cbebmb1

In the past I've owned several Japanese & Korean vehicles that had one or less mechanical or electrical defects in my first 3-4 years of ownership. I'm in hopes my 2021 GLC 300 can follow the same reputation. How many of you folks have experienced one or less defects in your first 3-4 years of ownership with your GLC 300? (don't count minor cosmetic issues)
I realize MB's are (somewhat) more complex than other vehicles but, at their price point should still be very,very low in defects in the first 3-4 years of ownership.

wkc987

owned since 2020 November. Had one issue in the first week owning that. It was a coolant leak issue and was fixed within 4 days.

Since then, everything is working perfectly.

decorily

Define defect!

Lagtime

My wife's 2019 GLC300 purchased in June of that year has been 100% defect free to this point. As a long time Japanese car owner I am pleased by this.

Sigp232

12/30/16 Bought new 2017 model.
1. 2018. Whole rubber seal around drivers side frame started to deteriorate replaced under warranty.
2. 2019. Panel between front windshield and pano moon roof started to have little cracks everywhere on top looked like tempered shattered glass. Dealer said normal from car being under the sun🤷🏻‍♂️. Replaced under warranty.
3. 2020. My Pano roof glass got stuck wouldn’t open dealer took it in for a week had to replace rails replaced under warranty.
Let’s see what happens in 2021 good thing I have extended warranty.
Engine wise no problem thank god.
Still love car it’s fun to drive, easy to navigate around parking lots and gas tank is not big compared to my GLE so filing it up doesn’t hurt 💴 so much.
Would buy GLC again if I was in the market for a compact suv.
Side note have a 2008 FJ Cruiser bought new for weekend off-road getaways. After 130k miles Only thing that this car has needed is 3 brake replacements and 3 new tires sets.
I’ve done regular maintenance services these cars are unbelievable built. Everything on it are still original things from rubber seals to rubber engine hoses. Never a CEL. This car was made 100 percent in Japan so they know there stuff.

AZ MB Driver

I’m only 6 months into it but my 2020 came with cheap a$$ windows that sounded like I was driving with windows cracked open. Had them replaced with acoustic glass under warranty which resolved the problem.
Would have even paid for it outright it was so annoying.

cbebmb1

A component not functioning as it was designed to do. A fault, flaw, deficiency. It's broke and won't work!

Sigp232

Exactly like when you turn 60 it just won’t work like its suppose to😂

High Technology

2020 demo purchased February 2020 with a little under 3k miles on it (original in-service date was around Thanksgiving 2019). So 18-months in with only 9k on the clock, no defects whatsoever.

While it only has about 9k miles on it now (thanks COVID), my prior experience with most cars is the defects more time-related as mileage related. Sometimes it takes me a month to find the not-so-obvious ones, and sometimes they just manifest from being driven (doesn't matter if its 5 mile trips or 30 mile trips). Live in suburban NYC, so our roads suck and any potential creeks/rattles come quickly.

FWIW, I really try to buy mid-cycle refresh models ("facelifts"), as that gives the manufacturer a few years to sort out the component issues in new models. There are often some under-the-covers design improvements that accompany the cosmetic refreshes that are done. 2020+ is the refresh of the X253, so I am expecting relatively trouble-free ownership...

mikapen

2019 GLC300, special order, bought new December 2019.
Had a flat in a Run Flat, but it was repairable.
It's an impressive car.

cbebmb1

It is a very impressive car. Does MB not recommend repairing a run flat tire? BMW recommends against. I know many tire shops will refuse to repair a run flat.

ParjAS

2 years in, 0 problems

mikapen

it depends on the placement of the puncture, and maybe tire manufacturer's recommendations.
There's no single answer to that.
Ours was patched internally, just like any other Tire, because it was in the center of the tread.

cbebmb1

Would you run that patched/repaired tire on the interstate during a roadtrip?

mikapen

Of course.
But if we had driven any distance while deflated, it may have compromised the structure of the tire. We took on a bolt while leaving the house, so just pulled back in to the garage, took the tire in for a repair. M-B's low pressure alert saved the tire.
Patching procedures are the same as Go Flat tires.

cbebmb1

Hmmmm...you're a braver one (I suppose) than I . I don't think I'd be driving 80 plus sustained mph on the western interstates in the summer heat on a patched run flat tire. I personally would use the patched tire as a spare. But then again, vehicles with run flats usually don't carry a spare tire.

mikapen

Hi. You might check some sources for patching run flats. Just do a search. You'll find guidance from tire manufacturers, tire vendors and even NHTSA. See my post #13 above for a summary.
You'd want to use a tire store that is qualified to inspect, before patching. If there's no structural damage, a correctly patched tire is as safe as a new tire.

cbebmb1

You are correct. Each tire manufacturer has their own guidance. BMW says states do not use a patched run flat on their vehicles. I can't locate what MB recommends for their vehicles. Can you point me to something in writing from MB? Thanks. Anyway.....Me personally, I'd feel much more comfortable @ 80+ mph with four uncompromised tires beneath me and a spare tire beneath the cargo floor.

fredc128

2016 GLC 300 (in service date April 2016) purchased from the dealer as a lease return in February 2019:
- Purchased with oxidized aluminum window trim (Feb 2019): fixed myself by using a proprietary solvent purchased online
- Squeaky brakes when cold and only in reverse (Feb 2019): just lived with it
- Fuel line leak (Mar 2019): repaired by dealer by tightening up the hose clamps (30 minutes shop time)
- 2 of 4 LED door handle lights burned out and 1 LED door handle purple instead of bright white (Jul 2019): replaced under warranty
- Driver's side window would not close properly (November 2020): reprogramming at dealer (1 hour shop time)
- Fuel cap tether broke (January 2021): replaced by owner with OEM part
- Blown piston #1 (March 2021): as of 05 Apr 2021 it is still at the dealer, took 2 weeks to diagnose and parts now on order, expecting a month without my vehicle (no idea how much this will cost but I have an extended warranty so this is covered)

I have owned Lexus, BMW, Ford, Jeep, Toyota, Honda and this is probably the worst in terms of dependability. I still love my GLC 300 as it's also the nicest vehicle I have ever owned but I'm nervous about taking it on a long road trip.

mikapen

No. Irrelevant.

ted_jane

It is my understanding if you don't drive on the run flat with it completely flat (i.e. it still holds some air) they can repair a run flat. But any driving on a run flat that does not have any air in it will require replacement. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

cbebmb1

It is relevant. My Mercedes dealer service center said patching and reusing a runflat tire is not a MB approved option and is not recommended. My BMW manual states the same. I guess we can all pick and choose what recommendations we choose to follow.

mikapen

Good for you, you found it. Your question was irrelevant to me - just combative.
Also good for you to go to a Dealer for Dealer questions. I'll bet they knew more about M-B policies than an Independent. Wonder why. How much did they charge you for that information? Was it a fair price?

cbebmb1

Sir/Madam, My post# 18 was not combative. Forums are to share information, exhange Ideas. ask questions, learn and have a bit of friendly banter and debate here and there. Please don't be so sensitive and offended when someone disagrees with your opinion(s) and expresses there own.

BeachBunny

Just had a 2021 GLC as a loaner for 4 days:

1) Clock couldn't keep time to save it's soul. Worse, Mercedes has made it so you can't manually set the time. The amount it was off kept changing as well, between 15-45 minutes off.
2) The reversing cross-traffic protection system falsely brought the car to a screeching halt when there was no threat. There was a plane parked 45 degrees from where I was, but it was off/chocked. This airport's radar is ~5.5 miles away, so that's not a factor. Never had an issue with my '18 E in the same position.
3) The car-locked horn confirmation was intermittent. Sometimes when the car locked it beeped, other times it didn't. Mirrors folded in every single time and all 5 doors were closed and locked.

...and that's just in 4 days.

My 2018 E300 had the interior lights fail within the first hour of owning the car. It also would rain inside the car whenever it rained outside. Those were fixed, but the COMAND (radio) system still locks up or refuses to power up at times. There's still a high-pitched whine in the stereo which has never been fixed, nor appears they ever will. The runflat tires haven't been reliable either and have stranded me by the side of the road. The only reason I still bother is that I have a dealership which takes very good care of me. I actually drive past a different MB dealership to get to the one which treats me well.

MB's quality today is a far cry from the W123 & W126 Mercedes I owned.