GL or ML - that is the question!

[peterg1965]

Good evening,

New to the forum, I was wondering if there are any ML(new model) or GL 320 CDI owners on here, and maybe someone with a bit of inside information on new MB finance!

I am in the market for a large 4x4. I currently drive a Disco 3 (wife's car) which reaches the end of its lease in May. I need a 4x4 with a one piece tailgate, in order to fit a wheelchair hoist in the boot and I am seriously looking at a GL320CDI or ML280CDI Sport. I have driven the ML, which I like very much although the boot space isn't as large as I would like, and I am going to drive a GL in a couple of weeks when the dealer gets one in as a demo. The other significant factor for me is the favourable finance packages with MB on new cars, particularly the GL which has a £7K dealer contribution (or an engine upgrade). Although this deal ends in 9 days and the dealer does not know if it will caryr over to the next quarter. Does anyone 'in the know' have any idea what deals are likely to be offered next year?

Would be interested to hear from any GL/ML owners on their thoughts...

Oh, and apologies for driving a BMW and being on here! The Beemer is my daily car!

Thanks.

 

[recycled]

Welcome to the forum
GL all the way mate gl boy will confirm that. it is massive and i got lost when looking in one. impressive as well.

 

[Gucci]

Welcome! Considering the hoist requirements, the GL sounds the more suitable choice. The only thing to measure is the width of your road - should fit down it

 

[gl boy]

Welcome to the forum
GL all the way mate gl boy will confirm that. it is massive and i got lost when looking in one. impressive as well.

yes gl all the way ...but does depend on budget and what you want ,,a proper 7 adult seater(unlike the bmw x5) with all the toys (i need the 7 seats ) i hade the 320 ml sport before this which was great but not big enough for me and the family this gl is without being prejudist the best 4wd i have had but comes with a cost,,but as said great car and the preformance is great too regards jon(gl boy)
ps welcome to the forum and here is a picture of my GL

 

[peterg1965]

GLboy, that is a beauty! I am inclined to go for the GL320CDI, I need space for my sons wheelchair and my wife is very comfortable with a big car like the GL. It has everything I need and would only want to add Running boards like yours (not the stainless steel tube ones), heated seats and maybe privacy. I will be buying VAT free, because of the disabled adaption and couple that with the £7K finance contribution (if that continues) it will be very affordable, I wont even have to pay road tax! The only down side is that my 335d Coupe would have to go, to be replaced by something like a Mini Cooper for the short trips around town!

So have you had any problems with your GL? and how is it with the 320CDI engine?

Oh, I would also go for obsidian black or the tanzinie blue. Dark looks better IMHO.

 

[peterg1965]

Welcome! Considering the hoist requirements, the GL sounds the more suitable choice. The only thing to measure is the width of your road - should fit down it

The GL and ML are actually narrower than the Disco 3

 

[gl boy]

go for O/black with black nappa leather,the blue is not as resaleable so my salesman at mb says...had NO trouble with it yet (great motoring) also would go for the electric/hydraulic tailgate great tool...engine is no problem as alread stated the power is there. I drive it hard (like my amg clk) and its all there with the power also i tow a twin axel swift caravan with it NO PROBLEM.. if you are going to have one GO FOR IT.... mercedes has a campaign (not sure if this would apply to your circumstances)where if you order a 320 you get the 420 at no extra cost but not sure if i would want the 420 ? regards jon ps spec carfully and dont penny pinch if you can afford it i ticked almost every box which i DONT regret

 

[gl boy]

also the car is dirty when i took the photo

 

[recycled]

Is that a car or what? best 4x4 on the market right now.
GL class

 

[peterg1965]

Does look good in black and the side steps set it off nicely. I wouldn't be ticking many options, but i would be buying on a PCP so would have the benefit of the Guaranteed future value, which they put at £26K after 3 years. They are certainly a lot plusher inside than the Disco 3, shame that the Mrs would put the dogs in the back!

Does anyone on here work for a MB dealership?

 

[Brett]

Do yourself a favour and check out the spec on the ML and GL - the GL has loads more "as standard" than the ML. If you spec up an ML to the same level as a GL there is not a whole lot in it. I test drove both the ML420CDI and the GL320CDI recently, and came within a cats whisker of buying the GL. Fantastic and really doesn't feel that big on the road. Given your wheelchair requirements, there is no contest in my opinion, go for the GL!

 

[peterg1965]

You guys are all saying what I have been thinking. The GL makes a lot more sense than the ML, although I haven't completely discounted it. It hinges on the MB finance offers for the next quarter. I hope they will carry over the generous offer on the GL. The dealer said that they are not big sellers and there is still quite a bit of UK stock, hence the incentives. The deal is predicated on a stock car, not factory order, I suspect that most build GL320CDI will have lots of extras, the ones he pulled up on his screen certainly did. I wonder if I can get more of a discount on top of the £7K finance incentive?????

 

[Gucci]

The GL and ML are actually narrower than the Disco 3

Didn't know that! Cheers!

 

[gl boy]

You guys are all saying what I have been thinking. The GL makes a lot more sense than the ML, although I haven't completely discounted it. It hinges on the MB finance offers for the next quarter. I hope they will carry over the generous offer on the GL. The dealer said that they are not big sellers and there is still quite a bit of UK stock, hence the incentives. The deal is predicated on a stock car, not factory order, I suspect that most build GL320CDI will have lots of extras, the ones he pulled up on his screen certainly did. I wonder if I can get more of a discount on top of the £7K finance incentive?????

worth a try but dont hold your breath i am after a new one next month hopefully and the dealer has said not much chance off any discounts on top of any deals

 

[peterg1965]

worth a try but dont hold your breath i am after a new one next month hopefully and the dealer has said not much chance off any discounts on top of any deals

When i first enquired about the ML, he gave me £2K off the list price of an ML280CDI Sport over the phone without even pushing it! Havent enquired too much on the GL discounts yet.

 

[gl boy]

Didn't know that! Cheers!

doesnt feel it

 

[frodes]

Hello. I don't own any of this car, but you can look forward to trying the GL320CDI. Wonderful car!

 

[RichardM]

Glad you found your way over to this forum Peter! Shame you've got to get rid of the 335d.

 

[peterg1965]

Glad you found your way over to this forum Peter! Shame you've got to get rid of the 335d.

Thanks Richard. I really do not want to let the 335d go (Mine is an E92 M Sport like yours). I need to see what the finance deals and figures come out with on the GL and ML. The 335d is probably the best car I have ever owned, powerful, fast with economy, and one awesome driving experience.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

I love the look of the GL, it sure looks bigger than a Disco or Q7 ?

They have 320cdi models at our stealers for £499 a month although I think you can get this less.

A GL420Cdi would do me


These are some pics I took a couple of years ago at the Geneva show