WillGabriel

Greetings everyone:

I’m looking at 2017-2019 GLS 450’s. I’ve owned new X5’s (2019+) and have considered a Land Rover Discovery. Yet the BMW doesn’t tow as much or have a third row and the Discovery gives me pause due to Land Rover’s notorious reliability challenges.

So, when assessing a used GLS 450, what should I look for? Is a CPO model a must or could I, say, by one from CarMax and purchase one of their warranties (which are comparably inexpensive and solid per coverage from what I understand)? Any features that are must haves or recommended? And if the service history is good, how long will a GLS 450 normally last? I’ve also owned Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus LX570’s, so I’m hoping the GLS would last without significant issues until 150k miles. That being said, I am looking for one with under 40k miles priced at under $53k.

I appreciate any help and guidance you are willing to offer to me!

-Will

BlownV8

Use the search feature for this forum. You will find everything you want to know.

wyatt88

Will, I was an X5 driver and needed something larger so we bought a 2018 GLS. We ordered it so I could pick the options. I can tell you what I considered important options, first the lighting package. Without it the GLS sadly has halogen headlights. With it you get what should have been standard, LED headlights. I got the driver assist package which comes with surround camera, lane keeping assist, emergency braking and more. I love the surround view camera and wanted all the safety features offered at the time. We got the pano sunroof, which we never use and was a waste. Rear air conditioning provides rear vents and controls and is nice if you have kids or adult riding in the back. We also skipped the running boards which I don't miss. Not that important but nice are the heated steering wheel, the heated and cooled cup holders and 'magic vision' which heats the washer fluid in the winter.

Love the ride of the GLS. We kept our X5 and I occasionally still drive it. Love that the X5 has a more 'sports car' feel and than the GLS, but still love my GLS.

Hope this helps in your decision making.

chassis

2019 GLS 450 is the best preowned MB of them all to buy in my view.

Solid engine, decent transmission and space and comfort of a GLS. Excellent towing platform and far more off-road capable then most people realize.

Air suspension can cause problems. 150k miles without major repair should be possible if all maintenance is done on schedule. Air suspension repairs are not major in my book, but can reach above $1k.

I would avoid comparing MB reliability with Lexus and Toyota. MB is two orders of magnitude lower than Lexus and Toyota, in the reliability arena.

John CC

If towing is important, and you can find one with the factory towing option, you will not be disappointed. I come from a background of towing with Powerstrokes and Duramaxes, and, while the 450 won't pull a "fiver", it does a very good job right up to the towing limits (7500 lbs with brakes).

mwetter

I bought a 2017 GLS450 about a year ago to take a few cross country trips towing a 5000lbs camper. It does a great job and is very comfortable. Never struggled in the mountains going up or going down. It is nice to have big brakes. I would recommend a CPO if the price is right. Gives you a year or more to find out if there are any expensive issues. I would insist on the lighting package. If you need to tow, you will want the tow package also. Can’t just add a hitch after if you want to take advantage of the electronic features. The 360 camera is pretty helpful in a car this size. I would try to avoid most of the other options. They just add to the list of things to break. Things like soft close doors, power folding second row seats, messaging seats, and the off-road package feel like liabilities on mine and I don’t feel like they make the car better. The running boards are too small to help and just collect dirt for your pant legs. Lastly, unless you like the looks, I would go for the smallest wheel size. Otherwise you will most likely have vibration issues.

WillGabriel

Thanks so much, everyone, for the immensely helpful tips and guidance.

I’ve owned a new RAM 2500 megacab with the Cummins and a few new PowerWagons too. My towing needs never justified the diesel, yet it was a great truck (especially per trade in value). And my off-road needs never justified the PowerWagons. Again, nice trucks (minus some issues with the 12” tablet radio and 11-12 mpg).

So, I’ll keep looking for a 2017-2019 CPO GLS 450 with the lighting and towing package. As I’ve usually done before with used vehicles, it seems the wise approach is to buy the lowest mileage newest year (in that generation) I can afford / find.

And nobody has mentioned any critique of CarMax yet. I think their prices are usually a bit higher yet I have heard many good things about their extended warranties. If I can’t find a reasonably-priced CPO (one MB dealer wanted to add $4k to the price of a 2018 to certify it), I may go that route. With gas skyrocketing, I keep telling dealers I’m very comfortable driving my new Subaru Ascent (even if its boxer turbo 4 is a bit lacking). Regular gas and 27 mpg lessens that concern. For now…

houston_tian

I think CPO is necessary. I have bought 2018 Gls, only drove for about 3 months, 2000miles maybe, the engine is dead, finally, the dealer changed one.

WillieMack

https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...ought-cpo.html

MelDMT

Thanks for your contributions to this forum, Chassis. I'm currently car shopping -- looking at a CPO 2019 GLS 450 with 65k miles on it. It's a lease return, regularly serviced (with records). I'm comfortable with maintenance costs and general wear & tear repairs. With those factors in mind, do you think there is any reason the mileage should scare me off? TIA!

chassis

Seems like it could be OK. The M276 shows no signs from reports on this site of not being able to go 200k miles with regular maintenance. Be sure to change the fluid on the 9G transmission if it hasn't been done as prescribed in the 60k mile service. Not a red flag if this hasn't been done, but either ask the dealer to include it in your transaction, or prioritize it in the list of maintenance items.

The GLS is a good looking, comfortable vehicle. Please post pics if you end up buying it.

007_e350

If you're considering the GLS I won't buy it without the following options
lighting package (halogen lights are from the 80s)
Driver assistance package with lane keeping assist
distronic plus
ACS
offroad package

Hope it helps

MelDMT

I resent that remark. I’m from the 80s, and I like to think that I’m still perfectly serviceable.

MelDMT

Well, I went for it! I was always and Audi lady, but I'm tired of driving 200 miles to the nearest dealership for warranty & recall work. I'll be picking up the 450 from my local Merc dealer tomorrow. Premium 1; Active suspension; Driver & Parking Assist packages. Got it for $40k, including 12 month warranty. I will miss the real leather & panoramic roof, but given the extra $9k I would have paid for the comparable Audi I was considering (with no warranty), the Merc was the clear winner.

wyatt88

Congrats!!! Doubt you will miss real leather, as the sensotec or whatever Mercedes calls it is very soft and comfy and holds up better than leather. I have a 2018 GLS and the seats are still in like new condition. Enjoy your new ride and please post a photo for us if you can.

W205C43PFL

I would agree from my personal experience as well but Nappa leather does make a difference just don't know if it is enough of a difference, if just getting the regular leather, then no point getting that.

chassis

Congrats! Please post pics when it arrives.

MelDMT

You guys are all awesome. I’m learning pretty quick that Benz guys want car pics every bit as much as my mom wants pics of my kid.

Her first “newborn” photo is posted to the new members page. Not a great shot, but I’ll get some good Montana mountain views this weekend.

007_e350

how's she offroad ?

redcarrera

Welcome to the Benz world. We're in Bigfork