Would love to know the reliability of 2011~2012 vs 2013 ~ 2014 GLK
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
W213
Would love to know the reliability of 2011~2012 vs 2013 ~ 2014 GLK
I'm considering buying one for wife, with around 50~70k miles and will be only using it for local driving.
Wife hasn't been behind wheel for 3 years after hitting a tree and totaling her RX350...
earlier this month, after taking 10 driving classes, I let her drive our brand new W213 for the first time and she hit the curb when making a right turn...
GLK is known for overall toughness and got the top scores from all the crash tests, therefore a used one would be perfect for her to drive and practice. (and even she drive onto the curb it would be less damage since GLK as high ground clearance ...)
Wife hasn't been behind wheel for 3 years after hitting a tree and totaling her RX350...
earlier this month, after taking 10 driving classes, I let her drive our brand new W213 for the first time and she hit the curb when making a right turn...
GLK is known for overall toughness and got the top scores from all the crash tests, therefore a used one would be perfect for her to drive and practice. (and even she drive onto the curb it would be less damage since GLK as high ground clearance ...)
Last edited by yuzone; Dec 23, 2017 at 01:04 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 61
From: South East US.
2015 GLK350
Are you sure that reliability is your concern? Given your comments about your wife's driving it might be more important to focus on things like overall sturdiness, ease of repair, and expense of repairs.
If you hit a curb with a GLK then depending on the speed of impact you are looking at a scraped or bent wheel and possibly a wheel alignment, but this is true for most cars. Maybe you should not be looking at vehicles with low profile tires and large wheels. Rather look for something with taller sidewalls so when they hit the curb the rubber hits instead of the metal wheel.
Have you considered Jeeps? They are meant to hold up to abuse and are not super expensive to repair. Bumping into a curb with a jeep generates a shrug instead of a repair bill.
And you know, there are some people that just shouldn't drive.
If you hit a curb with a GLK then depending on the speed of impact you are looking at a scraped or bent wheel and possibly a wheel alignment, but this is true for most cars. Maybe you should not be looking at vehicles with low profile tires and large wheels. Rather look for something with taller sidewalls so when they hit the curb the rubber hits instead of the metal wheel.
Have you considered Jeeps? They are meant to hold up to abuse and are not super expensive to repair. Bumping into a curb with a jeep generates a shrug instead of a repair bill.
And you know, there are some people that just shouldn't drive.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Charleston, SC
'03 BMW M3, '11 GLK350 AMG (RWD)
Our '11 RWD has been pretty much bullet proof - just bulbs (headlights, taillights), and the transmission/key interlock (which was an easy fix). Only 71k miles so far though (my wife's car around town, airport runs).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
W213
Are you sure that reliability is your concern? Given your comments about your wife's driving it might be more important to focus on things like overall sturdiness, ease of repair, and expense of repairs.
If you hit a curb with a GLK then depending on the speed of impact you are looking at a scraped or bent wheel and possibly a wheel alignment, but this is true for most cars. Maybe you should not be looking at vehicles with low profile tires and large wheels. Rather look for something with taller sidewalls so when they hit the curb the rubber hits instead of the metal wheel.
Have you considered Jeeps? They are meant to hold up to abuse and are not super expensive to repair. Bumping into a curb with a jeep generates a shrug instead of a repair bill.
And you know, there are some people that just shouldn't drive.
If you hit a curb with a GLK then depending on the speed of impact you are looking at a scraped or bent wheel and possibly a wheel alignment, but this is true for most cars. Maybe you should not be looking at vehicles with low profile tires and large wheels. Rather look for something with taller sidewalls so when they hit the curb the rubber hits instead of the metal wheel.
Have you considered Jeeps? They are meant to hold up to abuse and are not super expensive to repair. Bumping into a curb with a jeep generates a shrug instead of a repair bill.
And you know, there are some people that just shouldn't drive.
I’ll look into Jeep
Which model(s) would you suggest ? (tough & safe ). I never looked at Jeep before.thanks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
W213
I saw a bunch of one-owner accident free 2011-2012 GLK around this mile being offered at price within my budget ( < 20k )
Will look at some
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 66
Likes: 5
2013 GLK350 4-Matic
We have had our 2013 GLK350 4-matic for about 5 months. Had 78k on it when we bought it for just under $20k. It now has 82k miles and has been flawless and my wife absolutely loves it. Had transmission fluid and filter changed and the transmission shop said everything looked great. I just did the oil change and the car looks perfect underneath. Runs like a banshee and is solid as a new one. Significant changes in 2013 so I would look for a 13 or newer. Earlier transmissions in the 1st generation I hear had more problems and that was confirmed by Certified Transmission. Very easy car to drive and comfortable.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
W213
We have had our 2013 GLK350 4-matic for about 5 months. Had 78k on it when we bought it for just under $20k. It now has 82k miles and has been flawless and my wife absolutely loves it. Had transmission fluid and filter changed and the transmission shop said everything looked great. I just did the oil change and the car looks perfect underneath. Runs like a banshee and is solid as a new one. Significant changes in 2013 so I would look for a 13 or newer. Earlier transmissions in the 1st generation I hear had more problems and that was confirmed by Certified Transmission. Very easy car to drive and comfortable.
2013 under 20k seems a very nice deal tho.
Around my area, 2013~2015 models are usually over 25k.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 41
From: Jersey Shore
2012 GLK
lol a 4000 mile example is hardly of any value to proclaim reliability. ^
Only when comparing to other Mercedes Benz products, would i call a GLK basic. It lacks air suspension, and many other advanced features that are usually points of failure in higher series Mercedes. When compared to other cars on the road, I would say the GLK is far from 'outstanding' or simple. Read up on x/w204 Thermostat, ESL, IES issues, timing chain noise, automatic tailgate issues, entertainment stack failures, keyless go repairs, noisy idlers, eating brakes, tires, I can keep going.
Beware of 2013+ as they switched from the basic 272 engine to the more complex direct injection 276. use your own judgement, read up on DI.
With light use, attentive care, non-abusive driver, garage kept, the car will probably behave itself. I would not expect it to be entirely trouble free.
I would not call a GLK robust by any means. hitting a curb could easily be a $1500-$2000 affair depending what parts of the suspension and steering are damaged, if you have the 22" wheels, forget about it.
I put my SO in a GLK only because I am familiar working on w204 and x204 vehicles, i liked that the GLK was pretty cheap, it is heavy, safe, easy to drive for her. I have a lot of free time to keep up with preventive maintenance in my own garage and we have two other vehicles in the household for when one is down.
my suggestion if you are looking for a drama free car for a driver who is less than careful, buy a Camry.
Only when comparing to other Mercedes Benz products, would i call a GLK basic. It lacks air suspension, and many other advanced features that are usually points of failure in higher series Mercedes. When compared to other cars on the road, I would say the GLK is far from 'outstanding' or simple. Read up on x/w204 Thermostat, ESL, IES issues, timing chain noise, automatic tailgate issues, entertainment stack failures, keyless go repairs, noisy idlers, eating brakes, tires, I can keep going.
Beware of 2013+ as they switched from the basic 272 engine to the more complex direct injection 276. use your own judgement, read up on DI.
With light use, attentive care, non-abusive driver, garage kept, the car will probably behave itself. I would not expect it to be entirely trouble free.
I would not call a GLK robust by any means. hitting a curb could easily be a $1500-$2000 affair depending what parts of the suspension and steering are damaged, if you have the 22" wheels, forget about it.
I put my SO in a GLK only because I am familiar working on w204 and x204 vehicles, i liked that the GLK was pretty cheap, it is heavy, safe, easy to drive for her. I have a lot of free time to keep up with preventive maintenance in my own garage and we have two other vehicles in the household for when one is down.
my suggestion if you are looking for a drama free car for a driver who is less than careful, buy a Camry.
Last edited by B737; Dec 26, 2017 at 02:49 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
