chriswhisenhunt

Hello all! I'm looking into my first MB and really like the look and feel of a 2016-2017 GL43 AMG. I am wondering about reliability, maintenance, and to see if there are any gotchas for this model. From looking over the forums everyone seems to love these models, but I'm wondering what the expected lifespan looks like and if there are any cons to this model versus something like the GLE350.

Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts!

E55 KEV

WHAT? The lifespan? Are you asking how many years the car will last or run?

Not trying to be smart but how would anyone know the lifespan of any car? I can see asking about reliability and maintenance but the lifespan.

chriswhisenhunt

Good point. Was more asking of how many miles to expect through the life of the car. Is it unheard of for the MB AMG SUVs to go 350K miles without major breakdowns?

E55 KEV

I cant verify that 350k mileage but even if true that's not for a W166 2016/2017 GLE because the car you interested in isn't that old. Also the engines in the SUV are the same in the cars.

E55 KEV

I was curious so I looked on Autotrader. From what I can tell there's no GLE43 for 2016. It was a GLE450. Strangly I see three 2016 GLE450's listed for sale as GLE43.

chriswhisenhunt

Makes sense, and sorry for such a stupid question. Wasn’t sure if any of the AMG SUVs are known to go to higher miles or not without major issues. Thanks!

chriswhisenhunt

That makes much more sense. I was confused as well.

E55 KEV

Yeah it was strange some cars are advertised as a 2016 GLE43 but the back of the car and the CarFax says GLE450.

chassis

The W166 chassis (platform) is one of the more reliable ones from Mercedes in the past 5+ years. This means body, electrical, suspension (steel suspension, not air) and interior.

The GLE43 uses the M276 engine in 3.0 twin turbo configuration. This engine seems generally reliable. The turbos are outside of the engine valley ("cold vee"), an older, more traditional and potentially more reliable configuration. This is compared with a hot vee design (turbos in engine valley) used by BMW and Mercedes which had problems in the early years.

I have not seen any modern (5-7 year old) Mercedes achieving 350k miles, from postings on this site. Mercedes since the early 2000s has suffered from significant reliability issues of one kind or another (engines, transmissions, water infiltration, moldy HVAC, air suspensions). Look at the JD Power Initial Vehicle Quality Survey, and the Reliability (I think they call it "Dependability") Survey. Mercedes scores poorly. Also, read this site thoroughly. Mercedes unfortunately has poor reliability compared with most manufacturers, and in addition does not support its customers when there are problems. I have personal experience with this, and if you read this site thoroughly you will find countless examples.

In summary, the GLE43 seems more reliable than most Mercedes vehicles. However, Mercedes as a brand is, on average, is less reliable than most manufacturers.

BlownV8

The GLE43 is also a 2016 model.

whitewagon

while perhaps the GLE43 may have been manufactured in 2016, per Mercedes materials, is was new in the 2017 MY, not 2016 MY. Please prove me wrong.

And, while I own a 2017 GLE43, I consider it AMG "light..." It has some bells and whistles from AMG, "performance this and performance that," but the true heart of AMG is the power and it is just not there...And for me, that's OK, after all, its an SUV and I'm never going to drive an SUV, whether its a 43 or a 63S like I would a performance E 63S wagon, sedan or SL. I represents a good compromise for an SUV as I get my performance fix with some other vehicles I have.

places

I'm not sure any modern MB will go 350K without some major issues. These cars a packed with tech and complexities.

whitewagon

we had a 80's SD turbo diesel that was passed around the family that reached over 300k miles... not much tech in that except for radio...

I think modern cars are more safe but the tech required to make them fuel efficient, clean, comfortable, e.t.c make them harder to keep a long...I think it boils down to use... if you put 35k miles a year for 10 years that could be reasonable with proper maintenance and upkeep... best way to keep cars running well and long is to drive and maintain them.

chassis

Agree. There is a member on this site that has run a GLC300 to high mileage in a short time. This is the way to put lots of miles on a modern-era M-B.

There are many egregiously minor shortcuts and errors M-B has implemented on vehicles that it makes me shake my head. Biodegradable plastic, small engine oil and coolant leaks not addressed under warranty, front suspension crabbing, the list goes on and on. M-B scores high on interior quality and brand image, but falls below almost all other manufactures in the details that make long term (time+miles) ownership successful.

When long term M-B ownership is brought up, the stories quickly come about the 1980s diesel M-Bs. Those days and vehicles are long gone. The modern M-B brand and its vehicles pale in comparison to the earlier vehicles, from a long term reliability point of view. Unfortunately.

places

100%. MB no longer making cars to last. They have a shorter shelf life for sure. Did not even know about the bio plastic, interesting. Yes, the cars are better in so many ways (safer, efficient, faster, and smarter) you would never buy one with the same intention as you would have in the older models. It's almost over for us car guys.

Isawelvis

Back to your original question. I think a GLE350 would be less expensive and more reliable over the long haul. Main reason being not having all the fancy options that a GL43/450 would have. I suspect the 43/450 comes standard with air suspension and the fact that it has a turbo is just another maintenance. But with he 43 you get more HP, nicer upholstery , and many other features most GLE350 normally don't have. Its all your preference. Also, you cant beat a German either BMW or Mercedes straight six engine for smoothness and power.

IF you go to a GLE350 be sure and get park tonic, and the upgraded headlights not halogen., and upgraded stereo (Harmon?). Cant remember what package they are.

Also, if my memory serves me, Mercedes changed the name of the same vehicle from GLE450 to GLE43 or vice versa, cant remember. I think it only had one of the names for one model year. Basic car did not change only name.

BlownV8

Sellers are listing them on Autotrader as GLE43's but are actually GLE450's. Interesting, same car just different label. I do see cars listed as 2016 GLE43's and the cars have GLE43 labeling in Europe but I would have to pay to check the VIN.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/mer...e/w166-series/

https://www.carlist.my/used-cars/201...-coupe/6394775

https://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/us...e43-amg-gcc-2/

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...&firstRecord=0

whitewagon

sorry... you're going to need better proof that used car dealers... they're just trying to capitalize on the AMG brand...

you don't need to pay to get a data card... several sites available free on line... all you need is the VIN...

lastvin.com

chassis

Good advice. Yes, the stereo is harmon kardon, which in my view is excellent in the W166. Parktronic is a great feature to have, as are the LED headlamps.

BlownV8

Yes, I'm aware. If you follow the links, you have to pay to get the VIN's to do a VIN check. They are not in the listing. The only thing in the listings available are the build dates. Do you think it is possible that in Europe and other non-North American locations, that the GLE43 is a 2016?

BlownV8

Mercedes of Sheffield England has a 2016 GLE43 listed for sale. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ES-BENZ&page=1

whitewagon

my comments were for US cars and I'm no expert... just responding to Mercedes material I've reviewed...

First... the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car...
Second... the ad states "build date" is 2016, which can also be true for US cars
Third... not sure if ROW has regulatory requirements or differences related to "model year" vs "build date" year.

FWIW the build date for my GLE 43 was January 2017, per the VMI from Mercedes and it also states Model Year as 2017...ROW could be different...

Kein Ersatz

Can't see the start-stop or air suspension lasting 350k miles.... The more bells and whistles and use of plastics (in places once only dreamed of) to deal with pollution, mileage, weight, and form, the more things that are not time tested past an engineering lifespan which is not targeted for 350k miles.

Reliability / MTBF is much more an science now than an art that it use to be 20-40 years ago. Products are designed to last, but to "just last" to the MTBF specs of subcontractors to any manufacture. Could it last longer, sure, but it is not designed to last longer. Plastics in particular are used throughout and have a shelf/ozone life before they change their nature (not bio degrade, but become brittle and fail with time unlike metals). Plan on replacing a new car at some point. YMWV.

places

Insightful post. They make cars today for leases, then roll them into the CPO program at trade and finally they get wholesaled. At the end to the junk yard.

whitewagon

you're looking at this from a simplistic point of view...MTBF is but just one aspect... similar to air planes and all other equipment, parts and components are made to be replaced... vehicles become junk based on on obsolescence and lack of parts, not purely use... in fact time is likely a more deciding factor than use because parts for a 10 or even a 20 year old car are still available...a 35,000 mile per year 10 year old car has a much better survival rate than a 10,000 mile per year 35 year old car