ghlainez

I've been looking around for a GL550. Im currently driving around 99 toyota land cruiser w/233k + miles on it and still running strong can't really complain about it was worth every penny very reliable. Now I'm looking to either stay with Toyota newer of coarse, or move up to a GL550. How realiable are the GL's?

docskippy

Hey~

Been a UTE fan for several years - and recently went from 2013 Jeep Overland to the GL550 (2011).... Its much bigger/heavier but much more classy and drives like a champ.... Its actually better on gas then the HEMI was. Overall - VERY satisfied. Glad I bought the extended warranty (repairs are incredibly expensive)....

Good luck!

Cheers,
DocSkippy

ghlainez

thanks dock, anyone else on reliability? I know Mercedes are very expensive to maintain. as an owner of an AMG I know it can hit the pocket hard.

2010GL550

My wife has a 2010 GL550 that we purchased about 18 months ago.


We had an oxygen sensor fail and it was replaced under warranty. We continued to have problems with it, but I bet the Dealership wasn't doing a proper job. On the third failure I escalated to Service Manager and things have been fine since.


There was also a faulty wheel speed sensor - which was replaced under warranty too.


Now that we are out of warranty, the rear hatch motor/latch failed. I purchased it online and replaced it myself. If I recall, it was less than $200.


Everything has been solid otherwise (about 56k miles). It definitely rides great, plenty of power and lots of features/options. Be advised, if your GL550 comes with the 21" wheels (like ours did) the tires are ~$400/each. Lastly, I understand the air suspension could be problematic starting around 60k miles. I plan on doing that job myself if the situation arises.


We opted to NOT go with the extended warranty...so fingers crossed!

ghlainez

Thanks 2010gl550. I'm currently looking at a 2011 GL550 w/23k miles on it. Seems to be in mint condition. Is there anything I should be looking for? Something I could use for negotiating a price.

JediJD

Love our 2010 GL550. Couple of dealer trips under warranty for small stuff. Like everyone else I rue the day big stuff happens not under warranty, but I don't know that any marque is completely bulletproof. You are going to deal with air suspension issues that aren't that big a deal if you do them yourself, you may have a transmission issue that every independent shop is ready for, you'll be surprised at the PITA of the battery when it craps out and you'll be shopping tires every 25k-35k miles, but in exchange...you get an absolutely amazing suburban assault vehicle that seems to fit as well in valet parking as it does carrying a group of middle school cheerleaders to a tournament three hours away. Probably much more reliable to buy a Toyota Corolla though.

docskippy

You can expect between $48-55k range for that year/mileage.... I bought my 2011 a few months ago with 8000 miles and paid $55k.... Check out www.warrentonhighline.com - he's a great guy! bought THREE Benz (to include my GL) from them. OUTSTANDING guy and hard to beat his prices (Mike is the GM)