PUECHASING A GL320 PLEASE HELP!!!
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Chicago
2007 GL320 CDI 2004 GOLF TDI
PUECHASING A GL320 PLEASE HELP!!!
HI im a new newbie to the site. Lookin into to purchasing a 2007 GL320 cdi 4 matic. Has 208,000 mils on it . One owner from texas. ( I live in chicago). it looks like the car was driven on high way cross contry only, has minor rood rash hood chips from rocks. car looks to be well maintained . has new brakes rotors pads all dealer OEM parts. new tirs. new rack and pinion. no oil leaks. no check engine light . the trunk will not open by it self. 2nd row seat will not tilt down. radio stations has static. all minor things. my biggest concern is the 200k on the car . i dont know how good are the engines and trans in this car and how long can they last. I had a 1983 mb 300sd diesel 5 cylinder. head a 2000 vw jetta tdi diesel 255,000 mils on it sold that one and got a 2004 golf tdi diesel now with 215,000 mils. i know the vw tdi last for ever not shore about the CDI . please comment and any suggestions will be greatly appreciated ......... going to look at the car monday will up date.
pic of the GL320
pic of the GL320
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: NW corner of CONUS
2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
Expect air ride and level control issues -- and be happy if you DON'T get hit with them. Tranny shift issues have been common in the past on this year CDI - has the tranny fluid been flushed at least TWICE at that mileage?
Get quote from a dealer on fixing the hatch opening issue and the 2nd seat issue. The static on the radio may be an antenna replace job - about $1100 for the new combined antenna (in the roof over the second row of seats)
Get quote from a dealer on fixing the hatch opening issue and the 2nd seat issue. The static on the radio may be an antenna replace job - about $1100 for the new combined antenna (in the roof over the second row of seats)
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Junior Member
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From: Chicago
2007 GL320 CDI 2004 GOLF TDI
I'm guessing that the transmission was flushed. I called the dealer and gave them the Vin number of the vehicle. They told me they did the recalls on it. They were not able to tell me all the repairs that was done to the vehicle at the dealer because of a personal information law. Just scared purchased a vehicle and have the motor or transmission go bad on me .I can care less for the minor things. I can fix that no problem. (Little background on me I am a master technician 15 experience )
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
It all depends.
I just bought a 2008 GL320 CDI with 96K miles, (from TX, and also live in Chicago)
Call a local MB dealer and have them run the VIN and see what they think.
That is a lot of miles, I did some research and the CDI engines seem to run forever as long as they are maintained.
MB transmissions are a different issue with some people having lots of problems and others none (but 200K is a lot of miles for any "car grade" (As opposed to heavy truck) transmission. (I don't know how different our transmission are from Sprinter vans, but they seem to have a good longevity record.)
There also seems to be mention of a bearing issue with the front Diff. Probably not a big deal if you can do the work yourself, and get the car cheap enough.
The airmatic seems to be the biggest problem, but that is not terribly expensive if you use Arnott parts and do the work yourself.
I am betting they wear more by the year than by the mile, but I am guessing a bit there.
I just bought a 2008 GL320 CDI with 96K miles, (from TX, and also live in Chicago)
Call a local MB dealer and have them run the VIN and see what they think.
That is a lot of miles, I did some research and the CDI engines seem to run forever as long as they are maintained.
MB transmissions are a different issue with some people having lots of problems and others none (but 200K is a lot of miles for any "car grade" (As opposed to heavy truck) transmission. (I don't know how different our transmission are from Sprinter vans, but they seem to have a good longevity record.)
There also seems to be mention of a bearing issue with the front Diff. Probably not a big deal if you can do the work yourself, and get the car cheap enough.
The airmatic seems to be the biggest problem, but that is not terribly expensive if you use Arnott parts and do the work yourself.
I am betting they wear more by the year than by the mile, but I am guessing a bit there.
Last edited by N_Jay; Sep 29, 2013 at 11:18 AM.
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From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
Yes, diesel Engines are known for their longevity. That said, I have never owned a vehicle where the gasoline engine wore out. Rather, at about 150k miles, everything else that experiences wear starts needing to be replaced--think transmission, bearings, ball joints, bushings, anything rubber, shocks, etc., etc.. Unless you are prepared to do all the work yourself, you are looking at a lot of expensive repair work.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I've got around 150k on my gl450. Still as tight as it was the day I purchased. Only expensive issues have been the air strut failures. The engine still does not need any oil between the 10,000 mile changes. I plan to put another 100+k on the car. Shouldn't be an issue. The diesel seems to require a bit more maintenance but that's offset by the increased mpg.
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engine-wise? not really. those are million mile mills when maintained properly. you reach maximum compression at 100k miles. that is when motor is considered fully broken in.
tranny? i do not know what the 7g tranny lifespan is. if flushed when recommended (at 40k miles and maybe at 120-150k miles) and it works as expected i dont see a problem.
at 200k miles what was supposed to fail would have failed at least once.
i would buy it if the price is right.
tranny? i do not know what the 7g tranny lifespan is. if flushed when recommended (at 40k miles and maybe at 120-150k miles) and it works as expected i dont see a problem.
at 200k miles what was supposed to fail would have failed at least once.
i would buy it if the price is right.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
We measure the use in miles, but running hours is probably a better measure of wear.
200K on highway averaging 50MPH is not a lot different than 100K at an average of 25mPH.
Other things wear by the year more than by the mile.
200K on highway averaging 50MPH is not a lot different than 100K at an average of 25mPH.
Other things wear by the year more than by the mile.
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X164 GL550, F10 535 6MT
HI im a new newbie to the site. Lookin into to purchasing a 2007 GL320 cdi 4 matic. Has 208,000 mils on it . One owner from texas. ( I live in chicago). it looks like the car was driven on high way cross contry only, has minor rood rash hood chips from rocks. car looks to be well maintained . has new brakes rotors pads all dealer OEM parts. new tirs. new rack and pinion. no oil leaks. no check engine light . the trunk will not open by it self. 2nd row seat will not tilt down. radio stations has static. all minor things. my biggest concern is the 200k on the car . i dont know how good are the engines and trans in this car and how long can they last. I had a 1983 mb 300sd diesel 5 cylinder. head a 2000 vw jetta tdi diesel 255,000 mils on it sold that one and got a 2004 golf tdi diesel now with 215,000 mils. i know the vw tdi last for ever not shore about the CDI . please comment and any suggestions will be greatly appreciated ......... going to look at the car monday will up date.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 39
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From: Chicago
2007 GL320 CDI 2004 GOLF TDI
trans fill plug looks like it was opend recently .looks like they did the trans sevice on it . will have to confirm it with the dealer when i take it in for oil change 
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 39
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From: Chicago
2007 GL320 CDI 2004 GOLF TDI
minor oil leak. looks like it coming from the lines not shore..... remove the trans plug to see if it was rear main seal leaking. no oil was coming out thats a good sign.(did not see any oil in it ) any ideas on oil leaks ???????
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Chicago
2007 GL320 CDI 2004 GOLF TDI
finaly got the car. dove it . drives funny . it fills like the car is braking for you when you are coming to a stop. normal???. drives nice good on gas. has a new air strut on the LF . the other day the car was saging on the RF side if the car (right frt has a old strut) turned the car on and the car leveled it self out. checked on the car later like 4 hours it was fine. love the MPG i went from a volvo xc90 6 cylinder twin turbo 2.9L gets 12mpg city to a GL320 22MPG city. I have 5 days to return the car if i dont like it and get my money back .driving it every day just to make shore all is ok ...and i got a good *** deal on the car i payed $12,400 with a 2.69 apr on a 200k car you cant bet that
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
finaly got the car. dove it . drives funny . it fills like the car is braking for you when you are coming to a stop. normal???. drives nice good on gas. has a new air strut on the LF . the other day the car was saging on the RF side if the car (right frt has a old strut) turned the car on and the car leveled it self out. checked on the car later like 4 hours it was fine. love the MPG i went from a volvo xc90 6 cylinder twin turbo 2.9L gets 12mpg city to a GL320 22MPG city. I have 5 days to return the car if i dont like it and get my money back .driving it every day just to make shore all is ok ...and i got a good *** deal on the car i payed $12,400 with a 2.69 apr on a 200k car you cant bet that
Yes, the CDI will downshift and feel like it is braking when slowing down.
Congratulations!
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1966 230SL, 1969 300SEL 6.3, 1990 350SDL, 1992 500E, 1993 500E, 2008 GL320 CDI, 2013 S63 w/Perf Pkg
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
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From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 409
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2008 GL320CDI (310k) & 2017 GLS450 (160k)
finaly got the car. dove it . drives funny . it fills like the car is braking for you when you are coming to a stop. normal???. drives nice good on gas. has a new air strut on the LF . the other day the car was saging on the RF side if the car (right frt has a old strut) turned the car on and the car leveled it self out. checked on the car later like 4 hours it was fine. love the MPG i went from a volvo xc90 6 cylinder twin turbo 2.9L gets 12mpg city to a GL320 22MPG city. I have 5 days to return the car if i dont like it and get my money back .driving it every day just to make shore all is ok ...and i got a good *** deal on the car i payed $12,400 with a 2.69 apr on a 200k car you cant bet that
