2015 GL63 Issues: Brakes, Transmission?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, Missouri
2015 GL63
2015 GL63 Issues: Brakes, Transmission?
Hello Everyone,
FYI, This is my first post on the forum. I purchased a 2015 GL63 new last year. I love this truck and really enjoyed it. However, I have had a few issues and I also have some questions for any fellow GL63 owners further down the path than I. I apologize in advance for the novel!
Brakes/Rotors: I was concerned when after 10K miles my brakes and rotors had to be replaced. It sounds like this has happened to others and is normal? I don't drive like a madman and have beaver had issues like this with any other car I have owned. It just seems strange that this would occur. What's even stranger is that I just got a warning saying to "check the brake pads" yesterday and I only have 14K miles on the car right now.
Transmission: Clearly, the transmission in the GL63 is a BEAST. However, I have noticed a strange clicking sound when driving slowly. I have only noticed this in my parking garage so it may be occurring at faster speeds to but I wouldn't hear it over the growl and bark of that engine! For all I know, its something else but it sounds like metal hitting metal. Anyone experience this?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts/comments
FYI, This is my first post on the forum. I purchased a 2015 GL63 new last year. I love this truck and really enjoyed it. However, I have had a few issues and I also have some questions for any fellow GL63 owners further down the path than I. I apologize in advance for the novel!
Brakes/Rotors: I was concerned when after 10K miles my brakes and rotors had to be replaced. It sounds like this has happened to others and is normal? I don't drive like a madman and have beaver had issues like this with any other car I have owned. It just seems strange that this would occur. What's even stranger is that I just got a warning saying to "check the brake pads" yesterday and I only have 14K miles on the car right now.
Transmission: Clearly, the transmission in the GL63 is a BEAST. However, I have noticed a strange clicking sound when driving slowly. I have only noticed this in my parking garage so it may be occurring at faster speeds to but I wouldn't hear it over the growl and bark of that engine! For all I know, its something else but it sounds like metal hitting metal. Anyone experience this?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts/comments
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 53
From: Reno, NV
2015 C63 AMG S Edition 1, 2021 GLS63, 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider
I have 9k miles on my GL and it is due for service soon. I will let you know about my brake pads then. As for the clicking, can you provide more details, is it constant? Intermittent? Correlated with tire rotation or rpm? This may help us narrow it down for you. Could simply be a nail or rock in the tire so that is always the first thing to check.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2014 MB GL63, 1998 VW Golf
Re: Transmission issue
Just picked up a 2014 GL63 and noticed the same clicking noises in my parking garage at work - my understanding is that there are little metal flaps opening and closing (somewhere in the exhaust system, depending on how much exhaust is being forced through) that are causing this sound. Would like to hear someone else verify!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 6
From: Houston, TX
2015 GL63; 2012 750Li; 2016 Nissan Titan XD; 1989 F150
I have a 2015 GL63 with 22,000 miles. I'm on my 3rd set of tires and replaced my rear pads at 20,000 miles; they were just starting to wear into the sensor.
I still have some thickness left on the front pads and hope to get 25,000 miles out of them. I plan to flush the brake fluid whenever I change the front pads. The vehicle will be about 2 years old when it's time to replace the front pads.
Both front and rear disks are still in spec, so just I just changed the pads on the rear and plan to do the same on the front. I will definitely need new disks with the second set of pads on both front and rear.
I haven't noticed any clicking from the transmission; just the growl of the exhaust.
I still have some thickness left on the front pads and hope to get 25,000 miles out of them. I plan to flush the brake fluid whenever I change the front pads. The vehicle will be about 2 years old when it's time to replace the front pads.
Both front and rear disks are still in spec, so just I just changed the pads on the rear and plan to do the same on the front. I will definitely need new disks with the second set of pads on both front and rear.
I haven't noticed any clicking from the transmission; just the growl of the exhaust.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, Missouri
2015 GL63
Thanks for the comments guys, I just got my GL63 back after a week in the shop. Even though the brakes and rotors were replaced (under warranty) at 10K miles (just 4K miles ago), the rear brake pads needed to be replaced. And, these weren't covered under warranty this tie. :-( This is concerning as I don't drive or brake aggressively.
As for the clicking noise, I was informed that there is a service bulletin on this and the issue is related to the front wheels. They told me they had to order a special grease due to "slight play in the bearings". Once again, this is troubling to me.
I absolutely love my GL63 but I've had more issues with it in under $15K miles than I have had with any other car I have owned. I'm worried about what the future holds for me in terms of maintenance. Anyone considering this car should too.
As for the clicking noise, I was informed that there is a service bulletin on this and the issue is related to the front wheels. They told me they had to order a special grease due to "slight play in the bearings". Once again, this is troubling to me.
I absolutely love my GL63 but I've had more issues with it in under $15K miles than I have had with any other car I have owned. I'm worried about what the future holds for me in terms of maintenance. Anyone considering this car should too.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2014 MB GL63, 1998 VW Golf
Thanks for the comments guys, I just got my GL63 back after a week in the shop. Even though the brakes and rotors were replaced (under warranty) at 10K miles (just 4K miles ago), the rear brake pads needed to be replaced. And, these weren't covered under warranty this tie. :-( This is concerning as I don't drive or brake aggressively.
As for the clicking noise, I was informed that there is a service bulletin on this and the issue is related to the front wheels. They told me they had to order a special grease due to "slight play in the bearings". Once again, this is troubling to me.
I absolutely love my GL63 but I've had more issues with it in under $15K miles than I have had with any other car I have owned. I'm worried about what the future holds for me in terms of maintenance. Anyone considering this car should too.
As for the clicking noise, I was informed that there is a service bulletin on this and the issue is related to the front wheels. They told me they had to order a special grease due to "slight play in the bearings". Once again, this is troubling to me.
I absolutely love my GL63 but I've had more issues with it in under $15K miles than I have had with any other car I have owned. I'm worried about what the future holds for me in terms of maintenance. Anyone considering this car should too.
Last edited by egrant005; Aug 31, 2016 at 10:57 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
I might try out these rotors:
http://www.racingbrake.com/RB-Two-pi.../mb-irk-26.htm
They fit the GL63.
http://www.racingbrake.com/RB-Two-pi.../mb-irk-26.htm
They fit the GL63.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Allentown, PA
2021 GLS63, 2011 Audi R8, 2010 GMC Sierra Denali, 2024 Ford Raptor R
We have a 15 GL63 that my wife mainly drives. It has around 25k miles on it now over 18 months. Needed new tires at 12k miles with the Contisport, but we use Scorpions during the winter for 3-4 months. The second set of Contisports are about a mm from the wear line.
As for the break pads, I needed them changed out at about 15k miles as the warning light came on. Rotors were still good as I asked them to measure them. MB always recommends pads with rotors but thats not necessary.
The car is fun to drive when I get the chance.
As for the break pads, I needed them changed out at about 15k miles as the warning light came on. Rotors were still good as I asked them to measure them. MB always recommends pads with rotors but thats not necessary.
The car is fun to drive when I get the chance.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Goes away after the car is warmed up. Only happens in the winter months for me.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Poulsbo, WA
2014 GL63; 2005 SL600; 2017 Bentley GT S
2014 GL63
My 2014 GL63 has had the occasional transmission clunk when slow speed downshifting since it was new. Dealer Service just blows me off and says its normal. It is going back at the end of the lease and I will not get another one.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
AMG GLS63
I have a 2017 GLS63 with 900 miles on it, and have noticed a rough downshift from 4 to 3 at ~20 mph. There's a brief vibration that you can feel throughout the car when, almost like going over a rough spot of pavement. All other shifts are buttery smooth, so this definitely feels like something is not right. Had it at the dealer to fix, and they said they reset the stored values that the transmission learns, then drove it around to have it relearn whatever these adaptive parameters are. They claimed it was 80-90% gone when I picked it up, and that as the car broke in more it would smooth out. I detect no difference whatsoever though and don't expect it to improve magically when the break-in period is over.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 23
This is what it is like when you drive an AMG. It has been the case on all six of mine through the last ten years. Transmission smoothness has never been a strong point.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 122
From: Illinois
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
The 7 speed is tested and proven from what I know - and can take the HP and Torque, unlike the I think newer 9 speed, which is why they continue to use the 7 speed in AMG cars.
