ddruker

I've noticed over the past year that the number of posts and replies per day in the X164 forum seems to have dramatically slowed down.

Is this because folks have moved on to newer generation trucks? Or we just aren't passionate anymore?

Or is everyone just great at searching, and all questions have already been answered?

ducatiearl

still here just never find answers to doing my own work

carlosrg

I find that this site is not a very helpful bunch.. Many of the members seem to get to upset or opinionated on mods or changes or even working on their own vehicles, or worst can not even find the 710 cap to add oil to the truck. Don't even bother to ask for technical help or audio questions in that forum might as well sit in a tub of a lye..

Also I think this truck is getting older and many people have moved on.... I think knowledge is being held as tribal instead of open which what a forum should be... Maybe we need a forum mod to sticky some questions until they get answers?

mrobinso

I know I am in the wrong forum but I stalk the X164 forum from time-to-time as I have considered buying one. I find the W164 forum to be pretty quiet, not particularly active. Many new posts come from first time posters, and even when a veteran MBWorld member posts you usually only see a handful of responses. I also own a W203 and that forum is quite active. I think it is largely driven by the type of owners who are interested in these vehicles. I am completely speculating but my experience is the most frequent forum users are folks who bought the vehicle brand new and are excited about it, or third or fourth owners who bought after the big depreciation hit and are looking for help working on the vehicles. These cars still fall largely in the second owner window, which aren't quite the enthusiast owner nor the DIY person.

ddruker

That's interesting - I've felt like folks have been super helpful here, I've just seen momentum slowing way down in terms of the number of new posts per day / week etc.

KrustyKustom

My guess is these vehicles are still a little expensive for someone to grab a fixer upper and dive into the mechanics which generates tech discussion. Over at the 166 forum the concern is lease rates and the color piping on the designo interior, eventually here on the 164 forum there will be people pulling transmissions etc...

I am a guy who buys new, maintains well and is in for the long run typically. Not sure I will be pulling drivetrain, but plan on over 200k miles on my GL350 to get my $ worth. I am at 117k now...so far so good.

BlownV8

Krusty, you should be able to get much more than that out of your GL. I'm at 250k miles on my 450 and it still drives and looks new. It's such a phenomenal vehicle. I'm certain it will last to 500k or more. I've always taken great care of it and used synthetic oil from day one. The maintenance and upkeep has been really cheap to date. It just keeps purring along with no issues.

SndsoftheSbrbs

It is natural for these types of forums to slow down. Once there is a lot of information to search through, people stop starting new threads to ask questions that have already been answered.

mefferso

Could be that our GL's are becoming self aware and beginning to fix themselves

BlownV8

Most of the issues with the GL seem to happen in the first 100k miles. After that, they seem to be more dependable. Most of the GL's are gassers and seem to be very reliable so you don't hear about too many issues. Maybe that's why it is slowing down?

As someone already posted, most of the fixes are a quick search away but you will always have the new member on his/her first post ask the questions without searching. Then again, they will often post in any forum and the mods have to move their posts to the correct forum.

OneAdam12

Of all the Mercedes models I've read about on this site, the GL seems to be one of the most "hit or miss". My 2008 GL450 was an absolute mess - 13k is repairs and maintenance in 24 months. Fortunately all under warranty. Then I've read from others that have no major issues and 200k+ miles?! My favorite repair - 3rd row seat lock - $1,375.

We've since sold th GL450, but I do still check the W203 page regularly for my 06 C230. The car and the forum have been great!

BlownV8

Where the issues 450 related or just GL related like tranny, Airmatic, rear hatch, peeling trim, etc, etc.

OneAdam12

Both - Hear are some of the highlights:
Replace right front dew weatherstrip - $148
Power Steering Gear Box / Replace Steering Rack - $952
Replace engine / transmission mounts - $172
Replace left real axle bearing - $632
Replace 3rd Row Seat Lock - $1375
Replace Main Battery - $364
Replace Garnish Molding - $514
Replace Eye Glass Drawer - $300
Replace Plastic Tailgate Clips - $120
Replace Rear Crankshaft Seal - $1171
Replace Font Transmission Pump Seal - $275
Transmission Adaptation - $138
Electrical Malfunction - SDS Test - $90
Replace Multiple Simultaneous Blown Light Bulbs - $120
Replace Take-up Device - $99
Replace Airmatic Pump - $670
Replace Intake Manifold / Faulty Leakage - $1,172

The rest of our incurred costs were maintenance items, warranty deductibles, etc., which you expect with a MB. Note, these repairs were all between 70-90k miles.

That said, we'll still look at the new GLS for our next SUV because they are so comfortable and drive so well. If you own one with a warranty, and have the time to spend on it, it's worth it. I also like the QX80 though, but I've never driven one. We'll probably give that a look-see as well.