Any GLS owners?
Discussion
Looking to replace our 2010 D5 XC90 and am drawing up a shortlist to get some weekend test drives organised for...can any owners vouch for the GLS?
Must hae 7 seat ability, have plenty of room, be able to cope with young kids and have decent off-road/all weather ability. And will be up against:
- new XC90
- Audi Q7
- Discovery
- X5 (maybe)
Also, which engine makes most sense?
Must hae 7 seat ability, have plenty of room, be able to cope with young kids and have decent off-road/all weather ability. And will be up against:
- new XC90
- Audi Q7
- Discovery
- X5 (maybe)
Also, which engine makes most sense?
I've just traded in my GL (x166) which is now called the GLS after 3 years of very happy motoring. Mine was the 350 Bluetec AMG Sport. We are a family of four plus a Labrador 
Everything easily fits in the car, and the seven seats can all seat adults. The standard air suspension is fantastic, active cornering control makes it laws of physics defying in how it handles and corners.
I could definitely recommend it.
Everything easily fits in the car, and the seven seats can all seat adults. The standard air suspension is fantastic, active cornering control makes it laws of physics defying in how it handles and corners.I could definitely recommend it.
I have a 2011 GL350 with the off road package. It's the BlueEfficiency version with 265bhp. It's the X164 platform.
Everything that is good about mine will be available on the latest X166 platform.
The third row seats are big enough for adults. It might not be quite as good on the road as a Q7 but beats it hands down off road. Mine can raise up on the air suspension to give over a foot of ground clearanceband has diff lockers for the centre and rear diffs. You can also select different damping rates for comfy, normal or sporty rides.
It is very powerful. I actually wanted the 450 V8 diesel but there are so few available 2nd hand that I decided to go with the 350, subsequently discovering there wasn't much difference in the 0-60 figure. The 450 has a bit over 300bhp - about 40bhp up on mine but it's significantly thirstier. I get about 24mpg from mine but I do have a heavy right foot.
Neighbour's friends were here over Christmas in their XC90 which normally looks big but next to mine it did not. I sit low in mine, deliberately because I like it that way even though I'm short, so I often look at other big 4x4s when driving and compare their driver height to me - and in a nutshell the GL is as big as just about everything else it could be compared with including a Disco4 in height and I believe it's longer than all the others except the Q7 however the Audi's sloping roof makes its load space a little less than the GL.
My only concern with the GL is what to replace it with when the time comes. Probably a GLS.
Everything that is good about mine will be available on the latest X166 platform.
The third row seats are big enough for adults. It might not be quite as good on the road as a Q7 but beats it hands down off road. Mine can raise up on the air suspension to give over a foot of ground clearanceband has diff lockers for the centre and rear diffs. You can also select different damping rates for comfy, normal or sporty rides.
It is very powerful. I actually wanted the 450 V8 diesel but there are so few available 2nd hand that I decided to go with the 350, subsequently discovering there wasn't much difference in the 0-60 figure. The 450 has a bit over 300bhp - about 40bhp up on mine but it's significantly thirstier. I get about 24mpg from mine but I do have a heavy right foot.
Neighbour's friends were here over Christmas in their XC90 which normally looks big but next to mine it did not. I sit low in mine, deliberately because I like it that way even though I'm short, so I often look at other big 4x4s when driving and compare their driver height to me - and in a nutshell the GL is as big as just about everything else it could be compared with including a Disco4 in height and I believe it's longer than all the others except the Q7 however the Audi's sloping roof makes its load space a little less than the GL.
My only concern with the GL is what to replace it with when the time comes. Probably a GLS.
I have read your posts on the other forums requesting similar/tailored advice relative to their interests. My conclusions, having looked at a similar range of cars was:
Volvo XC90 - engine just not powerful enough for me, although the car in general is quite lovely inside and has decent luggage space. I liked the split tailgate.
BMW X5 - this isn't really a 7-seater and the addition of that 3rd row really squeezes the space. Drives more like a car (than a truck like the Merc ML which is it's nearest competitor) but I found the ride harsh. Good 3-litre diesel engine. My wife owned an X5 for 6-weeks (until it was stolen off the drive) and we both liked it but not enough to replace it with another. Overall the car-like driving experience was too harsh. I had an ML at the time which felt slower, heavier but more indestructible and was amazing off-road.
Audi Q7 - smaller inside than the Merc GL but feels both larger to drive (exterior) AND lighter. Actually more car-like to drive on the road than the GL but doesn't come as well equipped for off-road use (I need a little off road capability). 3rd row seats not as big as GL's but I'm short and found them comfortable when testing them.
Worth noting that, despite their size a lot of these have fairly low towing capabilities. The Disco3 and 4 can tow 3.5 tonnes as can the Merc ML and GL. The Audi is limited to 2.2 tonnes and the Beemer is similar. I'm not sure how the Volvo stacks up in this context.
So, I chose Mercedes but my brother has a Q7. Together they are bloody brilliant. I also have a 2m x 1m roof box and a towbar mounted bike rack (4x bikes). When we go away, it feels as though we can pour our entire collection of belongings into these two behemoths and want for nothing while we're on holiday.
I am trying to organise a "Trucks to Tromsø" winter tour, where we drive up to watch the Northern Lights. I want to prove that these so-called soft roaders are good enough to do this. I want to try and recruit a range of this type of car for Feb 2018. So far I've had a bit of interest but people are put off by the distance. I'm refining the tour and looking at ferries right now.
Volvo XC90 - engine just not powerful enough for me, although the car in general is quite lovely inside and has decent luggage space. I liked the split tailgate.
BMW X5 - this isn't really a 7-seater and the addition of that 3rd row really squeezes the space. Drives more like a car (than a truck like the Merc ML which is it's nearest competitor) but I found the ride harsh. Good 3-litre diesel engine. My wife owned an X5 for 6-weeks (until it was stolen off the drive) and we both liked it but not enough to replace it with another. Overall the car-like driving experience was too harsh. I had an ML at the time which felt slower, heavier but more indestructible and was amazing off-road.
Audi Q7 - smaller inside than the Merc GL but feels both larger to drive (exterior) AND lighter. Actually more car-like to drive on the road than the GL but doesn't come as well equipped for off-road use (I need a little off road capability). 3rd row seats not as big as GL's but I'm short and found them comfortable when testing them.
Worth noting that, despite their size a lot of these have fairly low towing capabilities. The Disco3 and 4 can tow 3.5 tonnes as can the Merc ML and GL. The Audi is limited to 2.2 tonnes and the Beemer is similar. I'm not sure how the Volvo stacks up in this context.
So, I chose Mercedes but my brother has a Q7. Together they are bloody brilliant. I also have a 2m x 1m roof box and a towbar mounted bike rack (4x bikes). When we go away, it feels as though we can pour our entire collection of belongings into these two behemoths and want for nothing while we're on holiday.
I am trying to organise a "Trucks to Tromsø" winter tour, where we drive up to watch the Northern Lights. I want to prove that these so-called soft roaders are good enough to do this. I want to try and recruit a range of this type of car for Feb 2018. So far I've had a bit of interest but people are put off by the distance. I'm refining the tour and looking at ferries right now.
Edited by Watchman on Wednesday 4th January 09:43
One thing to remember is that from the X166 model year onwards there has been a significant shift in the GL class platform and handling. I did not like the way the X164 handled and drove, a bit to much old school 4x4 for my liking, more akin to say a Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon. However they've really updated the platform, handling, controls etc. The airmatic suspension with active cornering control is what I would recommend as minimum option, and also the HK sound system and ILS headlight system. Don't forget the current name change to GLS is still an X166.
If you are tempted by the cheaper older one, make certain you check out the current X166 GL or GLS platform, or if it goes out of the budget stay well clear
If you are tempted by the cheaper older one, make certain you check out the current X166 GL or GLS platform, or if it goes out of the budget stay well clear
hi there.
have had a few of these; had a succession older v8 diesel ones; a GL420cdi, then GL450cdi which were good and quick and then replaced about 14months ago with a GL63 AMG; what a hoot and makes the most amazing noise!
only problem is it has made my sporty car a bit redundant as the GL is as quick as it, but I can fit the missus, 5 kids and the dog in it and it is the best all round vehicle I have had.
I like how it is rare to see ( where I am certainly ), unlike the 'shouty' seen everywhere range rovers and still feels a better vehicle than my old mans latest gen Q7.
Not driven the latest version yet, but it is just a facelift with slightly diff dash.
Will replace with a GLS63 at some point...wouldn't consider anything else now.
In my experience, essentials are panoramic roof and light interior; had black leather on our first and it felt like a cave at times, grey nappa in our 2nd which was a huge improvement and it took an age to find a nearly new GL63 with ivory nappa leather which may sound a bit pimpish but is amazing with obsidian black paint...seems very resistant to getting grubby also..
However, a few months ago I bought a new V250 sport which has 8 seats to replace my Vito Brabus van...same again, obsidian black with ivory nappa leather...that's also an amazing bit of kit. Most of the time we actually will pile in that if we are all together just for ease as its just massive inside and drives like the GL and looks like my GL dash inside!
have had a few of these; had a succession older v8 diesel ones; a GL420cdi, then GL450cdi which were good and quick and then replaced about 14months ago with a GL63 AMG; what a hoot and makes the most amazing noise!
only problem is it has made my sporty car a bit redundant as the GL is as quick as it, but I can fit the missus, 5 kids and the dog in it and it is the best all round vehicle I have had.
I like how it is rare to see ( where I am certainly ), unlike the 'shouty' seen everywhere range rovers and still feels a better vehicle than my old mans latest gen Q7.
Not driven the latest version yet, but it is just a facelift with slightly diff dash.
Will replace with a GLS63 at some point...wouldn't consider anything else now.
In my experience, essentials are panoramic roof and light interior; had black leather on our first and it felt like a cave at times, grey nappa in our 2nd which was a huge improvement and it took an age to find a nearly new GL63 with ivory nappa leather which may sound a bit pimpish but is amazing with obsidian black paint...seems very resistant to getting grubby also..
However, a few months ago I bought a new V250 sport which has 8 seats to replace my Vito Brabus van...same again, obsidian black with ivory nappa leather...that's also an amazing bit of kit. Most of the time we actually will pile in that if we are all together just for ease as its just massive inside and drives like the GL and looks like my GL dash inside!
Hey Murph
Am in exactly the same position as you.
Have three kids - 4, 6 and 8. Currently have a Lexus RX as the family bus which has been fine for scooters, small kiddie bikes, etc but more and more we find ourselves out of space. Just came back from a ski trip and it was a bit painful with the kids... It's now 3 big bikes, lots of friends on play dates, etc etc. We therefore realistically need a large 5 seat SUV that also has another 2 seats to accommodate kids or adults for short journeys.
All the 5 seater SUVs - Cayennes, etc have been discounted so we are stuck with the same list as you - Disco 4/5, new XC90, Q7, GLS.
I coach junior rugby and with three small kids our car will be a genuine workhorse ferrying kids around and dealing with muddy boots, bikes, general crap etc etc. Live in London so realistically it will be bumped one day, generally scuffed around, etc Spending £65k+ on a nice shiny Audi/Land Rover and see it all messed up by the kids just isn't a nice proposition so also looked at some left field options like the Shogun, etc but they seem very agricultural.
Thus far my view:
XC90 - the no brainer choice. Attractive price compared to Germans, safe, practical etc and good deals on 2nd hand versions. Engine puts me off though....
Disco 4 - is it too old now esp given the Disco 5 coming out??
Disco 5 - too expensive and too "Range Rover" for what we need??
Q7 - Haven't been in one yet so reserve judgment
GLS - is it too big for London??
At the moment the inner child in me wants the GLS - all black with tinted windows and AMG alloys....
Let me know what you decide.
Am in exactly the same position as you.
Have three kids - 4, 6 and 8. Currently have a Lexus RX as the family bus which has been fine for scooters, small kiddie bikes, etc but more and more we find ourselves out of space. Just came back from a ski trip and it was a bit painful with the kids... It's now 3 big bikes, lots of friends on play dates, etc etc. We therefore realistically need a large 5 seat SUV that also has another 2 seats to accommodate kids or adults for short journeys.
All the 5 seater SUVs - Cayennes, etc have been discounted so we are stuck with the same list as you - Disco 4/5, new XC90, Q7, GLS.
I coach junior rugby and with three small kids our car will be a genuine workhorse ferrying kids around and dealing with muddy boots, bikes, general crap etc etc. Live in London so realistically it will be bumped one day, generally scuffed around, etc Spending £65k+ on a nice shiny Audi/Land Rover and see it all messed up by the kids just isn't a nice proposition so also looked at some left field options like the Shogun, etc but they seem very agricultural.
Thus far my view:
XC90 - the no brainer choice. Attractive price compared to Germans, safe, practical etc and good deals on 2nd hand versions. Engine puts me off though....
Disco 4 - is it too old now esp given the Disco 5 coming out??
Disco 5 - too expensive and too "Range Rover" for what we need??
Q7 - Haven't been in one yet so reserve judgment
GLS - is it too big for London??
At the moment the inner child in me wants the GLS - all black with tinted windows and AMG alloys....
Let me know what you decide.
Thanks Watchman
Funnily I just did the same and checked the actual dimensions from the manufacturer websites.
Somehow the GLS looks absolutely massive and all the reviews go on about how vast the car is but as you say it is only marginally longer than a Q7.
Need to find a dealer with a physical car for a test drive.
Funnily I just did the same and checked the actual dimensions from the manufacturer websites.
Somehow the GLS looks absolutely massive and all the reviews go on about how vast the car is but as you say it is only marginally longer than a Q7.
Need to find a dealer with a physical car for a test drive.
I have sat in a Q7 in a showroom and it felt like a much bigger car than our XC90. Looking at dimensions it is. But unlikely to be materially so (but that's why I want a decent length test run in the cars).
Am going to try Land Rovers first I think....money wise they probably make the most sense, at least short term wise.
Erik - XC90s are the same money as Q7s I think. Mercs a notch above.
Am going to try Land Rovers first I think....money wise they probably make the most sense, at least short term wise.
Erik - XC90s are the same money as Q7s I think. Mercs a notch above.
Thanks Murph
Have been keeping a eye on various prices and there are some pretty decent deals on second hand (new) XC90s.
I had carwow price me up a new Q7 and received an offer of 12% off without any haggling.
The Disco 4 would make a lot of sense to us but call me a car snob it would annoy me to buy an 'old' car just when a new one is coming out (I know...). The Disco 5 will no doubt be great but at £70k for the spec I was looking at and no discounts yet I'm not sure it makes sense. Can get into a very nice XC90/Q7 for much much less than that.
Will have to see what deals I could get on the GLS.
Have been keeping a eye on various prices and there are some pretty decent deals on second hand (new) XC90s.
I had carwow price me up a new Q7 and received an offer of 12% off without any haggling.
The Disco 4 would make a lot of sense to us but call me a car snob it would annoy me to buy an 'old' car just when a new one is coming out (I know...). The Disco 5 will no doubt be great but at £70k for the spec I was looking at and no discounts yet I'm not sure it makes sense. Can get into a very nice XC90/Q7 for much much less than that.
Will have to see what deals I could get on the GLS.
Ended up going for an XC90.
Didn't even sitting in a GLS as they are thing on the ground and the dealers weren't exactly forthcoming (they were always going to need to try as the Merc is a lot more expensive than the others. They didn't bother at all).
My Mrs also thought they looked like a tank. In a woman's eyes that is apparently not a good thing
A full verdict here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Didn't even sitting in a GLS as they are thing on the ground and the dealers weren't exactly forthcoming (they were always going to need to try as the Merc is a lot more expensive than the others. They didn't bother at all).
My Mrs also thought they looked like a tank. In a woman's eyes that is apparently not a good thing
A full verdict here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I'm not sure where in the UK you are but I'm in the Midlands - you could have had a look at mine. Or, you could have tried Saxton4x4 in Chelmsford - that's where I travelled to for mine, and they have loads.
That said, it sounds like you got what you wanted, so congratulations.
Can I interest you in a 4000 mile round trip to the north of Norway in Feb next year?
That said, it sounds like you got what you wanted, so congratulations.
Can I interest you in a 4000 mile round trip to the north of Norway in Feb next year?
Edited by Watchman on Sunday 29th January 15:30
Watchman said:
I'm not sure where in the UK you are but I'm in the Midlands - you could have had a look at mine. Or, you could have tried Saxton4x4 in Chelmsford - that's where I travelled to for mine, and they have loads.
That said, it sounds like you got what you wanted, so congratulations.
Can I interest you in a 4000 mile round trip to the north of Norway in Feb next year?
I'm actually not far from Chelmsford! And for some reason Saxton didn't crop up. Looking specifically at their site does highlight that the nearest ones in price are 3yrs old though. That said, there seem to be a bunch more on Autotrader at the moment and some around the right price/age marker.That said, it sounds like you got what you wanted, so congratulations.
Can I interest you in a 4000 mile round trip to the north of Norway in Feb next year?
Ah well, as you note the family's happy
(Though my 4yr old is asking why we have to give the old Volvo up and that he and the car will be sad )I'd love to come to Norway! I'm not sure I'd get sanction from the OH though, and will be finding it difficult prising the car from her hands I think!!
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