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).

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Fair point, we were only looking at 2010+. 09 and under were quite a bit cheaper.

 

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.

 

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%!

 

kek
ask him if that is with the tank full or empty