calder-cay

We have a 2014 GLK350 Base. We love the styling and dependability.

But goofy me, been considering buying something a bit newer, with low miles ... or maybe new. There are way too many models (confusing to me), but I think the "GLC" is the comparable newer model, though I might be rwong. ??

I'm website shopping at Star Motor in Houston (where we bought the 2014). Kinda shocked they have a used 2024 with 4,000 miles for the same price as new.

Anyway, is the GLC a comparable model? It seems all newer models are 4wd?? Do NOT want 4wd - don't need it in South Central Texas. And don't want turbo model. Any thoughts??

KanataSteve

I'm tall and find the GLC a little lower in headroom than the GLK, perhaps the seat can be lowered and tilted backward for more head room.

calder-cay

Thanks for your reply @KanataSteve ... I had to go sit in our GLK, and yea, I have the seat down. I'm guessing I have 3-4 inches clearance above my head. I've shrunk over the years, from slightly over 6' to 5'10" now.

Something I never thought about until now, but I asked the Internet, "what suv replaced the glk350", and I was referred to the GLK350 Wikipedia page:

"In 2015, the GLK-Class was replaced by the GLC as per the revised nomenclature adopted by the brand."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_GLK-Class/

So my wild guess was correct. So size-wise, it would be: GLC, GLE, then GLS.

W205C43PFL

Naturally, GLC is the successor of the GLK just like from your research that they said the GLK was replaced by the GLC, that is indeed true.

That said, the GLC became more rounded shape like their sedan lineups, like C, E, S.

If you like the boxy look of the GLK you would like the boxy look of the GLB (maybe), but GLB is clearly a downgrade to the GLK in both build quality and tier.

Our family used to have a GLK, great vehicle overall and fairly reliable, not necessary a deal breaker but the rolling back on hills was very annoying if not put into Sport mode.

habbyguy

I absolutely agree that there are no prettier options to the GLK. The newer MB SUVs just look kind of Japanese / Korean to me - pretty much blend in with Hyundais and Kias... There really wasn't anything that looked like the GLK (and still isn't).

W205C43PFL

Ya I mean not surprised given the W222 S-Class was designed by Il-hun Yoon, so there is influence there, nothing wrong with that, personal preference for sure.

fricker66

All of the details and comparisons above are exactly why I'm always watching for a low mileage 2015 model to become available somewhat close to home. Love our 2010. Nothing looks like it and nothing on the market now makes me want to let go of the GLK either. At least not in the realm of a reliable, usable and great daily. Of course a GLE 63AMG or G63 AMG would be nice if I wanted to go all out. But I just can't justify something like either of those vehicles with my current needs/wants. MB hit a home run I felt with the GLK...

calder-cay

...
I completely agree ! We definitely prefer the looks of the GLK.

ALL manufacturers have moved to the rounded look ... sadly, they all look alike now.

I just got back from the grocery store - I saw 2 GLKs (in addition to 2-3 newer MB SUVs) on the road, and said to myself, "yep, the GLK is waaaaay better lookin".

I guess my thoughts about drifting to a newer MB SUV, is to have a low-mileage "to avoid upcoming repairs" option. I forget, but the GLK is about 92-93,000 miles now.

But maybe I need to find a local well-known, reliable, independent MB shop and discuss what might be coming up for repairs. Might be less than the cost of a newer MB.

(sidenote: even though I've been wrenching on cars / motorcycles for 40+ years, my physical abilities today to do repairs has dwindled dramatically - the VA has recommended doing a whole left shoulder replacement :/ ).

EDIT: thanks @fricker66 ... agree

Discod

The GLB was introduced after the GLC, because some customers preferred the boxier look. The GLB is also 10cm longer than the GLK, and can come with a mini 3rd row seat and a premium AMG trim that the GLK never had. I suspect that the 'boxy' GLB is more of a successor to the GLK than the GLC, even though it is not rear wheel drive based.

W205C43PFL

Whatever you do, pick an MB with a M276 engine. Make sure the camshaft rattle issue is addressed though (through recall or repair). M276 is MB's most reliable engine in the recent years.

By the way, that is the engine in the current car.

calder-cay

Hmmmm ... I don't ever remember a recall for a camshaft rattle. And I'm sure I've done a recall check in the past.
Guess I'll double-check. (but no rattles on ours).

(minutes later) ... EDIT: .... Only one recall notice for ours ... 2014 GLK350 Base ....

"SUMMARY
Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling certain Model Year ("MY") 2013-2015 GLK-Class (X204) Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with front passenger-side airbags affected by the defect decision of TK Holdings, Inc. ("Takata"). "


EDIT #2 ... there's also this "sub-frame warranty extension", for which I received a notice for, here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...ml#post8767053

W205C43PFL

As long as the serial number doesn't fall within the affected camshaft rattle range you are good to go. I am not sure which are the serial numbers, might need to ask other forum members that have access to the database.

John CC

Looks like no 4-matic available...

calder-cay

Personally, we wouldn't have any prob with that. A 4Matic does not offer any advantage whatsoever.

If we need 4wd, our 60th Anniversary Edition 2-door soft top Jeep will suffice ... it comes complete with two matching black cats on top 👍

W205C43PFL

Well, if 4MATIC isn't what you need then it is good to not have it, it is lighter and it is more fuel efficient without 4MATIC.

habbyguy

4Matic is a nice feature (I sure got to use it during my holiday trip to Maine last year!) though it does come at the cost of adding some complexity to some maintenance tasks, and gives you a few new and exciting points of potential failure.

I have one of each (AWD and RWD) sitting in my driveway, and like 'em both! ;-)

And I have a lifted XJ Jeep Cherokee when I really need to have lots of traction.

calder-cay

Yea, we've had the 2014 Base for years here in central Texas... never a need for constant AWD for the GLK. And waaaaay less maintenance costs.

... sidenote - nice Jeep@habbyguy (too bad it's a hard top 😀 - joking!!! )

John CC

New Hampshire is just like Maine, only a little smaller. If I had a 2WD vehicle I'd take it off the road* for the winter.

* Not to be confused with "off road".

Silver Shadow

We have 4 cars and all of them are AWD. Subaru SVX, Alfa Romeo Brera, Mercedes GLK and BMW 640i GT. I had a 2WD pickup truck once, what a nightmare. I could get stuck in the snow in a level parking lot.