So I wanted a GL for Xmas, but I couldn't get one :(

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Peter DLM

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
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Location
Milton Keynes
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19 reg CLS 350d, 67 reg AMG GT R Caterham Levante
Because the GL is end of life, there's only 1 on the pool car fleet and someone bagged it before me :wallbash:

So it was a choice between a new r231 SL 350 or the R Class.

As I need to cart family around and also move house, I opted for the R350L CDi. It only has 500 miles on the clock.

First time driving an R Class, bit of a land yacht, but a nice lofty driving position. It's really showing its age inside though, it's feels prehistoric compared to the E and C dashboards and dials/LCD displays.

With all the seats flat it's obviously bigger than an E Class, it easy swallowed the load that filled the E Estate.

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Land yacht - nicely put. These are like e-class estates + 4 wheel drive + 15% size icrease + 2 seats. Just a bit big if you're driving it alone
Ash
 
That front end is a million times better than the first inclination.

Have you got any interior shots or did the film in your camera run out? ;)
 
Lol, I'll get some interior shots tomorrow for you during daylight. I hate interior shots under flashlight. :)

But yes, front end is actually very nice indeed, a huge improvement on the previous version.
 
Nice wheels - they would be AMG III at 19" I assume.

They grace the finest cars around.
 
I like the R Class... I hear you on the GL... If they did an R63 AMG... I'd be on it hahaha.
I'm keeping my ML to log the family and just ordered a C63 for me and the street!
Good luck with the R Class... it looks good!
 
I like the R Class... I hear you on the GL... If they did an R63 AMG... I'd be on it hahaha.
I'm keeping my ML to log the family and just ordered a C63 for me and the street!
Good luck with the R Class... it looks good!

Yes, they did indeed do an R63 AMG although they're pretty rare beasts. With the arrival of the new X166 GL, Mercedes are introducing a GL63 AMG variant :D
 
A quick 55 mile trip down the M1 into Hertfordshire and back today. Very quiet and smooth on the road, likes travelling at 85mph it seems for some reason, but only returned 27mpg. I'll try leaving it at 70 for tomorrow's trip into London and see what difference it makes

My 80yo mum loves it anyway :)

I forgot your interior pics SPX, tomorrow ;)
 
A quick 55 mile trip down the M1 into Hertfordshire and back today. Very quiet and smooth on the road, likes travelling at 85mph it seems for some reason, but only returned 27mpg. I'll try leaving it at 70 for tomorrow's trip into London and see what difference it makes

My 80yo mum loves it anyway :)

I forgot your interior pics SPX, tomorrow ;)

Best I've had from a gentle 70mph run was 38mpg indicated...tried so hard to crack the 40 barrier but I had no chance!
 
In-laws have a much older R350 (petrol) LWB and rate it very highly.
 
160 miles worth of mainly motorway but a lot of time spent in London battling some horrid traffic, plus loads of fiddly Mall parking etc. 30.4 mpg. Got up to 32mpg on the motorway.

It's a very accomplished cruiser, and a nice car to return to after stressful day before facing torrential rain and flooded roads on the drive home.

Best bit about it is that you can just slide into it, rather than climbing up into the GL or slumping into the SL or E/C.
 
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Long awaited interior pics :)



I took it back today, I covered nearly 500 miles in it over the last 6 days. It used around 100 litres, a whole tank, making it less economical that any of the GLs I've had, including the 450 CDi.

Overall it has more cons than pros. It's a complete barge to drive, steering is lifeless and its a bitch to park as you can't see any corners. It has a reversing camera which helped a bit.

Good things include being able to take the whole family in comfort and style. It's a good motorway cruiser, AWD helped me once getting out of a tight spot by taking to a field to escape a car parking jam, plus it's huge and imposing :)

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That interior reminds me of my '08 Astra van.
 
Nice ride!
 

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