This forum is really slowing down - are X164s / X164 owners dying off?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
This forum is really slowing down - are X164s / X164 owners dying off?
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?
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?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: ky usa
GL 450
2012 gl450
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?
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?
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 27
From: Buford, Ga
2023 EQE AMG
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?
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?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 27
2021 Yukon XL Denali, 2017 GLS450 4MATIC, 1993 Chevy Corvette
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
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?
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?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 57
2021 V167
change of owner demographics....?
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 380
Likes: 59
From: Illinois
2019 Audi Q8, 2015 GL63, & 2005 E500W4
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.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
2006 C230 Sport
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!
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!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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!
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!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
2006 C230 Sport
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.
