I wouldn't quite say the Bluetec Diesel version, as most American's probably could care less.

What was low-quality about the sun visor? Other than feeling cheap? Just because it feels cheap doesn't necessarily mean it is...

 

For some reason I never liked the GLK's. Maybe I'll change my mind when I actually drive it. Thanks for the review.

 

Yes, offering Bluetec Diesel sales in US would increase sales only slightly, not necessarily a good business decision.

And petty stuff like the sunvisor is just that, petty. It's more important that the visor is well-designed to be effective (at shading sun), easy to use and durable which is exactly what Benz designed it to be, so that it is a non-issue.

 

I just wanted to thank you for another amazing and very objective review of this vehicle. I like the way they look but the issue is they also look like they were designed for dwarves. I dont like being able to touch the back support of the back seat when I am in the drivers seat. This is the same reason I didnt buy a 335

 

Sure, Mike...anytime.

I guess, this time, for the most part, then, I have to go along with the crowd. I found a lot of good things about it. But you will admit its impressive build quality, won't you? I found that its road manners were about the same, overall, as the Q5's, but the steering wasn't quite as sharp. And the 3.5L Mercedes V6 is impressive.

 

Yes, there is a small but noticeable amount of road noise. As is often the case, that can vary with the tires that are mounted.

It is generally harder to isolate road noise from station-wagons, SUVs, and vehicles that are relatively open behind the rear-seats than it is in sedans. Sedans and coupes usually have the advantave of having the rear end of the vehicle closed off behind the seats....it is harder for tire/road noise to penetrate.


Agreed...to an extent. That is also the case, IMO, with the Toyota Venza.

 

I don't get the fuss over the zig-zag shift gates.

 

That probably won't be the case as the 2015 CAFE mileage-standards draw nearer, and suddenly the Bluetec's excellent combination of low-RPM torque and high mileage starts to look a whole lot more attractive. I've gotten several CL review requests, in the past, for Bluetec Mercedes/ BMW reviews. It is a superb powerplant. Its only downside, from what I can see, is the need for periodic urea-refills.

As for the sun-visors, I agree that they are there to primarily do a job (for function), and that it won't make any difference to the sun what is blocking it from your eyes. But, remember...we're talking about a premium, upmarket vehicle here...one that can easily run 45K or even 50K with options. As I see it, you don't put something right in front of the driver and front passenger that not only looks but feels like a piece of dried stucco....even the Kia Rio does better than that. In sunny climes (like CA) the visors will tend to get used quite a bit, too. That meands that they also have to have durable hinges/folding mechanisms. I have seen a number of them (not necessarily)wear out prematurely and tend to sag instead of staying up in their place when folded up. Last, when I review a car, I try to be thorough from stem to stern. That (might) include some items that others may consider trivial.....so be it.

 

When you deal with them in everyday driving and parking (like I do in my Outback), they can be a PITA. It is one of the (very) few features on my car that I don't like. In fact, Subaru, on the new Outbacks, went back to a fore/aft design.

And it's not just me...some auto journalists also complain about them.

 

Interesting, I've dealt with them all my life (Mercedes). And now I have it on my Camry Hybrid. I've also dealt with the fore-aft shifters all my life, and personally I prefer the zig-zag setup. It's easier to me to find the right gear I want without having to really pay attention or 'overshoot' it (like trying to go to reverse from drive and going too far to park). I think it's also much more difficult to accidentally knock it into a different gear while driving if you bump it.

 

Glad you enjoy them.....I'll have more coming, depending on vehicle availability.


Interior room, because of the high, conservative roofline, is generally pretty good. The only glitch is the tight rear legroom.

I'm not sure what you mean by "touching the back support of the back seat". Are you saying the upholstery is not padded well-enough, and that your back sinks through it to the seat-frame itself?

 

Fine. I respect your opinion on it. And you are (sometimes) correct that it makes it harder to bump the lever into a different gear. But, if the lever and mechanism/shift linkage are well-designed in the first place, that is not likely to happen either.

Many vehicles also have a gear-indicator on the dash that makes it easy to see what gear you are in....sometimes with different colors.

 

No need to remember what kind of car this is, I've owned a few.

I do not see how it compares to dried stucco**, which is what my house has btw so I know exactly what dried stucco looks and feels like. The wearing out, sagging and premature aging of visors has nothing to do with this Mercedes or any recent Mercedes of the last decade. Trivial chit-chat,... so be it.

Now that we've had the trivial visor review, I agree they are functional and working (or doing the job) as designed. The important hinges, mounts, latches and visor dimensions are well-designed and made of durable materials, emphazing function over plushness.

**Note: FYI, for those that are reading this thread to get helpful information about the GLK, the visors are covered in what accurately can be described as heavily grained vinyl (unlike the soft velvet type material that most of us have on our Lexus visors, which can become more easily soiled by dirty fingers).

 

Sure...anytime.


I wasn't terribly thrilled, either, with the first ones I saw at the D.C Auto Show a couple of years ago, but I did feel that some of the excessively-negative comments about them that were being tossed around even by some CL members were a little out of place. I feel even more so now after seeing the new 2011 version. I would (probably) buy one before either of its Audi Q5 or BMW X3 competitors, though I have to confess I like the BMW's steering and roadability.....(and less-confusing stalks)

Go to it. ...and enjoy yourself. They seem to be readily in stock, at least in my area.

 

Very nice review, Mike... as always As a sort of a co-owner of this thing, I basically agree with most of your points (especially about diesel - if it would've been available it would be our first choice instead of this inefficient gasoline crap ). Pretty impressive little vehicle, a (IMO) much, MUCH superior in just about every aspect to all the horrible crap Mercedes was producing in late 90's-early 2000's I still consider teh steering and brake response being a little bit too "mercedes-like" for my personal liking, but hey, I am not a primary driver so I am not really bothered by this small deficiency
Somebody mentioned something about it being sized for a "dwarf-like" people - I don't think I would agree with it, I don't consider myself being a dwarf-sized (I'm almost exactly 6 feet tall) and I fit perfectly in the driver's seat while allowing plenty of space (between driver's seat and rear bench) for an average person to seat behind me, same goes for my E90 sedan