To Buy or Not to Buy a GLK 250
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 133
Likes: 11
From: Campbell, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
2013 GLK250, 2022 Tesla MYLR, 1997 Correct Craft Ski Nautique
Have to get my emissions inspection done within 30 days of purchase, then every 2 years, in our state, so a DPF tune may not be in the cards.... I guess it's one more go for the defeat device -
Some good news is I contacted the dealership that did regular scheduled maintenance for previous owner, and he send me a detailed copy of the 60 K mile service done in October. Transmission fluid and filter service were done, so will just have to see about the diffs and transf case fluids for now.
Some good news is I contacted the dealership that did regular scheduled maintenance for previous owner, and he send me a detailed copy of the 60 K mile service done in October. Transmission fluid and filter service were done, so will just have to see about the diffs and transf case fluids for now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I hear you. But I am willing to take that risk. If I was really risk-averse, I would have chosen to go with some boring Lexus, Kia, Honda, etc. I think it is a calculated risk to buy any used German car, especially without a warranty. But I have had a lot of luck with our last couple used Mercedes sedans, and I had three previous used BMW X3s.
At year 11 and 100k miles things went south in one year. Frozen belt pulley, failed crank pulley, and failed transfer case bearing. If went to dealer you would be out of pocket over 15k (mostly becuase they don't fix transfer case - they swap tranny in). Probably 5-10k at a good indy.
Plus car reg maint. - tranny flush, diff flushes, spark plugs, brakes etc...probably 5k at dealer. Engine mounts every 5-6 years and a giant PITA on 4matics.
I did all this work myself so I can keep driving what's essentially is a nice looking Benz that should only need new intake manifold (another 600 dollar part). Shocks are at the end of their life, too.
Outside of engine mounts, it's a relatively simple car to work on.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 25
From: CT
'21 GLC 300, '13 C300 Sport
We probably won't be keeping it once it gets near that 100K mark.... at that point I'll probably be just leasing something new, and let the next owner deal with the high mileage maintenance of the GLK. But at the rate that we drive now (retired), it would take about 5 or more years to get there. I generally sell or trade our cars before they get to that 100K, so maybe that's why my experience has not been too dramatic, maintenance-wise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
Sadly, the GLK Bluetec is not like the Mercedes diesels of old, that were built to last generations rather than just barely through the warranty period. Somewhere along the way in the late 80s/early 90s, MB corporate decided bigger profits and more sales would be their focus, instead of building the best quality cars that would be good on the road for 30+ years.
I grew up with a few of those timeless diesels because my Dad was fond of their engineering and quality. We weren't well-to-do so he'd always end up buying a 10+ year-old model that would have at a minimum of 250k miles on the odo. He wouldn't even consider it "high mileage" or risky, because it was a diesel Benz!
My first car, even before I fully had a license, was a forest green 1975 240D that would only get up to 60-65mph but rode oh-so-comfortably that you didn't care. It had over 300k miles when he bought it, cash in hand, for $1k. I loved that car and took good care of it, was proud to take it out for a drive any chance I got.
I wish in my heart of hearts that the GLK would get me at least halfway there. With COVID and working from home, it's still got "only" 124k miles on it, and I was hoping it would take me to 200k. But with this settlement coming out soon, I'm torn. We might just take the money and then sell it, replacing with a newer diesel (probably another BMW).
I grew up with a few of those timeless diesels because my Dad was fond of their engineering and quality. We weren't well-to-do so he'd always end up buying a 10+ year-old model that would have at a minimum of 250k miles on the odo. He wouldn't even consider it "high mileage" or risky, because it was a diesel Benz!
My first car, even before I fully had a license, was a forest green 1975 240D that would only get up to 60-65mph but rode oh-so-comfortably that you didn't care. It had over 300k miles when he bought it, cash in hand, for $1k. I loved that car and took good care of it, was proud to take it out for a drive any chance I got.
I wish in my heart of hearts that the GLK would get me at least halfway there. With COVID and working from home, it's still got "only" 124k miles on it, and I was hoping it would take me to 200k. But with this settlement coming out soon, I'm torn. We might just take the money and then sell it, replacing with a newer diesel (probably another BMW).
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
I know this is an older post. But I hope you can still help me out. Would most Indy shops be able to perform a EGR, DPF,and SCR delete? Also, should this be done preemptively?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 482
Likes: 140
GLK250 ML350
