So I thought I was getting a good deal on a 2011 GLK350 and did a test drive and went over all the service records of the vehicle before purchasing it. It was a one owner vehicle with only one location for service its entire history. It has 75k miles. The previous owner had the vehicle in for service and a inspection before we bought it and went over the report.

We get the unit home and about the second day of driving it we noticed it started to have a vibration on start up. I did notice it would go away when the car was warm so I didn't think much of it. A day later it was worse.

Took the car into the MB service center and they tell me that the motor mounts and transmission mounts needed to be replaced. Also that the belt tensioner and belt was starting to make some noise. None of this was noticed on the test driver or noted in the report from the service center.

So now we are fixing those two issues but I'm a bit annoyed it wasn't in the service records as something to be monitored. The brake flush and transmission flush were both noted and when I mentioned that to our service guy he ran the records and said neither of those two were needing to be done.

Is the previous owners service department negligent? We had called them repeatedly with no response. I am a bit upset ..more so with myself I didn't investigate it more before purchasing.

One of the tires was also nearing its end and causing a slight vibration I think I'll be upgrading to Pirelli P Zero 245/R45 20 tires. It has Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico 235/R45 20 on it currently. I've read through the staggered tire thread a bit and its good info if not a bit over my head at this point. Just wanting something with low road noise but good with traction in the rain.

Sorry for the long story. Here is the car.

 

The motor mounts and transmission mounts are normal unfortunately, I actually just replace mine at around 74k miles, my 06 E500 had the motor mounts go out before 100k also. When was the transmission serviced? it should be due around this mileage also, its is due around every 35k-ish. Unless the motor mounts was leaking it would not be known to be bad by just looking at it, the car must be driven or someone needs to be trying to diagnosis it. Have someone sit in the car with the motor running, have them hold the brakes all the way down and then blip the throttle, you stand to the side of the car with the hood open and see how much movement there is, a tiny bit is normal but if the engine looks like it wants to jump then you know the mounts are bad. The pre-purchase inspection usually looks for leaks, brakes pads, suspensions, fluids, and other normal wear items, motor mounts and such are not normally inspected.

Your wheels are 19 inch, not 20 inch.
I recently went with a set of Pirelli Scorpion Verde Plus, I was looking at the P-Zero but the Verde Plus seems to be better overall when it comes to mileage and comfort in the reviews I got so went with that and have been very happy with them for the last 8k, I went with 235/55/19.

How much did you pay if you dont mind telling us.

 

Well I wonder why the recommendation from the MB Service guy was for the 235/R45/20's then? That is actually on the quote the guy sent me.

I figured as much about the mounts. We already have them being fixed. Should get it back tomorrow. Then off to get some new tires. I'll check out your recommendation. Thank you. Do you have a picture of yours?

$14k for the car.


edit. nevermind I just saw your car in the pic thread.

 

14k is a smoking deal, even with the cost of the motor/transmission mounts and tires you are still doing pretty good.


here is my tire review.

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...de-s-plus.html

 

here is mine, i did a few more things since these pictures such as running boards. I bought mine early last year for 17k with 63k miles. so you did real good for only paying 14k. I have the premium pkg, multimedia pkg, Nav, back up camera, etc.. it was well equipped.








https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...de-s-plus.html

 

That is what I am sort of thinking. Everything else checked off really well on the reports. Hopefully after all this we have a good car for a while. The wife really likes it.

 

check the transmission fluid service records, if it was done on time at around 35k then it is due now. The GLK transmission service is not something I would put off. The cost for OEM filter, gaskets and bolts was less then 80 bucks, Shell ATF 134 is MB compatible and a fraction of the cost of the MB fluid, i got 12 quarts for $75 from a local distributor.

 

It was done at 38,605 miles. The MB service guy said it wasn't due at this time.

 

do the math bro, it means it is due now.

 

lol..yeah thanks I can do the math. I just expect the MB Service guy at the dealership to actually know what the hell he is doing. Guess we will have a pointed conversation tomorrow. Like I mentioned this is my first experience with owning one and was just going by their recommendations. It was actually one of the first things I asked them to check on to see if it needed to be done and response was it didn't.

 

FYI. the 2010-2012 GLK transmission service is due around 35k intervals, the 2013+ is 70k intervals.

 

When did you buy it

 

About 10 days ago. We just kept it garaged until last weekend.

 

I would write the owner of the dealership a nice letter asking for help, you took it back right away. The people that test them know when trans and engine mounts go bad and the indications. You might get lucky.

 

I bought it from a private owner.

Anyway..got it back from the MB dealer service department today and it drives like a dream. Will be finding some new tires for it but the wife is extremely happy with the vehicle. She can now chauffeur the border collie around in style.