Mercedes GL Series SUVs with Bluetec Diesel

[MrMoose]

I'm feeling too lazy to Google this again, so I thought that I'd post it to the forum with the hope that someone knows the answer. There aren't a lot of choices for diesel SUVs these days if one wants to buy new. I'm eyeing a new Land Rover Discovery, but it might not be available by the time that I need it, so I'm looking at plan B.
I know that @swatski and @Julian, are itching to tell me how great their Q7 tdi is, but let's not go there just yet.
Does anybody know why there are so many reasonably priced used Mercedes SUVs with Bluetec Diesel for sale?
It doesn't appear that diesels are offered in the new Mercedes SUV models in Canada, which is an indication that something is up.
I'm afraid of buying a problem that is common knowledge to the current Bluetec owners.
Thanks

 

[Sotally Tober]

I can't speak on behalf of the Merc, but I've owned two BMW X5 Diesels in the past and absolutely loved them. We were going to buy a 2017 X5 M-Sport Diesel but decided to splurge and buy a 2017 BMW X5M. I will be posting more pics in the tow rig section next week once I get it back from my mod shop. Currently having it tuned to push over 700hp/700lbs of torque.

 

[Bruce]

I can't speak on behalf of the Merc, but I've owned two BMW X5 Diesels in the past and absolutely loved them. We were going to buy a 2017 X5 M-Sport Diesel but decided to splurge and buy a 2017 BMW X5M. I will be posting more pics in the tow rig section next week once I get it back from my mod shop. Currently having it tuned to push over 700hp/700lbs of torque.

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I thought you were moving to Texas, are you in Florida instead? And if you are in Florida why have you not signed up to go to Bimini?

 

[Sotally Tober]

I thought you were moving to Texas, are you in Florida instead? And if you are in Florida why have you not signed up to go to Bimini?

We just register our vehicles in FL (cheaper).

We have a rental property in Jacksonville that we maintain. I will be making the shift to San Antonio a week from tomorrow.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Have you looked at the Jaguar F Pace? The diesel has an MSRP in the low 40s.

 

[robert843]

@Ramblin Wreck I did not even know that vehicle existed that is nice but a little short on the towing capacity but a sharp looking vehicle. @MrMoose I know you do not want to hear about the Q7's but the have anounced the recall fix numbers and if you buy one know once they start fixing the emission issues you will receive a check for $10K plus $1500 from Bosch so that means you can buy a used one today and get $11,500 back in a few months on your purchase so if you can find one for $35,000 you are really only going to be paying $23,500 for one just throwing it out there.

 

[MrMoose]

@Ramblin Wreck I did not even know that vehicle existed that is nice but a little short on the towing capacity but a sharp looking vehicle. @MrMoose I know you do not want to hear about the Q7's but the have anounced the recall fix numbers and if you buy one know once they start fixing the emission issues you will receive a check for $10K plus $1500 from Bosch so that means you can buy a used one today and get $11,500 back in a few months on your purchase so if you can find one for $35,000 you are really only going to be paying $23,500 for one just throwing it out there.

I won't be buying till June, and it will be a Canadian purchase.

 

[robert843]

I won't be buying till June, and it will be a Canadian purchase.

Canada has a settlement as well but I do not know the details of it and you can still buy in June and qualify at least in the US settlement you can.

 

[robert843]

All that being said I'm not saying I'm a fan of the Q7 but seems like a good deal if I was in the market for one of those type vehicles but I would proably purchase the Porsche Model if the 3rd row wasn't needed since it qualifies as well.

 

[Thom]

@MrMoose I'm not sure what the deal is with the used GL Bluetec market, but the OM642 3.0 V6 diesel that it is equipped with is a great engine. The fact that it's still in production after a decade unchanged other than a new formulation for some of the seals is pretty a pretty good testament. I've had a half dozen 'benzes over the years, and by far my 2008 E320 Bluetec with the OM642 was my favorite. I bought it new and sold it in 2013 with 80k trouble free miles on the clock. Other than routine maintenance, the only thing I had to do to it was clean the EGR valve. I wish I hadn't sold it - my 2014 Lexus GS350 F is a bit sexier, but there's not much that beats MB in terms of refinement in my book.

 

[jameskeller76]

I can't speak on behalf of the Merc, but I've owned two BMW X5 Diesels in the past and absolutely loved them. We were going to buy a 2017 X5 M-Sport Diesel but decided to splurge and buy a 2017 BMW X5M. I will be posting more pics in the tow rig section next week once I get it back from my mod shop. Currently having it tuned to push over 700hp/700lbs of torque.

View attachment 51173

Are you towing your boat with the X5M?
I've been wanting to get another M3 but don't like the idea of having to keep the F150 just for towing. This might satisfy my need for speed while be able to tow. Towing capacity is not high but the torque is certainly plenty.

 

[Bruce]

Are you towing your boat with the X5M?
I've been wanting to get another M3 but don't like the idea of having to keep the F150 just for towing. This might satisfy my need for speed while be able to tow. Towing capacity is not high but the torque is certainly plenty.

James, not sure if you know but @Sotally Tober just relocated to your area.

 

[jameskeller76]

James, not sure if you know but @Sotally Tober just relocated to your area.

@Sotally Tober you make it up to Lake Travis?

 

[Matt Phillips]

I had a 2014 x5 Diesel and the tow rating on all x5s at the time was only 6,000 pounds. If you do decide to go the x5 way, definitely go with the Invisihitch...it's pricy, but the better option for a hitch. I sold the x5 after a year as it's best friend was the service bay...for about a week at a time.

I then went to a 2016 Cayenne Diesel. Love that car. It's great to drive, will honestly get 32mpg on the highway (about 18-20 with the boat) and can tow 7700 pounds. The only drawback is VW Dieselgate...which will be settled one way or another somewhat soon.

A few more options to think about:

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee is (or was available) with the diesel.
2. Ram 1500 comes with a 3.0 diesel
3. The Chevy Colorado (and it's GMC twin) come with a 2.8l diesel and a 7700 towing rating (I didn't know that until this week)
4. the F150 will be out late in 2017 with a 3.0 diesel

 

[Sotally Tober]

Are you towing your boat with the X5M?
I've been wanting to get another M3 but don't like the idea of having to keep the F150 just for towing. This might satisfy my need for speed while be able to tow. Towing capacity is not high but the torque is certainly plenty.

Words can't express how awesome this vehicle is to drive. It can do everything! Tow a boat, drag race, track, and cruise... I know longer dread driving anywhere. In fact it's the complete opposite, I look for excuses to drive this beast. The Dinan Tune is a must! The X5M is night and day different than any other X5 and with the exception of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S any other SUV. As expected, it tows like nothing is behind it. The M Model is definitely worth the extra 25-30,000. I have an "invisa hitch" installed so you can never tell it has a tow package.

 

[Sotally Tober]

@Sotally Tober you make it up to Lake Travis?

Sure did! Here is a pic of Sotally Tober at it's new home in Emerald Point Marina. You can catch us at Devils Cove in two weeks on Saturday, 15 April and of course every holiday weekend.

 

[jameskeller76]

I had a 2014 x5 Diesel and the tow rating on all x5s at the time was only 6,000 pounds. If you do decide to go the x5 way, definitely go with the Invisihitch...it's pricy, but the better option for a hitch. I sold the x5 after a year as it's best friend was the service bay...for about a week at a time.

I then went to a 2016 Cayenne Diesel. Love that car. It's great to drive, will honestly get 32mpg on the highway (about 18-20 with the boat) and can tow 7700 pounds. The only drawback is VW Dieselgate...which will be settled one way or another somewhat soon.

A few more options to think about:

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee is (or was available) with the diesel.
2. Ram 1500 comes with a 3.0 diesel
3. The Chevy Colorado (and it's GMC twin) come with a 2.8l diesel and a 7700 towing rating (I didn't know that until this week)
4. the F150 will be out late in 2017 with a 3.0 diesel

Only reason I would look at the X5m would be for the

Sure did! Here is a pic of Sotally Tober at it's new home in Emerald Point Marina. You can catch us at Devils Cove in two weeks on Saturday, 15 April and of course every holiday weekend.

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Nice! Looks like you found the Rusty Rudder also. We go there and Gnarly Gar. Unfortunately Gnarly Gar just opened up their new building and it was seriously damaged in the storms yesterday. We'll ping you in a couple of weeks. We are out there just about every weekend.