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Hey folks not sure if this is the right place to post but currently in the market for a 2016-2019 GLS 63 AMG, love the car have owned previous models of AMG products (E55,E63,C32) and have been more than happy.
Now looking into getting a new family and why not an AMG, I have owned nothing but GM products as far as SUVs go currently have a 2018 Cadillac Escalade but looking for something with more power and better looks.
Is there anything I need to be aware of when purchasing, besides the oil leaking into cam adjusters, motor mounts possibly failing, air suspension and the oil in engine harness.
Really want a reliable family car getting one with under 60k miles with service history. Just looking for a great long lasting vehicle before I go and get another Caddi. Any info/review would be appreciated !
It'll be tough to find one, but we have a GLS 550 for our family and it's fantastic. Tons of power, super comfortable. I don't know a ton about the AMG version as far as its weaknesses/issues.
I agree with FWP! in that the GLS 550 is a beast. It has many of the AMG styling cues (fender flares, larger / wider tires, drilled front rotors, good-looking wheels, more aggressive front clip) and it has the twin-turbo V8 engine (though it is de-tuned from the AMG). The 550 also has standard features that are hard to find on a 450 like the power-ventilated seats. It's almost like a discounted GLS63.
Hey folks not sure if this is the right place to post but currently in the market for a 2016-2019 GLS 63 AMG, love the car have owned previous models of AMG products (E55,E63,C32) and have been more than happy.
Now looking into getting a new family and why not an AMG, I have owned nothing but GM products as far as SUVs go currently have a 2018 Cadillac Escalade but looking for something with more power and better looks.
Is there anything I need to be aware of when purchasing, besides the oil leaking into cam adjusters, motor mounts possibly failing, air suspension and the oil in engine harness.
Really want a reliable family car getting one with under 60k miles with service history. Just looking for a great long lasting vehicle before I go and get another Caddi. Any info/review would be appreciated !
You listed some common items. Another one is bore scoring for the M157 (same family as M278 in the GLS550). Knocking or oil consumption are external ways to diagnose, or borescope for a definitive internal diagnosis. No guarantee on when/if scoring happens, but it does happen and is not a rare occurrence. Read the forums across all platforms that used the engine: W212/W213, W221/W222, W/X166.
The underlying platform is solid: steering, brakes, suspension, interior, HVAC, etc. One-off failures come up on this platform like any used car, e.g. comfort entry door handles, second row power seat feature, rear powered liftgate, other relatively minor items in the grand scheme of things.
The only things I've had to replace on my 100k plus mileage GL63 are the front struts, rear park brake actuators, and there was an issue with active curve that was covered under warranty. So far, it's been fantastic. My only complaint is that it eats rear tires like they are candy.
The only things I've had to replace on my 100k plus mileage GL63 are the front struts, rear park brake actuators, and there was an issue with active curve that was covered under warranty. So far, it's been fantastic. My only complaint is that it eats rear tires like they are candy.
Our GLS did the same thing. I pulled the camber out as far as it would go, got the toe re-aligned, and the tire wear is gone.
Same here with the rear alignment. Took it to an independent shop and asked that they take out as much negative camber as possible and take the toe to almost straight. It is much better on the tire wear now. Tired of buying $1000 worth of rear tires every 18 months.
I will second that the GLS550 has tons of power, even fully loaded. Just bought mine and was 10k cheaper than all the 63’s I also looked at and zero regrets so far.
question for the tire commentators - do you happen to have the alignment spec/report done so I can do the same with my alignment shop?
Your best bet, if you want the best alignment utilizing MB factory parts, is to get crash bolts and have a competent MB alignment shop. There is a vendor who will jump in soon and offer his products. The crash bolts work well and last.
You listed some common items. Another one is bore scoring for the M157 (same family as M278 in the GLS550). Knocking or oil consumption are external ways to diagnose, or borescope for a definitive internal diagnosis. No guarantee on when/if scoring happens, but it does happen and is not a rare occurrence. Read the forums across all platforms that used the engine: W212/W213, W221/W222, W/X166.
The bore scoring is the only reason I am not looking for a GLS63 and am focusing on a GLS550, because they switched to iron liners in the M278 toward the end of the 2015 build year, so most 2016 GL550(500 outside the US/Canada), and all 2017-2019 GLS 5xx get the update. MB didn't feel it was cost effective to reengineer the M157 since it was a low volume engine.
The bore scoring is the only reason I am not looking for a GLS63 and am focusing on a GLS550, because they switched to iron liners in the M278 toward the end of the 2015 build year, so most 2016 GL550(500 outside the US/Canada), and all 2017-2019 GLS 5xx get the update. MB didn't feel it was cost effective to reengineer the M157 since it was a low volume engine.
Please provide a reputable source that verifies that information via an official MB publication. Check out the thread where the 2017 GLS 550 owner posted pictures of his bores. They are aluminum and they are scuffed. GLS550 M278 borescope cylinder pictures - MBWorld.org Forums
Please provide a reputable source that verifies that information via an official MB publication. Check out the thread where the 2017 GLS 550 owner posted pictures of his bores. They are aluminum and they are scuffed. GLS550 M278 borescope cylinder pictures - MBWorld.org Forums
I know there were a couple of threads on various forums with some WIS docs posted.... but this newest post sure is pretty evidentiary that, that is not true.
I know there were a couple of threads on various forums with some WIS docs posted.... but this newest post sure is pretty evidentiary that, that is not true.
I read that awhile back and thought it would be nice, if true, but it is so unlike MB to change anything during a production run like an engine. Iron cylinder lines would be very expensive for them to do because it would require a redo of an engine. They would rather handle the one offs than to spend the money and cost profitability to fix. I've been buying MB's for a very long time and the reason I buy them, good and bad, is consistency. If you see there are problems with the early models, typically there is a repair procedure to fix issues and owners have posted the fix and cost. It usually isn't terribly bad but there are some models that I refused to buy due to expensive and catastrophic issues. I typically point out the flaws and have been flamed in the past by some diehard MB owners, but their consistency always proves, well, consistent.
I read that awhile back and thought it would be nice, if true, but it is so unlike MB to change anything during a production run like an engine. Iron cylinder lines would be very expensive for them to do because it would require a redo of an engine. They would rather handle the one offs than to spend the money and cost profitability to fix. I've been buying MB's for a very long time and the reason I buy them, good and bad, is consistency. If you see there are problems with the early models, typically there is a repair procedure to fix issues and owners have posted the fix and cost. It usually isn't terribly bad but there are some models that I refused to buy due to expensive and catastrophic issues. I typically point out the flaws and have been flamed in the past by some diehard MB owners, but their consistency always proves, well, consistent.
Yeah sometimes they get it just right. I miss the reliability and never questioning will the M113K and 722.6 make it to where you are going! I always kept a Crank position sensor in the glovebox with an E-torx driver. That was all you needed. 😂
06-02-2023, 01:37 PM
