GLK350 Reliability for Very High Mileage?
I'm brand new to the forum and extremely exited with the possibility of owning a new 2013 GLK350. Never thought I would own one but.....Yippie!
However, I'm considering a couple of cars and I need some experts on this forum to push me over the top on the GLK.
I will be driving approx. 60,000-70,000kms (not miles) every year and I don't know how reliable this car will be? I also have a hard time believing the 20,000kms interval for maintenance?? (which would still put me a three times a year). Heard it's pretty expensive to maintain but I'm guessing it averages out with the 20,000kms service intervals.
I travel (up here in Canada) to some pretty remote areas so safety, comfort and reliability are tops on my list. Can't afford breaking down in the middle of nowhere and no Mercedes dealership around for miles. etc.
Any insight would be so greatly appreciated...and would make my first official post as an MB Owner so much sweeter!
Thanks!
Dan


The trade-off for the comfort of the car and the luxury features will be the cost of maintenance and replacement parts. This cost will naturally be more expensive than a less expensive vehicle where the initial cost of the sum of parts is less.
I think if you find a good and reliable independent service shop after the warranty period, avoid the more exotic electronic options available, and follow the recommended service suggestions religiously...the cost is manageable.
Based on my experience with my 2010 and so far the 2013, it's almost expected something will go wrong (and the dealers often approaches with the same attiude of "you didn't buy this for reliability"). I only put around 15,000kms a year on my car BTW.
It's almost more of a city car. Those 20's will not do well in remote pothole areas. In this price range, you'll be much better served by an RX (boring i know), MDX (much more useful), or the FX (looks kind of cool).
Ultimately it's your money, Reliability does not equal quality. Where the MB uses quality materials to achieve it's refinement and safety, it gives up on simplicity that usually = reliability. Good luck!


Based on my experience with my 2010 and so far the 2013, it's almost expected something will go wrong (and the dealers often approaches with the same attiude of "you didn't buy this for reliability"). I only put around 15,000kms a year on my car BTW.
It's almost more of a city car. Those 20's will not do well in remote pothole areas. In this price range, you'll be much better served by an RX (boring i know), MDX (much more useful), or the FX (looks kind of cool).
Ultimately it's your money, Reliability does not equal quality. Where the MB uses quality materials to achieve it's refinement and safety, it gives up on simplicity that usually = reliability. Good luck!
I would agree that the others mentioned are also well built and long lasting but there is nothing inherent in the Mercedes build that foreshadows problems. Put both the Mercedes and its competition on a rack and compare the underside components for design and obvious strength and you will find a very solid car.
The most of the reported problems with the current generation car is in the areas of the ancillary systems that are sometimes reaching to be on the cutting edge of technology. Radar cruise control, self parking systems, and some of the advanced electronics are areas of possible problems. Putting 20' wheels on a hard driven vehicle is a problem but the standard wheels and tires are no more problematic than those of the competition.
It all goes back to the theory that there are few bad choices with today's automobile and you need to own what you are comfortable driving. There are thousands of users in remote locations that would disagree that a GLK is designed as a "city car" for limited use.
I've had 5 MB's two 300 SD diesels, I put over 250,000 miles on each with not a lot of maintenance. The newer ones have so much electronics, I doubt I will drive them that far. I owned 9 VW's but I would not recommend them. The cars are good but the dealers had turned to crap. Maybe just the 7 I've dealt with. I would never recommend for your use any Range Rover. They are beautiful machines but definitely high maintenance. Owned 5.
You may also want to consider that any car you drive that much will have little residual value after 3 years. So pick a car that is fun comfortable but cheap to buy and maintain. Most of all get a good dealer network in your travel area.
The rest of us will enjoy driving our GLK's knowing that should something go wrong, help is close at hand.
A few thoughts:
You can easily recoup the cost of an engine oil extraction machine and perform oil/filter changes yourself. You can NOT service the transmission yourself. A COMPLETE transmission fluid replacement (~9 liters of fluid) is indicated approximately every 60,000 kilometers. Budget accordingly.
Equip your GLK with 4matic, BI-XENON headlights (critical-you will see the deer & moose sooner) and 17" wheels. Run summer and winter tires according to the season.
My vehicle experience going back a few decades:
1989 Isuzu Trooper II. 135,000+ miles. Cylinder head rebuilt twice. A known problem of the 4 cylinder engine. Otherwise, trouble free.
1999 Volvo S70. 155,500 miles. Engine, transmission & suspension all original when I sold it November, 2012. The alternator failed at 150,000 miles.
2004 Volvo XC70. 125,000+ miles. My daily driver. Engine, transmission & suspension all original. I replaced the starter in November, 2012.
2012 GLK 350 4matic. 15,000 miles. Fingers crossed that it will be as reliable as the Volvos.
Good luck!
Wayne
Last edited by venchka; Jan 16, 2013 at 11:57 AM.
Based on my experience with my 2010 and so far the 2013, it's almost expected something will go wrong (and the dealers often approaches with the same attiude of "you didn't buy this for reliability"). I only put around 15,000kms a year on my car BTW.
It's almost more of a city car. Those 20's will not do well in remote pothole areas. In this price range, you'll be much better served by an RX (boring i know), MDX (much more useful), or the FX (looks kind of cool).
Ultimately it's your money, Reliability does not equal quality. Where the MB uses quality materials to achieve it's refinement and safety, it gives up on simplicity that usually = reliability. Good luck!
Thanks for the replies so far!
Maybe I should clarify. It's not as remote as I probably made it sound...by looking at the territory I cover there are just as many MB dealers as my current Subaru...which the service is garbage where I live. Also have had tons of problems so getting the GLK seemed to be a better fit.
I agree that I put on more than average kms but I only bring my cars into the dealership where I bought the car for service...and follow the maintenance schedule religiously. I don't mind the extra costs for the regular maintenance (The dealer told me and oil change costs $300?) as the intervals of 20,000kms are great.
Are you saying that no matter the case, don't buy this car? I also test drove the Audi Q5, which was great, but even more expensive... I imagine you would say the same about this.
Reading hundreds of posts on this forum (and others) my thought was most MB owners believed this car to be extremely reliable but not a lot mentioned on higher mileage.
Maybe the new questions are:
"Are there any owners out there doing lots of HWY driving with higher mileage?"
"What if I purchased the extended warranty that at least covered me to 160,000kms/ 100,000miles?" (I buy new cars every 2.5 to 3 years so the wife would get this car at around 140,000kms/ 86,000miles...and she puts on very little kms) <-- does this change anything?
I always have a separate AMA (AAA) membership for roadside assistance on top of anything included from a new car purchase so towing from anywhere I would travel is not a problem.
Thanks again everyone!
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I did say to buy it with the extra cost headlights, 4matic and 17" wheels for your comfort and safety up there in the Great Frozen Northland.
Wayne
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I agree with venchka about the lights and 4 matic. Probably want sat radio for those long hauls between cities.
The most fun you can have on the road is driving a Northern European vehicle and sucking the doors off of little Asian Cute Utes on two lane roads.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Wayne
A few thoughts:
You can easily recoup the cost of an engine oil extraction machine and perform oil/filter changes yourself. You can NOT service the transmission yourself. A COMPLETE transmission fluid replacement (~9 liters of fluid) is indicated approximately every 60,000 kilometers. Budget accordingly.
Equip your GLK with 4matic, BI-XENON headlights (critical-you will see the deer & moose sooner) and 17" wheels. Run summer and winter tires according to the season.
My vehicle experience going back a few decades:
1989 Isuzu Trooper II. 135,000+ miles. Cylinder head rebuilt twice. A known problem of the 4 cylinder engine. Otherwise, trouble free.
1999 Volvo S70. 155,500 miles. Engine, transmission & suspension all original when I sold it November, 2012. The alternator failed at 150,000 miles.
2004 Volvo XC70. 125,000+ miles. My daily driver. Engine, transmission & suspension all original. I replaced the starter in November, 2012.
2012 GLK 350 4matic. 15,000 miles. Fingers crossed that it will be as reliable as the Volvos.
Good luck!
Wayne
The car is nimble with great AWD and power ... but lots of problems so I'm never buying Subaru again. This also shows that even with a great reputation any car can be problematic. The difference is getting a very good cross section of GLK owner opinions so I can see if the GLK is a worthy choice.
Everybody's info is really making a difference and I am grateful.
Thanks.
Loved that car, hope our new (2011) GLK can come close to its reliability.
Wayne
Wayne
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.Wayne
Loved that car, hope our new (2011) GLK can come close to its reliability.
I also test drove the XC60 and thought it was nice too but I was hoping to hear more owners of GLK's to tell me that they bought their GLK because they are built to last and should have no worries with higher mileage and proper maintenance.
This thread seems to be split right down the middle and I'm not sure what to do?
I also test drove the Hyunai SantaFe, GMC Terrain, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5 (2.0 & 3.0), Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge and others. All have strengths and weaknesses.
Tough.
If anyone can make specific claims to why I shouldn't get the GLK (based on personal experience) that would also help.
I'm glad I'm not alone, we did the same thing. It was funny that in the end, we were torn between the 2011 GLK and the 2012 Santa Fe... It seemed funny to say to our friends "yeah, can't decide, Mercedes or Hyundai?"...
● the number of reports regarding the transfer case/transmission failures of GLKs reported on this - and a German GLK forum, yet to be proven if resolved by the 2013s;
● the 350 GLK has now the new DI engine, reliability to be proven in due course;
● the TrueDelta Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Reliability Comparisons: http://truedelta.com/Mercedes-Benz-G...eliability-829.
With the high mileage in question here, we, in the Arctic go for diesels, with Volvo XC 70, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero being the most popular (and reliable?) ones. And MB C- and E-class (diesel!) taxies.
● the number of reports regarding the transfer case/transmission failures of GLKs reported on this - and a German GLK forum, yet to be proven if resolved by the 2013s;
● the 350 GLK has now the new DI engine, reliability to be proven in due course;
● the TrueDelta Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class Reliability Comparisons: http://truedelta.com/Mercedes-Benz-G...eliability-829.
With the high mileage in question here, we, in the Arctic go for diesels, with Volvo XC 70, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero being the most popular (and reliable?) ones. And MB C- and E-class (diesel!) taxies.
Thanks for the info.
I looked around for issues with transfer case/transmission failures but didn't come up with much. I have spent much time on this forum and it's encouraging to see that most owners of late model GLK are quite satisfied with their purchase. If I end up getting the GLK I'll probably be a very good guinea pig test subject for reliability & servicing.
I just hate crossing over into the "unknown"...which is sort of what all this feels like.
I looked around for issues with transfer case/transmission failures but didn't come up with much. I have spent much time on this forum and it's encouraging to see that most owners of late model GLK are quite satisfied with their purchase. If I end up getting the GLK I'll probably be a very good guinea pig test subject for reliability & servicing.
I just hate crossing over into the "unknown"...which is sort of what all this feels like.


