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I was looking to get feedback from owners who have 90k+ miles on their 2013-2015 GLK, any major repairs? How has the transmission treated you? Have you done all the services, trans, spark plugs, etc? Any thoughts or comments are welcome.
replaced aux battery
replaced main battery
replaced passenger front wheel bearing
replaced driver side front end links
replaced blind spot radar on driver side
replaced windshield upper rubber strip 3 times
replaced air intake seal for the exhaust backfire
transmission downshift is very jerky when slowing to a stop. It jolts you. Usually from 3-2 despite transmission fluid and filter change.
overall the car is still working and not other problems. It’s a loaded GLK and all the electronics still function
replaced aux battery
replaced main battery
replaced passenger front wheel bearing
replaced driver side front end links
replaced blind spot radar on driver side
replaced windshield upper rubber strip 3 times
replaced air intake seal for the exhaust backfire
transmission downshift is very jerky when slowing to a stop. It jolts you. Usually from 3-2 despite transmission fluid and filter change.
overall the car is still working and not other problems. It’s a loaded GLK and all the electronics still function
will probably drive it to 180k miles
Have you done the 60k mile Spark Plugs and 70k Mile Trans service yet?
Have you done the 60k mile Spark Plugs and 70k Mile Trans service yet?
I have done both services already. I couldn’t really tell the difference when the plugs were changed. When they were removed, they were pretty clean. The Shell V Power fuel in Canada is the cleanest with no ethanol. The transmission fluid was also really clean when it was removed.
I have done both services already. I couldn’t really tell the difference when the plugs were changed. When they were removed, they were pretty clean. The Shell V Power fuel in Canada is the cleanest with no ethanol. The transmission fluid was also really clean when it was removed.
I would hold off on the plugs most likely as they are not quite as important compared to the transmission service. Maybe at 102k the trans fluid won’t be dirty like you experienced. We do have 10% ethanol in our gas thought.
My 2013 has 90k . Just changed the oil for 90k. Other than service in the manual, the only thing I've done is replaced front brakes, some headlight bulbs and stalk for turn signal, since I've owned the car . Been very reliable for me. Mostly driving around town. Up and down the mountains to go skiing a lot.
My 2013 has 90k . Just changed the oil for 90k. Other than service in the manual, the only thing I've done is replaced front brakes, some headlight bulbs and stalk for turn signal, since I've owned the car . Been very reliable for me. Mostly driving around town. Up and down the mountains to go skiing a lot.
Thanks for the info, the 2013 with 102k miles I have been looking at is now at my mechanic shop getting a look over, lets see what they find.....
2013 GLK Service Schedule Attached..out thru 150K miles/15yrs
Long term Mercedes enthusiasts say - "if you take care of your Mercedes - your Mercedes will take care of you"... the X204 in general has been "rock solid" - and whether dealer service or with a wide range of "quality" aftermarket OE equivalent parts available (avoiding "bad" quality parts using forum recommendations) with a indie can save money with equivalent service...
Clean and lube door - tail gate - sunroof seals - clean with alcohol - see lube is my personal recommendation against "squeaks":
I bought my 2013 GLK 350 in late April 2013 with everything - all the bells and whistles - was hoping it would last for 250K miles and 10 years, but no. I have faithfully taken it to the dealer for service every 10K miles. After 5.5 years and almost 96K miles, it started making a strange noise as I accelerated (about a week ago). Took it to an independent auto repair shop with two guys that have 20+ years experience with foreign cars. Today I got the bad news - the transfer case is shot. According to them and what I have read on line, MB feels you have to buy a new transmission to repair. They warrantee it for two years and unlimited mileage. So they quoted me $8130 for the transmission plus $1600 for the torque assembly Plus MB transmission fluid - almost $10K and then quoted $850 for labor (I know that is less than dealer would charge on the labor). I have read on line others say it is just a matter of time if you get one replaced - new or reconditioned. I fully believed MB made such a fantastic vehicle that I would not have to worry about anything like this. Now I am trying to decided whether it is worth the $11,600 repair bill to get two more years out of it, or give up on it. I have a call in to my dealer but have not heard back yet.
I bought my 2013 GLK 350 in late April 2013 with everything - all the bells and whistles - was hoping it would last for 250K miles and 10 years, but no. I have faithfully taken it to the dealer for service every 10K miles. After 5.5 years and almost 96K miles, it started making a strange noise as I accelerated (about a week ago). Took it to an independent auto repair shop with two guys that have 20+ years experience with foreign cars. Today I got the bad news - the transfer case is shot. According to them and what I have read on line, MB feels you have to buy a new transmission to repair. They warrantee it for two years and unlimited mileage. So they quoted me $8130 for the transmission plus $1600 for the torque assembly Plus MB transmission fluid - almost $10K and then quoted $850 for labor (I know that is less than dealer would charge on the labor). I have read on line others say it is just a matter of time if you get one replaced - new or reconditioned. I fully believed MB made such a fantastic vehicle that I would not have to worry about anything like this. Now I am trying to decided whether it is worth the $11,600 repair bill to get two more years out of it, or give up on it. I have a call in to my dealer but have not heard back yet.
12 grand into a car, for two years.. Not worth it. But, if you keep it for a longer period of time , then yes. 4 or more years, why not. Its a very nice car, and is pretty solid. Unless you have reasons to let it go, then let it go at a loss and be done with it.
I bought my 2013 GLK 350 in late April 2013 with everything - all the bells and whistles - was hoping it would last for 250K miles and 10 years, but no.
I think you went into this with unreasonable expectations, this is a Mercedes, not a Toyota or a Honda.
Any recent mercedes is going to be a huge risk, after prob 75k....
Beg to differ, i put 340K miles on a C230K no issues other than alternator, and my 2017 CLA has 97K with no issues, 2003 G500 with 130K again no problems. I would definately get a second quote from another shop the the dealership. It's easier to "scare you into a new car and wholesale yours that they Quote you a high bill on. A Technician would probably buy it from the dealer for next to nothing and fix it for nothing and have a nice car with all the bells and whistles. Good luck on your choice. There must be a different philosophy going on the service side lately, they were trying to sell me brakes and I look at the advisor and told him what my pad thickness was and said no thank you.
I’m glad you posted the photo because it is a good example of why the drivetrain in the glk is so delicate and problematic. It’s integrated transfer case + torque converter all in one is a pretty bad design. Just a cursory search of the forums will give you a good idea of how frequently these things, leak, weep, and fail. Plus the complications of repair procedures specific to Mercedes that are not present with other manufacturers.
I'd take a problematic Mercedes anyway over an Audi, BMW, or Fiat. I've seen JDM brands surfer from problematic problems and impossible repairs. I think its just the way it is now. Your airline would rather just buy a new airplane rather than keeping a high cycle air frame. I guess as long as folks are willing to buy the latest and greatest they will engineer them to fail, expensively.
haha true, we should all be thankful Boeing doenst build airplanes like Mercedes builds cars, because these 30 year old planes work just as hard as they did on day 1, and no, the airline just keeps fixing them...
It is very difficult to find a 'new' replacement for the GLK though (sorry for drifting the thread here). I dont want to keep this GLK beyond 75k-80k miles and I would say nearly EVERY compact SUV in the class today uses a 4 cylinder turbo. I just cant get on board with owning forced induction for 5+ years after you finish paying the thing off and its out of warranty, is when the real fun begins with the turbo aging.... I do have to give some credit that the the M272 is a pretty drama free motor...
Update on my prior post - after working with the original dealership and showing them all my service receipts, they actually repaired my transmission and did a scheduled service for $5500 - dealership quoted me $12K to fix it before they got a local rep involved. So I have to give them some kudos for giving me a little break. Ran fine for a little over six month. Two days ago the red battery icon showed up with no text below. Had just run a few errands. Next morning within a mile of leaving home, red battery icon is back. Called hubby. Turned around after 7 miles when whole command system shut down and went straight to our independent repair shop. So I am thinking it is the auxiliary battery since I just replaced the main battery last fall. Today I get the call - he said when he opened the hood, there was smoke!!! The alternator was overcharging, wire harness smoking, other stuff fused. Waiting to hear what this will cost - NOW I will get rid of this car...
Nox downstream sensor bad at 65k miles then same sensor failed again 10 months later on MB's dime 12 month warranty. Left side turbo intercooler hose cracked at 72k miles, the day of woodward dream cruise. Right side turbo intercooler hose split today, heard a whistling sound during acceleration, threw no codes. Replaced battery at 70k miles. Replaced brakes, all 4 rotors and pads at 60k miles. 4 new tires at 45k miles, $1600 for run flats. Have a tiny crack in drivers side seat cushion. Both head light bulbs replaced. No DPF ptoblems, take for a 20 minute highway cruise every 2 weeks. Use Power Service Diesel Kleen every 10k miles to keep injectors clean. Flushed trans and changed filter at 70k, also chamgef fromt and rear differentoal oil at 70k. Noticed rear diff cover was rusting bad and trans pan rusting too. Will replace both next time they are serviced. I plan on keeping this car forever. Bought it new, 74k miles in 6 years.
Thanks for all the information. We just turned 70K. I had the left turbo hose split about two months ago. Was very inconvenient but extremely easy to repair. Your post makes me want to replace the right side too. Did you replace that yourself and if so how difficult was it?
So now I feel as though I'm on borrowed time. It's a daily driver for my daughter. Even though my mileage is less I probably shouldn't wait for a failure. You just never know when....
USA/NA transmission fluid service interval is incorrect
Contra the MB -NA service, the entire transmission should have a complete fluid change, filter and magnet clean every ~40k miles. Look at the capacity of the transmission including the Torque converter, etc. in the OM. It's a lot more than drop drain service that you NA MB service writer at the dealership will sell you. If the service writer gives you a hard time ask to speak to the service director. You can get cheaper spec fluid through Shell than MB USA.
At 70k mile for the first service you are already twice what is called for. In the rest of the world esp. Europe the service is at 37k kilometers so I say 40k miles in USA just so it is easy.
When I was having the 40k service done at MB dealership there was a fellow who had 77k miles and his transmission was making noises. He asked for the 70k service and they told him the transmission needed to be replaced and he should just drive it until it fails.
Contra the MB -NA service, the entire transmission should have a complete fluid change, filter and magnet clean every ~40k miles. Look at the capacity of the transmission including the Torque converter, etc. in the OM. It's a lot more than drop drain service that you NA MB service writer at the dealership will sell you. If the service writer gives you a hard time ask to speak to the service director. You can get cheaper spec fluid through Shell than MB USA.
At 70k mile for the first service you are already twice what is called for. In the rest of the world esp. Europe the service is at 37k kilometers so I say 40k miles in USA just so it is easy.
When I was having the 40k service done at MB dealership there was a fellow who had 77k miles and his transmission was making noises. He asked for the 70k service and they told him the transmission needed to be replaced and he should just drive it until it fails.
3 month old response but for the sake of discussion...
They can promise you the moon, what matters is what actually happens in the shop. In the interest of time, id venture most still wont do the TQ, and will rush. The change procedure on the 722.9 isnt exactly unique, or difficult, many manufactures do it this way, but its not totally idiot proof either. For 722.9 i would want to DIY to be sure its done right, or have a good relationship with local independent you really trust. The TQ should not be skipped.
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2013 GLK 350 96K transfer case issue
