Thinking about a 2010 GL550
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Thinking about a 2010 GL550
Hi, thinking of moving from my 2010 E350 to a 2010 GL550. Looks super clean so it appears that it was well cared for. How's the reliability on these? Anything to look out for? Thanks much!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Thanks, more concerned with the suspension, wonder what % of owners have an issue. These forums always have owners who are unhappy....can't be as bad as it seems
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,215
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
You are going to have airbag issues regardless. If you are out of warranty, use the Arnott replacements. It's really not too bad as far as maintenance costs go. My GL450 has been very cheap to maintain after the warranty ran out. I had more issues in the first 100k than I've had in the, close to, second 100k.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
We have a 2010 GL550 (for the wife, actually). Everyone mentioned that the front air springs usually go at around 60k miles. She just hit 61k and the front passenger side would be sagging every morning. I replaced both front units myself and saved about $400 in labor (that's what a local independent shop quoted me). I forget what the two replacement air springs cost, but you can look that up on the Arnott website. I did just the air springs, NOT the whole assembly.
If your candidate vehicle has the 21" wheels like ours does, the tires are stupid expensive. We have gone through at least 2-3 sets so far.
We had an oxygen senor go bad about a year ago, plus the rear door latching motor. As of today, the front passenger door doesn't lock properly. I've yet to investigate this issue. Otherwise it has been a solid vehicle. We have ~63,000 miles on it now.
It rides so well and has great power. There's plenty of room and even the third row has ample leg room. With gas prices falling, the low MPG isn't as big of an issue as it was many months ago.
If your candidate vehicle has the 21" wheels like ours does, the tires are stupid expensive. We have gone through at least 2-3 sets so far.
We had an oxygen senor go bad about a year ago, plus the rear door latching motor. As of today, the front passenger door doesn't lock properly. I've yet to investigate this issue. Otherwise it has been a solid vehicle. We have ~63,000 miles on it now.
It rides so well and has great power. There's plenty of room and even the third row has ample leg room. With gas prices falling, the low MPG isn't as big of an issue as it was many months ago.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Gl550
I have a 2010 gl550. Is a great suv when considering the amount of seats and cargo area. Great power and engine sound. I still have a cpo warranty and it will be up in April 2015 and I'm wishing I bought the extended warranty. I started reading about the GL after I bought it. 40k miles and lost the front passenger strut a power steering pump, and the seat latch. All covered under warranty thankfully. Had a Lincoln aviator before this suv and think the Lincoln was a better ride, but it probably has to do with the 21" AMG wheels on the GL. I do really like the car but instead of buying the GL outright (44,300) back in March of 2014 maybe I should have leased a 2014 for 2 years and kept my cash
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener Ontario Canada
2018 C43 Cabrio , 2012 G550 Edition Select ,2010 GL 550(sold) , 2009 C350 , 2004 C240
I had my 2010GL550 for 5 years. Logged 98k and not one warranty issue . The GL550 was much better on fuel than the G550 I drive now.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Chattanooga, TN
Currently shopping
My wife's GL550 is the most amazing vehicle we've ever owned...and we usually go through 'em but this one has stuck. Yeah...you'll put airbags on it, and probably some front end seals and maybe a transmission block at some point, the AMG wheels go through tires a little more quickly than you like, and possibly even some small engine stuff, but its sort of the cost of doing business. In exchange, you get great power and ridiculous comfort and quiet for seven, and you are equally at home pulling into Home Depot, the valet at the Jekyll Island Club, or traversing the occasional volcano (in a pinch). It is simply a beast...and not a particularly ravenous one. Follow the forums and do most of the stuff yourself/with an Indy (or pay the dealer...they have nice coffee and sandwich bars). At the end of the day, the pieces are probably more expensive than you want, but its not like the other options are cheap.
Just my $.02.
Just my $.02.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
LOL, good points JediJD. I forgot to mention, I have taken the wife's 2010 GL550 to the deer lease five times. The first time we towed a large camping trailer. After we unhooked we scouted the place out (about 600 acres)...while I was following some friends in their worked-over/converted-to-ranch-duty Jeep Cherokee. Rock/dirt roads, elevation changes (as much as you can have in west Texas), through creeks and brush. Raised the suspension (which to this day is still pretty damn cool) and followed them EVERYWHERE. I even got a chance to use the downhill speed limiting function. They kept looking behind them to see if I was still there...damn right I was!
When my son and I returned home a few days later, we DID clean the car and buff out the minor bush/tree branch scratches before the wife saw it again. I still blame her for the rashes on the rims, but that could have been me too! Either way I fixed that myself and they look great.
Sorry for rambling. It's a high-end quality vehicle that can make an impression as an awesome luxury SUV or travel the "rough and tumble" off road better than most.
When my son and I returned home a few days later, we DID clean the car and buff out the minor bush/tree branch scratches before the wife saw it again. I still blame her for the rashes on the rims, but that could have been me too! Either way I fixed that myself and they look great.
Sorry for rambling. It's a high-end quality vehicle that can make an impression as an awesome luxury SUV or travel the "rough and tumble" off road better than most.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Chattanooga, TN
Currently shopping
<chuckle> I feel a little out of place on this forum sometimes. People putting 24" magnificent wheels and wrapping and blinging these things...very impressive, pretty stuff. However, I absolutely love the fact that several times I've taken it off road into god knows what looking at tracts of land for development; during Atlanta's last snowmageddon...when everything was stopped for literally a day, we weren't even bothered; and once took it up a chained off logging trail to the top of a mountain overlooking Lake Chatuge with my son and drove golf ***** from the peak of the mountain down into the lake a couple thousand feet below (well...I didn't actually carry it, but it felt great trying). Airmatic and stability and grade assist and all the supercrap these things do...absolutely amazing when they get off asphalt. I get that most carry kids to soccer and I love that its an incredibly safe vehicle for the wife to take to the grocery store...but the secret sauce is definitely that it can traverse volcanoes and ford twenty something inch water. Admittedly, bought the first one because the wife wanted it, but we bought another and kept the first because, perhaps just for me, its the best pickup truck on the planet. I'll buy the occasional airbag and tire. Happy new year. Enjoy the ride.
Last edited by JediJD; Jan 1, 2015 at 04:05 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Thanks again for the feedback. Finally had to time to drive it, very tight, and clean for the most part. Wood on steering wheel and door panels have numerous cracks. have the same wood in my E350 same year no cracks. Lotta power and fun to drive...can see why you guys like them so much ;-). Hitch receiver was perfect not a scratch inside,,,so has not towed. 2010 GL550 with 65k miles $36k..thx
Last edited by Airmousam; Jan 3, 2015 at 04:10 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 19
From: Austin, TX
14 GL550; 14 E63s
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
2004 CL55 AMG
I do not know what your budget is, but I spent a very reasonable amount on a 2012 GL450. I am not sure why anyone would want the 550. Other than a bigger, and therefore thirstier engine, I do not sense why I would ask for one. I would be leery of purchasing a larger engine in this truck. I have been VERY surprised with the "get up and go" nature of my GL450, and a bit confused as to why anyone would want a less efficient engine in this truck unless they were going for the AMG.
If I towed I would go get the GL350CDI and forgo that issue all together. I would recommend evaluating your budget and test driving a later model 450, you might be surprised with the driving dynamics. You might be able to get the same options and lower mileage with a GL450 for the same price.
Just my 2 cents. I am very happy with my new to me GL450, just thought I would throw a bit of my opinion in there for you.
If I towed I would go get the GL350CDI and forgo that issue all together. I would recommend evaluating your budget and test driving a later model 450, you might be surprised with the driving dynamics. You might be able to get the same options and lower mileage with a GL450 for the same price.
Just my 2 cents. I am very happy with my new to me GL450, just thought I would throw a bit of my opinion in there for you.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
My 08 has cracks in the wood on both front doors.
(the car) Lived for the first 5 years in the heat of TX (with its 1st owner) and the last 2 in the cold of Chicago.
Did not notice the cracks till a cold spell last winter.
Last edited by N_Jay; Jan 7, 2015 at 08:11 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 10
From: Illinois
2013 GL550 4Matic
I do not know what your budget is, but I spent a very reasonable amount on a 2012 GL450. I am not sure why anyone would want the 550. Other than a bigger, and therefore thirstier engine, I do not sense why I would ask for one. I would be leery of purchasing a larger engine in this truck. I have been VERY surprised with the "get up and go" nature of my GL450, and a bit confused as to why anyone would want a less efficient engine in this truck unless they were going for the AMG.
If I towed I would go get the GL350CDI and forgo that issue all together. I would recommend evaluating your budget and test driving a later model 450, you might be surprised with the driving dynamics. You might be able to get the same options and lower mileage with a GL450 for the same price.
Just my 2 cents. I am very happy with my new to me GL450, just thought I would throw a bit of my opinion in there for you.
If I towed I would go get the GL350CDI and forgo that issue all together. I would recommend evaluating your budget and test driving a later model 450, you might be surprised with the driving dynamics. You might be able to get the same options and lower mileage with a GL450 for the same price.
Just my 2 cents. I am very happy with my new to me GL450, just thought I would throw a bit of my opinion in there for you.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 624
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
I also liked the option combos better on the 550. I forget the details, but I didn't want the radar detector killing coated glass that came with another option I wanted (3 zone HVAC?) on the 450.
Ours gave the CPO warranty a very good workout (engine and trans both taken apart, new steering rack, front shocks + a bunch of misc. repairs), but the only thing that has needed fixing since it expired a year ago was the rear air springs, which are pretty easy to replace. Hopefully the trend will continue. Other than the fear of expensive no longer under warranty repairs, we really like our 2008. The interior has held up really well, and it isn't a bad drive for a 7 passenger SUV that can tow 7K+ lbs. We've got 120K on ours now, and will probably keep it for the long haul since it is paid for, and there isn't a replacement worth the incremental cost for me.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 56
From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Thanks again guys, I bailed on the GL and got a 2010 E550 with 50k miles with P2 and distronic plus + 3 years CPO for $32K. Was a deal from a Benz dealer I could not refuse, and got a lot more for my E350 than I would have from the BMW dealer that had the GL550. Happy motoring!
