Took a GL420 on an extended test drive this afternoon - dealer brought the car over from Stoke to Shrewsbury for me to have for the day. Interested in the GL420 for two reasons - firstly its quick and luxurious - secondly its current discounted by a massive £12k from Merc (subsidised by both Merc UK and the dealership).











Engine is superb - 306bhp @ 2585Kg and 700Nm (2200-2600rpm) makes it really shift. On paper this makes it more powerful and lighter than the RRS TDV8 however not driven the TDV8 yet so cant make direct comparison - it is definetely quicker and smoother than the Q7 4.2tdi though. However what makes it feel so good is the gearbox - the changes are extremely smooth and at times you can only see the up shift by the rev change.

Handling was fine - the steering feels heavier than the RRS however it handles very well for a long car.

The most impressive part of the car however is the ride - the short lane to our house was made across a field and is basically maintained by noone - the RRS does bang and crash across the holes when travelling over 20mph (wifey has to do 5mph in the Mini) however the GL just glided across it and just soaked up all the holes - very impressive

The interior feels quality - from the stitching over the dashboard to the extremely comfortable (infinitely adjustable) seats it really is a nice place to be - plus it feels like a 4x4 from behind the wheel (unlike the X5, Q7 etc imo).

Other likes
- Auto Boot - now the GL has a proper Auto boot opener/closer - very trick
- Rear space - it is vast!!!
- Cruuse control - very intuitive

Dislikes
- Looks - its no RRS - I do like it, however not completely sold on the looks at the minute - the Brabus conversion looks better
- SatNav - on 4 digit Post Code entry and the final instruction came just a bit too late (basically on the junction)

Overall, I seriously recommend a drive - a great engine and a sublime drive - I just need the quality/interior and engine in a RRS

It's big enough to qualify as a very comfortable campervan......................................... 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Tim in Scotland wrote:

It's big enough to qualify as a very comfortable campervan.........................................

its only 5m x 2.1m

Seen one or two on the road i think they look good but may be with a set on 20" tho  RRS TDV6 Gone but still around
SL55 AMG
760Li Alpina
BMW 535D M Sport
BMW X6 XDrive35D
BMW 320D Coupe M Sport
And A Van For Rex!

WINNER - 2008's Idler Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Comedian Of The Year
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I love boobies i love boobies i love boobies cuz i'm a big kid now! (Come on everybody sing with me you know the words!)

JayMann wrote:

Seen one or two on the road i think they look good but may be with a set on 20" tho

quite right Jay - dealer found one in Black for us with 20" alloys (plus every other option) - a £71k car for £57k

Cool can you get night vision on the GL as well


One thing you have to remember is if your saving so much then they may drop just as much in a year as well  RRS TDV6 Gone but still around
SL55 AMG
760Li Alpina
BMW 535D M Sport
BMW X6 XDrive35D
BMW 320D Coupe M Sport
And A Van For Rex!

WINNER - 2008's Idler Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Comedian Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Funniest Incident

I love boobies i love boobies i love boobies cuz i'm a big kid now! (Come on everybody sing with me you know the words!)

JayMann wrote:

Cool can you get night vision on the GL as well


One thing you have to remember is if your saving so much then they may drop just as much in a year as well

So what's next on the test drive list or was that the last one? RRS TDV6 Gone but still around
SL55 AMG
760Li Alpina
BMW 535D M Sport
BMW X6 XDrive35D
BMW 320D Coupe M Sport
And A Van For Rex!

WINNER - 2008's Idler Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Comedian Of The Year
WINNER - 2008's Funniest Incident

I love boobies i love boobies i love boobies cuz i'm a big kid now! (Come on everybody sing with me you know the words!)

All I can say is -






Nice Mini! 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


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Yeah....

No doubt it's comfy and luxurious but it's one fugly car. Seriously needs some sort of sports kit and bigger wheels. It reminds me a bit of a bigger Vauxhall Meriva for some reason. 

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
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I agree - its not the best looking cars around - however it really is a great drive - I'd recommend a test drive just for reference.

Discounted from £71k to £56k................................... that kinda shoots a huge hole in Mercedes reputation for rock solid residuals. I wonder how many folks paid full list for one last year when they first came to the market...... my bank manager took delivery of one of the first ones in the UK - a black one with privacy glass and big wheels.
I see in this week's autocar mag that merc isn't bringing the new compact GLK to the UK at all, they say it's because they cannot engineer the 4WD system for RHD........... doesn't seem to have been a problem with any other G class with 4WD so I bet it is because they cannot sell the G's here.
BTW I read the other day that RRSport is the best car in the UK for it's retaining it's residuals! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Sorry but it does look like a Honda Odyssey on Steroids Another Pommie Bar Steward down under

MY20 Defender 110 SE P400 Eiger/Ebony
MY10 3.0 RRS TDv6 Fuji/Ebony/Anigre

Tim in Scotland wrote:

Discounted from £71k to £56k................................... that kinda shoots a huge hole in Mercedes reputation for rock solid residuals.

Seems you can do huge deals on expensive Mercs... a mate of mine bought an SL350 a while ago and got that for about 12k off list. 

2009 Outstanding Contribution Award - Joint Runner Up
2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award - Runner Up

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