18 GLS 550, 108K miles needs new turbo? $10,000
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 18
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From: Philadelphia
2019 E450
18 GLS 550, 108K miles needs new turbo? $10,000
I need some advice on this.
18 GLS 550 kept coming up with intermittent p299 code turbo under boost. Had the car serviced at the dealership we got it from when it had 45,000miles it’s a month out of warranty.
Dealer is saying the turbo linkage is worn and they need to replace the turbo which is $4,400 and with the labor it would be $10,000. Seems crazy right?! Sure it’s a mechanical part that gets worn and I understand that and that it is a labor intensive job but what to do? I dump 10K into it and who’s to say next year the other turbo doesn’t go out. Do I trade it in? Do I find an independent shop that will replace the watergate actuator and linkage alone? We like the car a lot for a family vehicle but my confidence in the brand is low after it barely made it over 100,000miles. Sure each brand has its own issues but this is disturbing for a vehicle with a sticker price of $120,000 new.
any good independent shops around Philadelphia area? PA, NJ, DE ?
18 GLS 550 kept coming up with intermittent p299 code turbo under boost. Had the car serviced at the dealership we got it from when it had 45,000miles it’s a month out of warranty.
Dealer is saying the turbo linkage is worn and they need to replace the turbo which is $4,400 and with the labor it would be $10,000. Seems crazy right?! Sure it’s a mechanical part that gets worn and I understand that and that it is a labor intensive job but what to do? I dump 10K into it and who’s to say next year the other turbo doesn’t go out. Do I trade it in? Do I find an independent shop that will replace the watergate actuator and linkage alone? We like the car a lot for a family vehicle but my confidence in the brand is low after it barely made it over 100,000miles. Sure each brand has its own issues but this is disturbing for a vehicle with a sticker price of $120,000 new.
any good independent shops around Philadelphia area? PA, NJ, DE ?
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 178
Likes: 56
Mayback
I need some advice on this.
18 GLS 550 kept coming up with intermittent p299 code turbo under boost. Had the car serviced at the dealership we got it from when it had 45,000miles it’s a month out of warranty.
Dealer is saying the turbo linkage is worn and they need to replace the turbo which is $4,400 and with the labor it would be $10,000. Seems crazy right?! Sure it’s a mechanical part that gets worn and I understand that and that it is a labor intensive job but what to do? I dump 10K into it and who’s to say next year the other turbo doesn’t go out. Do I trade it in? Do I find an independent shop that will replace the watergate actuator and linkage alone? We like the car a lot for a family vehicle but my confidence in the brand is low after it barely made it over 100,000miles. Sure each brand has its own issues but this is disturbing for a vehicle with a sticker price of $120,000 new.
any good independent shops around Philadelphia area? PA, NJ, DE ?
18 GLS 550 kept coming up with intermittent p299 code turbo under boost. Had the car serviced at the dealership we got it from when it had 45,000miles it’s a month out of warranty.
Dealer is saying the turbo linkage is worn and they need to replace the turbo which is $4,400 and with the labor it would be $10,000. Seems crazy right?! Sure it’s a mechanical part that gets worn and I understand that and that it is a labor intensive job but what to do? I dump 10K into it and who’s to say next year the other turbo doesn’t go out. Do I trade it in? Do I find an independent shop that will replace the watergate actuator and linkage alone? We like the car a lot for a family vehicle but my confidence in the brand is low after it barely made it over 100,000miles. Sure each brand has its own issues but this is disturbing for a vehicle with a sticker price of $120,000 new.
any good independent shops around Philadelphia area? PA, NJ, DE ?
Brand new OEM turbo is $1800. https://turbochargersdirect.com/new-...SABEgLz-fD_BwE
Find an indy German Mercedes specialist for labor. Total cost should be more than half of what Mercedes quoted!
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From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
Are they replacing both turbos, correct? So, 1800x2=3600.
At the dealer, that is an engine out job, changing all piping and whatever you can take a chance on. Careful it does not become an iceberg, i.e. 10K++, once the job starts.
You need at least two more quotes , and details and estimate of the maximum if possible
At the dealer, that is an engine out job, changing all piping and whatever you can take a chance on. Careful it does not become an iceberg, i.e. 10K++, once the job starts.
You need at least two more quotes , and details and estimate of the maximum if possible
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia
2019 E450
Are they replacing both turbos, correct? So, 1800x2=3600.
At the dealer, that is an engine out job, changing all piping and whatever you can take a chance on. Careful it does not become an iceberg, i.e. 10K++, once the job starts.
You need at least two more quotes , and details and estimate of the maximum if possible
At the dealer, that is an engine out job, changing all piping and whatever you can take a chance on. Careful it does not become an iceberg, i.e. 10K++, once the job starts.
You need at least two more quotes , and details and estimate of the maximum if possible
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 2,042
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
nope just one turbo, yeah I called around yesterday to some specialized shops and I got quotes of half the price and 2 that want their guys to look at it and check it out for themselves which I liked. One shop I really liked that mainly works on european cars said they might be able to make an adjustment to the linkage
All the best with that shop.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
2013 GL550
Checking in to see if you had the work done and what you ended up doing to resolve the issue. We have a ‘19 GLS550 with about 65k miles that started throwing the P0299 code a couple days ago. Seems pretty early to have turbo problems.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia
2019 E450
I agree 65,000 miles is too early for turbo issues as is 100,000miles if you ask me. But a lot of other things can cause underboost issues from a damaged vacuum lines to the boost controller so it might not necessarily be your turbo but certainly get it checked out.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I would have gone with aftermarket upgraded turbos for that kind of money. Mercedes Benz M157/M278 PURE900 – Pureturbos
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia
2019 E450
Right.
Well the turbos themselves aren’t the issue the part that failed was the actuator linkage so even with the upgraded turbos that part remains the same. Also that’s $6,000 for the turbos alone without the labor and at the end of the day this is my wife’s car I don’t think it’s necessary. Now if it was my W213
yes sir all day long! Haha
Well the turbos themselves aren’t the issue the part that failed was the actuator linkage so even with the upgraded turbos that part remains the same. Also that’s $6,000 for the turbos alone without the labor and at the end of the day this is my wife’s car I don’t think it’s necessary. Now if it was my W213
yes sir all day long! Haha
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From: New Orleans
2014 GL450, 1992 W140 300SD, 1993 W140 300SE, 1987 E30 Convertible
All you need is a couple wrenches and welder https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804001503807.html
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia
2019 E450
All you need is a couple wrenches and welder https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804001503807.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2018 GLS550
nope just one turbo, yeah I called around yesterday to some specialized shops and I got quotes of half the price and 2 that want their guys to look at it and check it out for themselves which I liked. One shop I really liked that mainly works on european cars said they might be able to make an adjustment to the linkage
