GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

2011 GLK 550 Build

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Old Nov 8, 2023 | 01:11 PM
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2011 GLK 550
2011 GLK 550 Build

I haven't taken nearly as many pictures as I should have, but here is my little GLK build. M273 5.5 V8, 6 speed manual, W221 brembos, NTG 4.5 swap, and many other little things. Pics are in order from last year when I started to today.








Old Nov 10, 2023 | 06:59 AM
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Very cool! I was wondering how easy/heard 550 swap would be.
Did you have to get different drive shaft?
Is this RWD?
What did you have to do with ECU and wiring harness?
Is the gauge cluster from E class as well?
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Old Nov 10, 2023 | 07:22 AM
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2011 GLK 550
Very cool! I was wondering how easy/heard 550 swap would be. Pretty easy honestly.
Did you have to get different drive shaft? Yes, but only because of the manual transmission. An automatic V8 swap could use the stock driveshaft.
Is this RWD? Yes
What did you have to do with ECU and wiring harness? ECU and engine wiring harness are from a 2010 E550. The engine wiring harness is separate from the body harness and the only body harness modification needed is adding a 12v power wire (V6 has 1, V8 has 2)
Is the gauge cluster from E class as well? No the instrument cluster is from a facelift GLK.

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Old Nov 24, 2023 | 01:31 PM
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2011 GLK 550
Got the proper GLK screen installed to go along with the NTG 4.5 retrofit


Also got my harness in for my keyless go retrofit. Very reasonably priced direct from the MB dealer.



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Old Mar 30, 2024 | 02:22 PM
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2011 GLK 550
I'm still waiting on the rest of the seats to come in but for anyone that's a fan of actual real leather, W212 leather seats are a direct fit into our seat frames. If you get the right ones you can add heat/ventilation as well.


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Old Apr 4, 2024 | 08:52 PM
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2011 GLK 550
I don't think I would recommend the seat swap unless you're swapping in the frames as well. The bottom cushion fit just like the GLK one, but the top cushion was a pain in the *** to get on and I had to replace the heated seat connector with the GLK one. Overall I'd do it again but I'd buy the whole seats next time.

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Old Jul 28, 2024 | 01:42 AM
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2010 4MATIC
Originally Posted by angryartichoke
Got the proper GLK screen installed to go along with the NTG 4.5 retrofit


Also got my harness in for my keyless go retrofit. Very reasonably priced direct from the MB dealer.

How did this install go? Any write up or pictures would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm wondering where you purchased the harness and any other bits needed?

Great build so far!
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Old Jul 29, 2024 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by georgia10
How did this install go? Any write up or pictures would be greatly appreciated. Also I'm wondering where you purchased the harness and any other bits needed?

Great build so far!
Thanks!
I got the harness, keyless go control module, and ignition in and programmed to the point of it recognizing the push to start but I need new keys before it'll actually be functional.
I didn't take any pictures sorry, it's basically just remove the seats and carpet and run the wires along with all the others.

The harness was purchased from mbparts.mbusa.com, it'll send the order to your local dealer who will likely tell you it doesn't fit your car. I just tell them to order it anyway because I know what I'm doing but ymmv. Keyless go control module and ignition were purchased from ebay, I had to program the ignition myself with an autel im508 pro. If you want keyless unlock (from the door handles) you need to purchase the door handles themselves and potentially the door control modules depending on what you already have.
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Old Aug 14, 2024 | 05:18 AM
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Hi there, great thread. Do you have a write up on the bre Bo brake conversion? Was it difficult, how easily sourced were the parts, are the rotors a bigger diameter than stock, any issues after the install?
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Old Aug 14, 2024 | 06:30 AM
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2011 GLK 550
Originally Posted by suprasonic
Hi there, great thread. Do you have a write up on the bre Bo brake conversion? Was it difficult, how easily sourced were the parts, are the rotors a bigger diameter than stock, any issues after the install?
Thanks!

I sourced the calipers from a RWD W221 with sport package in my local junkyard (Like these: W221 calipers). I had to use a 1/4 inch spacer bar to mount the calipers that I had made by SendCutSend. The rotors I got from Rockauto, they are a little less than 1" larger than stock. I had issues with the caliper rubbing on my wheels, but I have CLA 17" wheels so if you're stock you shouldn't have any problems at all.

Overall very easy, but I do think it's 100% a cosmetic modification.
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Old Aug 31, 2024 | 12:25 PM
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2011 GLK 550
Swapping in another M273, but this one has the correct 4matic oil pan (old engine has RWD pan) so I can replace my clearanced subframe.

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Old Sep 17, 2024 | 06:13 PM
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2010 GLK350 4Matic
Originally Posted by angryartichoke
Swapping in another M273, but this one has the correct 4matic oil pan (old engine has RWD pan) so I can replace my clearanced subframe.
This is an awesome swap, thanks for sharing. A V8 and a 6spd would be so sick in my GLK.
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Old Sep 18, 2024 | 06:46 AM
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2011 GLK 550
Originally Posted by droptopchevy
This is an awesome swap, thanks for sharing. A V8 and a 6spd would be so sick in my GLK.
It's definitely fun to drive! I'm getting ready to sell it though, I just bought an E63 that scratches all the itches the GLK did for me.
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Old Sep 18, 2024 | 10:08 AM
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This was an awesome build thread, thanks for showing us what's possible.

The E63 will ride more like a "proper" Benz, and that powerplant makes a beautiful racket, I'm sure you'll love it.
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Old Sep 18, 2024 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by angryartichoke
It's definitely fun to drive! I'm getting ready to sell it though, I just bought an E63 that scratches all the itches the GLK did for me.
Is this a US car and did you have a number in mind?
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by droptopchevy
Is this a US car and did you have a number in mind?
Yep US car located in VA. I've had offers in the 20's previously though nobody has actually been serious about it.
I'm probably going to submit it to Cars and Bids or Bring a Trailer and hope for 20k.

Here's a couple pics I took of it yesterday.



Last edited by angryartichoke; Sep 19, 2024 at 07:10 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 09:28 AM
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2010 GLK350 4Matic
Originally Posted by angryartichoke
Yep US car located in VA. I've had offers in the 20's previously though nobody has actually been serious about it.
I'm probably going to submit it to Cars and Bids or Bring a Trailer and hope for 20k.

Here's a couple pics I took of it yesterday.

It definitely looks sharp. Hopefully you can get your number. I think it would look real sweet on the 20" 7 spokes you see optioned on some pre face-lift GLKs.
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Old Sep 19, 2024 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by droptopchevy
It definitely looks sharp. Hopefully you can get your number. I think it would look real sweet on the 20" 7 spokes you see optioned on some pre face-lift GLKs.
It had the 19's when I bought it and I hated how harsh the ride was. If I found some 18" AMG wheels I'd probably put those on.
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Old Oct 7, 2024 | 01:17 PM
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2011 GLK 550
2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 VIN: WDCGG5GB4BF621704 for Sale - Cars & Bids (carsandbids.com)

Auction is live if anyone wants to own the GLK-550!
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Old Oct 7, 2024 | 03:37 PM
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
EVERYone wants to own the GLK-550! ;-)
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Old Oct 7, 2024 | 06:18 PM
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2006 Alfa Romeo Brera, 2010 GLK350, 2018 BMW 640i GT, 1997 Subaru SVX, 2012 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V
I checked out the ad and watched the videos. It makes a lovely sound when the gas pedal is mashed!
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Old Dec 19, 2024 | 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by angryartichoke
Very cool! I was wondering how easy/heard 550 swap would be. Pretty easy honestly.
Did you have to get different drive shaft? Yes, but only because of the manual transmission. An automatic V8 swap could use the stock driveshaft.
Is this RWD? Yes
What did you have to do with ECU and wiring harness? ECU and engine wiring harness are from a 2010 E550. The engine wiring harness is separate from the body harness and the only body harness modification needed is adding a 12v power wire (V6 has 1, V8 has 2)
Is the gauge cluster from E class as well? No the instrument cluster is from a facelift GLK.


Hello new on this platform I absolutely love your build man I would love to pick your brain a little Is that really all that had to be done to the ECU and body harness did you have to do any programming ECT to make it all communicate
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