GLS Class (X166) Produced from 2016 to 2019

Reliability of 2019s

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Old Jun 11, 2022 | 04:33 AM
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Arrow Reliability of 2019s

I found a decent certified 2019 GLS 450 but I'm new to Mercedes (trading in a volvo xc40 for more room). How's the reliability been on these? How about maintenance?
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Old Jun 11, 2022 | 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by ninjaneuro
I found a decent certified 2019 GLS 450 but I'm new to Mercedes (trading in a volvo xc40 for more room). How's the reliability been on these? How about maintenance?
2019 V6 166 (GLE, GLS) are one of the most reliable MBs in the past 10 years. Strong recommend. Air suspension on the GLS is an exception. Engine is solid. Transmission is OK, same as all MB transmissions, which struggle to achieve mediocrity. Suspension (except air), steering, brakes, interior are all good. Electronics pretty good. Electric folding seats in the GLS can cause problems.

Maintenance is no different than other MBs - don’t skip any of it. Dealers are rip offs. If you DIY, this is the best option. Next is an independent shop that focuses on MB. Dealer only if there is no alternative. MB dealers are bottom of the barrel.

GLS eats tires, especially rears. This is due to factory alignment settings. There are aftermarket suspension parts to partially address this but I have no experience with them.

Last edited by chassis; Jun 11, 2022 at 09:54 PM.
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Old Jun 11, 2022 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by chassis
2019 V6 166 (GLE, GLS) are one of the most reliable MBs in the past 10 years. Strong recommend. Air suspension on the GLS is an exception. Engine is solid. Transmission is OK, same as all MB transmissions, which struggle to achieve mediocrity. Suspension (except air), steering, brakes, interior are all good. Electronics pretty good. Electric folding seats in the GLS can cause problems.

Maintenance is no different than other MBs - don’t skip any of it. Dealers are rip offs. If you DIY, this is the best option. Next is an independent shop that focuses on MB. Dealer only if there is no alternative. MB dealers are bottom of the barrel.

GLS eats tires, especially rears. This is due to factory alignment settings. There are aftermarket suspension parts to partially address this but I have experience with them.
Great info thanks! That's a good point about the seats since all those electronics (moving the fronts fwd and the auto second row fold) have a lot of points of potential failure.
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