80K km range GLS 550 complete engine replacement due to timing chain fall off
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2017 gls 550
80K km range GLS 550 complete engine replacement due to timing chain fall off
I got a 2017 gls 550, which are full serviced in dealer every time. The left bank timing chain fell off, pistons hit valves. Not sure how bad it is. I did the inspection, they told me to replace my engine. I have a few questions:
1. Used engine or rebuild engine. The new engine will cost 65k which is much more than my cars current market value. Only choice is used engine or rebuild engine. How much is the fair price for the engine? Any advice? They quoted me 16k to replace the engine with used one. The rebuild one I can buy from China, only cost me 6k, however there will be no guarantee for that.
2. Is there way to repair my engine? I didn’t know how bad it is. Since I don’t want pay 3k to remove whole engine for just checking.
3. Is the timing chain issue a defect? Could I sue Mercedes or dealer as this car only run just over 80 000 km, all services in dealer. I did my job to maintaining it in dealer, I drive it gentlely as a family car. Who should I blame? Mercedes or dealer?
anyone has the same timing chain issue?
any Suggestions? Thank you guys in advance.
1. Used engine or rebuild engine. The new engine will cost 65k which is much more than my cars current market value. Only choice is used engine or rebuild engine. How much is the fair price for the engine? Any advice? They quoted me 16k to replace the engine with used one. The rebuild one I can buy from China, only cost me 6k, however there will be no guarantee for that.
2. Is there way to repair my engine? I didn’t know how bad it is. Since I don’t want pay 3k to remove whole engine for just checking.
3. Is the timing chain issue a defect? Could I sue Mercedes or dealer as this car only run just over 80 000 km, all services in dealer. I did my job to maintaining it in dealer, I drive it gentlely as a family car. Who should I blame? Mercedes or dealer?
anyone has the same timing chain issue?
any Suggestions? Thank you guys in advance.
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Joined: Sep 2016
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Porsche
Hi. I hate to say it except the 16k option from the dealer sounds like a bargain to me compared to your other options. While I do not know exact rebuild costs for a Mercedes V8, it gets very expensive with other engines I've had work done (BMW inline 6). Machine work, assuming there isn't damage that cannot be repaired, is a lot more expensive than it used to be. New pistons, connecting rods, valves, springs, etc. are all going to cost a lot to replace with the Mercedes tax. 16k with removal and replacement from a dealer that is guaranteed to work seems to be the best option.
As for #3, I doubt you would win anything. The V8s, especially the later ones like yours, are generally reliable (for a Mercedes). Mercedes has been peddling problematic vehicles for years with impunity and only at the last minute will issue recalls (look at subframe issue with other models). As long as we put money into this company they have no desire to change. I will never ever buy another Mercedes again. The GLS is the worst vehicle I've ever owned by any brand from a reliability perspective. If it were me, I'd get the engine fixed and dump the car asap. For reference, my car has spent 20% of it's life under my ownership at the dealer, has totalled $18k in warranty/non-warranty repairs, and seems to break down every 2-3 weeks lately. It's a 2018.
As for #3, I doubt you would win anything. The V8s, especially the later ones like yours, are generally reliable (for a Mercedes). Mercedes has been peddling problematic vehicles for years with impunity and only at the last minute will issue recalls (look at subframe issue with other models). As long as we put money into this company they have no desire to change. I will never ever buy another Mercedes again. The GLS is the worst vehicle I've ever owned by any brand from a reliability perspective. If it were me, I'd get the engine fixed and dump the car asap. For reference, my car has spent 20% of it's life under my ownership at the dealer, has totalled $18k in warranty/non-warranty repairs, and seems to break down every 2-3 weeks lately. It's a 2018.
Last edited by tripitz; Dec 24, 2023 at 11:19 AM.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Contact arsupisemnet@gmail.com if you plan on keeping the car. He can upgrade your engine so it will be reliable.
