Thinking of Purchasing a ‘15 gimme the dirt
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Audi S8
Thinking of Purchasing a ‘15 gimme the dirt
So, I’m an avid Audi enthusiast, and the time has come to put the wife and kids into a GL550.
What are the known issues on the 550’s? How often do you go through brakes? What tires do you use and how often do you replace them?
I have a ‘15 Audi S8 I dump my heart and soul into, so I’m used to high maintenance vehicles, but want to be sure my budget is appropriate for the ownership experience over the next few years.
also, warranties - who have you used and had good experience with in regards to aftermarket warranties?
What are the known issues on the 550’s? How often do you go through brakes? What tires do you use and how often do you replace them?
I have a ‘15 Audi S8 I dump my heart and soul into, so I’m used to high maintenance vehicles, but want to be sure my budget is appropriate for the ownership experience over the next few years.
also, warranties - who have you used and had good experience with in regards to aftermarket warranties?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 579
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I have a 2013 GL550. I did have issues with door handles which took a couple of visits but they finally figured it out. Brakes and tires I can't help with since I haven't owned the car long enough yet.
Johan
Johan
Last edited by DRTYLNDY; Feb 27, 2019 at 06:40 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 162
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From: Greenville Delaware
2015 GL 550
If you are specific about a 2015 GL550 you will get a "twin-screw" V8, which is what we own. I won't claim it is the fastest/quickest car we've owned, but it is enough to scare us ... especially how quickly it gains speed while rolling. It just came back from its 4th birthday service and you should expect the following:
• Those turbochargers burn oil ... and I'm convinced oil consumption is worse at slower speeds with frequent accelerations after decelerations. Expect to be nagged to top up the oil level at least once between oil changes, which our dealership takes care of gratis.
• Get rid of the Continentals ASAP and replace them with the recently-introduced Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 for 21" wheels. See this thread for more on the subject of GL550 tires:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...-s-3-plus.html
• Our coolant system required extensive work ... fortunately under warranty. Can't understand exactly what was done, but it required parts from Germany and immobilized the vehicle for two weeks. Fortunately the dealership provided a very nice and new GLC 300 loaner ... did I mention it was all under warranty, i.e., free?
• Speaking of warranty ... depending on a 2015's date of first sale you may still qualify for a three-year extension for 70,000 or 100,000 miles. We purchased a 3/70K extension from our dealer for $2,700, Tafel Motors sells it for less, but even at the M-B list price it is worth it ... M-Bs aren't cheap to own ... much less to repair!
Still on our original brakes, battery and other service items, but we are also less than 25,000 miles after four years.
• Those turbochargers burn oil ... and I'm convinced oil consumption is worse at slower speeds with frequent accelerations after decelerations. Expect to be nagged to top up the oil level at least once between oil changes, which our dealership takes care of gratis.
• Get rid of the Continentals ASAP and replace them with the recently-introduced Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 for 21" wheels. See this thread for more on the subject of GL550 tires:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...-s-3-plus.html
• Our coolant system required extensive work ... fortunately under warranty. Can't understand exactly what was done, but it required parts from Germany and immobilized the vehicle for two weeks. Fortunately the dealership provided a very nice and new GLC 300 loaner ... did I mention it was all under warranty, i.e., free?
• Speaking of warranty ... depending on a 2015's date of first sale you may still qualify for a three-year extension for 70,000 or 100,000 miles. We purchased a 3/70K extension from our dealer for $2,700, Tafel Motors sells it for less, but even at the M-B list price it is worth it ... M-Bs aren't cheap to own ... much less to repair!
Still on our original brakes, battery and other service items, but we are also less than 25,000 miles after four years.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 17
From: Chicago, IL
2015 - GL 550
Well about burning oil its not the case with every one, it all depends on what oil is being used, if you change the oil to Mobil 1 0W-40 or Red Line 0W-40 these symptoms should go away. Because my GL 550 is 15 as well and got 47K miles and it hasn't required a single drop of extra oil between Oil interval changes. I do oil changes every 7500 miles regardless.
About Conti tires, they are as good as Michelin, ride with Michelin for next 10K miles and you will be on the same forum link complaining how noisy or worn it has become.
And about coolant it all depends how unlucky you get. And if the OP is buying a used car I am pretty sure the issues you have gone through has been already fixed.
Overall GL is solid car as I got both Audi A8L 4.0 2017 Model and BMW X5 none of these 2 cars come to the reliability and quality of Mercedes. I will any day buy it with no hiccup.
Car buying is like getting married, its not guaranteed its going to be successful. Just because your neighbor got divorced doesn't mean marriages are bad ') So 1 bad review wont justify.
Thanks
About Conti tires, they are as good as Michelin, ride with Michelin for next 10K miles and you will be on the same forum link complaining how noisy or worn it has become.
And about coolant it all depends how unlucky you get. And if the OP is buying a used car I am pretty sure the issues you have gone through has been already fixed.
Overall GL is solid car as I got both Audi A8L 4.0 2017 Model and BMW X5 none of these 2 cars come to the reliability and quality of Mercedes. I will any day buy it with no hiccup.
Car buying is like getting married, its not guaranteed its going to be successful. Just because your neighbor got divorced doesn't mean marriages are bad ') So 1 bad review wont justify.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,004
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From: Usa
mgLipGD
Find one with ACTIVE CURVE it’s iption code 468. Can run VIN and get datacard here datamb.com
why active curve? Makes the car handle significantly better. Keep the car flat on corners and major reduction of body roll. It is standard on the 63 but a rather $$ and hard to locate option on the 550 but is worth it. Can always drive a 550 and then 63 to compare if you want to easily see the diff and then locate a 550 with it.
Also the intake “tube” can unravel and easy to swap out to some plastics. Is a thread on here I have added pics and all to.
Feel free to look up my thread “panda build” to see our mods and such. I need to update it though.
why active curve? Makes the car handle significantly better. Keep the car flat on corners and major reduction of body roll. It is standard on the 63 but a rather $$ and hard to locate option on the 550 but is worth it. Can always drive a 550 and then 63 to compare if you want to easily see the diff and then locate a 550 with it.
Also the intake “tube” can unravel and easy to swap out to some plastics. Is a thread on here I have added pics and all to.
Feel free to look up my thread “panda build” to see our mods and such. I need to update it though.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 13
From: Louisville, KY
2014 Black SLK 55 AMG, Black 2015 GL 550, 2011 Blue GLK 350
I have a 2015 550 as well. Mine does not burn oil. And if one is burning 1/2 a quart in 10k miles that really isn't burning a lot of oil. I have 56k miles, purchased the 3 year/100,000 k extended warranty. Well worth it. Purchased through Tafel and well worth it. They sell the extended warranty at about the best price you will find. Jeff Jackson is who you purchase from there. Have only had minor issues. Xenon headlight bulb (covered in warranty- its about $350 for the bulb and to have it changed). Replaced the rear break pads. They said it had an oil leak that they fixed under warranty. No other issues. I kept with the original tires. Got 30k miles on the first set. Plenty of power for a heavy beast. I pull a 22' center console boat with no issues. Plenty of room for people and gear.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16
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2014 GL 450
Make sure you buy a warranty. My repair costs escalated massively as the car hit year 4 and 5. $6000 of repair costs in Year 4-5 not related not to every day maintenance ranging from replacing second set of engine mounts, air suspension, HID headlights, A/C gasket leaks, etc.
