Maher1

Hello all GLKers, Newbie here :-)

California driver, 2014 GLK 350 Pebble grey, premium 1, etc...
Love the car, the handling and the smooth ride! Just wondering what your thought s are and if you have any tips, gripes, pros and cons to share.

Feel free to jump in anytime.

Inyoury

My wife has the 2015 with almost everything on it. We both love it for many reasons. A few things you need to check to see if they work properly.
1. Make sure the headlights are balanced and you can clearly see at night. My wife's left headlight was about 5 degrees too low on the left side. Very noticeable at night.
2. Check all the phone charging ports to see if they charge the phone as it should. The cable for the iPhone, the USB port and the cigarette outlet with USB adapter. Wife's GLK will go into service for a second time for that.
3. With the navigation, assuming you have the top navi option... We are scheduled for next week to reset the navi and check what's wrong. I understand the traffic update goes through Sirius. My complaint is that when we know a road is closed, the navigation still routes through that route. I checked the settings and made the adjustments, but the navi still thinks the road is open until you reach that point sometimes. The road is clearly labeled blocked with red Xs all through that road, but the navi insists we continue on that path. I can't really complain about the slow Sirius service for traffic updates, but when the map clearly shows blocked roads, why continue with that route? So my wife chooses to use a third party app Waze for more accurate travel. However the app uses a lot of battery life and the phone needs to be plugged in when the app is running. Then the problem number 2 happens, the phone won't charge at all while using any apps. This isn't a problem with my car. I tried all ports and same results.

Aside from these things, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another one if I had to do it again.

Enjoy your ride! The paddle shifters are enjoyable if you know how to use them properly.

sblvro

2014 vs 2015 GLK 350, the 2014 still has 6 disc changer vs only 1 for the 2015. Other than that pretty much the same.

Maher1

Those are great tips, I will check the charging ports haven't used them yet. As far as navigation, I have the port for Becker Map Pilot, I will be getting one soon. I'll have to check if the Sirius traffic updates work with that one as oppose the the built in navigation.
Regarding service, my next "B" service isn't due for another 10k miles. I asked if I would need to change the oil before then and they said no, that the type of oil used lasts much longer than the normal oil which was interesting! because I'm used to changing oil every 3- 5 K miles on other cars.
Haven't used the paddle shifters yet. They don't seem as much fun as if the gear shift was on the floor!

OBP

Might be able to share some thoughts in a few days. We may be new owners of a white/sahara beige 2015 GLK350 soon. Look forward to learning from everyone's experiences and also looking to welcome another Benz into our family. And on 10k miles per service - my CLS uses 5W40 European Formula full synthetic Mobil 1 and that can definitely go one full year and about 10K miles before an oil change. I guess once I read the owners manual for the GLK, I will figure out what oil it uses but I guess it should be similar to our CLS.

Maher1

Sounds great. I hope you get your 2015 GLK. I love the smooth ride and the handling on the my 2014. I almost got a base 2015 (no options) but I opted for an almost new 2014 because I wanted the Premium package with the sunroof etc. I'm sure I can find out what type of oil, I just hope I never have to top it. As long as you keep up with the regular service and oil change, then no need to worry about it.
I'm just curious, how do you like the new 2016 GLC, and why if you don't mind me asking you didn't go for that instead? I for example, like the GLK design much better the new one!

OBP

Think the new GLC looks great. I never buy the first model year of any car though. Too many little issues. Also, would prefer the six cylinder rather than four cylinder engine and that version of the GLC could be at least a year out. Plus the deal we got on the GLK was pretty compelling.

sblvro

The Mobil 1 5w/40 is available in walmart. Too bad there is no extended performance version. Suffice to say it's good enough. Plus it satisfies:


MB. 229.5 for engine oil
A90027 oil filter

mujjuman

I loveeee my GLK350 4matic... seriously I cant stop looking at it and I've owned it for a couple months now. It has sexy muscular looks, very smooth and comfortable driving, good power, great handling for a small, car-based SUV, quiet.
Charges phones and everything fine. I dont have the nav in mine, but I like my google maps on my iphone more anyway. The paddle shifts are fun to use when I'm hooning around traffic. I wish I had the HID lighting package but the halogens put out an acceptable amount of lighting. Cant wait to take it out on the snow and do some snow drifts lol.

OBP

Liking the little GLK so far - pretty roomy inside because of the boxy design. Obviously handling is different than our CLS but it is supposed to be different I suppose. We have sent it for plastic clear bra on the front and other necessary areas so it is out for 24-28 hours. Initially, I thought the lane tracking feature was not working fully because when I tested it, the steering wheel shake was very mild. But when on the highway, the lane tracking and steering wheel shake feature worked quite a bit better.


The engine is clearly nice n smooth - most of the MB's that have this version of the V6 engine ( even the turbocharged ones in the C400) that I have test driven have a very creamy smooth feel. Dunno how hard the V6 pulls though - the comparison I have is with our 2010 MDX with a very fully broken in 3.7 liter non direct injection V6 and it feels like that Honda engine pulls a lot harder even if it sounds a little rougher. But maybe we have too few miles on the GLK and the engine just needs a break in - right now at about 300 miles on the clock. So let us see how it performs at 2000 miles or so.


Generally pleased and that pano sunroof is great.


Attached the cross bars on the roof rails by myself - piece of cake.


More later as we get to know the GLK better.

Maher1

Lots of good positive reviews for the GLK, that's good!
I don't think mine has lane tracking but it's suppose to have a napping alert :-)
I guess if you doze off or start swerving the wheel is suppose to vibrate? has anyone experienced that?
how does one test that?Doze off for a few minutes and see what happens? LOL!

Maher1

My only issue with the GLK are the acoustics. There are weird wind acoustics when a rear window is open but not the front! also, going over city street bumps sound like a muffled, thud, or low volume sub-woofers! but when on a smooth road it's pretty quiet.
Highway driving gets a little noisy after 75 mph.

OBP

On the attention assist feature, the only time it happened for me was on a long drive in the CLS where I did not stop to rest until the gas tank was near empty. The coffee cup symbol kept showing up and chiming even though I was certain I was not sleepy or drowsy.

The steering vibration feature is probably part of lane tracking and not the attention assist feature.

Maher1

Thanks, good to know.

DIanaM

I'm looking at a Certified 2014 GLK with 44,000 miles on it for $31,000. I fell in love with the car but now I feel that 44,000 is a LOT of miles and wondering if it will still be running when I'm done paying it off in 5 years and if I'm in for a lot of maintenance. Any advice? thoughts? (BTW - I am a female with no auto mechanical abilities.)
I too am torn between a new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and the GLK 350

mjhawkins2346

I'm not sure Hyundai has figured out the subtleties of driving dynamics quite yet. They are attractive, relatively reliable and have plenty of space and features.
If you like the way a Mercedes drives on the road you might not be happy with the Hyundai. That said if you're not particular then have at it. My wife has a Lexus LS and I don't like the road feel compared to my GLK and I think they're a few laps ahead of Hyundai.

TSchuettinger

44k miles is actually not bad. The GLK has proven to be a reliable model and is even badged as a Consumer Reports "good bet". Engine problems especially on less expensive Benz models don't really exist. As long as you keep up on your maintenance according to the service manual at the dealer while in warranty, you'll be fine. Once it's out of warranty, find a reputable indie mechanic that specializes in MB. BMW's and old Audi's tend to be more maintenence intensive, requiring new drive belts and sometimes a whole cooling system overhaul a little bit before 100k miles like clockwork. Only problems I can think of with MB right now are occasional electronic gremlins that are more often than not, fixed with software updates. Remember, just because it's German dosent mean it's necessarily going to be a pita. Just keep in mind maintenence and repairs are a bit more expensive than your average car. Usually it's the labor that's expensive not so much the part.

DIanaM

Thank you for the advice. I bought the GLK and I LOVE it! What an amazing ride and experience."I get it now!" Only one minor concern, it seems like it is running warm the gauge is riding over the 80 mark so I need to check it out. Other than that I am so happy with the car. Thanks for the advice!

TSchuettinger

Good choice! Glad you like the car. I was actually looking into them quite heavily exactly a week before they stopped producing them. Now I'm going to order the new GLC. Can't wait! Quick question, how far higher from 80 is your car showing? If it's at 80 or a little bit above 80, that should be normal. If it's near or on the red you've got a problem. Has your car been throwing engine lights or coolant lights? How's your coolant level?

joelness

The temp gauge always threw my wife and me off when we first had a C350, but it always held steady a little above 80 like you mentioned. Then we had a loaner GLK350 during dealer maintenance and that acted the same way. Just an odd quirk that they didn't clock the gauge to read normal at "3:00".

formerjeepguy

How odd.

My glk250 would never go over 90C and the glk350 runs at or slightly over 90C.

Do you guys mean 90 instead of 80?

3.5L

I'm very happy with our 2012 GLK 350. Bought it new. Just passed 42k miles. I like it so much that I bought the extended factory warranty for 3 more years. Original tires - maybe 5k to 10k miles left.

I've done 9 to 11 hour days in it and although tired at the end of the day, not sore. Wonderful vehicle with excellent road manners.

Just returned from a 2000 mile round trip from California to Idaho and back. Averaged 25.0 MPG, and I didn't baby it. Passed lines of trucks at up to 97 MPH. Cruised 75 to 80 on the interstates.

Problems (all under warranty) include new front suspension struts (creaky) and new windshield wiper fluid tank (leaked).

Best car I've ever owned.

W203_Fan

Hi ! Writing to you from Europe , the land of the small engines... I bought a 2010 GLK 250 CDI 2 months ago and I am amazed by this car.

It has the off-road exterior package - I wanted the highest ground clearence possible - I went on a few trips off- roading and it handles perfectly , not to mention the city off-road ( pot-holes and parking on high curbes haha !). I even went in 30cm high snow and I didn't even feel it !

I love the interior quality - wood trim - and all the nice features like navigation , heated seats, linguatronic, bluetooth phone, memory card mp3 music, dvd player etc.

The power is good ( 205 hp ) , but I after 1 month I decided to use a Racechip chip tuning - got it to about 250 - 260 hp and it goes like a rocket now. I used the Racechip on my W203 C200 cdi for 3 years before and I was impressed.

The fuel consumption is amazing : 5.3 l/100 km extra-urban with 90-100 km/h ; 6.2 l /100 km on the highway at 130 km/h. In the city I get under 9,5 l /100 km . Fuel consumption is a little higher without the Racechip.

I love the automatic transmission ( 7g tronic ) , it is sooo relaxing to drive in city and on long trips- I keep it in E mode all the time for the smoother ride.

Interior space is amazing and vizibility is pretty good, the parking sensors help a lot , but now I got used with the dimensions and I don't need them.

The brakes are a little too hard for my taste , but that's good because the car is safer- I just have to push the pedal very lightly compared to my old W203 who didn't have BAS plus .

Overall I am in love with the car , the only downside is that I had to sell my W203 - my first Mercedes - it will always be in my heart as my first love ...

hiawan

I had a 2006 ML350 no issues till around 180k miles the transmission shift control module failed, car was stuck in park. Fixed it then sold it at 196k miles. I was very pleased that there are no other major issues.
I bought a 2012 ML350 no issues till today the climate control is stuck on hot defrost. Does anyone know if there is reset process for the climate control?

Lazarus Long

The only issues I have personally experienced is with my parent's 2013 GLK 350: the planatary gearset in the 4-wheel drive system had to be replaced, under warranty. I first noticed a rumbling/grinding sensation in low speed turns. From talking to the dealer, it was apparently caused by not properly lubing the unit when built and is not an unusual repair. It would have been a $2000 repair.

My 2015: electronic gearshift was replaced, also under warranty. It wouldn't shift into gear. It just happened once, shutting off restarting seemed to fix it but the dealer said it needed to be replaced.