GLS Class (X166) Produced from 2016 to 2019

2019 GLS 450 Questions

Old May 21, 2025 | 10:35 AM
  #1  
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2019 GLS 450 Questions

Hello. New to the MB world but looking at purchasing a loaded 450 with almost 60,000 miles. Anything I should be concerned about with these? I hear the engine is a good one? But is there any common issues with these? I’m in the Midwest where there’s salt and the vehicle spent its whole life in Florida, so that seems good.
Just wondering how long I should expect it to last and what issues that may come up down the road that may be large expenses.
Thanks for your advice
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Old May 21, 2025 | 11:48 AM
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'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Great car, hard on tires...
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Old May 21, 2025 | 12:02 PM
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Engine is good. 5k mile oil change intervals, check wiring harness for signs of oil, replace plastic tubes underhood before they break.

Transmission is middling as is normal for MB. Change the oil now.

Air springs are regular maintenance items. 100k miles or thereabouts. Suspension level sensors can go bad.

Second row folding seat mechanism can be problematic, read this site.

Water leaks at A-pillars and liftgate area can wreak havoc on electronics, read this site.

Imo these should be capable of 200k miles if 100% of the maintenance is kept up with, hypervigilantly. However there are no 200k mile reports yet, that I am aware of, on this site.

Last edited by chassis; May 21, 2025 at 12:57 PM.
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Old May 21, 2025 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by chassis
Engine is good. 5k mile oil change intervals, check wiring harness for signs of oil, replace plastic tubes underhood before they break.

Transmission is middling as is normal for MB. Change the oil now.

Air springs are regular maintenance items. 100k miles or thereabouts. Suspension level sensors can go bad.

Second row folding seat mechanism can be problematic, read this site.

Water leaks at A-pillars and liftgate area can wreak havoc on electronics, read this site.

Imo these should be capable of 200k miles if 100% of the maintenance is kept up with, hypervigilantly. However there are no 200k mile reports yet, that I am aware of, on this site.
All this and:
When buying the used vehicle, get a PPI (Pre-Purchase inspection).

The usual stuff, all mounts, condition of sparkplugs, injectors, camshaft adjusters, brake fluid, power steering fluid (if applicable), coolant, transmission fluid, front diff fluid, rear diff fluid, transfer case (the 3 mentioned, if 4MATIC otherwise just rear diff fluid), driveshaft hangers, engine and transmission mounts, alignment, wheel balancing, tires, brake pads, brake rotors, check condition of coils, oil change (analysis via Blackstone labs?, same goes with all the fluids)?, if equipped, airmatic system condition, 12v battery condition, aux battery condition, check timing chain, all belts and pulleys, check to make sure there is no oil in wiring harness (a common issue on certain MB engines that can get into the ECU, destroying it). I will add if I remember more.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 09:12 AM
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2019 GLS 450
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
All this and:
When buying the used vehicle, get a PPI (Pre-Purchase inspection).

The usual stuff, all mounts, condition of sparkplugs, injectors, camshaft adjusters, brake fluid, power steering fluid (if applicable), coolant, transmission fluid, front diff fluid, rear diff fluid, transfer case (the 3 mentioned, if 4MATIC otherwise just rear diff fluid), driveshaft hangers, engine and transmission mounts, alignment, wheel balancing, tires, brake pads, brake rotors, check condition of coils, oil change (analysis via Blackstone labs?, same goes with all the fluids)?, if equipped, airmatic system condition, 12v battery condition, aux battery condition, check timing chain, all belts and pulleys, check to make sure there is no oil in wiring harness (a common issue on certain MB engines that can get into the ECU, destroying it). I will add if I remember more.
I have a question with regards to only doing the rear differential fluid if it’s 4matic and not front differential or transfer case fluids? I am planning on having an independent mechanic do this at the next oil change interval along with the transmission fluid/filter chance. Please help me understand, thank you 🙏
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Old May 26, 2025 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Pmdonca
I have a question with regards to only doing the rear differential fluid if it’s 4matic and not front differential or transfer case fluids? I am planning on having an independent mechanic do this at the next oil change interval along with the transmission fluid/filter chance. Please help me understand, thank you 🙏
Mercedes does not have specified interval for front differential fluid but you should change it at the same time as the rear differential fluid. Reason being, well the fluid does go bad (I seen report of front diff failures requiring rebuild and replacements in worse cases, not sure why MB doesn't have an interval for the front diff), transfer case fluid is also important, do it as well if you have a 9G it is separate from the transmission. Since you have 4MATIC, you want to do front, rear differential fluids and transfer case. If you want to delay changing the front differential fluid try not to delay it for more than 2 years or more than 75,000 miles whichever comes first.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 02:09 PM
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The front differential is a hard worker, it uses a small amount of fluid, it is a small differential compared to the rear differential, it holds the engine (well, other than the engine mounts of course), it handles the turning and twisting maneuvers. You also especially want to change it sooner if you tow although being a rear wheel drive vehicle, the rear differential works harder when it comes to towing.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Pmdonca
I have a question with regards to only doing the rear differential fluid if it’s 4matic
I think you misunderstood the post. He said "(the 3 mentioned, if 4MATIC otherwise just rear diff fluid)". There's a misplaced comma that makes it more easily understood: the 3 mentioned if 4MATIC, otherwise just rear diff fluid.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 03:31 PM
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2019 GLS 450
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Mercedes does not have specified interval for front differential fluid but you should change it at the same time as the rear differential fluid. Reason being, well the fluid does go bad (I seen report of front diff failures requiring rebuild and replacements in worse cases, not sure why MB doesn't have an interval for the front diff), transfer case fluid is also important, do it as well if you have a 9G it is separate from the transmission. Since you have 4MATIC, you want to do front, rear differential fluids and transfer case. If you want to delay changing the front differential fluid try not to delay it for more than 2 years or more than 75,000 miles whichever comes first.
Thank you for the information! Do you happen to have the part number from FCP Euro for the transfer case fluid? I found the differential fluids. I assume it’s the same for the rear and front differential fluids. How many liters will I need to buy for the gear box and the differential fluids? Thank you, I appreciate it.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Pmdonca
Thank you for the information! Do you happen to have the part number from FCP Euro for the transfer case fluid? I found the differential fluids. I assume it’s the same for the rear and front differential fluids. How many liters will I need to buy for the gear box and the differential fluids? Thank you, I appreciate it.
You're welcome : )

This should be the transfer case fluid needed 001989680313

Last edited by W205C43PFL; May 26, 2025 at 04:21 PM.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 04:21 PM
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Yes don't be surprised, the transfer case uses transmission fluid.

If you can help me confirm if you have a 7 speed or 9 speed I can confirm if your unit is connected to the transmission of seperate.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 04:29 PM
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Oh you have the 9G 725.038, in that case you do need to drain the transfer case fluid separately from the transmission.
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Old May 26, 2025 | 04:31 PM
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As for the transfer case fluid blue or red, here is a thread that might help: https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...34fe-blue.html
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Old May 26, 2025 | 06:59 PM
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2019 GLS 450
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Yes don't be surprised, the transfer case uses transmission fluid.

If you can help me confirm if you have a 7 speed or 9 speed I can confirm if your unit is connected to the transmission of seperate.
Yes, I have the 9 speed, Thank you!
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Old May 26, 2025 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Pmdonca
Yes, I have the 9 speed, Thank you!
You're welcome and sounds good, that thread should apply to you and help you.
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Old Oct 20, 2025 | 09:15 PM
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2018 GLS 450
Hi Pmdonca,

Was just wondering which Transfer Case Fluid you used on your 2018 GLS 450 9G.
I went to the dealer and asked for Fluid and they gave me ATF 3353 (A001 989 45 03 09)

Any Help will be appreciated.
Thanks
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