M-b gl450

[JFScheck]

More power?

[kellykellyi]

It is confusing to me which actually does have more power. 2014 specs are below. I don't know how to tell which will be better at towing and it's making me nuts. Seems the Diesel has more torque at a lower rpm while the gas has more horsepower but at a much higher rpm. What is more important?

GL350 BlueTEC SUV
3.0L turbodiesel V-6
Towing Capacity 7,500lbs ‡
Horsepower 240hp@3600 rpm
Torque 455lb-ft@ 1,600-2,400 rpm

GL450 4MATIC SUV
4.6L biturbo gasoline V-8
Towing Capacity 7,500lbs ‡
Horsepower 362hp@5,000-6,000 rpm
Torque 406lb-ft@ 1,500-4,000 rpm

[jmcarter]

It's all about the torque. The torque comes in so much lower that you miss all the trans downshift theatrics and the motor is in the torque sweet spot as you cruise down the interstate. Range and mileage are dramatically increased as well. If you only tow a small amount then the torque doesn't come into play quite as much.

[rostam]

I have not driven the new 450, but just looking at numbers

Actually, the 450 has 406 ft-lb of torque from a low RPM as well, and it has that max torque over a wider range than 350.

More horsepower means it can tow at a faster speed.

350 will have much better fuel economy though, and the Diesel engine is built like a tank so it should be much more durable, towing or not

[rostam]

Think of it this way: how much you can tow depends on torque. How fast you can tow depends on horsepower.

A vehicle with a torque of 400 can tow more than a vehicle with a torque of 250.

A vehicle with torque of 400 and HP of 400, can tow faster than a vehicle with torque if 400 and HP of 200.

[switz]

When I ordered my 2007 ML with the diesel, the actually a 3 liter V6 diesel had substantially more torgue than the V8 gas engine, especially at the low end for towing and normal driving. The V8 has more horsepower at high rpms that would not normally be in the range for towing or driving for that matter.

I get 28 mpg on the highway where the V8 gets in the low teens.

[rostam]

If I'm not mistaken, the new gasoline engines are direct injection and have a fat max torque curve from low RPMs. 406 of torque is what Touareg TDI produces.

[kellykellyi]

So is that 2 votes diesel, 1 vote gas and 1 vote for either?

The fuel economy is 14/19 for gas and 19/26 for the diesel.

The 0 - 60 time of the gas is about 7 seconds as opposed to the diesel of 10 seconds but both felt like they could GO.

I can't decide! I have a GL350 on order but won't get it until at least mid June and I think my impatience is making me second guess my decision. I am realistically only going to tow about 6 times per year, if I am lucky.

[rostam]

I own a 350. So I'm biased. It has better resale value compared to a gasoline engine. I think u need to decide this on your own not based on our votes

[kellykellyi]

I am half joking, I did decide on the 350 but now that I am sitting around waiting I am second guessing myself. The abundance of 450's is killing me so I could have one now and be done with this. And I am starting to notice the number of gas stations that do not have diesel so I'm starting to get a bit worried that the diesel thing may wind up being a pain. I live in Los Angeles so it is 50/50 that diesel is offered at any given gas station

[switz]

I have a range of 620+ miles with my 2007 ML320 CDI. Somehow, I think you can find a fuel station with that range.

When I first got the car in October of 2006 and drove cross country from Indiana to Arizona, the "new" diesel fuel was sparse. I looked for Ford dealers as they sold diesel pickups and there would be a diesel station with the "new" fuel nearby.

Most Chevron stations have diesel fuel here in the Phoenix area of Arizona. Be aware that Love's truck stops are now carrying up to 15% bio-diesel which is more than either my 2007 MB or 2012 Ram 2500HD can handle without damage.

I have nearly 115,000 miles on the car and it runs well. One might say the engine is just broken in. As a treat, I replaced the accelerator and brake pedal rubber covers at 100,000 miles as they were worn.

The Albuquerque MB dealer I stopped at on the trip over to Arizona in 2006 said the brakes would only last 20,000 miles. Since I use the paddle shifters to drop gears for engine braking, I did my first brake pad replacement (with over 15% left) at the 100,000 mile point. Ask to see the old brakes pads after the service to be sure you are not scammed. Be aware some dealers replace items early for creative sales.

You will have to live with the "DEF" fluid. You can get it at any automotive shop and not pay MB $250 for the service.