landeros

A few days ago I came out and the front of my GL was looking like it was sitting on the front tires - no warning light, nothing. Aparently my entire air-suspension sytem is gone. So far cheapest estimate $4,500.
I bought this car 3 years ago because it was a Mercedes Diesel and "would last me 300,000-400,000 miles easy". Well, other than the purchase of the car I have spent $19,000 (including this repair) after warranty expired and over four months total shop time in the three years. I do have 99k miles so far, but still wonder if this was the best car to purchase for the money. Out of my 5 kids, 3 are less than 2 years from driving - I am thinking Lexus.

43221B

Sorry to hear about your problems. Could you give us a breakdown of what you've spent $19,000 on? I am about to (reluctantly) extend my warranty and stories like yours help me justify spending the money.

Greul

ditto

JohnAMG

You guys are scaring me. I just returned my lease 07'GL450 and planning to order a 11'GL550 next month. The GL550 will be a purchase not lease. I keep reading about failing shocks; my old GL450 had 1 failed shock in 10K miles, and I hope they are isolated incidents. I keep my purchase for a while, 02'E55 is bullet prove, but I don't have much faith in the airmatic system in the newer car. And I doubt the airmatic can last 8-10 years without problems.

John

Texas993

John, MB airmatic systems have been a problem since the beginning (as you likely know). And having them serviced at the dealer is expensive. Once the car is out of warranty, there are good alternatives to dealer repair prices and full priced replacement parts. The combination of independent repair shops AND Arnott (or other) refurbished airmatic parts is very reasonable.

I suspect that few people on the GL forum are out of warranty and have not sought alternatives to dealer service and parts. There is a lot of good advice on cheaper repairs on other models, like my 04 S500. (Again, I suspect that you know this based on your E55).

I am not worried about it as I recently purchased our GL350. Great vehicle.

BTW, nice 997! I have a '97 911 Turbo - actually a RUF Turbo R. Love it.

JohnAMG

Thanks Texas993 for your response. Hopefully by 2011 model Mercedes has greatly reduce airmatic failure. My wife is dead set on getting the GL550 even though I tried to get her to check out the Cadillac Escalade this morning.

I am afraid to test drive the 997 Turbo because I may trade in my C4S for a Turbo Thanks again.

John

43221B

What's really crazy is that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee supposedly is using the basic unibody and suspension design from the ML and the optional air suspension is strikingly similiar (same) in its function to the Airmatic suspension. What is Jeep thinking?

lkchris

Lots of people think that about diesels, but it's not realistic.

Mercedes diesels in cars are no longer truck engines.

Fourdiesel

Come on Kent! The discussion is about the airmatic suspension and its many problems and faults. All that has NOTHING to do with the quality and longevity of the new M-B diesels.
Jury is still out on the ability of the diesel powered GL/ML rigs to reliably go 300,000 miles.

43221B

Before we get too down on our GL's, we should all go over to Edmunds.com and check out the resale value of the 2007 GL320. It is about $5000 more than the 450 (sorry 450 owners).

Further, they are showing the trade in value of a 320 with 42,000 miles configured with a decent number of options at $41,000. Not bad.

Contrast that to a 2007 S-Class which retailed for about $23,000 more than the GL320 when new. The current trade in on the S-Class is only about $2,700 more than the GL320. Ouch.

Edmunds has been right on target with the trade in value of my previous two vehicles.

BJ021

Good point!