GL 550. Looking to purchase. What to look out for?
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GLK 350
GL 550. Looking to purchase. What to look out for?
Just joined the group. My wife and I are proud and happy owners of a 2011 GLK350. We are now looking at a 2016 GL 550 with under 45k miles. Is there anything we should be looking out for before we buy? Thanks in advance!
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
If you are getting a CPO, buy the extended warranty from dealer.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
+1. Get CPO and buy a 2 year unlimited extension. Cassandra Castro gave, by far, the best deal on the CPO extension. You can search the forum for her contact info.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 32
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From: Massachusetts
2015 GL550
yeah ++ on the warranty!!! and make sure its either MB or a solid aftermarket like CNA Platinum. I have a 2015 with under 60k miles and the warranty has already paid for itself and more... almost 35k work of repairs, from entire engine rebuilt, new transmission, radiator, airmatic suspension, etc. these engines bomb out quick for whatever reason, however amazing to drive!
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 154
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From: South Florida
GL550
The most common issue you will have are the door locks and some air suspension problems but that's on most Mercedes equipped with the air-matic will have some form of problem in the long haul. On rare occasions, some people have experienced issues with the turbos that would require to pull the engine out and cylinder problems would require installing a new engine (depends on the exact issue).
Some people complain about the tire wear but, what do you expect on a low profile tire on a 5,100 pound SUV? Tire vibration at 60+ MPH is another common issue on the 550 but, that's easily resolved by getting the proper tires and having them road force balance (Hunter Elite balancer will fix that problem).
Do expect to top off oil and coolant between maintenance intervals as the 550 runs at higher operating temperatures.
Overal the 550 is a great SUV and reliability is good (way better than a land rover) but not like a Japanese car. It's best to find the parts online and find a reputable indy if you're not good with tools, dealers will just pillage your wallet...
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
yeah ++ on the warranty!!! and make sure its either MB or a solid aftermarket like CNA Platinum. I have a 2015 with under 60k miles and the warranty has already paid for itself and more... almost 35k work of repairs, from entire engine rebuilt, new transmission, radiator, airmatic suspension, etc. these engines bomb out quick for whatever reason, however amazing to drive!
(knocking hard on wood over here.
)
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Senior Member
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
For X166 majority of issues arise around 60-100k miles so you are reaching the zone. The manufacture warranty of 50k miles is mostly useless that only covers some defect due to manufacture issue or defective parts from supplier. Those design issues like timing chain usually arise after the manufacture warranty expires.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2020
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2015 GL550
Watch out for heads.
Just dropped my 2015 off to get heads rebuilt due to valves leaking by, almost $8k bill. The master tech was extremely good and said this is a known issue related to heat coming off the turbo and causing premature failure of the valve guides. Rebuilding with upgraded parts to fix the issue. No real way to check for this prior to failure, just be aware.
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
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2015 GL550
Add’l info
During My conversation with master tech, who also owns the same GL550. He stated the trucks are extremely reliable once this head issue is fixed, the only other semi. Common issue is the airmatic suspension
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
He's too optimistic and it has way more issues than he told you, just that a lot of issues don't affect driveability or not quite noticeable. For example the side mirror heaters go bad pretty frequently, the A/C gets odor and require disinfection, etc. Small things but annoying.
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,111
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
Hello and congratulations and the new ride!
Like many of the members on here, definitely consider purchasing extended warranty, its a must!
Expect to go through brake pads / rotor ( i just serviced my GL63s brakes); FCPeuro are great for their lifetime warranty products for these types of wear and tear.
ABC suspension MAY be an issue for theses trucks, but my SA informed me that these has been resolved and of a much better quality / improvement from the previous.1st gen GLs. My SA informed me that he doesnt see many ABC issues going in for service in the 2nd Gen GLs both AMG and non, vs 1st GEN
All in all, its an amazing truck, super comfortable and quiet for long road trips with family; you will not be disappointed!
Like many of the members on here, definitely consider purchasing extended warranty, its a must!
Expect to go through brake pads / rotor ( i just serviced my GL63s brakes); FCPeuro are great for their lifetime warranty products for these types of wear and tear.
ABC suspension MAY be an issue for theses trucks, but my SA informed me that these has been resolved and of a much better quality / improvement from the previous.1st gen GLs. My SA informed me that he doesnt see many ABC issues going in for service in the 2nd Gen GLs both AMG and non, vs 1st GEN
All in all, its an amazing truck, super comfortable and quiet for long road trips with family; you will not be disappointed!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
That applies on those with soft-close door feature. Do a search on google of "soft close door X166" you will find tons of complaints.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
Last edited by geniushanbiao; May 4, 2020 at 02:18 PM.
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
That applies on those with soft-close door feature. Do a search on google of "soft close door X166" you will find tons of complaints.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 306
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gl450
That applies on those with soft-close door feature. Do a search on google of "soft close door X166" you will find tons of complaints.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
Basically the biggest issue is that when the soft close feature breaks you can't even close the door manually. You will need to get it towed, or drive it with the door not locked close which can be grave dangerous. Not to mention that the soft close door breaks pretty often.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Not in my opinion and certainly not from a maintenance standpoint. ABC is a total pain and stupid expense to repair and keep running. As I'm sure you know but for the others, it uses a dual pump for the power steering/ABC, hydraulic lines, accumulators, hydraulic shocks, and sensors. It will keep a big heavy sedan completely flat around curves and in heavy breaking. It also does a good job on minor road imperfections but struggles with large imperfections and makes handling feel artificial.
The X164 & x166 GL's have Airmatic. It's a dream to maintain compared to ABC. They go until a strut fails and you can just install a new strut/airbag/shock. When ABC fails, you can have a domino effect that costs you thousands of dollars to repair and a lifetime of issues if metal particles contaminate the system. I've had a couple ABC equipped MB's. One just about bankrupted me when I was younger while the other still under warranty was not as bad to own. Either way, I'm not a fan of ABC.
The X164 & x166 GL's have Airmatic. It's a dream to maintain compared to ABC. They go until a strut fails and you can just install a new strut/airbag/shock. When ABC fails, you can have a domino effect that costs you thousands of dollars to repair and a lifetime of issues if metal particles contaminate the system. I've had a couple ABC equipped MB's. One just about bankrupted me when I was younger while the other still under warranty was not as bad to own. Either way, I'm not a fan of ABC.
Last edited by BlownV8; May 5, 2020 at 09:01 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
Not in my opinion and certainly not from a maintenance standpoint. ABC is a total pain and stupid expense to repair and keep running. As I'm sure you know but for the others, it uses a dual pump for the power steering/ABC, hydraulic lines, accumulators, hydraulic shocks, and sensors. It will keep a big heavy sedan completely flat around curves and in heavy breaking. It also does a good job on minor road imperfections but struggles with large imperfections and makes handling feel artificial.
The X164 & x166 GL's have Airmatic. It's a dream to maintain compared to ABC. They go until a strut fails and you can just install a new strut/airbag/shock. When ABC fails, you can have a domino effect that costs you thousands of dollars to repair and a lifetime of issues if metal particles contaminate the system. I've had a couple ABC equipped MB's. One just about bankrupted me when I was younger while the other still under warranty was not as bad to own. Either way, I'm not a fan of ABC.
The X164 & x166 GL's have Airmatic. It's a dream to maintain compared to ABC. They go until a strut fails and you can just install a new strut/airbag/shock. When ABC fails, you can have a domino effect that costs you thousands of dollars to repair and a lifetime of issues if metal particles contaminate the system. I've had a couple ABC equipped MB's. One just about bankrupted me when I was younger while the other still under warranty was not as bad to own. Either way, I'm not a fan of ABC.
Airmatic and ABC are not comparable things. Airmatic simply stands for the air suspension system that gives you the ability to adjust ride height, while the ADS is something similar in function to ABC. Biggest difference is that Airmatic is not an active system at all. It's a bit complicated that Airmatic is not compatible with ABC so they don't appear together, but Airmatic can be coupled with ADS for best comfort. Some W220 owners argue that ABC is better than the Airmatic option even in terms of reliability though.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The only way ABC would be more reliable is if the ABC equipped car is driven 100 miles a month vs Airmatic car that is driven 1000 miles a month. I've owned multiples.of each and Airmatic is much more reliable, easier to repair, and cheaper to maintain. It's not even close. Shocks and springs are even cheaper. Anytime you remove complexity, it will typically be easier and cheaper to maintain.
Put it this way. I have over 350k miles on currently owned Airmatic equipped vehicles and they have been cheaper to maintain over that span than 20k miles on my first ABC equipped vehicle.
Put it this way. I have over 350k miles on currently owned Airmatic equipped vehicles and they have been cheaper to maintain over that span than 20k miles on my first ABC equipped vehicle.
Last edited by BlownV8; May 5, 2020 at 11:06 AM.
Senior Member
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From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
I did have to replace some bad turbo valves and had door lock issues. I just replaced air shocks & block something (I do have ADS). I have 120k miles on a '14 GL550 ..All using my extended warranty that I bought when we bought the car. That said, it's been awesome and very few issues over 7 years. In comparison, my previous X5 was always in the shop. So while I had few issues, they probably weren't cheap to fix and the warranty was worth it.
The wheel/tire insurance on the other hand was money wasted. All they do is repair the wheel anyway and their cost was a fraction of what I paid.
The wheel/tire insurance on the other hand was money wasted. All they do is repair the wheel anyway and their cost was a fraction of what I paid.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
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2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
I did have to replace some bad turbo valves and had door lock issues. I just replaced air shocks & block something (I do have ADS). I have 120k miles on a '14 GL550 ..All using my extended warranty that I bought when we bought the car. That said, it's been awesome and very few issues over 7 years. In comparison, my previous X5 was always in the shop. So while I had few issues, they probably weren't cheap to fix and the warranty was worth it.
The wheel/tire insurance on the other hand was money wasted. All they do is repair the wheel anyway and their cost was a fraction of what I paid.
The wheel/tire insurance on the other hand was money wasted. All they do is repair the wheel anyway and their cost was a fraction of what I paid.
