When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Some of you may know me from posting in the W211 or W221 forum. I have been fortunate to drive a Mercedes Benz since 2013. I currently drive a 2010 S550 since 2016. I love that car. I bought it with 64,400 miles. It currently has 94,890 miles on it. I love that car. I maintain it and it's immaculate.
I test drove several of these cars from the 2011-2012 range. I specifically wanted the non-turbo version of the V8 for various reasons. This one had the least miles, drove the best, no clunks, creaks, or groans. Lots of power. Shifted well, new brakes, serviced by the dealer etc....
I bought the GL550 for my wife. It has 64,683, runs, and drives really well. The dealer I purchased from gave it a 3 month 3000 warranty. Since I have the S550 I know what I am getting myself into.
It's different from the S Class, but the same. I have keyless go, but there is no push to start button. I put the one from my S Class in and it didn't work. I thought they were all compatible, is there a button that is specific to the GL? It seems to have nearly every option EXCEPT the heated steering wheel, and Nappa leather. The running boards don't illuminate at night which kind of disappointed me. Where those only available in later model years?
I had some other questions and I can't remember what they were. Any other advice or thoughts feel free to add to the thread.
Here are a couple of pics. Pearl Diamond White, Beige interior. I wanted a black interior, but sadly I couldn't find one close by. She put about 300 miles on it the past 2 days and she likes it a lot.
Last edited by The Thomas J; 06-01-2021 at 11:14 PM.
Keep my information for when your 3 month's are up, I can get you a free quote for an extended manufacture warranty from Freedom Warranty, 5yr / up to 100,000 miles, able to take your vehicle to any Mercedes-Benz dealer in North America to have the repairs performed. tgibson@highline-autos.com call or text (602) 909-9216
The GL is very reliable. Airbags/struts, rear shocks, and trunk latch will most likely be your only issues. Buy the airbags/struts with a lifetime warranty and avoid the dealership on the previously mentioned parts.
I'm not sure about model to model, but the keyless go button isn't vehicle specific. Mine was missing the button when I bought it along with some other items, and the salesman proceeded to "borrow" replacements from other used GLs on the lot. The button from the other GL did the trick in mine.
You may also have a non-keyless go key or one that needs to be programmed so it won't work regardless. Unfortunately and to my knowledge, this is a dealer only type fix.
One of the things that I noticed is that my front seats look similar to the seats on my S class, but the back seats are a different grade of leather. They aren't perferated. Another observation is that the dashboard, the dials, switches, and Command throughout the car remind me more of my W221. It's not an issue. I was very fond of that style of interior. I have a question about the climate control. On the S Class, the driverside temperature and fan control are the master control switches until the passenger adjusts the settings on their side. Then you have to go to the Climate control settings and select MONO to bring master control back to the driverside. On the GL there are two dials. Does each dial have to be adjusted individually to keep the same temperature? If not, what temperature setting does the passenger side have to be set at to enable the driverside to have master control over the temperature setting. I have always wondered about this since I had an E class.
For those that have a panoramic roof. What is the purpose of this. It has a shade, but the glass itself is frosted. Are they all like that? Does that sunroof open? When I look down at the roof of the car from my window it looks like someone put a privacy glass cling on it to block out the sun. I have not been in the third-row seats yet. I like that the rear quarter windows open and with the sunroof open it drafts the air nicely.
My wife and I were trying to figure out why the GL felt so much faster off the line than the S class despite it being a thousand pounds heavier. I realized that the S Class is usually in comfort mode and starts out in 2nd gear. I put it in sport mode today and it felt pretty similar to the GL. I did notice the S Class is getting better gas mileage 15.6 MPG city to the GL's 13.8. You aren't passing many gas stations with either car and even fewer in the GL. If it had massage seats I would seriously consider keeping it for myself and giving her my S Class.
What is the story with the Airmatic? I had the ADS. I was looking at Rock auto just to get an idea about the price for parts. The GL has shocks and airbags? Does the ADS shock incorporate the airbag? Do these wear like regular shocks? This is a bit confusing to me.
Last edited by The Thomas J; 05-29-2021 at 12:35 AM.
Sunroof: I think you’re referring to the third row sunroof? It serves no other purpose than to let light in and does not open. It was clear when it left the factory but the sun has baked it over time and crazed it. You may be able to restore some transparency using aircraft canopy polish. When this piece of plastic gets old and brittle there is also increased risk of cracking, which will let water in. This water will usually collect in the spare tire area down low in the trunk and short circuit all the expensive electronic modules that live there, so be on the lookout for water leaks.
off the line: probably gearing and low end torque.
suspension: you have advanced damping system, or ADS. This is a variable rate shock that wears like any other shock. The airmatic system consist of the air springs and their associated level sensors, an air compressor, a valve block and a central air reservoir, plus the electronic module to drive it. You have an air spring (aka air bag) on each corner that works like a metal coil spring, but with the added benefit that you can raise or lower the car manually, or that ADS automatically lowers the car at highway speed. In that way they work together, but consider them separate systems.The bags are common to the entire x164 line regardless or trim, and only the 550 (and some highly optioned 450s) got ADS. On your front struts the bag is integrated around the shock, on the rear axle they are separated from the shock.
Sunroof: I think you’re referring to the third row sunroof? It serves no other purpose than to let light in and does not open. It was clear when it left the factory but the sun has baked it over time and crazed it. You may be able to restore some transparency using aircraft canopy polish. When this piece of plastic gets old and brittle there is also increased risk of cracking, which will let water in. This water will usually collect in the spare tire area down low in the trunk and short circuit all the expensive electronic modules that live there, so be on the lookout for water leaks.
off the line: probably gearing and low end torque.
suspension: you have advanced damping system, or ADS. This is a variable rate shock that wears like any other shock. The airmatic system consist of the air springs and their associated level sensors, an air compressor, a valve block and a central air reservoir, plus the electronic module to drive it. You have an air spring (aka air bag) on each corner that works like a metal coil spring, but with the added benefit that you can raise or lower the car manually, or that ADS automatically lowers the car at highway speed. In that way they work together, but consider them separate systems.The bags are common to the entire x164 line regardless or trim, and only the 550 (and some highly optioned 450s) got ADS. On your front struts the bag is integrated around the shock, on the rear axle they are separated from the shock.
Thanks for that info. That makes sense as to why the ride on the GL feels so different in comfort compared to the S in comfort mode. The shock and the airbag are doing two different things. I don't care for the floatiness of the comfort setting on the highway, but on a street filled with potholes, or with milled pavement under construction waiting to be paved it's magnificent. I will watch out for water leaks. So far I haven't seen anything and it's been raining cats and dogs here the past 36 hours. Is leakage a common problem on the third-row sunroof? Is it easily replaceable?
Congratulations! I rate the 2011/2012 GL 550 as the best looking GL/GLS ever manufactured (specially with the white exterior, which is beautiful). And the big naturally aspirated V8 is also great. If you tow, avoid aftermarket airbags as they do not have the performance of the OEM and can get overloaded.
Replacing the rear sunroof is neither easy not cost effective which is why prior owners may have cheaped out on it, and created leaks. I’ve seen leaks in poorly replaced or fixed sunroofs but usually not with the factory one still in there, regardless of how opaque it is.
Another leak point is the tail light gaskets, those are far easier to replace. Just keep a lookout - if it’s dry back there, you’re fine.
Replacing the rear sunroof is neither easy not cost effective which is why prior owners may have cheaped out on it, and created leaks. I’ve seen leaks in poorly replaced or fixed sunroofs but usually not with the factory one still in there, regardless of how opaque it is.
Another leak point is the tail light gaskets, those are far easier to replace. Just keep a lookout - if it’s dry back there, you’re fine.
It has been raining hard since Friday night. The weekend was a complete washout. I will double-check tomorrow to make sure.
Congratulations! I rate the 2011/2012 GL 550 as the best looking GL/GLS ever manufactured (specially with the white exterior, which is beautiful). And the big naturally aspirated V8 is also great. If you tow, avoid aftermarket airbags as they do not have the performance of the OEM and can get overloaded.
You would not rate the 2008-2010 GL550 the same way? Why the exclusion?
The GL550 is a nice looking vehicle but I'm not a fan of the Flava Flav extra large MB star on the front and so glad that did not carryover to later models. Other than that, it's a nice looking truck. Then again, so is the 166 GL/S 63. It does look good in white and I'm usually not a huge fan since every 1 out of 4 cars are white.
You would not rate the 2008-2010 GL550 the same way? Why the exclusion?
The GL550 is a nice looking vehicle but I'm not a fan of the Flava Flav extra large MB star on the front and so glad that did not carryover to later models. Other than that, it's a nice looking truck. Then again, so is the 166 GL/S 63. It does look good in white and I'm usually not a huge fan since every 1 out of 4 cars are white.
Just my opinion. I don't like the DRL in 2010 and earlier models.
I'm not sure about model to model, but the keyless go button isn't vehicle specific. Mine was missing the button when I bought it along with some other items, and the salesman proceeded to "borrow" replacements from other used GLs on the lot. The button from the other GL did the trick in mine.
Originally Posted by BlownV8
You may also have a non-keyless go key or one that needs to be programmed so it won't work regardless. Unfortunately and to my knowledge, this is a dealer only type fix.
Guys, just an FYI. Not all start buttons are universally compatible with every Mercedes. I ordered a start button specific to the GL550 and it started right up when I installed it.
Congrats that’s a beautiful truck. I have the 2012 Gl450. They are complicated machines but they are solid and give a great ride. Also I do believe they are really good looking trucks. I don’t like the newer styles on the Gls enjoy
Congrats that’s a beautiful truck. I have the 2012 Gl450. They are complicated machines but they are solid and give a great ride. Also I do believe they are really good looking trucks. I don’t like the newer styles on the Gls enjoy
05-27-2021, 10:44 PM
