buying my first adult car — is the GLK a good choice?
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Joined: Oct 2020
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honda civic
buying my first adult car — is the GLK a good choice?
Ok so I have driven crappy cars since I was 16 and have finally paid off my school loans, so I would like to upgrade to something nice. I'm 23 and make good money & now have no other debt.
Context about my usage: I work from home, I really don't drive much other than for errands during the week and drive about 3 hours round trip to ski/hike each weekend. All in all, I think I drive maybe 5k or less a year. I live in the northeast so its capability in the snow is appealing.
My plan is to get a '14 or '15 with ~50k or less mileage. I figure that if I sell it in a few years, I'll dodge the larger-scale issues that pop up when you get near 100k. My parents are in Florida, so I was planning to purchase there and drive back home to avoid getting a car that's seen a northeast winter.
I really love the GLK and I *think* it would be a good fit for me, but my parents aren't convinced. They are very worked up about how expensive it is for maintenance.
I'm pretty dead-set on getting it, I really appreciate the craftsmanship of Mercedes (ex boyfriend drove a '12 c300 which i loved and i dont think i can go back to another Japanese car) and cars are definitely something I care about, so to me, the premium seems worth it.
Is this a solid plan? What can I expect maintenance-wise in the 50 - 80k mileage range? With the amount I drive, I honestly think I would sell it probably around the 67k mark.
What should I know moving forward? Thanks!
Context about my usage: I work from home, I really don't drive much other than for errands during the week and drive about 3 hours round trip to ski/hike each weekend. All in all, I think I drive maybe 5k or less a year. I live in the northeast so its capability in the snow is appealing.
My plan is to get a '14 or '15 with ~50k or less mileage. I figure that if I sell it in a few years, I'll dodge the larger-scale issues that pop up when you get near 100k. My parents are in Florida, so I was planning to purchase there and drive back home to avoid getting a car that's seen a northeast winter.
I really love the GLK and I *think* it would be a good fit for me, but my parents aren't convinced. They are very worked up about how expensive it is for maintenance.
I'm pretty dead-set on getting it, I really appreciate the craftsmanship of Mercedes (ex boyfriend drove a '12 c300 which i loved and i dont think i can go back to another Japanese car) and cars are definitely something I care about, so to me, the premium seems worth it.
Is this a solid plan? What can I expect maintenance-wise in the 50 - 80k mileage range? With the amount I drive, I honestly think I would sell it probably around the 67k mark.
What should I know moving forward? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Mb depreciate very fast and can cost an outrageous amount to repair, especially if you use a dealer. It seems like the transmission and transfer case may be weak, the steering wheel lock doesn't last, and who knows what direct injection carboning up may be. But it has its good points, there is a guy selling a 15 glk with 6900 miles on this page , that could be the best deal ever if the price is right.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
I have a '10 GLK with 61k miles. Mmr1 is right, you need a trusty mechanic to maintain any German made cars, dealers will rip you off. But since you are buying it used, depreciation doesn't really matter that much anyways, the blunt is usually the first 3-5 years.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
Since you live in the Northeast and like to go skiing, you should probably consider a 4Matic model. Just know that more things can possibly go wrong with those, but no more so than with other cars.
You should be able to find a decent used model (they were only made until 2015) with low mileage. If you're looking at "premium" that means more options too. So I'd look for the bi-xenon headlights models, which may be tougher to find but extremely worth it if you do any amount of night-time driving.
If finances are not a concern, you can get by with taking your GLK to an independent Euro mechanic for pretty much all maintenance and repairs. German cars require strict preventive maintenance to avoid costly repairs, and most people tend to ignore small issues until they metastasize. Fix little things early. Ours has just over 122k miles and is the diesel, which almost everyone here will recommend against buying, but in 3+ years that we've had it, no issue has been a deal breaker.
The GLK is a tank, heavy and solid, safe and generally reliable. The styling is unique, as opposed to most SUVs today that seem to be stamped from the same template. Finding just the right one is where you need to take your time, drive several and compare them to each other, and then be certain on what options you HAVE TO have. For me, the diesel and adaptive bi-xenons were a must.
Good luck.
You should be able to find a decent used model (they were only made until 2015) with low mileage. If you're looking at "premium" that means more options too. So I'd look for the bi-xenon headlights models, which may be tougher to find but extremely worth it if you do any amount of night-time driving.
If finances are not a concern, you can get by with taking your GLK to an independent Euro mechanic for pretty much all maintenance and repairs. German cars require strict preventive maintenance to avoid costly repairs, and most people tend to ignore small issues until they metastasize. Fix little things early. Ours has just over 122k miles and is the diesel, which almost everyone here will recommend against buying, but in 3+ years that we've had it, no issue has been a deal breaker.
The GLK is a tank, heavy and solid, safe and generally reliable. The styling is unique, as opposed to most SUVs today that seem to be stamped from the same template. Finding just the right one is where you need to take your time, drive several and compare them to each other, and then be certain on what options you HAVE TO have. For me, the diesel and adaptive bi-xenons were a must.
Good luck.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 78
From: Toronto, Canada
GLC300 (mine) GLK250 (wife's)
The GLK is a tank, heavy and solid, safe and generally reliable. The styling is unique, as opposed to most SUVs today that seem to be stamped from the same template. Finding just the right one is where you need to take your time, drive several and compare them to each other, and then be certain on what options you HAVE TO have. For me, the diesel and adaptive bi-xenons were a must.
Good luck.
Good luck.
As for reliability, our GLK has had 2 issues. An exhaust hanger bolt snapped (strange but true) and I fixed that with a freebee stainless bolt from my local parts store and 5 mins under the car. The check engine light came on and the code pointed to a plugged DPF filter. I cleared the code and waited for it to return but it hasn't. One of my wife's previous cars was a (supposedly bulletproof) Acura and we had many more problems in the first 2 yrs than in over 5 yrs with the GLK. The Acura and GLK were both bought new. You never know.
Best wishes.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
GLK350 4MATIC
Bought my wife’s GLK as her first “adult” car as well. Got a 2010 with 49k miles in 2015. Car now has 104k miles and has been pretty reliable. Only major issue was the Electronic Steering Lock motor went out in the middle of winter and had to replace it otherwise car won’t start because it thinks it’s being stolen. Cheap to fix, just a pain, and cold. I’ve had the HVAC blower motor go out, $100 part, and a cam phaser which is easy and about $35 part right on the front of the motor.
These cars are easy to maintain if you do it yourself, changing the ATF is a bit of a hassle but not bad. Change it every 40k miles per the owners manual that’s really the only big maintenance item. If you take it to a dealer it’s around $500. One thing to note about a GLK350 maintenance... it’s about as good as it gets with Premium German cars. I can’t really think of a more reliable premium German platform. Whatever you do, do not buy a used BMW thinking it will be low maintenance. I have had many BMWs and they are my favorite cars, but you gotta work on them or you’ll be broke trying to maintain them at a dealer in higher miles.
As for the GLK We drive it in northern Ohio with snow tires and it’s a beast. Blizzak tires and 4MATIC with a heavy SUV is great. The transmission and engine performance leaves a lot to be desired compared to BMW but the ride is very solid feeling. It absorbs bumps and road imperfections way better than my in laws new RAV4.
Be cautious with the Florida cars, most are RWD and lacking heated seats.
These cars are easy to maintain if you do it yourself, changing the ATF is a bit of a hassle but not bad. Change it every 40k miles per the owners manual that’s really the only big maintenance item. If you take it to a dealer it’s around $500. One thing to note about a GLK350 maintenance... it’s about as good as it gets with Premium German cars. I can’t really think of a more reliable premium German platform. Whatever you do, do not buy a used BMW thinking it will be low maintenance. I have had many BMWs and they are my favorite cars, but you gotta work on them or you’ll be broke trying to maintain them at a dealer in higher miles.
As for the GLK We drive it in northern Ohio with snow tires and it’s a beast. Blizzak tires and 4MATIC with a heavy SUV is great. The transmission and engine performance leaves a lot to be desired compared to BMW but the ride is very solid feeling. It absorbs bumps and road imperfections way better than my in laws new RAV4.
Be cautious with the Florida cars, most are RWD and lacking heated seats.
Last edited by torquefordays; Oct 16, 2020 at 10:50 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
My wife and I bought our 2010 GLK new when we were 24 and still have it. I'm turning 35 this weekend.
Up until this year, 11 years and 106k miles later, the car has bee pretty trouble free and pretty easy to maintain, but it has a few hard things. Yea engine mounts had to go, front rotors kept warping but those were too big of deal.
This year hasn't been best year...but for me it was 600-700 and a few weekend projects. But this would have been probably 5k-10k if I didn't do my own work on my cars.
As long as you allow for the fact that that it will need things because you are looking at 5 year old car, you should be ok.
Simple things like brakes, tires, big service items add up quick. Learn to work on the car and find car friend who, you will save thousands.
These cars are as easy to work on and should be well know to lots of mechanics by now.
Up until this year, 11 years and 106k miles later, the car has bee pretty trouble free and pretty easy to maintain, but it has a few hard things. Yea engine mounts had to go, front rotors kept warping but those were too big of deal.
This year hasn't been best year...but for me it was 600-700 and a few weekend projects. But this would have been probably 5k-10k if I didn't do my own work on my cars.
As long as you allow for the fact that that it will need things because you are looking at 5 year old car, you should be ok.
Simple things like brakes, tires, big service items add up quick. Learn to work on the car and find car friend who, you will save thousands.
These cars are as easy to work on and should be well know to lots of mechanics by now.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
GLK 350
my 2011, I've owned for about 4 yrs. 97k miles on it now..
My key repairs thusfar:
- ESL - $350 ($2000+ @ dealer quote)
- Brakes - $440 (unknown dealer cost)
- Tires - 20" OEM wheels, $500 DiscountTire
- Rear Lift Gate latch motor - $54 part, an hour or so to replace (Dealer wanted like 750$ to replace)
- AC Issues - Still chasing down the issue
I bought the GLK 4 yrs ago, with 68k miles on it, for $15K.
Edit:
Oh, and don't expect stellar fuel economy LOL I average about 15mpg in city. I drove from Virginia to Texas (1380mi) and averaged 19.8 - 21,2mpg round-trip.. My 8000 lb Dodge Dually diesel gets the same mpg..
My key repairs thusfar:
- ESL - $350 ($2000+ @ dealer quote)
- Brakes - $440 (unknown dealer cost)
- Tires - 20" OEM wheels, $500 DiscountTire
- Rear Lift Gate latch motor - $54 part, an hour or so to replace (Dealer wanted like 750$ to replace)
- AC Issues - Still chasing down the issue
I bought the GLK 4 yrs ago, with 68k miles on it, for $15K.
Edit:
Oh, and don't expect stellar fuel economy LOL I average about 15mpg in city. I drove from Virginia to Texas (1380mi) and averaged 19.8 - 21,2mpg round-trip.. My 8000 lb Dodge Dually diesel gets the same mpg..
Last edited by GeriatricGinger; Oct 21, 2020 at 09:54 AM.
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