Thinking of a GL to get the family about.

[Will]

I’m sure all cars have grown in dimensions though in recent times

It certainly feels more spacious inside than an E

 

[Deleted member 11979]

The other thing regarding dimensions is the GL is square, it’s big everywhere whilst my BMW F11 for example tapers quite noticeably from its widest point.

With all these things, it’s how the person that drives it / is going to be driving it on a daily basis perceives it, as well as where they actually drive it.

Ours is used rurally in narrow lanes and in small Devon towns and villages, it feels big there, on the motorway next to the HGVs, not so much.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

I’m sure all cars have grown in dimensions though in recent times

It certainly feels more spacious inside than an E

That is the good thing about a GL, their size externally is certainly mirrored internally

 

[Deleted member 149005]

What about the R class - maybe unfashionable but that makes at great value

 

[Lennox]

Went to see a GL. Used approved 2014 fully loaded and to be honest a lovely car........ However, it drove like a whale walking in wellies.... (and I learned to drive in a 1979 Range Rover 3dr in a field)

Back to an X5 we went.

Sent from my SM-N9600 using Tapatalk

 

[Will]

There’s plenty of stuff which is more dynamic than a GL, but very little than can match it for size.

Every time I see an ML think how small they are...!

 

[T5R+]

Every time I see an ML think how small they are...!

Funny.

Reminds me that my children complain how small the back of the E Class is when we go out.
When they were younger and squabbled more, we used to separate them across the 2 rear rows in the GL.

 

[219]

There’s plenty of stuff which is more dynamic than a GL, but very little than can match it for size.

Every time I see an ML think how small they are...!

I guess my W140 must be there or thereabouts.

There were a few W140 estates made . Rarer than hens teeth though .

Pics here

W140 Estate/Wagon

I’ve also seen W124 stretch limos with an estate back end grafted on . 3 rows of seats with full estate boot .

 

[Deleted member 11979]

A GL and X5 are not similar cars

 

[350cls]

Had a talk last night about what cars herself likes.

The S211 is regarded as an older gents car lol. I see where she is coming from. ( I am a fair few years older than her) please don't take offense other S211 Gent owners lol

The R class she likes but not as much as the GL. But as pointed out you get quite a bit more value over the GL. She also said is the driving position not as elevated as the GL.

The only real issues with the GL are mpg and road tax. But the R is only £30.00 odd quid cheaper per year. And only slightly better on mpg.

What engine would give the better overall economy for power over the 320 or the 420.

The 420 puts out a fair amount of power to mpg ratio. The 320 doesn't fair that much better on mpg compared to the more powerful 420.

 

[219]

Not wishing to be disloyal to the brand , but since you are looking at large SUV type vehicles, have you cast your eyes across the Atlantic, since our friends over there love that type of vehicle, Lincoln Navigator , Cadillac Escalade and many others . Many of these vehicles can be had new here for surprisingly low prices.

Lincoln Navigator - Wikipedia

The New 2018 Lincoln Navigator - Car Dealerships UK | New & Used Luxury Car Sales

Just a thought .

 

[219]

Gullwing doors an option !!!

 

[Lennox]

A GL and X5 are not similar cars

Totally agree, the X5 dynamically trounced the GL. Lighter, more power and a lovely driving feel. They were in our target pool and met our requirements though...
1. GERMAN
2. 4x4
3. Big diesel
4. Occasionally a 7 seater for a 3 & 5 year old in the back.
5. Used approved.

Mercs 10cm longer and taller, so a huge boot but the tech was so 80's though I could have added an ipad android thing to the dash[emoji2961]

I really wanted the GL but the wife loves her BMWs. [emoji849]

Here the X5 with her dad's X3 on Arran. The calm before the storm.

Sent from my SM-N9600 using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Totally agree, the X5 dynamically trounced the GL. Lighter, more power and a lovely driving feel. They were in our target pool and met our requirements though...
1. GERMAN
2. 4x4
3. Big diesel
4. Occasionally a 7 seater for a 3 & 5 year old in the back.
5. Used approved.

Mercs 10cm longer and taller, so a huge boot but the tech was so 80's though I could have added an ipad android thing to the dash[emoji2961]

I really wanted the GL but the wife loves her BMWs. [emoji849]

Here the X5 with her dad's X3 on Arran. The calm before the storm.

Sent from my SM-N9600 using Tapatalk

I love BMWs too; on balance I think they make better cars than Mercedes (should I get my coat?)

 

[219]

I love BMWs too; on balance I think they make better cars than Mercedes (should I get my coat?)

I don’t dislike the cars , but the ‘bad boy’ stereotype image doesn’t sit well with me , hence I wouldn’t want one - excepting a 2002 or something like a 635 CSL , both of which I liked back in the day . Or one of their bikes .

 

[350cls]

We had an X5 before E53. Wasn't that impressed to be honest. I like a barge to be a barge. An X5 is a 5 series on roids for me!!

No doubt they have come on loads. But more of a sporty Suv than the GL offers.

 

[T5R+]

Fuel economy for GL420/450 - lucky if you achieve 30MPG mixed motoring. Sorry, no idea about 280/320/300/350,

X5 for me is all about those rear haunches. Still think they look great in the right colour/spec. Love the fact that the new M Sport are running on 315 profile rear tyres.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Fuel economy for GL420/450 - lucky if you achieve 30MPG mixed motoring. Sorry, no idea about 280/320/300/350,

X5 for me is all about those rear haunches. Still think they look great in the right colour/spec. Love the fact that the new M Sport are running on 315 profile rear tyres.

30mpg mixed?

I’m lucky if I see 30 on a motorway run in our 350cdi, 32mpg is about the best it gets if it’s not raining (makes a big difference to ours for some reason) it may well be a 420 / 450 is more economical (long shot but better power to weight?) but our 350 does 22 - 25 around town and its long term average according to the computer since it was new is 23, no idea how the previous owner drove it mind.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

I don’t dislike the cars , but the ‘bad boy’ stereotype image doesn’t sit well with me , hence I wouldn’t want one - excepting a 2002 or something like a 635 CSL , both of which I liked back in the day . Or one of their bikes .

The reason I like them isn’t down to their image (I wouldn’t have an m sport as it’s just not me, so I understand the image thing) but the thoroughness of their engineering and the fact that they have never, so far, bitten me with glycol issue taking out a box and torque converter (s211) rust (w210) and so on. I’m not saying BMW are perfect but it does seem they can paint a car red without it coming off for example

It’s also the small things, I have to take my hand off of the wheel to indicate in a Mercedes whereas the BMW has the steering wheel stalks in the right place. In the BMW when you press the wheel phone button the phone menu pops straight up, in the Mercedes you have to select the phone menu with a different button, then the phone button becomes active, little things but you notice them.

 

[T5R+]

30mpg mixed?
I’m lucky if I see 30 on a motorway run in our 350cdi, 32mpg is about the best it gets if it’s not raining (makes a big difference to ours for some reason) it may well be a 420 / 450 is more economical (long shot but better power to weight?)
.

Sorry - suspect that you are correct. I am currently in a ML450 and hovering around the 30 mark (also have a Brabus D8 chip fitted which possibly helps). When I had a GL420 I was generally in the 20s and only 30s in the summer.

I generally get good MPG compared to most drivers, as drive them as designed, as opposed to heavy right foot absolutely everywhere.