GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

The road to hell and to ruin

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 23, 2022 | 09:39 PM
  #1  
Max Blast's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
The road to hell and to ruin

Anyone want a 350 with a sagging airmatic, unverifiable maintenance history and lots of ownership challenges for $17k plus reg fees and tax?



fair warning, here be dragons and snakes in the grass .

Not intending this is a diesel bashing post, but rather a’ here is the GL you don’t buy” (for a dime over $8000).
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 12:19 AM
  #2  
EWT's Avatar
EWT
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
I just looked at a $16K 2011 ML550 with similar mileage that had a leaking CV boot, oil cooler and steering rack where the shaft goes into the rack, which seems to be a common problem on W164s. The first two are relatively easy fixes. The third would be a big job and expensive if Liquid Moly seal sweller didn't do its job. Nice vehicle otherwise. It is surprising how much smaller an ML feels compared to a GL.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 12:40 AM
  #3  
Max Blast's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
I shudder to think how much you’d have to put into that GL350 to make it reasonably reliable, despite lower mileage.

If DIY you could roundabout the airmatic with Arnott or Bilstein bags for $1500; oil cooler seals for $129 and power steering reservoir o-ring for about $3.fiddy.

If not done, a tranny flush at a works place for $5-600. $400 with a coupon if you’re lucky.

that’s if the back half of this one is dry.

Wrt the ML you looked at, mileage and location dependent this should be a 12-14$ car with no proven maintenance history.

Last edited by Max Blast; Oct 24, 2022 at 12:44 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 11:30 AM
  #4  
atraudes's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 505
Likes: 288
From: Sammamish, WA
2011 E350 Wagon, 2010 GL450
A year ago when we were looking, you couldn't find a GL under 18, and the ones at that price point all had major problems like transmissions that shuddered and bucked. What a joke.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 04:20 PM
  #5  
Max Blast's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
The market has softened since then, with the Takata, AEM (if so equipped), and brake booster recalls still being open.

seeing 07-08s round here for 8-10$k
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 05:22 PM
  #6  
atraudes's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 505
Likes: 288
From: Sammamish, WA
2011 E350 Wagon, 2010 GL450
Fair point, we were only looking at 2010+. 09 and under were quite a bit cheaper.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 05:59 PM
  #7  
Max Blast's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
The highest ask I’ve seen so far is a private seller with the 2012 550 with OK maintenance history (needed bags all around) at 24,000, dropped to 19 due to complete lack of interest.

Last edited by Max Blast; Oct 24, 2022 at 06:26 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 11:08 PM
  #8  
EWT's Avatar
EWT
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 202
From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
Originally Posted by Max Blast
The market has softened since then, with the Takata, AEM (if so equipped), and brake booster recalls still being open.

seeing 07-08s round here for 8-10$k
I got a letter from my dealer after taking it in for the booster telling me my trade in value was $2,380! Every time I fill up, I'm increasing the value of it by 6%!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 25, 2022 | 11:50 AM
  #9  
eric_in_sd's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Originally Posted by EWT
Every time I fill up, I'm increasing the value of it by 6%!
kek
ask him if that is with the tank full or empty
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:54 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE