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Haven't had an MB in a while, just picked up a 2013 GLK350. Car has 52k miles on her as of now. With Lexus, you can log on, enter a VIN and get the Lexus dealership records. I called MB and they said that even after I own the thing, they cannot share what dealer services have been performed.
My plan is to immediately do the oil/filter, air filter, and possibly plugs and coil packs.
How can I tell if the plugs are OEM or if they've been changed? As plugs are set for 60k B service, I'm assuming they are probably original.
Since I won't have access to records for the car, should I jump ahead and do the brake fluid and transmission fluid services or just wait until 60k?
The plugs - coils last a lot longer than 52000, mine at 75000 showed no wear upon replacing. If it doesn’t run right get codes read.
More important would be to replace brake fluid, since the brakes controls the 4 matic -awd, and antilock , and stability system.
Replace transmission oil and filter, check differential oil condition . Do engine oil, replace coolant and maybe hoses and belts.
If it runs good the plugs are the last thing to worry about. The plugs are expensive and easily last 100,000 miles. Once you pull the plugs wires you also need plug boots . More expense. Do all the fluids and hoses belts first. My belt I replaced at 75000, it looked new. Fcp euro is where you will get the right parts delivered.
You don’t know what kind of service or abuse the transmission has been through, the recommended service is too long as failures have happened often. The trans should be the first thing along with brake fluid, which are overdue anyway. The bs mb sealed transmission means you can’t check the condition or level of the transmission fluid.
My 13 350 was slipping when hot and on Sport mode , it wouldn’t shift, it would rev real high. Changing the fluid helped , find a mechanic that has done it before . It’s not simple or cheap as the Glk needs to be running, on a lift, with an OBD temp taken.
The mb interval is too long.
The brakes were overdue for a flush at maybe 40,000. I did mine at 40,000. And again at 70,000. It made a noticeable difference in braking power. Brake fluid absorbs water . The water and debris is what will ruin the Abs- 4matic - stability system . That is easy to do , it’s DIY with a helper.
coolant goes bad with age , it’s easy to flush out 50%.
Oil change kit
ATF change kit
Diff fluid
Brake fluid
Motive bkeeder
CTA pump and attachment
Drive belt
New drain plugs and washers
Fuel pump
Air filter
Cabin filter
That should get me a good baseline on it.
Yes....gonna do it myself. CTA makes that one pressurized fluid exchange pump / canister. I have a friend who's an Audi tech coming by to help so that I don't mess anything up. When I did the TB and water pump on my Colorado 2.8 Duramax, I had another friend who is a diesel tech babysitting me.....I like to learn new things...so why not.
Oil change kit
ATF change kit
Diff fluid
Brake fluid
Motive bkeeder
CTA pump and attachment
Drive belt
New drain plugs and washers
Fuel pump
Air filter
Cabin filter
That should get me a good baseline on it.
belt is not necessary, but inspect pulley's when belt is off.
Fuel pump seems like an overkill on 52k mile car.
I would add front and rear diffs fluids since you will be under there and they are easy to do. Front diff doesn't have fill plug and you can use the same attachment used to fill trans and pump in about 600ml (whatever amount comes out from factory) plus some to account for spillage.
You might want to check date cones on batteries.
I dropped the ball on that one.....seems I looked at the first google result regarding the fuel filter. You're correct
Diff fluids are on the list.
One thing I find odd is that I'm unable to get the service history of the GLK. Even now, I can log onto lexus.com, set up an account in 2 seconds, add a Lexus VIN and boom....all services performed on that car are visible. I called my local MB dealer and was advised that they couldn't tell me the service history because I wasn't the registered owner. Is that true? I mean....this doesn't fall under HIPAA. Would be nice to know what recent scheduled service has been done.
Who cares...chances are nobody took it to dealer for a while.
My GLK hasn't seen dealer or a shop for past 10 years.
Dealers became so overpriced.
You better off pulling carfax you might be able to see maintenance there.
I dropped the ball on that one.....seems I looked at the first google result regarding the fuel filter. You're correct
Diff fluids are on the list.
One thing I find odd is that I'm unable to get the service history of the GLK. Even now, I can log onto lexus.com, set up an account in 2 seconds, add a Lexus VIN and boom....all services performed on that car are visible. I called my local MB dealer and was advised that they couldn't tell me the service history because I wasn't the registered owner. Is that true? I mean....this doesn't fall under HIPAA. Would be nice to know what recent scheduled service has been done.
You CAN get the maintenance history IF it was serviced at THAT particular MB dealership with the proof of ownership IN PERSON not online. I had to do that for my 22yr SLK at the local dealership. I guess they are not as up-to-date with technology as Lexus??? Don't know the reason but I was able to get whatever service records my local MB dealership had on my particular car. It was just a simple paper printout report (about 5 pages). The rest of the services were performed at independent shops (which I got from the history on CarFax report first). At this point, you'd probably be better off pulling CarFax first and then following "breadcrumbs" ... or just changing all the fluids and consumables yourself and giving yourself a piece of mind that it's done! Congrats on the ownership!
Best is to consider that nothing was ever done except the minimum. At that age all fluids need to go.
If by chance you hear any clunking when shifting or driving , from the drive train, do not wait to figure it out. I ruined my front u joint and drive shaft trying to get out of snow . If it had broken on the highway it could have destroyed the transfer case -Transmission and front differential. MB would want 10.000$ to fix. A guy posting here last year, had it happen , his 10,000.00 Glk, Mb wanted 10,000.00 to fix. The front drive shaft has no support of the drive shaft, incase it breaks ! An MB mistake. If it breaks it flys and flails until something stops it!
Good comments. I also have a 2013 GLK350 I have owned since new and do all my own work. I agree that the transmission interval from MB is too long and that should be a priority. Also, cabin and engine air filters, brake pads and rotors, and diff and rear end fluid. I would also inspect the serpentine belt and if you replace it, the idler with spring should also be replaced. I have replaced the plugs on my car. This is not a quick job. I worked through engineering school as an ignition mechanic. I have all the correct tools and it still is a multi hour job. I strongly recommend replacing the manifold gaskets when replacing the plugs. The gaskets were $11 each when Imdid this last. The gaskets must be perfectly seated and old gaskets will leak.
I have used FCP Euro and they have been okay but don’t check parts against the VIN. MB Parts Source does.
You CAN get the maintenance history IF it was serviced at THAT particular MB dealership with the proof of ownership IN PERSON not online. I had to do that for my 22yr SLK at the local dealership. I guess they are not as up-to-date with technology as Lexus??? Don't know the reason but I was able to get whatever service records my local MB dealership had on my particular car. It was just a simple paper printout report (about 5 pages). The rest of the services were performed at independent shops (which I got from the history on CarFax report first). At this point, you'd probably be better off pulling CarFax first and then following "breadcrumbs" ... or just changing all the fluids and consumables yourself and giving yourself a piece of mind that it's done! Congrats on the ownership!
Indeed, before my purchase I got the CarFax, which was a great help, as I was able to follow the 'breadcrumbs' and get an almost complete maintenance history. Luckily, it was most done at a MB dealership (about 200 miles away), so I contacted the service manager via email for maintenance records; I gave proof of registration, new ownership... and some high praise for how well they maintained it. To my surprise, after about a week I received a reply with an attachment of the entire maintenance report on the vehicle, even with some personal explanations to some questions I made regarding some MB-coded services. But I agree, better safe than sorry if there are gaps or holes in the maintenance history.
Rear Differential Fluid
Oil and Filter
Brake Fluid Flush
Spark Plugs
Drive Belt
Batteries
Transmission Fluid and Filter (done by a shop)
New Wipers
Tema4x4 Lift Kit
Complete Strut Assemblies and Shocks
Neuspeed 18x8.5 TSe53
Falken Wildpeak AT Trail 235/60/18
New TPMS
ECS Lug Bolts
Rhino Rack Stealth Bars
Thule Force XT Cargo Box
Black Hood Emblem
Proclip USa Phone Mounts
Garmin Mini 2 Dashcam
Weathertech Floormats
eTrailer Hitch
Tekonsha Trailer Wiring Harness
Midcity Engineering Eco Off Module
Chrome Trim Removed
Remaining Chrome Trim Blacked Out
Clear Coat Matted Out
Few Dents Removed
I have to say that the ride between the factory 20 inch wheels vs these is unreal. Super comfortable now.
Factory 20 x 8.5 AMG wheels listed for sale on here. Fresh satin black powdercoat, new TPMS and center caps. Wrapped with Pirelli Scorpion 235/45/20s. Located in CO but traveling to TX next week....
01-03-2023, 12:10 PM
not online. I had to do that for my 22yr SLK at the local dealership. I guess they are not as up-to-date with technology as Lexus??? Don't know the reason but I was able to get whatever service records my local MB dealership had on my particular car. It was just a simple paper printout report (about 5 pages). The rest of the services were performed at independent shops (which I got from the history on CarFax report first). At this point, you'd probably be better off pulling CarFax first and then following "breadcrumbs" 
... or just changing all the fluids and consumables yourself and giving yourself a piece of mind that it's done! Congrats on the ownership!
