and have a look.

Thanks for all your input.

Cheers
Pete

 

[raymont]

New R350 models are 4wd and R300 2wd. (4wd option on R300?)

Don't know if this applies to older models.

Have to say I quite like the R styling, I know this makes me a member of a small minority. Rs seem to be good value secondhand.

 

[gIzzE]

gizze - Mpg is a concern (I pay for my fuel, dont have it subsidised by the employer), however, if I'm getting 20-22 I guess I can live with it.

Cheers
Pete

I am the same, I do get 40p per mile with work but that doesn't cover running my E320cdi anymore.
I used to get 37mpg average from out E270cdi, so getting 16mpg from the GL420cdi was a bit of a shock, but then I only got 24ish from the ML270cdi so I am not sure why I am that surprised really.

But make sure you take one out for a proper test before buying. I am considering an ML280 or 320 at the moment, really nice one locally to me, but again, I like the fact I am getting 30+ round town in the E320cdi and already putting £120 a week in fuel in, not sure I want to be putting £180 in the tank each week.

 

[Wilsonuk]

Raymont - thanks for that. Very useful info especially as youve had the E as well. We're still umming and ahring about a 4X4...I dont really want a big 4X4. I want something low and fast...but the weather has had me beat this time around. The wife's polo has been outstanding wheres my E estate has struggled. Ok we've had a fair bit (around 6-7 inches where we are), still...who knows this time next year I might have a GL!!!

Pete

I currently run an E and an ML - the ML is just like driving the E to be honest, you would barely know you're in a 4x4 from a driving perspective but it still has reasonable (snow conquering!) off road ability. We looked at the GL as I wanted 7 seats, but it was just far too big for the missus to consider using it and she uses it day to day.

Hope that helps.

 

[Wilsonuk]

I am the same, I do get 40p per mile with work but that doesn't cover running my E320cdi anymore.
I used to get 37mpg average from out E270cdi, so getting 16mpg from the GL420cdi was a bit of a shock, but then I only got 24ish from the ML270cdi so I am not sure why I am that surprised really.

But make sure you take one out for a proper test before buying. I am considering an ML280 or 320 at the moment, really nice one locally to me, but again, I like the fact I am getting 30+ round town in the E320cdi and already putting £120 a week in fuel in, not sure I want to be putting £180 in the tank each week.

I've done about 20k miles in the ML320 and it always returns 28mpg+, which I think is excellent given the dimensions and performance...