GL350, Tell me why not
 

Sorry for co-opting another poster's recent title........

The wife is down to about seven months left on the MDX lease. We have looked around online and while driving around, and she has decided that the GL is the way to go. We test drove a 2013 GL450 and really liked it. I can't see dealing with the poor fuel mileage in that car coupled with premium fuel. She won't consider the Ford or GM alternatives.

So then we began to consider the GL350. Test drove one and loved everything about it. It's a leftover 2015. Probably would have brought it home already if we didn't have so many months left on the Acura. That's OK, more time to do research, like this.

GL350....my experience
 

I have a 2011 GL350 which I have had since new, maintained it over the top and generally really enjoyed it. However I will say it comes down to your personality type I would say. I see you are coming from a Acura, so you are not accustomed to mechanical issues probably. No offense but a Honda product would bore me to death as I am more of an "enthusiast", especially a MB fan. With that said I have had my share of unexpected issues with my GL that I had thought were worked out by my model year. Here is what I have had to do,

Timing Chain at 32k
Oil cooler Seals 62k (no small job)
Intake Flap motor (preventative while top of motor was apart)
NoX sensors (not cheap)
Vacuume Pump leaking oil
Oil filter housing to block gasket bad
differential pressure sensor on DEF system
Motor Mounts

My wife is less than amused but I still enjoy it and am determined to get my value out of it. It gets 28mpg highway and it can tow my Airstream so it really does what other vehicles can do. Some of the above items were on my nickle and some warranty. It sounds like you like to lease? Probably you will be under a CPO warranty or something, so you would only be inconveinienced by a mechanical issue. As far as the vehicle comfort itself etc it really is second to none. Solid, safe and a amazing highway vehicle.

Thanks,

I don't particularly like to lease but it's not me, really. The wife's business leases the cars. That's the only reason to consider such an expensive proposition. She has this pie in the sky vision of MB vehicles. We test drove the E250 just for grins, and she couldn't believe how much she didn't like it. Small, rough riding, loud. "But it's a Mercedes!" Etc.

Anyway, the Acura has been trouble free and I'm not sure she understands the maintenance intensive brand she wants to move to. I identify more as an enthusiast, so I feel I can roll with a few related punches. We had considered buying this time, but given the issues you've seen, a lease might just be better.

Will the GL be under warranty the entire time you own time? If so, go for it, knowing that you might be driving a service loaner every now and again. If you have to pay for any of the repairs which Krusty listed above, then it would be less expensive to get the GL450 -'the cost of the repairs exceed the fuel savings.

I just got rid of my e-class sedan with the same v6 Diesel engine. I had the oil cooler leak and intake flap motor fail two weeks apart. They cost $4600 to repair - in one month, and the dealer gave me employee pricing for the second repair. My car made almost to 100k before needing these repairs, but there is some risk of them anytime after the factory warranty expires.

I like the brand and I like the diesel, but the economics just don't make sense to me.

The air ride system is so unreliable you couldn't give me one based on that alone. You couldn't trust to take it anywhere without thinking an airbag is going to pop at random...

I'm very surprised Krusty has not had to deal with it. Don't know any long term GL owner who hasn't been stranded with it.

If the business is leasing the car, repair cost shouldn't be an issue.

Traditionally, MB has been a well built car with "features" added to keep the moneyed buyers happy rather than an outright luxury brand across all models. Think of MB as GM / Ford / Chrysler where Cadillac , Pontiac , Chevy / Lincoln , Mercury , Ford / Chrysler , Dodge , Plymouth are S class , E class , C class

x2 on air suspension. A W109 today might be more reliable in that regard. Hopefully the GL350 rides on coil springs and torsion bars.

My sister has a few years old ML350 she doesn't much care for. I have a few minutes behind the wheel and there isn't anything must have about it. My other sister's Cayenne isn't at the shop as frequently.

Sixto
83 300SD

A quick math shows that resale value of a Toyota Landcruiser is approx $10K higher than a GL. Which is how much extra you would spend on extra fuel calculating at 13MPG over 100K miles.

Buying a diesel GL would set you back an additional cost of 7yr/100K warranty in comparison.

Not sure I would buy a GL today. The 2016 Landcruiser is a better looking car compared to previous generations..

The 2016 LX on the other hand...

http://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image...-970x647-c.jpg

Sixto
83 300SD

I haven't driven the Toyota SUVs yet, but I have had the 4.6L and now have the 5.7L Tundras. The Land Cruiser might be worth a drive. It's unforgivable what they've done to the front end of the Lexus.

Glad we have some time to decide.

Most all brands have gone to that Snaggle Puss "fangs" facia - even Mercedes Benz.
Since the lease is being covered, I'd advise going for the GL.

I have not had any issues with my AirMatic system on my GL. I attribute it to two things, one I clean the bags and spray them down with Motorex brand Silicone rubber protectant. Two I tow a Airstream travel trailer frequently which I think "works" the bag and keeps it pliable. I plan on proactively replacing the bags this summer as I do not want a vacation downer and I am just over 90k now. The rears are surprisingly easy to do, the fronts are not hard just more involved.

I agree what others have said about Land Cruisers but they cannot tow much (or well anyway). Even with the poor Toyota mileage you probably would be money ahead with a 10 year ownership?

GL just drives great though.....and my Hazet tools fit it!

Does the Land Cruiser not handle well when towing or something or is 8100-8200 lbs (LC tow rating) low in this segment (GL350 is rated for 7500 lbs)?

2016 LC looks great and even cleaned up the ugly rear a bit.

The current Land Cruiser chassis is essentially the same 100 series chassis from 1998. The suspension is soft and compliant which is great off road, but when towing it wallows. Also the engine makes its torque on the higher RPM scale which means revving it to get things going.

I have been towing Airstreams for 15 years and frequent the various forums on these. Several folks have tried the LC for towing going for Toyota reliability but we're disappointed with how well it towed.

That's what makes the GL350 such a good tow vehicle. Serious low end torque, Airmatic suspension adapts to what your load is (I use a ProPride hitch however).

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