thtguy

See alot of 07 GL450s at decent prices. Not usually a big fan of first year models, but my biggest concern is. do the M273 4.7L have the same issues as the M273 5.5L and the M272 with Timing Chain and Timing Gears. and does the Serial number after 30 088611 apply to the smaller V8?

I used to be a big Diesel Guy, Many VW diesels, and W114, W123, had a W124 450K miles on the "weak" headed OM603. Only major work done to that car was in 1989, the TSB to remove Particulate trap was done, and the dealer also surfaced the Head while they had it apart. It got rear ended and totaled.

just wondering if the newer "electronic" diesels are as long living? I currently have an W211 E55 so Air suspension doesn't scare me, unless they have more sensors than the cars do, for "offroad" use. I know that is the issues that Range Rovers have, more often it is a sensor or the compressor than it is the bags.

what are the gotchas to look for when doing a PPI/Test Drive?

BlownV8

The 450 is very reliable. I have over 200k miles on mine and it's been great. The only recurring issue is the cam plugs but it is a cheap DIY. The 320/350 have.some very expensive problems that will require.work. I would stay away from the diesel based on everything I've read on this forum. Also, MB just announced they were thinking about pulling all diesel sales away from the US.

a2j

I would say just the opposite. I would not touch 450 with a 40 foot poll.

thtguy

What year is your 450?

gl450x164

I have an 07 gl450 and aside from the complete suspension overhaul and the stupid timing gear...i really love the car. It has 170k miles and hoping to drive it till the wheels fall off

BlownV8

Mine is a 2007.

alx

lol.. there is a reason why a well kept 07 gasser is cheaper than a well kept 07 diesel.

also, once you start looking into higher mileage trucks - typical lifespan of the m273 is 200-300k miles. 750-1mil miles for om642 motor. this is based on my experience with those motors.

Helogunner82

as a GL owner I would stay the hell away from Mercedes-Benz unless you like your engine (OM 642) blowing up well before its time (88K). I've also had to get my air suspension replaced under warranty.

dieseldoc

As a former GL320 owner. Stay away unless you have an extended warranty or deep pockets!

a2j

Are you saying that every OM642 "blows up" (whatever that means) at 88k miles?

dieseldoc

Not every OM642 blows up but they do have issues like oil leaks. Expensive to fix. Those that have DEF cost even more to maintain. Got rid of mine with 72,000 miles. Nice vehicle but expensive to fix. I had extended warranty which paid for self in 8 years of ownership.

a2j

I fixed my oil leak issue and it was not expensive. Any vehicle can be expensive to maintain and fix if you take it to the dealer to do any work on it.

mefferso

THIS!!

amthatiam

Big fan of the diesel, we have two both 08. One a GL320 the other an ML320, mine, the GL has 184,000 plus and has been extremely reliable. I did have the oil cooler seals leak @ 10,000 miles ago (very common as stated before) changed them and the cooler out myself, no problems since. Other than that routine maintenance.

I average 22-23 MPG in the GL my wife averages 23-24 MPG in the ML, if it were me I'd take the diesel hands down especially if your keeping it long term. The 07-08 MY's do not have urea injection so not an issue. Maintenance is key, keep oil changed, transmission fluid changed @ every 40-50,000 miles etc.etc. ( all other fluids as well) Great trucks. Hope this helps.

Dan

sun_dance

So I'm in a similar proverbial boat and looking at an early model 450 and 320 model.

Both have similar miles (~100K), but the 450 model is about $4K cheaper.

They have a full maintenance history and are both former CPO cars, so 2 owner vehicles.

I'm leaning towards to the 450 since it's recently had the airmatic replaced, as well as a number of other maintenance items. But, I'm still attempting to determine which options package each has (i.e. P1, P2, etc...).

Is there an "easy" way for me to determine exactly all the options included in each vehicle?

mefferso

For options included you need the VIN and this website: http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz

For deciding between those 2...from what i've gathered as a newer member on this forum, the 320 is more problematic on average. Have you driven both? If it matters to you, the 450 feels, and is, MUCH faster than the 320. If gas mileage is more important, the 320 will get significantly better fuel mileage than the 450.

sun_dance

Yes I've driven both and the 450 "moves" better, based upon my butt dyno.

As for the options indicator, that VIN decoder was pretty useless since all it states is the vehicle type and not much details beyond that.

mefferso

Thats odd that it didn't give you much info. It works just fine putting in my GL450's VIN 4JGBF71E68A317972 . See pics below.

sun_dance

sorry about that...I was looking down the page far enough...ok now I see it and the options don't look too bad, although I'm concerned that it doesn't have RVC (rear view camera). Hopefully this is an easy update...

Here's the complete list of features, anything interesting I should be aware of?

200A - LEATHER
201A - LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
212B - OP. INSTRUCT. AND MAINT. BOOKLET-ENGL. FOR USA/CAN
213 - SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
220 - PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
221B - SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
232 - GARAGE DOOR OPENER WITH 284 - 390 MHZ FREQUENCY
242 - FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
275 - MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
284B - AIRBAG LABEL - ENGLISH FOR USA
289 - LEATHER STEERING WHEEL WITH TRIM INSERT
293 - SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
301 - ASHTRAY PACKAGE
345 - RAIN SENSOR
359 - TELEAID USA
389 - MOBILE PRE.-INSTALLATION (MTUS) USA/CANADA COMPL.
414 - ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
427 - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
438 - CRASH-ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINTS (CAK)
441 - STEERING COLUMN, ADJUSTABLE
461 - INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
470 - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) LOW LINE
489 - AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE
494 - U.S. VERSION
500 - OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
519 - REAR AUDIO SYSTEM
524 - PRODUCT PROT. F.PAINT - TRANSPORT VEH.PRESERVATION
530 - COMAND DVD APS USA WITH NAVIGATION
536 - "SIRIUS" SATELLITE RADIO COMPLETE SYSTEM
551 - ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
581 - AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
582 - AIR CONDITIONER IN THE REAR
596 - HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 - HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
615 - BI-XENON HEADLICHT W.ACTVIE CURVELIGHT RIGHT-DRIVE
619 - CORNERING ILLUMINATION
636 - DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
673 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
690 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
705L - UNITED STATES (USA)
720 - ROOF RAILING
723 - TRUNK COVERING
723U - CUBANITE SILVER - METALIC
731 - TRIM PIECES - WOOD BURRED WALNUT VENEER
763 - RADIO REMOTE CONTROL W/ PANIC SWITCH (315 MHZ)
7XXL - NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
807 - YEAR OF MODIFICATION
810 - SOUND SYSTEM
819 - CD CHANGER
840 - DARK TINTED GLASS
845 - THIRD SEAT ROW, ELECTRICALLY FOLDABLE
848 - ELEC. SIDE WINDOWS
864 - REAR ENTERTAINMENT (2 SCREENS)
873 - SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
876 - INTERIOR LIGHT ASSEMBLY
890 - AUTOMATIC REAR-END DOOR
904 - EQUIPMENT PACKAGE BASIC
989 - IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
A05 - TRANSMISSION ALL-WHEEL CAPABLE
A21 - SHIFT BY WIRE
A22 - NEW CONVERTER GENERATION
A28 - J - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY VGS 2 (550 NM)
J58 - RIGHT BRACKET
M273 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M273
M46 - 4.6 LITER DISPLACEMENT
R31 - 18" LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL 5-SPOKE DESIGN ALL-ROUND
U11 - FLOOR MATS - RIPS
U40 - CARGO NET BEHIND FRONT SEATS
U71 - DVD PLAYER WITH REGIONAL CODE 1, USA
723U - CUBANITE SILVER - METALIC
201A - LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
M273 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M273

mefferso

It does have a good set of options, not missing much that I can see. Weird that it doesn't have RVC. I didn't realize it was a stand alone option. RVC is a plus, especially when backing up to a trailer, but remember that its 10 year old technology and thus not the greatest. I am not overly impressed with it and only use it on occasion because of the lower resolution and downward angle of the field of view, but it nice to have.

Other notes: no Keyless go which I like a lot. Also, not that they are 18" rims. I think the 19's look much better but tire selection is less and a little pricier in general.

sun_dance

I do agree that the older model RVC are usually pretty crappy and even worse when dark or raining.

However, the lack of keyless go might be a no-go for me, since I'm so spoilt with that one feature. It really has become the defacto manner I expect all cars to operate and am almost frustrated when I have to put a key into an ignition to start a vehicle...first world problems

mefferso

Hahaha, I know what you mean. Good luck with your search!

a2j

Does anybody know if there is a difference in final drive ratio between the two? How fast 450 is moving @ 2k rpms?