I'm looking at buying a new 2011 GL 350 Blue Tec. But, I've read a number of reviews now that predict that reliability will be mediocre. Can any of you tell me about your experience with the GL 350? Thanks!

 

I bought it 4 months ago brand new. Now after 3,8xxx miles - zero issues.
Very good car. This is not my first MB car, so I was expecting some issues, but not with this model I guess. BTW, my 2010 E class is bulletproof as well. I think MB actually improve their cars..as they say in magazines.

 

I have had mine since '08, other than some minor adjustments and small electrical faults, all has been well. Actually, the most reliable car I have owned, and far better than a lemon Accord I once owned... You pay your money, and take your chances, as they say...

 

Hard to know what you mean by reliability.

Mercedes are NOT do nothing ever and then throw it away vehicles.

I think the following statement is useful: A Mercedes is closer to being a Ferrari than it is to being a Camry.

 

The '11 GL350 we had for 8 months was by far the most reliable of the five MB vehicles we've owned. It had one issue, which wasn't completely resolved. We are "separated" from the MB family for now and so far, it's been great! No more visits to the dealership on my days off!

 

We had 2008 CDI with all options for 3 years 92000 kms 0 problems

Now we have 2011 350 Bluetec with all options so far 0 issues and 10000kms.
Expecting to keep the car after end of lease already purchased extended warranty.
Love all the upgrades plus big tires for towing

 

11 1/2 months and 17,500 miles... no problems except for what seems to recently be a very small leak on the right rear tire. It's been a great car for the family and our Tahoe ski trips.

 

After 48K miles, I've only had one problem that would potentially leave the GL DOSR (dead on side of road). But, lots of little electrical gremlins, including:

1. Check Engine light illuminated (and stayed on) after driving in wet weather (happened twice). ECU software update was installed (later I was told that the system sensed a rapid drop in temperature when water splashed on part of the emissions system which resulted in a fault - MB changed the software to add a timeout to the temp sensing).

2. Fuel Gauge stopped working. Fixed w/ a software update and reload.

3. (rear) Passenger side keyless entry failed - (4 times!) - door handle assembly replaced 4X.

4. Turn indicator in side view mirror failed - wiring harness broken and replaced (FYI - probably not a good idea to have the mirrors automatically fold as the default setting).

5. Cargo area roll-up cover melted/deformed - replaced under warranty

6. Oil seal/gasket on vacuum pump failed - moderate loss of engine oil - repaired under warranty. Potential DOSR failure, but caaught it by noticing the Exxon Valdez-like puddle under the car.

7. One TPMS sensor failed - replaced under warranty

Other (Just) annoying stuff:

1. Standard lo-beam (non-HID) headlights are awful - replaced w/ aftermarket HIDs - 1000% better.

2. It seems that rodents (or other small furry creatures) have an appetite for the fiber insulation blanket on the firewall.

3. The OEM Goodyear run-on-flat tires (Eagle LS2's) last about 40K miles (mostly highway) are really expensive to replace - around $500 each or almost 3X more expensive than non run-flats. Plus they really compromise the ride quality on less than perfect roads.

4. OEM Trailer hitch doesn't work with LED trailer lights w/o an adapter

5. When the AdBlue tank is under 1/2 full you can hear it sloshing around - needs to have baffles inside!

6. Scheduled maintenance (particularly at 40K miles) is frightfully expensive


But the good:

1. Pleasure to drive - smooth, quiet, comfortable, very adequate performance

2. Awesome fuel economy (I get 24 city, 28 highway)

3. No squeaks or rattles after 48K miles

4. MB Service is a pleasurable experience (aside from paying the bills)

5. Tows heavy trailers w/ no fuss

6. Incredible highway range

7. Handles well in snow/rain bad weather. Crosswinds don't bother it.

Would I buy another one? Yes - but only if heavily discounted off MSRP (my '09 was discounted about $12K - through USAA buying Services) - and would get the longest extended warranty possible!

 

Problematic vehicle, but nonetheless okay...
I purchased my '10 GL350 in Dec. 2009 and have had the following problems (I now have 40,000 miles):

Side mirror cracking
SQUEAKY SEATS!!!!
Premium leather steering wheel has a bunch of wrinkles and looks ugly in comparison to when I bought it new (and it lost its grippy, matte finish; it looks oily and has white spots)
COMAND screen scratches really, REALLY easily; I used LCD cleaner and took off the protective coating leaving a water-damaged looking screen
Bluetooth stopped working
Drivers seat MBTEX wearing quickly and is hardening
Headlamp broke after less than a year
Tires are expensive - just replaced all for for $660 each
ADBLUE is super expensive
GL350s also require more frequent changes of the fuel filter (expensive) as well as a transmission service every 40,000 miles (expensive)
Running boards are oxidizing; warranty does not cover
Steering wheel has a few problems
Expensive brakes - you need to change them every 20,000 miles or so (at least thats what the stealership tells me)
Wind noise at high speeds (just developed a few thousand miles ago)


Go for the 450, you will get better acceleration and its much cheaper to own; trust me, I've owned 2 GL450's before my GL350

 

We just traded our 08 GL320cdi for a 2011 GL350. On the 08 we had driven it about 54,000 miles with no major problems. The running boards did oxidize, but they were replaced under warranty. We also had the tailgate closing problem, which again was replaced under warranty.

We never replaced the brakes (again had 54,000 miles) and our mechanic said they still had a lot of life left in them. So, I would say it was extremely reliable and also great because not a lot of money was put in it, except normal maintenance. Also - if you can find a good independent mechanic - you can save a lot of money on maintaining the GL. The GL looked almost new inside and out when we traded it in.

I hope our 2011 holds up just as well.

 

I'm trying to figure out how you managed this, even including installation. They are $450 each at Tire Rack, assuming you buy the Goodyears and not the $250 Bridgestones, and just about every tire shop on the planet will match Tire Rack pricing.

The dealer is lying to you. Find another one to service your car!

- Mark

 

To add to this, you shouldn't be paying any more than $100 for Adblue service. That is what my current MB dealership charges irregardless of whether they evacuate or not. The other dealership in town put up no fight and dropped their price when I told them I wouldn't pay $250 per Adblue service when I could do it myself and buy 2.5 gal jugs for $9.99 each at truck stops. $100 per 10,000 miles is a heck of a lot cheaper than putting premium gas in a 5500 lb vehicle.

BTW, the Goodyear runflats should last you almost twice as long as the OE 19". I don't have any experience with the Bridgestone runflats, so I can't comment on those.

Is the transmission service any different on the diesel?

 

09 GL320 Diesel. Transfer case at a cost of $7500.00 and now steering rack and add blue sensor at a cost of $5000.00. Made a believer out of me. Even with the extended warranty I am out of MB as soon as I trade this baby in on a real car.

 

How can a steering rack and a sensor cost $5000 to replace?

- Mark

 

How you ask? That's what I want to know. I also have 22" Carlson rims and Brembo brakes that I have to remove before my warranty company will pay. I have found a rebuilt rack for less than $400.00 and I think I can live without the sensor as long as I keep the tank filled.
Last time they said the rear shocks need replacing. They wanted $1600.00 to do it. I bought the shocks (bielstien) and I had them installed for $150.00. The dealer is a rip off.

 

Mark, Didn't know you had a GL...are you towing the race car with it? I'm enjoying my 2012 (and it's dead reliable so far at 25k miles) and loving long tows so much better than my old Chevy.

Shane K.

 

I have purchased Mercedes Benz GL 350 this year in August month and i was very excited that i am going to buy a German perfection brand class car but i had a horrible experience that Mercedes Benz GL 350 has a known defects of back seat door rattling noise issue. I start getting that rattling noise just after the 20 days and having done only 350 kms on well maintained roads.

They are not ready to replace my car with new car in order to avoid this issue and they are saying that they can only repair my car to resolve this noise issue. It means they are selling defective cars and later they repair the issue.

DON'T BUY THIS CAR TO AVOID ANY HASSLE.

 

I bought a 2011 GL350 new and have 75K miles on it now. It has been the most unreliable vehicle ever - even worse than my old Land Rover! Thankfully, I have an extended 6yr 125K mile warranty, and everything has been covered.

All of my problems have been engine related. It started a couple of yrs ago when the engine sounded a bit funny after startup. It turned out the crank chain was stretched and that had caused the main bearing to wear. All those parts were replaced and then some. Then the fuel injectors clogged with metal. MB claimed it was bad fuel, but I claimed they had just replaced the expensive fuel filter, and if there was really metal in the fuel, it should have been caught in the filter. So they fixed it under warranty. Then, a few months ago, we noticed a smell of oil from under the car - turned out to be a faulty transmission, and they replaced the torque converter and transmission assembly.

These are all major problems, and I can only imagine what it would cost to fix if I didn't have a warranty. My vehicle has spent at least two months in total in the shop being serviced. I did have a Mercedes loaner, so it could have been worse. Overall, the GL350 drives well. get excellent fuel economy and it a nice vehicle when it is working, but I would not recommend it to anybody based on the reliability. I dread the day my warranty expires!

 

The 320/350 models have been very problematic as compared.to the 450/550. I'm really happy the 320 I ordered did not arrive in time and that I liked the dynamics of the 450 better. Can't imagine how differently my ownership experience would have been over the last.200,000 or so miles.

For the life of me, I can't see why the 320/350 has a better resale over the 450/550. I'm thinking it's a mix of an improperly held perception and the rarity of the diesel. The diesel is far less reliable but MB did make fewer diesels.

 

My posts will show the reliability of our GL350. It has never left me DOSR and I really like the car, but I would not own this model without an Extended Warranty.

 

I've paid off my warrantee many times over in the amount of $ that I would have spent on my '09 320. I won't be keeping it outside of the warrantee.