May purchase a GL; advice needed please
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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CLS55 plus a few Ducati's
May purchase a GL; advice needed please
Have had an '04 Volvo XC90 (well looked after from new) that now has 70,000 miles and had too many reliability issues with it. Also have a mint CLS55 that I love. Looking to dump the Volvo and get an 2009 or 2010 GL 450 / 550. Any idea of the reliability of this SUV. I know enough about all the other aspects of the vehicle but specifically would like feedback on reliability. If you can advise the number of miles you have done also that would be great.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 158
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From: Elk Grove, CA
2013 Land Cruiser, 2007 GL450 [SOLD], 2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 Limited, 2009 Corolla LE
We had our 07 GL since July 2006. there are couple of TSB issued in regards to the tranny software upgrade, engine oil dipstick, tow hitch and air tank for suspension. Ours was not affected by many. Only two of these TSBs applied to ours. these were oil dipstick and tranny software upgrade. We have about 35000+ on clock. Just did brake pad replacement. We also replaced tires and rims at 32K. Tires were worn from inside due to alignment issues. That all I can think for right now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Nice thing about the GL is if you get the diesel you will get better mileage than the Volvo and if the Volvo burned premium you'll be using cheaper fuel besides. NO lack of power with the diesel.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Franklin,TN
2008 GL320cdi
08 GL320 with 49,632 miles bought new in May of 08. Only issue has been fuel pump which was warranty and rusty lug nuts. Several TSB's but I don't consider them to be a problem. Normal regularly scheduled services and 1 set of tires at 22K. Love my car!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 711
Likes: 11
From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
There are lots of folks that haven't had ANY problems (we don't hear much from them here) some that have - and have had good experiences getting the dealers to fix them under warranty; and others that have had a less than expected experience. For the most up-to-date data check here: http://www.truedelta.com/ 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 7
From: Denver, CO
'09 SL Black, '12 ML63, '13 SL63, '14 E63 Wagon, '14 458 Italia
Buy it!
I have a '09 550, and even though I've only put 8k miles on it, not a single thing has gone wrong. I took it cross-country (8-hour days) at 1.5k. Maybe not the most helpful / wide-ranging information, but another piece of evidence in favor of buying a GL.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 GL 320 CDI with P2 package, black and black, all leather, trailer hitch.
2008 GL-320, owned the vehicle for 14 months so far with close to 8K miles and no issues so far. GL is an amazing vehicle so go for it.
Last edited by googv; Oct 9, 2009 at 08:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 362
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From: Minnesota
2008 GL 320 CDI Black/Black
2008 GL320 here, zero issues in 2 years - 27K miles. Thinking about buying it after the lease is up in May...if MBF will work with me on the price! Easily the smoothest ride around. My wife drives an X5 without the sport package and I can't stand the bounciness - the GL rocks! Go Diesel!
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
GL 550 CLS 500
Have 08' GL550 27k mileage. Great vehicle. Would go with 550 if you have the CLS55. The 450 is everybit as nice but the feel and speed of the 550 makes it amazing! Can't go wrong with GL's. No problems to report as of yet...
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ
'08 MB GL550, '08 BMW M3, '09 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
GL Solid
Had a 450 and put 9k miles on it and traded in for a 550 and currently have 15k miles on it. Truck is awesome with no issue. Would not trade it for any other truck in the market.. unless it was a new 550.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Nanticoke, PA
2013 ML350
I have an '07 that just turned 30K, ordered a 2010 in July that I'm still waiting for. Only problem with the '07 was the fast wearing Contac tires on it. Went through two sets of those and am now riding on Firestones which are wearing like iron. The GL is a super road car with a ride as good as my former Cadillac DTS. With all the vehicles out there to choose from, I'm going with another GL-450...
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area, California
2001 CLK55
Wow Deja vu!
I'm a Ducati Nut
I have/had a 2004 XC90 T6 w/ 75k miles
I dumped the Volvo and bought a 2010 GL450. No regrets. Size wise the GL is a bit longer than the XC and just a pinch wider. It drives much smaller than it looks. Fit and Finish is way above the Volvo. The number of creaks and squeaks from the interior are nill as opposed to the XC90.
Ride wise - it's night and day. Our Volvo was starting to creak and groan from the front suspension. We went thru brake rotors like butter. There were numerous parts that were changed out (steering rack, headlights, motor mounts, head gaskets, ignition switch, various sensors, tie rod ends, etc).
The power from the 450 is also much greater than what we got from the XC. The Transmission is also much improved over the old GM 4 spd in the XC.
This all said - the GL is in the shop now w/ 300 miles for a bad speed sensor which caused an ABS / ESP warning light to come on.. :-)
Good Luck w/ the new Truck..
Alex
I'm a Ducati Nut
I have/had a 2004 XC90 T6 w/ 75k miles
I dumped the Volvo and bought a 2010 GL450. No regrets. Size wise the GL is a bit longer than the XC and just a pinch wider. It drives much smaller than it looks. Fit and Finish is way above the Volvo. The number of creaks and squeaks from the interior are nill as opposed to the XC90.
Ride wise - it's night and day. Our Volvo was starting to creak and groan from the front suspension. We went thru brake rotors like butter. There were numerous parts that were changed out (steering rack, headlights, motor mounts, head gaskets, ignition switch, various sensors, tie rod ends, etc).
The power from the 450 is also much greater than what we got from the XC. The Transmission is also much improved over the old GM 4 spd in the XC.
This all said - the GL is in the shop now w/ 300 miles for a bad speed sensor which caused an ABS / ESP warning light to come on.. :-)
Good Luck w/ the new Truck..
Alex
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
2008 GL 320, 2007 Silverado LTZ C3500 Duramax Turbo Diesel
2008 GL 320, 38K. I just had to report my 1st "reportable repair" on True Delta's survey. It was a sensor for the air suspension system, not the suspension itself. It was functioning perfectly.
I also just replaced my OEM Conti's at 37.5K I probably should have replaced them at 35K, but we were in a drought, our roads are good, and she is not an aggressive driver. I replaced them with the same.
I also just replaced my OEM Conti's at 37.5K I probably should have replaced them at 35K, but we were in a drought, our roads are good, and she is not an aggressive driver. I replaced them with the same.
