2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Consumer Reviews

real value

Written by: barbaqued on 05/07/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

I really like the car. The handling is excellent and so is the fuel economy. The cabin is quite and stays cool even our Arizona summer. There was an issue with the radio that took three tries to fix. Apparently a window switch was interfering with a speaker and causing distortion. The navigation really needs some help so does the i-pod interface. If you have ever used a Garmen you will be frustrated with Mercedes navigation. I have pulled large trailers without problem. After 20,000 miles I am planning to buy a 2009.

Favorite Features

Towing capacity and rear folding seats

Suggested Improvements

NAVIGATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Radio features

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV with diesel

Written by: GB19 on 04/14/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

SUV has been great so far. Fuel consumption has been v. good (23.5 mpg avg. so far over 6K miles, 26+ mpg on longer hwy trips - I used to avg. 16.5 mpg with my old Sequoia!). Seats are very comfortable (feel hard at first, but are great on long trips). Ride quality is excellent + acceleration with the diesel is v. good for a large SUV, but be sure to make a cutout if installing non-MB rubber mats, otherwise you will limit the travel of the accelerator pedal! Interior is v. nice (especially with real leather), exterior looks good, except a bit minivan- ish from the rear. So far has been reliable except for a problem with the charging of a secondary battery. Main gripes are with stereo/nav.

Favorite Features

Acceleration and fuel consumption with diesel. Ride quality. Interior styling and front end exterior styling. Comfort of heated leather seats. 3rd row seats fold into floor.

Suggested Improvements

Make iPod controllable from Nav screen, not just from steering wheel controls. Make voice-control capable of controlling satellite radio. Improve address input on Nav. More storage (e.g. sunglasses holder). Faster opening rear hatch. Backup camera needs to switch on quicker instead of warning.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Oil leak causes stirring wheel to lock

Written by: NJG on 03/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

With less than 6000 miles on the car has had issues with tire pressure, brakes, warning lights and then mother of all car stopping all together in the middle of a busy rd. due to an oil leak that caused the stirring wheel belt to come off. Dealer took close to 2 hrs to send assistance and cannot figure out where the leak is coming from. I will never ever buy MB. Their service stinks for the money one pays. Anyone even remotely considering this car should really burn their money than risk their children's life in this car.

Favorite Features

NONE

Suggested Improvements

stop selling this car if not able to provide the service to customers.

3 out 7 people found this review helpful

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It's OK

Written by: It's OK. on 02/19/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

I've had the wagon for about six months now and it's a good car. I haven't had any problems to speak of. The seats are firm, but not the most comfortable, I could drag a house down the street with this thing, but won't any races, and my mileage is excellent (avg. 21mpg hwy/cty), all typical of a diesel. That said, everything electric about it is inferior to the domestic wagons. The power lift- gate is slow and doesn't always close, the nav. is a pain to use and slow in responding, the rain sensing wipers typically do what they want, even on a sunny day, and the front parking "see dead people" and want to warn me about it. If you're thinking about a 4wd wagon, check out the Flex, cool & cheap.

Favorite Features

Sirius/XM radio, windshield washer button, front ambient lighting, the sound of the diesel engine when you punch it, the red button that sometimes closes the lift-gate, the sound of the nav. in Spanish, the white stitching on the black leather interior & dash, big brake pedal, excellent high beams

Suggested Improvements

Quit letting the Germans pick the seat comfort. Why can't we have the base model like the rest of the world? Go back to the mechanical shifter in the center console. I miss the hood ornament, bring that back along with the 80's style driver headrests. Bigger rearview mirrors. Huge blind spots.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The perfect SUV

Written by: Andy on 02/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

This is my wife/family car, we owned this GL320 CDI for more than a year and I love this SUV. Every time I drive it, I enjoy the ride. I drive a 335 convertible, but the handling, feeling and cornering of this truck is incredible. I strongly recommend this vehicle for big families, and if it's diesel more.

Favorite Features

Self leveling, paddle shifts, the torque of the engine is incredible. All electric features first quality.

Suggested Improvements

AMG version, navigation not friendly. DVD bad access.

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Nice Ride

Written by: Satisfied on 01/08/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Drive it and you'll likely buy it. It must be the best riding SUV on the market, bar none. Love the Airmatic suspension as it really soaks up the rough roads in PA. Speaking of rough roads, not one rattle. Love that. Have only owned for 1 month, but so far the love affair continues. The 19" Continentals are a bit noisier than the 18" standard Michelins, but this is a very very quiet car. And by car, I mean smooth riding SUV. Very satisfied.

Favorite Features

Ride comfort, handles like a much smaller vehicle, interior stitching on black interior, standard features and even 2 years later is still somewhat exclusive. You don't see yourself coming and going.

Suggested Improvements

Better nav, but then again it's German, not Japanese.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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I traded my 2007 GL450 for '08 GL550

Written by: hbmciver on 12/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Best decision I made; to upgrade to the GL550. Unless something else comes on the market I can't imagine owning anything else. The MB GL550 has it all, comfort, quality inside and out! I'll trade in 2010 if there are upgrades, otherwise my '08 actually gets better gas mileage hwy than it's rated for. I get 19-21 mpg, and the smoothest ride imaginable!

Favorite Features

Smooth ride, quiet, all features, large tires, reliability, concierge service. Acceleration is unreal.

Suggested Improvements

The navigation system could be upgraded.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Pathetic

Written by: Fed up on 11/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

The infotainment system is the worst I have seen in a luxury car. The controls are poorly designed and hard to use. The integration of the system is one of the worst I have seen. Tire pressure sensor is the dumbest I have seen. It tells you that pressure is low but you have to figure out in which tire and by how much. Many of the components failed in the first year of ownership requiring several visits to the dealer. Oil level sensor was replaced twice within the first 2 months. Tires and brakes wore out before 20k miles. Blue tooth adapter is a $500 option, but is not well integrated. Mine failed after 12 months and 6 days. I will never again purchase a Mercedes.

Favorite Features

Fantastic fuel economy for a people mover.

Suggested Improvements

Put the DVD player in an accessible spot. Also improve quality of electronics integration (ie. Bluetooth, speakers, navigation, radio, satellite radio)

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Gl 450 Major problems

Written by: tnance on 11/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL450 4dr SUV AWD (4.7L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I purchased the Gl 450 4.7 Ltr about 1 year ago. It has spent over 2.5-3 months at the dealership while attempting to fix electronic problems. While driving the vehicle it would surge and then the warning lights would start lighting up like Christmas. The lights warned of the following failures ABS, Air bags to many to name they were all on. Then a big red box on the led would state drive to the dealership immediatly without shifting gears, how you do that in an automatic I'm still trying to figure out. We live in an isolated state with few roads and long distances between help. My faith in the Gl is gone! Hope no one else has experienced this. It still looks nice parked in my garage.

Favorite Features

Style comfort and the navagation system which does not work in Alaska. Nice to look at parked in the garage.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel mileage, reliability and larger mirrors

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great Truck

Written by: Al on 08/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL320 CDI 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Review

Driving 400 miles every weekend to the cabin and back towing a variety of trailers has never been so effortless. It's been a true joy to drive in the snow, mud, and dirt. Figuring out when to raise the car and disable stability can get you out of trouble easily. I was a Suburban fan but this truck put the burb to shame and it's a lot cheaper to run. Towing 2 big snowmobiles 75mph in the winter still get 17-19 mpg.

Favorite Features

Nav, air conditioning and heat when I am away from car

Suggested Improvements

Bigger rear view mirrors

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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