New to Mercedes - home mechanic - GL
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
Toyota Tundra
New to Mercedes - home mechanic - GL
Hello, new member, first post. Look forward to learning all that I can from this forum. I am considering the purchase of a first gen GL as a daily driver family hauler. Possibly 2nd generation. I consider myself a fairly decent mechanic but having never owned a Mercedes have some concerns with keeping an older model reliable and on the road. Also concerned there will be jobs out of the reach of a home mechanic. I will be pooring through the posts. If anyone has any broad stroke hints, tips or suggestions they will be greatly appreciated. Dream car is AMG S 65 sedan or g wagon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Welcome. Nothing, except for the transmission service, is out of reach for a DIYer.
it seems complicated and scary but it’s only somewhat complicated and just a little scary.
if you have a mb-compatible scan tool your DIY life will be so much easier.
it seems complicated and scary but it’s only somewhat complicated and just a little scary.
if you have a mb-compatible scan tool your DIY life will be so much easier.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
Toyota Tundra
Scan tool
I was able buy a cheap cable for my laptop and download tech stream for my toyotas. Also have blue driver obd2 device. Curious if the the equivalent for MB is available. Thanks for the response.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
The dealer-level system is DAS/Xentry. User pmercury on this site can help. Third party diagnostic OBD tools will work with varying degrees of success.
WIS and EPC are the documentation systems for service procedures and parts catalog. ebay will show you these.
WIS and EPC are the documentation systems for service procedures and parts catalog. ebay will show you these.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
First gen is straightforward. A scan tool (i've got a icarsoft - not as complete but more plug and play than the PC based solutions) and a manual (I've got the WIS via emanualonline.com) are very helpful. Lots of good information in this forum too. Good writeups of how to do many of the common repairs and maintenance items.
One of the common problems you'll deal with repeatedly is the air suspension. Arnott is the vendor of choice. Lifetime warranty on stuff that will break again if you keep the vehicle long enough. I'm almost to 210K on my 08 550. I've had to replace lots of stuff in the last 1.5 years (xfer case, starter, alternator, fuel pump), but that's not unexpected at that mileage. Still drives pretty well and the exterior and interior have help up remarkably well. Great value for what they cost now if you can find one that appears to be in good shape.
One of the common problems you'll deal with repeatedly is the air suspension. Arnott is the vendor of choice. Lifetime warranty on stuff that will break again if you keep the vehicle long enough. I'm almost to 210K on my 08 550. I've had to replace lots of stuff in the last 1.5 years (xfer case, starter, alternator, fuel pump), but that's not unexpected at that mileage. Still drives pretty well and the exterior and interior have help up remarkably well. Great value for what they cost now if you can find one that appears to be in good shape.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
Toyota Tundra
Thanks for the great info. Exactly what I was looking for. What was the cost of a transfer case and where did you source it? I'd love to find a 550 in good shape. Happy to have found this forum. Quick reply with great info has me feeling more confident.
Last edited by 80ME; Aug 18, 2020 at 11:07 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Welcome! I was in your shoes. Hadn't owned an MB before the x164 550 I bought late last year, after 18 months of searching on and off mainly because I was looking for a unicorn in good shape and reasonable price. I also peruse the x166, w164 and w166 forums, because some of their problems are same/similar and you can find pdfs with instructions on how to do some jobs at home. The w164 and x164 share a lot of similarities, as do the x166 and w166. I'm not one to shy away from grease on my hands. Lots of folks here are super helpful and responses are quick as well, as you've already observed.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
