Everest22

Hello,
My wife and I live in the Pittsburgh, PA area and currently own a 2013 C300. The car has the 18 inch AMG wheels with low profile tires. We like the vehicle, but after owning it for 4 years and a few bent rims later, we're thinking of trading it in for a GLK. Our roads are littered with pot holes so hitting them sometimes is inevitable especially in the winter time. I was curious what owners thought of the 19 inch wheels and suspension. Anyone have any problems?

Thanks!

KC61

Low profile tires and pot holes don't mix, we have them here in Kansas too. As far as the GLK 350, ours is a 2013 and is a great car. I cant say as if I would ever trade a vehicle based on wheels and tires though. The GLK rides fantastic and handles like a sports car. Doesn't the C300 and the GLK share the same drive train and chassis? Just a different body I thought. Ours is a 4-matic.

Everest22

In addition to the low profile tires, there is a vibration in the vehicle that is noticeable when driving around 70mph. I'm not sure if this vibration is due to hitting some pot holes over the years. I was told I didn't need an alignment when I got a new set of tires recently so I'm taking the car to my mechanic to see if he can figure out what's going on with that vibration. The higher ground clearance and more cargo room makes the GLK more practical and the reason we're considering making the switch. From what I understand, yes, the C class and GLK share a lot of the same components. I wasn't sure if anyone had issues with bent rims on the GLK 19 inch wheels.

KC61

No bent rims for us and my wife loves the GLK, get a 2013 or newer for the upgraded motor

JohnnyC

I went from 20" to 19". no issues with the Los Angeles poor infrastructure.

I wish cargo space was better. I constantly find myself wanting a GLE or something similar in cargo room.

KC61

Yep, cargo space is lacking

JohnnyC

Yeah I took four other people shopping for Thanksgiving. We needed to use the spare tire well to fit everything. I had no rear visibility from my center mirror!

Or if you have to take 2 people to an international flight, good luck. I had to use the spare tyre well and fold down the double seats to just barely fit. I did it with 4 large suitcases and two carry-ons.

KC61

I certainly wouldn't think cargo space would be a good selling point of the GLK. Our 09 Tiguan had way more. However, the GLK has way more fun factor with 300+ HP

n2dsky

If you have a harmonic vibration at 70mph - have the front u-joint on the transfer shaft checked ASAP! Ours just had a catastrophic failure and that was the symptom !!

Everest22

Wow, thanks for the info. Our car is at the mechanic now. When he gets back to me, I'll mention this. Did the u-joint just wear out or was this due to an accident?

Everest22

Right, I realize the GLK isn't a large vehicle, but it'd at least offer some more cargo space than our C300.

n2dsky

We just purchased the vehicle as a trade in from a non-MB dealer - about 86K miles. Carfax noted 1 previous owner with all the MB service accomplished at the dealer. Most recent service was at about 82K miles. No damage noted. Appeared to be clean and mechanically sound. We had it 13 days and put on about 500 miles. On a road trip - the harmonic developed at about 70mph - did not change by downshifting and up-shifting. Apparently the u-joint was worn out and failed - taking out the catalytic converter shield, transmission fluid cooler line and various nuts, bolts and screws. Will be an expensive repair.

KC61

Or it could just be a missing wheel weight or bent rim