Sean76NYC

Ok, So I'm about 2 weeks into my new GLK. Here's what I think of my new ride so far. First off, here's what I got: Artic White, Black Leather, Pretty loaded up with toys, Navigation, back up camera, 6 disc CD, panorama roof, Sports package with the 20's, roof rails, running boards, and I just got a Philips Xenon kit put in on Thursday (looks awesome). All in all, a really sharp looking whip. As for the ride, and how it drives? I'll put it like this, the truck itself has a lot of pep. It accelerates very well, especially for a pretty heavy V6. I'm still breaking it in, and have not used the Sport ride yet. But it's a pretty quick ride. With all that speed under the hood you would think that the breaking system is top notch? My observation is that the breaks are a joke! Terrible is a word that comes to mind when I step on my breaks. Not a smooth stop at all, and you really need to press hard to get this thing to stop. They feel choppy and cheap, not what I would expect on a euro vehicle. My previous Lexus LS430, Mercedes E class, Audi A8L, Porsche Cayenne S all had superior breaking power. Mercedes needs to address this problem ASAP. Build quality is good to say the least. The inside is very pleasing and easy on the eyes, the brushed aluminum looks great next to the black leather. One gripe although is that the Piano lacquer wood around the shifter is an absolute scratch magnet. Going to change out to aluminum, or carbon fiber later on. Also the door handles to close the door are pretty flimsy and squeaky. Feels like plastic and aluminum glued together in my opinion. But to be fair, everything else is a pleasure. The Harmon Karmdon radio works well, and sounds very good (especially satalite radio) the knob works very well when using all the toys that involve the media of the car, and the bluetooth is fantastic. The pano roof is beautiful to look at, but when open feels like a hurricane...lol
Forget about talking on the bluetooth and having that thing open.One thing that should have definitly been included is auto tilting, and folding mirrors. I mean come on Benz, this is 2010.Vehicles that are much cheaper in price have that. And I dont want to here about US and Euro versions. All the versions should have it! As for my overall feeling and rating on my new GLK, I'll give it a B plus rating in my book. Look wise, it's an absolute winner. But in my eyes Benz dropped the ball on a couple of things. Which I know will most likely be addressed in later versions in 2011 models and so on. So as for now I guess I could say, not bad at all, but could have been a little better in my opinion. Enjoy folks!

jamaicakevkev

Saw a couple of these out here real nice ride, Hows the transmission...

webada

Seany,

What's the mileage on your GLK now? I too thought the brakes were weak but its gotten much better now (maybe I'm used to it?)

some have said you have to give it time for the brakes to "break in" now that's the first I've heard of it but maybe its true for MB?

ps, thx for the other info. Appreciate it.

jpjolo

@ 1 month and 1200+ miles --- my thoughts I'd like to share.

Seems like a common thread with the brakes and the shiny black lacquer piece being scratched.

Fortunately for me, the brakes worked fine the first time I got the car, but then again I never go fast and then try to stop on a dime (Not yet anyway ). The black lacquer piece hasn't been scratched up yet but I haven't cleaned the inside of the car with anything else except a swiffer duster. Read some of your feedback on this before so now I avoid handling these specific areas.

My only complaint is that the steering is softer than what I was used to. Some resistance especially at high speed would be nice. I thought this car had it--- maybe they have it in reverse? . A little wiggle with the wheel and the car responds.

Overall the car mpg is ok --- averaging 19.2 mpg since I got it. My worse was 16.5 on one short trip around town, and 20.6 going to work.

NYCGLK

Great review. I think B+ for this car after driving LS430, A8 and Cayenne is really good. Let's keep in mind that GLK cost not much more than a highlander. Cost savings will always show. I'm glad to hear that you are satisfied with it. I think I'll love it then after 4 cylinder 4 speed 5 year old Toyota Matrix hahaha

As far as breaks, I think I read that breaks need to be broken-in in that flash manual posted before. I could not find this in the US pdf manual.

I thought breaks on GLK I drove in march with more miles were much better than on the one I drove in January when GLK just came out.

Can't wait to get mine...

webada

Another thought on the brakes, I guess if you are coming off cars like lexus, porsche, or bmw, the brakes might seem soft in general. I go back and forth between glk and bmw, def. notice some differences.

EnigmaAW

how much was the xenon kit?

Sean76NYC

It definitely wasn't cheap- bout $500! However, 100% worth every penny! In my eyes, a nice looking Benz, BMW, etc looks kind of naked without xenons. But I knew from the day I was getting it that I was having my friend put them in. All the NYC and NJ dealerships gave me the same story, fully loaded but no xenons. So luckily I Have a friend in the business of doing
modifications on cars like a Mercedes with AMG, Brabus, etc. Worked out well, they look great!

EnigmaAW

maybe he can do a group buy/discount for people that want xenons?

Baby G

Sean nice review.. Not a bad price for your xeon kit. Can you post some pics for those who are interested in obtaining.

AJGLK

Like some said when i got my GLK breaking was an issue but after 200miles.... i think it got better or maybe i just got used to it.

MJ50

if W204 has folding mirrors, then so should GLK!

Sean76NYC

Yup, 100%.

webada

09 w204 did away with folding mirrors and added memory seats instead....

Baby G

American GLK's don't get the folding mirrors???

webada

nope. Blame it on some idiotic Options Czar at MBUSA

Sean76NYC

How Rediculous of them nope to add them, I'm sure they'll add them into next years model though, doesn't help me though...lol

NYCGLK

ehh not big deal. As I mentioned before these mirrors have advantage of being folded both ways, which mean less of chance breaking it of if hit in opposite direction. What does suck is that those mirrors fold half way.

No tilting is still beyond my understading, as this is just matter of programming. I'm still hoping this function is just locked (prolly not the case).

Sean76NYC

lol...yea, whats up with the halfway fold Benz?
I really do hope the tilt is locked, really annoying to use the memory keys to park!

yualfred

fyi. Even with auto folding mirrors, they can fold (by force) both ways too, to avoid damage when pushed on glass side. This information is in the manual.

EnigmaAW

hey sean, does your friend that sells the xenon kits have a website?

omgitselaine

Sean if you can kindly PM your friend's address and phone for the xenon kit please i got my C early when they first came out and just like the GLKs now none had the P2 package with the hids and i didnt want to wait uugh ! Ive been up in the air about buying one but wasnt sure of the install so i havent gotten a set yet but i agree with you that these higher end vehicles all should have HIDs !! TIA