1xsculler

Arnott used to have a lifetime warranty on their struts but now have only a two year warranty!
R Arnotts still the best struts for replacements?????

BlownV8

I would say not with a warranty that only lasts two years unless you plan on getting rid of the vehicle. I did not go that route when I replaced my front struts.

BlownV8

Front Pair Air Suspension Air Struts for 2013-2016 Mercedes GL63 AMG w/ ADS X166 | eBay
Been running these for over two years and still going strong.

lkchris

Too many people use this warranty … meaning it’s not a quality product. Replacement doesn’t cover installation costs.

1xsculler

Pretty easy especially for the 2nd one v

eric_in_sd

Arnott was offering lifetime with free shipping. To be honest their quality was not the best, but with the warranty, how could you go wrong.

Now I'd just install Bilstein.

texas008

based on my experience,
arnott rear air bag usually last 7 years / 50k miles (i did not claim the lifetime warranty)
arnott front strut assembly has been working fine for 6 year / 50k miles and counting.
just normal driving, no towing.

Max Blast

I’m driving on five-year-old arenot in the front, and two year-old ones in the back… As a matter, of course I just replace the rear ones every two years anyway as they are wear items.

So as long as you can DIY this, you can still stay within the warranty.

imtheking

They have the entire set for front and rear for $350. Might be the way to go if you plan on keeping the car for a short time (2/3 years)

Will bookmark this for future reference.

Tsumi

Arnott with FCP Euro's lifetime replacement guarantee if you plan on keeping it a long time, a generic brand if not.

BlownV8

I'm not getting rid of my 63 anytime in the near future but I also didn't want to spend $2.6k to 3k on a set of Bilstein OEM shocks. At the time I purchased, this was the only company that had any in stock. I'm typically an Arnott user but they didn't have any in stock either and their new warranty policy is not the best. Guess they learned that many people keep their MB's for some time and they were paying too much to honor a lifetime warranty. Again, so far, the shocks have been great.

imtheking

I'm in the market for a 2009-2011 GL- I want white with tan interior. Not many here in the DC/MD/VA area. The ones I've seen so far have been junk. The owner didn't maintain the vehicle or a dealer bought it wholesale or from an auction and put it on their lot without addressing any of the issues.

I had one inspected in NC yesterday from what I thought was a reputable dealer with 5 star reviews. They changed the battery, crankshaft valve, oil and cooler gaskets and did a coolant flush. Great, right? Thank god I sent an inspector. The rear has clicking noise and the tranny was performing poorly and had some vibration.

The car search is getting frustrating. I was in the market for an ML but like the larger size of the GL- and it looks amazing in white

So I'm doing my research while conducting my search. I come from the S500/SL500 world. I'm not new to ABC and Airmatic.

1xsculler

[QUOTE=Tsumi;8973816]Arnott with FCP Euro's lifetime replacement guarantee if you plan on keeping it a long time, a generic brand if not.[/QUOTE

$392, about $100 more than from Rockauto or Amazon, for an Arnott AS3005 would be worth it to me if they come with a lifetime warranty!

Max Blast

That's what you get when sifting through auction car dealer castaways. Key to owning these is to viciously DIY everyting you can and be very pragmatic about what you fix. Airmatic is cheap as compared to trying to revive a GL with water intrusion issues. Those are parts cars that you walk away from.

Sounds like you're able to do just that.

"The rear has clicking noise and the tranny was performing poorly and had some vibration." = negotiation leverage. This sounds like a $5000 car!

imtheking

They have it listed for 6495 with a 495 processing fee- down from the original 7495 price. It's been sitting since March.

I don't mind minor issues like changing air filters, oil, fluids and some cheap parts here and there. Every used car with 100k+ miles is going to have SOMETHING that needs to be addressed.

What I don't want is an $8k car that needs $3k worth of work to bring it back to life.

So much junk out there- some of the cars I've seen I ended up walking away in 5 minutes. Two sellers didn't disclose the car has suspension issues. I get there the front is sagging. What a waste of time. Some of these places were like an hour from home.

The used car buying experience is not fun at all.

eric_in_sd

I am afraid your search could be a very long one. Water intrusion is a deal killer. But technically it is not; it is just that the repair cost will spiral beyond the $3K very quickly. As long as the unibody has not started to rust out, anything can be repaired; it is just a matter of cost and time.

Airmatic is a relatively cheap fix if you DIY. You can replace the pump, valve block, and all four springs for somewhere around $2K. And I'm not talking dreck; this is good components. Issues with the motor and transmission can cost far more. Issues with the electronics, even more than that.

vesiadog

I have bought quite a few MB SUV’s… ebay if you can get it checked out. All of the ones I bought 5.. i relied upon the maintenance history and was really never thrown a curve ball….I try to buy between 60-85 k miles. If you have a low dollar buying in mind you will be forced to look at the higher mileage ones. I have always thought .. what is it worth to drive a $60-80k vehicle lower mileage from 60k-80k miles to 140k miles? Once they are over 100-130 k miles you are really relying on tranny maintenance was done and engine oil . I bought two that needed complete air suspension and some already told you if you are a DIY suspension is not a big deal but $2000 bucks now a days… I did the first one for $1200 but not anymore.
Start searching forums and read the weak links to be aware about . Good luck … my favorite lower dollar one was an ML500… had two one with a 7 speed and a little tank with a 5 speed. For me the 500 motor was just about Bullet proof.

BlownV8

Airmatic is a dream compared to the nightmare and money pit that an ABC suspension can and will become over time. There is a reason MB ditched it. Stay away from the diesels and buy the newest nicest one you can afford. As you know, there is nothing more expensive than a cheap MB. I recommend the X166 over the 164 with the peak of reliability coming from the 2019 GLS450. I would stay away from the M278 V8 models unless you get lucky with a nice stock/untuned and low mileage 63.

Max Blast

Nono. This is advertised as an 8k car that guaranteed will need 5k in repairs as soon as you take it off the lot.

So pay no more than $5k and viciously DiY just what is needed for another $2k in parts and you’ll be fine.

imtheking

I passed on the car. They were firm on price. They said they had already reduced the price by $1k- whatever. let it rot on your lot

I went to look at another 2012 GL with 138k miles for $5,800. So as soon as I turned on the car, check engine light. and the car would not raise up..... "compressor cooling". Drove 56 miles and walked away in 5 minutes.

My frustrations continue.

I would get something newer but I just love the X164 body style. She looks so pretty in white. I've seen a few with low mileage but they are priced high and at that price point, I'd rather get something newer. Pros and Cons

I'm leaning towards an ML now. A nice V6 with no air suspension. Trying to be patient

Max Blast

That’s the car you buy, if it’s is dry inside.. It’s just an airmatic compressor and airbag replacements. ($2k).

to have this kind of car you have to be able to DIY the things that go wrong, otherwise it’ll eat your lunch and dinner.

if no DIY capability then a steel spring ML is a very safe bet.

vesiadog

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable in the MB pricing arena. I have owned quite a few and my son has a large R129 business . My son has bought over 70 R129’s.
Ok my point is about pricing .. I just sold my 2008 GL550 with 170,000 miles highly maintained for $5500 to a good friend. I also just bought a 2011 GL550 with 75k miles for $13,000. They are very hard to find under 100k miles and IMO once they are over 100k with zero tranny maintenance you are taking a $5k gamble.
Between drive shafts, Air suspension, wheel bearings, electrical moisture problems…. there are many $5-7k BARGAINS 😂 just waiting for an open check book to feed them. PLUS the handful of motor issues that can be a pain $$. ok good luck

imtheking

Yea, I have a good mobile mechanic that would replace the struts for like $100 each- maybe cheaper for the back. I just don't want to buy a car and spend time fixing it. That's what I use to do but I don't have the time and energy anymore. Just want something healthy with updated maintenance that may need some small items like plugs or filters. I'm not trying to take on large projects with 2k repairs off the break.

Bring a trailer had two ML's listed recently in fantastic shape with great service history that went for $8,800. But with fees and shipping, it was going to put me at the 11k mark and I felt like a 2010 with 96k miles isn't workth 11k. Again, I can find a 2012/2013 for that price.

Anyway, the search continues. Maybe I'll budge and take on a fixer upper at a good price but at this point, I'm tired of buying cars and pouring money into them from day one of ownership

vesiadog

Most used cars are sold or traded in for a reason or two.
If you have a Mobile mechanic that will change front MB struts for $100 keep him on speed dial… i have done a handful and no way would I even think about touching a front strut for $100. Back are very easy.
ML or GL under 100k miles going to cost you!
Be careful of both models between 2006-2008
I definitely prefer a 7 speed from 2009 and after. ML’s watch the engine serial number for the camshaft and balancer issue… google and you will find the info.
Just keep the search going and I am sure you can find a decent one… usually once a Mercedes Dealer gives a outrageous repair quote they can go cheap and you have a decent find with knowing what needs repaired. I bought a White ML500 loaded with air suspension and the dealer quoited around $3k to repair the suspension.. I paid $5k and put $1200 into it… it bounce around my family and we put over 100k miles on it and still sold it for what we paid.