Talk me off the ledge! GL350 Bluetec
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Talk me off the ledge! GL350 Bluetec
I just traded in a fantastic E350 Wagon that we absolutely loved -- but unfortunately, had outgrown. That third row is great for small kids but that's about it.
We were thinking about larger SUV's like Sequoias, Suburbans and Expeditions but really loved the MB experience and wanted to stick with it. I have always heard great things about MB diesels so figured the GL350 was a perfect fit.
We picked up a 2016 and so far I really love it. We were planning this would be something we'd keep forever (8-10 years) as a family vehicle. Unfortunately as soon as we got home I started finding posts about reliability. I saw a few posts about being DOA on the road or having $5K repairs right out of warranty.
I'm ok with having to do regular maintenance on these kinds of cars -- unlike a Toyota (et al) that you can just drive forever and not think about it. My question is more around the legitimacy of what I'm reading on line. Is it just the usual internet forum syndrome where the negative stuff gets featured loudly -- or are the GL350's not got long term vehicles?
Thanks!
We were thinking about larger SUV's like Sequoias, Suburbans and Expeditions but really loved the MB experience and wanted to stick with it. I have always heard great things about MB diesels so figured the GL350 was a perfect fit.
We picked up a 2016 and so far I really love it. We were planning this would be something we'd keep forever (8-10 years) as a family vehicle. Unfortunately as soon as we got home I started finding posts about reliability. I saw a few posts about being DOA on the road or having $5K repairs right out of warranty.
I'm ok with having to do regular maintenance on these kinds of cars -- unlike a Toyota (et al) that you can just drive forever and not think about it. My question is more around the legitimacy of what I'm reading on line. Is it just the usual internet forum syndrome where the negative stuff gets featured loudly -- or are the GL350's not got long term vehicles?
Thanks!
#2
Member
Relax, they are wonderful and reliable SUVs. I am on my second, and at 28,000 miles, have found it to be an excellent, stable, smoothe riding, and very dependable vehicle. No issues or problems of any importance.
The following 2 users liked this post by captivabenz:
karlosacost (03-24-2024),
Zeyad Alkaisi (04-26-2016)
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hi and welcome to GL club. Do not forget to do your maintenance on time and you'll be fine. These engines don't like "old oil", so it's better to change oil sooner than later. I change oil and filter every 5K miles instead of factory recommended 10K. Remember - diesel oil is not the same as gasoline.
Enjoy your new car.
Enjoy your new car.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks guys -- I appreciate it. I spend a lot of time on the Bimmer forums so I do realize problems tend to get blown out of proportion. It just seemed like there were a lot of negative comments floating around about people's experience with the diesels.
It does seem like a lot of the issues may have been with the x164 generation -- Hopefully they've gotten better.
If I take care of the maintenance and do oil changes at 5K, do you think I can conceivably drive the GL for a while? I was starting to feel like I'd have to dump it at 4 years as soon as the warranty is up.
It does seem like a lot of the issues may have been with the x164 generation -- Hopefully they've gotten better.
If I take care of the maintenance and do oil changes at 5K, do you think I can conceivably drive the GL for a while? I was starting to feel like I'd have to dump it at 4 years as soon as the warranty is up.
#5
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
15 Posts
2015 - GL 550
Thanks guys -- I appreciate it. I spend a lot of time on the Bimmer forums so I do realize problems tend to get blown out of proportion. It just seemed like there were a lot of negative comments floating around about people's experience with the diesels.
It does seem like a lot of the issues may have been with the x164 generation -- Hopefully they've gotten better.
If I take care of the maintenance and do oil changes at 5K, do you think I can conceivably drive the GL for a while? I was starting to feel like I'd have to dump it at 4 years as soon as the warranty is up.
It does seem like a lot of the issues may have been with the x164 generation -- Hopefully they've gotten better.
If I take care of the maintenance and do oil changes at 5K, do you think I can conceivably drive the GL for a while? I was starting to feel like I'd have to dump it at 4 years as soon as the warranty is up.
I am assuming you bought new, so you can always buy the Mercedes Extended warranty which can last upto 3 years 100K miles there are bunch of option to pick as per your driving habits.
I don't own a Diesel but I do know that if you put the CORN Diesel (Bio Based) it will be harsh on the engine and you will have to change the oil too frequently. So look for only Highway Diesel which is pure non-Bio. This should alone resolve 30-40% issues in near future of vehicles life.
thanks
#6
Senior Member
Relax! I've been a member of numerous forums.......BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mbenz.......and it's human nature to complain rather than praise. My 2015 GL350 just rotated 31,500 miles at 18 months. Obviously most of my miles are highway. Avg. mpg = 25 highway and 22 city. This is absolutely the best road car I've ever owned and it's been trouble free. It'll be time for some new rubber soon but I've spent nothing other than the regular maintenance costs.
#7
The 2007-12 X164 GLs, particularly the diesels, had tons of problems. The X166's seem to be dramatically better. My 2009 was in the shop every other month, literally. My 2014 and 15 GL's have seemed to be trouble free with the exception of an oil leak on the 2014 which Mercedes resolved.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MB GLS550/BMW 550/2017 Acura NSX
We had a fair amount of small electrical issues on our 2013 GL350, and 3 sets of warped brake rotors, but the biggest problem was an oil leak deep in the engine. That required the top half of the engine to be taken off to replace a seal. It was in the shop for 10 days to fix. This was at 43K miles so luckily still under warranty. If not then
As an aside, we just picked up a '16 GL450. We opted against diesel this time because both my wife and I hated the large amount of turbo lag on the diesel in city driving. I know we will miss the fuel range on long road trips though.
As an aside, we just picked up a '16 GL450. We opted against diesel this time because both my wife and I hated the large amount of turbo lag on the diesel in city driving. I know we will miss the fuel range on long road trips though.
#9
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
2014 GL350
I have a 14 GL350 and have it owned it for now 23 months. I absolutely love my diesel SUV. I have 60,000 miles on it and have had no major issues. I know people on here will shake their heads when I say this, but I have taken it to the dealership for all its maintenance work including the ad blue service. Serviced it every 10K miles. I have a MB extended warranty for 5 year/120K. So just dont want any warranty issues if I go out to an independent.
Minor issues that I have had so far have been: 1) I am on my third set of tires now. Looks like these cars chew up the tires real fast. 2) Needed to change out the TPMs (covered by the warranty). 3) Needed to switch out the driver seat adjuster switch (covered by the warranty). 4) Just changed the brake pads at the 60K mark.
Looking to keep it long term, hopefully 200K-300K. Time will tell.
Minor issues that I have had so far have been: 1) I am on my third set of tires now. Looks like these cars chew up the tires real fast. 2) Needed to change out the TPMs (covered by the warranty). 3) Needed to switch out the driver seat adjuster switch (covered by the warranty). 4) Just changed the brake pads at the 60K mark.
Looking to keep it long term, hopefully 200K-300K. Time will tell.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I have a 14 GL350 and have it owned it for now 23 months. I absolutely love my diesel SUV. I have 60,000 miles on it and have had no major issues. I know people on here will shake their heads when I say this, but I have taken it to the dealership for all its maintenance work including the ad blue service. Serviced it every 10K miles. I have a MB extended warranty for 5 year/120K. So just dont want any warranty issues if I go out to an independent.
Minor issues that I have had so far have been: 1) I am on my third set of tires now. Looks like these cars chew up the tires real fast. 2) Needed to change out the TPMs (covered by the warranty). 3) Needed to switch out the driver seat adjuster switch (covered by the warranty). 4) Just changed the brake pads at the 60K mark.
Looking to keep it long term, hopefully 200K-300K. Time will tell.
Minor issues that I have had so far have been: 1) I am on my third set of tires now. Looks like these cars chew up the tires real fast. 2) Needed to change out the TPMs (covered by the warranty). 3) Needed to switch out the driver seat adjuster switch (covered by the warranty). 4) Just changed the brake pads at the 60K mark.
Looking to keep it long term, hopefully 200K-300K. Time will tell.
#12
Senior Member
Buy extended coverage from a discount seller like the one I posted about previously, particularly if it's refundable like is the CPO extension. You'll have peace of mind and better resale if that arises.
#14
Senior Member
Just my opinion but..........these Mbenz diesels should give us 200,000 miles of service without major issues. If the dealers/manufacturers weren't making big $$ on extended warranties......you couldn't buy them!
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Hopefully that's not wishful thinking! If I can drive mine for even 6-7 years -- which is around 80K miles for me, I'd be elated.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA - Minnesota
Posts: 994
Received 319 Likes
on
248 Posts
2023 EQB 350 & 2014 GL350
It's all the convoluted diesel emissions equipment and other major systems on the truck that I'm personally concerned about.
That said, unless it gets hit by a Peterbilt we're keeping our GL for the long haul. If it did get destroyed I'd call up my salesman and order an identical GLS.
So far in the first two years and 25K miles it's been perfect. Knock on wood.
#17
Member
Both good points... But pretty much all modern cars can make it to 200,000 without major issues. And the cost for an extended warranty is highest for the 350 compared to the rest of the lineup, so that should say something about relative cost of maintenance.
#19
Hey guys, I'm new happy owner of 2013 GL350 with about 50k miles on it.
What maintenance service is recommended? Some say 10k oil change, some say 5k... Any ideas?
Thanks.
What maintenance service is recommended? Some say 10k oil change, some say 5k... Any ideas?
Thanks.
The following users liked this post:
AlexMIB (12-05-2016)
#22
Member
Well . . . https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...-no-start.html
In our case this 2016 replaced a loved, but problematic 2010 GL350 CPO. We got the extended warranty - glad we did - the 2010 had a LOT of work done. Multiple air bag struts, controller unit, timing chain work, MAF, fuel pump (no start issue). Would be still driving it but it Wife got rear-ended into a car in front of her, with our kids and some friends' kids in the car - total loss ($25K+ in cosmetics, they stopped counting).
No one was hurt, kids thought it was great (fun) - which is why we stay in M-B. A family member drives the SLK 350s - she was teeboned by an F250 going 45 through a red light - some pulled ribs, a few minor cuts from broken glass - totally fine. A lighter Asian marque - I do not want to imagine the outcome.
The 2016 just let us down at 5300 miles, see thread link above. Hoping we didn't get a problem child - electrical gremlins are the absolute worst thing to deal with in my experience.
Other than that I echo a lot of these comments - most comfortable, capable and SAFE large SUV on the road. Great ski truck, good in snow, can tow a decent trailer, lots of room (legit 3rd row, only one better is a Suburban), luxurious, nice drive, good power. Diesel producing 25 MPG+ on the highway is the icing on the cake.
I'm really bummed we ran into issues so early on the new one - hoping for an anomaly and never happens again. Who knows.
In our case this 2016 replaced a loved, but problematic 2010 GL350 CPO. We got the extended warranty - glad we did - the 2010 had a LOT of work done. Multiple air bag struts, controller unit, timing chain work, MAF, fuel pump (no start issue). Would be still driving it but it Wife got rear-ended into a car in front of her, with our kids and some friends' kids in the car - total loss ($25K+ in cosmetics, they stopped counting).
No one was hurt, kids thought it was great (fun) - which is why we stay in M-B. A family member drives the SLK 350s - she was teeboned by an F250 going 45 through a red light - some pulled ribs, a few minor cuts from broken glass - totally fine. A lighter Asian marque - I do not want to imagine the outcome.
The 2016 just let us down at 5300 miles, see thread link above. Hoping we didn't get a problem child - electrical gremlins are the absolute worst thing to deal with in my experience.
Other than that I echo a lot of these comments - most comfortable, capable and SAFE large SUV on the road. Great ski truck, good in snow, can tow a decent trailer, lots of room (legit 3rd row, only one better is a Suburban), luxurious, nice drive, good power. Diesel producing 25 MPG+ on the highway is the icing on the cake.
I'm really bummed we ran into issues so early on the new one - hoping for an anomaly and never happens again. Who knows.
#23
Member
I'm eyeballing upgrading from a BMW 328 wagon to a '13 GL350 from a car lot in DFW area.
I won't drive it a ton (C63 is my DD) but I also don't want to break the bank at my Indy mech.
57k miles, pics look clean, one owner...
Thanks in advance!
TC
I won't drive it a ton (C63 is my DD) but I also don't want to break the bank at my Indy mech.
57k miles, pics look clean, one owner...
Thanks in advance!
TC
#24
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DE
Posts: 5
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2014 GL 450; 2014 C300
Found the right forum finally.
Hi GL owners,
Any tips on changing ambient lighting for door panels and dashboards for 2014 GL450...
Thanks in advance for any help.
Hi GL owners,
Any tips on changing ambient lighting for door panels and dashboards for 2014 GL450...
Thanks in advance for any help.
#25
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DE
Posts: 5
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2014 GL 450; 2014 C300