alexssurf

My 2008 GL320 engine just broke internally at 76000 miles.
On the day after Thanksgiving, I started the car and drove for three blocks. The engine stopped without any warning. The truck been towed to dealer at 50 miles away, and they inspected the car, and then told me that I need another engine.

I was shocked when I heard the bad news, and question why that engine broke so easily. I live in Kentucky country area and 95% driving on high way. I mostly maintained the car through local Indy, and oil changed every 6-7000 miles by using specified Mobile1 ESP 5W-40 oil and specified oil filter. I also follow the schedule to perform schedule-C service through dealer.

Since it already ran out of warranty (only good up to 50000-mile), the dealer told me that I have to spend another $13K to replace a rebuild engine.

This is the worst car I ever drove, and the reliability is the worst as well. There are many issues in two years:
Engine oil cooler leaking $3,000
Two wheel bearings $1500
Some sort of emission sensor $600

This seems told me that name of Mercedes means elegancy with fragile quality like toy. It feels good in the early years, but not any more. The new design and components may good for the first few years, but much worse than 20 years ago.

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2008 GL320 4Matic - just dead
2008 E550 4Matic - Running Strong

Mbenz260e

Sorry to hear that, terrible it's outside of warranty. Not sure how far it would get yo but you might try following up with MBUSA and seeing if you can raise the issue up within the dealership if you have all you service documents in order. Not sure it will get you anywhere at all but it's worth trying as it seems like a freak occurrence unless something fishy happened with the engine.

aeggroup

Sorry to hear that also.
Have you tried to go to your indy shop that you trust ? One of my previous leased cars ( 2008 E-Class) had a check engine light and dealer changed the engine because of that. I did not care, because that was a lease and they gave me E class as a loaner to drive for 2 months along with the check for $1,500 for inconvenience, but I'm sure CEL is not the reason to change an engine and can be fixed much cheaper.

alexssurf

Thanks for your advices. I will try to bring this issue up to MBUSA, and I have all the document to prove all the maintenance works. However, the dealer doesn't recognize the service document if not serviced by MB. The last service from MB service is about one month ago for schedule C service, and I also asked for transmission fluid replacement. It's hard to justify the cost of maintenance from the reliability.

I am worrying how to maintain on my E550. It also runs almost 84K miles. If the MB engine cannot stand more than 10K miles now, it's even worse than a Hyundai (I am not fan of Asian car, but it covered 10K miles or 10 year warranty)

JimBarnhart

Sorry to hear this, I do think this is a rare occurrence, not that it helps you feel any better.

In all my years on the forum, I don't think there's been many engine replacement issues. I do recall one where the wife drove it through some service intervals and low oil warning lights and voided the warranty, but then again if it wasn't properly maintained is it the engine or the person?

I'd recommend getting all of your service receipts together. I believe it's going to be imperative to show 100% complete maintenance per the schedule to have any chance of getting their attention.

dgiturbo

Would you mind posting exactly what the dealer said was the cause for the engine failure based on their inspection. "Broke internally" is a little vague, and if there is a specific component prone to failure, others can be aware of the issue.
Thanks.

alexssurf

I called the dealership again to ask how they determine the engine crashed. They told me that certified technician applied the SDS to detect the system, and not able to find any related cause from cracking over the engine, and they cannot perform further physical check without disassemble it. So they think that must be a mechanical rod broken internally.

I asked about a previous recall of crankshaft position sensor in late 2007. They told me that my truck was not on the affected list based on their database.

Since the car has been out of warranty, I may tow to other shop to get second opinion or replaced the engine. Dealer is asking for $13K for an engine and another 6+ weeks of waiting.

BTW, I got all the document to prove the maintenance were completed, and the last schedule C service was done one month ago in their shop, but they don't want to recognize the other oil change services which not done by dealership.

luv2sleep

I'm a DIYer and things like this Pisses me off! Consumers have rights. As long as you have your receipts, you will be fine. Some dealers intimidate people this way but I'm pretty certain that they don't have a chance in court. Google consumer rights and there are a lot of good info out there. Engines just don't die at 70k+ miles these days, especially diesel engines! If MBUSA doesn't do the right thing, I'd get a lawyer.

lkchris

They usually don't, but they're only warranted for 50K miles unless you buy an extended warranty. If you don't then you're uninsured, simple as that.

I'd check with dealer for availability of Mercedes rebuilt engine. It's just extra expense for you to have lots of diagnosis performed.

It's also good to understand that only thing you ever purchased from Mercedes was the original 4yr/50K warranty. The car itself was purchased from the dealer and it's the dealer you deal with. Good reason to be good friends with your dealer and for having your dealer do the maintenance. Lots more folks that have continually had dealer maintenance get special treatment than the folks that don't.

alx

maintenance or not, the truck is out of warranty.

you will most likely have to pay for the repair especially if you have not serviced your truck at the dealership.

stickygreen

Does it even crank? Compression/leak down test?!? At the very least pull the glow plugs and take a peek. Did the engine sound like it "broke" or did it just stop running?

hubert

Do you have full insurance coverage on the truck? They might take car of the bill. There was a story here about someone's diesel fuel system corroding from bad diesel fuel and dealer was no help and he was still under warranty so his insurance paid for the whole thing($14 grand)...like people say, Mercedes is not the same anymore and I been driving them since I was 16 and the quality is worst from model year to model year but price of their cars keeps going up.

luv2sleep

Taking inflation into account, MBs were more expensive back in the day. I agree regarding the quality of these vehicles and that's why I'm currently "Mercedesless". The '13 GLs got me interested at a Mercedes again but I'm going to step back and just watch from the side lines for now.

alexssurf

The engine crack, but not able to crack over to run. Asked some friends in repair shop, they feels like timing chain inside was broken.

alexssurf

Thanks you all discussing on this issue. I just take the bad luck, and trade the truck for a German-sedan. Hope it stay longer...

theine

Deleted

BlownV8

You got a new engine for $1,500 on Ebay?

theine

Sorry, that was supposed to be in the Diesel Particulated Filter Thread, post already deleted. lol