2012 GL350 v. GL550
05-24-2016, 07:40 AM
#1
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GL350
2012 GL350 v. GL550
I was considering purchasing a 2012 GL350 because I need the 3rd row and like the idea of the fuel efficiency that comes with the diesel. However, after reading some reviews I'm concerned with the long term reliability of the Bluetec.
So I've now also started researching the 550...if I'm going with a gasser, I'll throw miles to the wind and take the power plus all the perks that come standard.
If you have EITHER the 350 or 550, what do you love/hate. How long have you had it, how reliable has it been and how $$$$ to maintain?
Both SUVs I'm considering have under 50k. 550 seems like something was replaced ever 2000 miles which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing (I have another thread on that if anyone can chime in) 350 has 35k miles and shows 3 maintenance reports...only wipers have been replaced thus far.
So I've now also started researching the 550...if I'm going with a gasser, I'll throw miles to the wind and take the power plus all the perks that come standard.
If you have EITHER the 350 or 550, what do you love/hate. How long have you had it, how reliable has it been and how $$$$ to maintain?
Both SUVs I'm considering have under 50k. 550 seems like something was replaced ever 2000 miles which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing (I have another thread on that if anyone can chime in) 350 has 35k miles and shows 3 maintenance reports...only wipers have been replaced thus far.
05-24-2016, 02:34 PM
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
If the 350 only had three things replaced, there is a tidal wave of repairs waiting to happen. Seems that most of the expensive diesel repairs are between 50k to 100k miles.
05-24-2016, 03:17 PM
#3
Pick your poison.
The 350 will throw the compressor, shocks, **** aka adblue heater and inter cooler seals (eventually) and tranny turbine sensors. It will give you almost 30mpg on the highway and 20 around town.
The 550 will throw compressor, shocks, front suspension bushings (sooner than the 350) and tranny turbine sensors. It will give you 18 mpg in the highway and 10-12 around town. It will give you also sportier feel, better highway acceleration and will chew expensive tires like no tomorrow.
The 350 will throw the compressor, shocks, **** aka adblue heater and inter cooler seals (eventually) and tranny turbine sensors. It will give you almost 30mpg on the highway and 20 around town.
The 550 will throw compressor, shocks, front suspension bushings (sooner than the 350) and tranny turbine sensors. It will give you 18 mpg in the highway and 10-12 around town. It will give you also sportier feel, better highway acceleration and will chew expensive tires like no tomorrow.
Last edited by alx; 05-24-2016 at 03:19 PM.
05-24-2016, 03:45 PM
#4
I was considering purchasing a 2012 GL350 because I need the 3rd row and like the idea of the fuel efficiency that comes with the diesel. However, after reading some reviews I'm concerned with the long term reliability of the Bluetec.
So I've now also started researching the 550...if I'm going with a gasser, I'll throw miles to the wind and take the power plus all the perks that come standard.
If you have EITHER the 350 or 550, what do you love/hate. How long have you had it, how reliable has it been and how $$$$ to maintain?
Both SUVs I'm considering have under 50k. 550 seems like something was replaced ever 2000 miles which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing (I have another thread on that if anyone can chime in) 350 has 35k miles and shows 3 maintenance reports...only wipers have been replaced thus far.
So I've now also started researching the 550...if I'm going with a gasser, I'll throw miles to the wind and take the power plus all the perks that come standard.
If you have EITHER the 350 or 550, what do you love/hate. How long have you had it, how reliable has it been and how $$$$ to maintain?
Both SUVs I'm considering have under 50k. 550 seems like something was replaced ever 2000 miles which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing (I have another thread on that if anyone can chime in) 350 has 35k miles and shows 3 maintenance reports...only wipers have been replaced thus far.
Last edited by lambo5321; 05-24-2016 at 03:47 PM.
05-24-2016, 05:11 PM
#5
Senior Member
I love my 2012 GL350. Wonderful car at 43,000 miles and so far the ignition switch has been the only issue. I am selling mine to purchase a new GLS350. I am in Central California and will be posting at $38,500 with transmission service completed, brand new run flats and the new ignition switch being installed next week. Good luck.
05-24-2016, 10:54 PM
#6
Senior Member
2012 GL350 here and we've owned it for 8 months and 7k miles. We purchased it with 41k on the clock. Tires were replaced at 35k by the previous owner and it seems they only performed normal maintenance from what I could gather from MB. The wiper blades and brakes (all 4) and rotors (all 4) were replaced as part of the CPO process. Since we've owned it the driver keyless go has been replaced, the driver rear keyless go currently needs replaced, the adBlue heater was replaced, the adBlue tank was replaced, NOx sensors were replaced.
It's annoying that it's had to go into the shop a few times, but we're happy overall being its still under factory warranty until November and then CPO kicks in.
It's annoying that it's had to go into the shop a few times, but we're happy overall being its still under factory warranty until November and then CPO kicks in.
