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I have been eyeing the 11-12 GL550 for a little while now. I used to be hung up on getting a 350 Bluetech but for the amount of driving we do now, I don't need the great MPG our Q7 tdi gets.
The GL550 is far roomier inside, and I think Benz is built better, the Q7 is very creaky inside with only 110k miles on it.
As far as I know, the 5.5 N/A engine is very stout, just possibly PCV and rear camplugs are the only issue? Cahssis wise just air struts as far as i know?
The GL550 would be 100-130k miles to buy right now, budget about 14k. Plan would be to keep it 5-6 years.
Go for it. When you replace the struts, get them with a lifetime guarantee. Other than that, you should be good to go assuming the.plugs were changed at 100k and fluid and filter changes are up to date too.
this is the vehicle Im looking at. anyone recognize it perhaps? Lived most of its life in CA and then TN. It is ridiculously clean underneath...us northerners are not used to this.
Wheels are curb rashed, small dent on pass rear right door, nothing major. Small peeling leather on the driver side cushion. Otherwise looks very clean. Carfax doesnt have too much maintenance info on it.
Maintenance record will be key here - get it to a Prepurchase inspection at a Mercedes dealer that will share the vmi (vehicle master inquiry) with you; eyes only if they won’t give you a hard copy.
that will tell your what this car needs - at this age, definitely all four air springs, maybe even a shock pair or two. This 550 has Advanced Damping System which Arnott does supply, but it’s very costly as compared to a $15 k car. Look for evidence that the trans has has a service every 40k.
look for signs of water intrusion in the trunk; particularly right rear d-pillar. If wet here, walk.
If dealer has no Mx records negotiate a very steep deal. If Mercedes can’t provide you a thorough ppi ( they will usually recommend Mx based on looking at the vmi and not the car itself, if they’re crooks) find an honest mb dealer that will.
We have a deal setup, 12.5k for our Q7, 14.5k for the benz. Deal going down tomorrow (thursday may 28).
Regarding the air susp, will I have codes/lights if I convert to coilover suspension? Im on the fence about this as air is definitely nice for load leveling.
So far our 2008 S8 air is holding tight, but I expect it to go sooner than later on both the S8 and the Benz.
I will take a look at the rear D pillar tomorrow, I did not know about this.
Drove it for about 30 mins, it feels great. Would need an alignment very slight pull to the right.
It is a much more solid and substantial vehicle than the Q7. Cornering performance is worse for sure, but on our rutted gravel roads here feels great even with the 21s.
Overall the vehicle presented itself very well. It is absolutely spotless underneath, every single bolt thread and nut looks factory showroom new.
Plan is to change all fluids asap and do spark plugs.
It has new brakes all around and new Continental tires.
Engine appeared clean, no oil leaks that I could see or smell.
Trans was buttery smooth, no weird bumps or slips. Engine power was great, smooth and linear. AC worked in all zones, all vehicle functions appeared to work well, did not see any pending codes with a generic scanner.
Overall my wife and I were imprssed by the vehicle and in the color combo it really presents itself nicely. Very rare to find southern mint body condition vehicles up here in MI. That alone is worth a few grand in my book, as it saves time and fuel to go south and source my own.
I was all tooled up for VW/Audi work but will need to get a benz scanner now.
Keep the air suspension and buy parts with lifetime warranty. You can also buy the struts very inexpensively on Ebay if your budget is tight. I tried one of the cheap ones, while I was arguing with RMT, over their failed strutt, and have had no issues with it. Would advise against using RMT for rebuilt GL shocks due to my experience.
^thanks. Id rather keep all oem features of the vehicle. If its say 2k for new air struts vs 1200 for coilover, id go with new air struts. Worst case, buy a cheap used one.
Very excited to bring this one home. WIll be heavily undercoated.
Picked up and drove around today. I like everything about it exhaust the cheap plastic housings for the tilting mechanisms at the rear seats. Look feel adn sound cheap and creak alot.
Otherwise I like the color combo. Does not have off road package which I would have liked for two speed T case and locking diff
Had to order a set of OEM blue ring center caps. Wheels will be refinished soon.
Been driving it ariubd in my usual routes..this is a far better riding vehicle than the q7. Handles road irregularities much better. Quieter, smoother and the doors feel so substantial!
engine oil and filter one, mobil1 0w40 and mobil 1 filter. Just ordered the A89 pentosin transmission kit, new bosch plugs, engine and cabin air filters.
I have a driveline whine that increases in frequency/pitch with vehicle speed. I suspect front diff bearings as I read this is somewhat common.
First service the trans and as I am running it on the hoist I will listen with stethoscope along the entire driveline. It is focused in the frontal area of the vehicle. Starts round 20 mph and goes away/frequency is high enough that I dont hear it past 50 mph.
Am I correct that 11-12 vehicles despire being A89 option still use the older spec for the transfer case? ATF 134 is sufficient? (Mb spec 236.14)
Also, 75 or 80w90 GL5 for the front and rear diffs? (MB spec 235.0)
Also who makes a good rear rubber cargo mat? Prefer in grey to match the carpet.
i have also replaced the entire front diff with a known good used one to get rid of said noise, it was more cost effective at $600 with a warranty than rebuilding. Flush diff fluid with some mobil1 limited slip and see if it gets better first.
chassis ears are the best tool to determine the source of the noise.
New fluid in all 3 diffs. Whine is maybe 50% quieter. Not usre if it was front diff ot tcase(suspect front diff) for now Ill live with it.
plugs, air filters and trans service next
I am in LOVE with how accessible everything is on this vehicle. Audis really are just punishment.
Did cabin air filter, plugs, engine air filter in 1 hour.
I noticed some seepage at the rear PCV breather, got a new OEM one coming will swap that out next week.
Also put all new OEM wheel center caps on. Just need to add an OEM polished SS license plate frame for the rear. I dont like unframed license plates.
sometime in next few weeks I will do the trans fluid and filter.
Mods, can you change the title of this thread to "2011 GL550 Maintenance and Repair Log" please?
the rear crankcase breather is stuck in the mail somewhere.
Got a code for ECT not coming up to temp quick enough. Ordered oem stat and housing. gasket got mangled, waiting for a new one.
Noticed some crunching when dry steering and working the wheel back and forth sounds rubbery. Will have my wife cycle the wheel as I poke around.
05-25-2020 | 08:54 AM
