magendim

Would appreciate any thoughts/experiences on moving from a GLK350 to a GLC300. We had a 2010 GLK350 4Matic bought used in 2013 that my wife mainly drove and we both really liked the vehicle. It was recently totalled so looking at either finding another lower mileage 2014/2015 GLK350 or moving up to a previously owned GLC300. I also own a 2013 C250 and although I do like the car, I always found that turbo 4 drivetrain lackluster compared to the GLK V6. I know the newer generation I4 drivetrains are much better performing but is one of my concerns. Planning on hitting some of the local dealers this week and do a couple of test drives.

rich-96db

I leased a 2012 GLK awhile back and my wife currently owns a 2018 GLC. I loved the boxy look of the GLK, but my wife hated it. To me, the boxiness gave the GLK better head room for both front and back row passengers than the GLC. The head room in the front row the GLC is fine, but the windshield feels closer due to the design. The roof definitely slopes down in the GLC for back seat passengers. The 6-cylinder engine definitely shifted smoother, but you'll have no problem with the power provided by the 4-cylinder in the GLC. I went from an E-class with a 6-cylinder to the newer E-classes with a 4-cylinder. I think the acceleration is actually better with the 4-cylinder. From what I can tell, the GLC also has a little more storage space in the back than the GLK.

Eagle22

I own both a 2015 GLK and a 2019 GLC. I love them both. I drive to the Virginia mountains from just outside DC every weekend. On the highway, the GLC beats the GLK hands down...good power, excellent gas mileage, better safety features. While out in the mountains on back roads (some of them unpaved and very steep), the GLK is the clear winner, primarily due to the 6-cylinder engine. Going up and down the mountains, I don't like to over-use the brakes, so I do a lot of manual shifting. The compression on the GLK's 6-cylinder is much better than the 4-cylinder in the GLC. On the same declines, the GLK manages fine, while the GLC sounds like it's over revving and I am forced to use the brakes.
I find the GLK to be more maneuverable on some of the backroads and tight spaces I get into...and it just seems like a tougher little SUV than the GLC. That said, for highway driving, I'll always take the GLC! It's much safer and more comfortable. On the same weekend round trip of about 250 miles, I will average 26 MPG in the GLK, and over 30 MPG in the GLC. I have 120,000 miles on the GLK with no significant maintenance issues, and 14,000 miles on the GLC with no issues.
In terms of the styling - I'm a big GLK fan and didn't like the GLC style at first...but I would have to say that it has grown on me...I think it's beautifully styled. In terms of interior, the GLC is a clear winner.
Hope this helps!

magendim

@Eagle22 - I live in a mountain area and my experience between the GLK V6 and my C250 I4 is the same in that regard. And it's one of the things I really liked about the GLK V6, better torque going uphill and much less brake usage on the downhill side compared to my C250 (The '13 C250 transmission performance was pretty poor to begin with, a stick version would have been 20 times better).
I'm kind of leaning towards another GLK since we do like it a lot and could do a cash deal with the insurance money. I'm in CA, so the vehicles are usually pretty clean just harder finding one with lower mileage.

enduro963

I hate engine downsizing, but the future is here and we have to deal with it! As @Eagle22 writes, you will get better gas mileage with the newer car and be safer. I will add that I love the new Tech in my 2020 GLC, you said you will not go to a new car, but a change in generation will update you a lot. Also, everything on a GLK will be older and more subject to failure, including suspension, which is something that degrades slowly over time and is hard to notice, until you drive a newer car! The other issue is resale value, which I do not know, but is something important to consider @magendim . My vote goes to the newer GLC.

akc70

I just got my wife a 2020 Glc 300 and she loves it. She had a 2017 c300 coup.

seamus2154

We never owned a GLK but it was the loaner always given at my local mercedes dealer when servicing my S550 years ago. Had it several times and we loved it. Good power, fast, rugged, handled well. Loved the design. We were recently in the market and the wife wanted that truck. I was considering the GLC due to being more updated. After looking at several nice low mileage GLK's we actually fell in love with the GLC300 after some drives. Apple car play, many safety features, nicer options. Even my wife who was set on the GLK, agreed the GLC was just nicer and updated. The saftey features were a big winner. We bought a 2018 CPO and are a month in and could not be happier. I am impressed with this 4 cylinder. Its fast. No downside, and good mileage.

magendim

Thanks ya'll for the thoughts. Still waiting for the insurance to get settled but see a number of CPO GLCs at the local dealers. The other advantage of buying something newer is lower annual out of pocket costs. My CPO C250 was still well under warranty and bought a three year service package so paid for nothing but gas and a set of tires for over three years.

C280 Sport

I chose a 2015 GLK350 4Matic with 22,000 miles and nearly everything on it CPO over a 2018 GLC300. The GLK is so much more solid GLC had a awful ride, rattles and I hated how nearly all of the ones for sale tend to be base models. The V6 in the GLK is smoother and more reliable long term. I do not trust these 4 banger turbos as I see potential issues long term but for GLC owner I hope I am wrong. The only way I would go for a GLC would be to get the GLC43.

ParjAS

Don't get me wrong, I am all in for good naturally aspirated engines. I have owned and own plenty of fabulous naturally aspirated cars.
However the new 4 pot in the GLC (I have a 2019 , which is supposed to be slower) is no joke.
Driving experience I haven't really cared because once you're in there, it is a sea of tranquility.
I have driven it with it in mostly comfort mode and will be what most people will do in their GLC.
If you want something with a bit more spice, buy a GLC43. That ought to do the job.

Now the GLC is leagues ahead in terms of the interior which would score bonus points for me. Ditto the less box like exterior. The GLC also has more legroom in the back from what I know, also more cargo.
These are totally different cars.

magendim

In my car shopping so far, GLK 4Matics appear to be very in demand. There are few on the market but I'm seeing a lot of CPO GLCs in inventory. I found a loaded, very low mileage 2015 GLK at the local dealer that just hit the inventory pre-inspection on a Sunday and it was snapped up the next morning. Also enlisted a local broker and after 3 or four days he hasn't found much yet.

One other small cosmetic thing I also don't like about the GLCs is that dark plastic trim that runs around the bumper, fender wells and kick panels. In places where there is a lot of sun like where I live, that kind of trim always fades to an ugly gray unless it's constantly treated.

Search goes on...

ParjAS

It never really bothered me because I don't live in the sun, but I did notice that it can be solved by getting a black, grey, or dark blue. The colors sort of hide the plastic in a good way.
Since they don't sell one without the plastic I got the dark blue. It isn't very visible or look faded, but maybe the sun might do something to it.

RSNovi

I am quite happy with my 2019 GLC. It is a pleasure to drive, very comfortable, and serves my needs well. It even protected me when I was in an unfortunate accident, but it has been repaired where you can't even tell.

When comparing against my 2013 GLK, I do somewhat miss the boxy look of the GLK. What I miss the most is the diesel engine option. I really like the GLK 250 that I had. Although, the main reason I sold the car is that I was out of warranty and it appeared that there could be expensive common repairs to the diesel engine on the horizon.

Chris

magendim

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I'm in CA and those dark plastic trim pieces always seem to fade unless you treat them regularly. That plastic trim all around also cheapens the look of the car IMO but that's me...

ParjAS

MB seems to think that plastic is needed to make the C300 wagon into a GLC

carson2246

Never owned a GLK. Real like my 2016 GLC300. I bought a GLK inflatable spare tire, jack and air pump from junk yard and replaced the run flats. I do not have leather or NAV, but do have blind spot. The only other option I miss is adaptive cruise control I routinely get 30 mpg at highway speed.

ParjAS

Mine came in new with all the must-haves for me under $50K MSRP.
Base except for paint, P1 package, Burmester, Static LEDs, smartphone.
I'm sure there are plenty of GLCs like this, that's all you really need.