Mercedes GL/GLS X166 - any good?
Discussion
There's not a whole load of obvious material about these on PH or online in general, which is surprising given how many were sold in the US. Car reviews at the time appear to be pretty positive but I'm looking for owner feedback as to what they are like to drive, running costs, general issues/things to be aware of etc. Residuals seem to be very good indeed especially compared to the most recent Audi Q7, which has haemorrhaged value.
Is there any benefit of going for the facelift GLS in 2016 other than for the new satnav design? Engines and everything else appears to be the same.
Is there any benefit of going for the facelift GLS in 2016 other than for the new satnav design? Engines and everything else appears to be the same.
We've got a 2015 GL350 and we love it. Great to drive, very comfortable, loads of space (for us and for loads in the boot), tows well and has been extremely reliable in the five years and 135k+ miles.since we bought it new (we intend to keep it very long term!). We went for cavansite blue with alpaca/dark basalt grey interior combo. The light interior makes the car feel very airy and luxurious, especially when combined with the panoramic roof.
Ours feels very well put together and being a MY2015, it doesn't have the hideous "tacked on" sat nat! No issues come to mind from the time we've had it and it's always serviced at our local dealer (who are great). I really can't think of a bad word to say about it to be honest!
If I drive it, I can get 26-28mpg or just over 30 on a good long run. My wife is a little heavy footed so she gets neater 25-27mpg. They are pretty quick and responsive too for a vehicle of that size and handle brilliantly - very sure-footed. Can't recall the servicing costs as we pay monthly but I don't recall them being particularly bad.
Tyres are huge (295/40R21 Continental SportContact5) and we get a lot of life out of ours (plus they wear evenly, unlike a lot of SUVs of this size). They'll set you back £190 a corner from Camskill. We do tend to switch to Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice on 20" rims in the winter but only really because we tend to get snowed in when.if it snows.
When looking around, you'll likely find quite a wide range of options added (or not!).As we knew we'd have it for a long time, we went for quite a few options including proper on-/off-road pack, panoramic root, Harmon Kardon, TV, lane-tracking, multi-contour seats, climate control, wood trim, etc. The optional tow-bar is concealed and swings down (in a rather comically way!) from behind the bumper, using a lever on the left side of the tailgate lip.
Bear in mind the UK cars were already very hlghly spec'd before you add options, compared to the average GL in the US. In 2015, the UK only had two options - GL350 diesel, with AMG body kit and bigger brakes/wheels or the GL63 (which I dismissed as the on- / off-road package wasn't available on it and it seemed a bit pointless really!). GLs are a rarity in the UK which adds to the appeal!
If you get one, I can also thoroughly recommend the Weathertech custom-fit weatherproof mats, designed to fit all three rows of seats. Absolutely brilliant.
https://www.weathertecheurope.com/uk/mercedes-benz...
Ours feels very well put together and being a MY2015, it doesn't have the hideous "tacked on" sat nat! No issues come to mind from the time we've had it and it's always serviced at our local dealer (who are great). I really can't think of a bad word to say about it to be honest!
If I drive it, I can get 26-28mpg or just over 30 on a good long run. My wife is a little heavy footed so she gets neater 25-27mpg. They are pretty quick and responsive too for a vehicle of that size and handle brilliantly - very sure-footed. Can't recall the servicing costs as we pay monthly but I don't recall them being particularly bad.
Tyres are huge (295/40R21 Continental SportContact5) and we get a lot of life out of ours (plus they wear evenly, unlike a lot of SUVs of this size). They'll set you back £190 a corner from Camskill. We do tend to switch to Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice on 20" rims in the winter but only really because we tend to get snowed in when.if it snows.
When looking around, you'll likely find quite a wide range of options added (or not!).As we knew we'd have it for a long time, we went for quite a few options including proper on-/off-road pack, panoramic root, Harmon Kardon, TV, lane-tracking, multi-contour seats, climate control, wood trim, etc. The optional tow-bar is concealed and swings down (in a rather comically way!) from behind the bumper, using a lever on the left side of the tailgate lip.
Bear in mind the UK cars were already very hlghly spec'd before you add options, compared to the average GL in the US. In 2015, the UK only had two options - GL350 diesel, with AMG body kit and bigger brakes/wheels or the GL63 (which I dismissed as the on- / off-road package wasn't available on it and it seemed a bit pointless really!). GLs are a rarity in the UK which adds to the appeal!
If you get one, I can also thoroughly recommend the Weathertech custom-fit weatherproof mats, designed to fit all three rows of seats. Absolutely brilliant.
https://www.weathertecheurope.com/uk/mercedes-benz...
Edited by StephenP on Friday 10th January 19:24
Sounds good!
This Carwow review on the other hand doesn't seem as good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq58_Ov6h4
Is it really as bad as he says on a B road?
This Carwow review on the other hand doesn't seem as good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq58_Ov6h4
Is it really as bad as he says on a B road?
The Stiglet said:
Sounds good!
This Carwow review on the other hand doesn't seem as good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq58_Ov6h4
Is it really as bad as he says on a B road?
Not watched the video but can't think of any problems with ours on any kind of road TBH (I'll watch the video tomorrow if I remember to see what he's saying!) This Carwow review on the other hand doesn't seem as good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKq58_Ov6h4
Is it really as bad as he says on a B road?
I have the X-166 AMG version and it's awesome, everything that you would expect it to be. Had no problems on country roads or any other type of road. Not the best of video reviews - so I only have a choice of three internal lighting options... Best thing about it is the internal space - tried a Q7 and RRS and they are so cramped in comparison
Have watched the video ... that's 10 minutes of my life I won't get back.
Re country roads, we live in the hilly bits of Lincolnshire (yes, it's not all flat!
) and our X166 is very capable and enjoyable to drive. Many of our roads are deteriorating, subsiding and breaking up yet our car seems to handle all of that with relative ease, no rattling/creaking and all but the nastiest potholes seem not to bother it. Lot's of windy roads and yet it always feels sure footed and allows rapid progress.
One thing to add though - I leave ours in Sport so it drops slightly, stiffens the suspension and increases the responsiveness of the throttle pedal. We only tend use the comfort setting on the roughest of road surfaces or off road. I can't remember for sure, but that might be a feature of the on-/off- road pack that was added to ours as an option.
Re country roads, we live in the hilly bits of Lincolnshire (yes, it's not all flat!
) and our X166 is very capable and enjoyable to drive. Many of our roads are deteriorating, subsiding and breaking up yet our car seems to handle all of that with relative ease, no rattling/creaking and all but the nastiest potholes seem not to bother it. Lot's of windy roads and yet it always feels sure footed and allows rapid progress.One thing to add though - I leave ours in Sport so it drops slightly, stiffens the suspension and increases the responsiveness of the throttle pedal. We only tend use the comfort setting on the roughest of road surfaces or off road. I can't remember for sure, but that might be a feature of the on-/off- road pack that was added to ours as an option.
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