[Wheatridger]

I'm just MB-curious at this point. We need to buy an SUV for towing, and the GLK seems to be the smallest one with the biggest engine. Besides being, IMO, the best looking thing on wheels in the past decade! So I used a week's vacation in Nashville to rent a 2014 GLK for a 450-mile test drive. Now I'm 80% sold. I loved the power, comfort and visibility. I think I could eventually learn the complex infotainment system and its menus.

One aspect of the GLK that I didn't love was the steering feel. It took me too much attention to stay in lane on those curvy roads. Maybe it's overboosted. I'm used to more resistance to turning, and a more locked-on-center feeling. My previous cars that tracked like an arrow included a 1970 NSU TT, two SAABs, four VW GTIs and two Audi Quattros set to center diff lock. Even my current car, a humble Ford C-Max, is easier to steer, because the Focus-based platform has a stronger bias towards straight running.

I did like the GLK's tight turning radius, very useful in Nashvile's urban jungle. But with the steering in full lock, it tended to stay there. I had to turn the steering wheel back towards straight. The last car that did this for me was a rented Silverado.

This Turo rental seemed well-maintained. Tire wear seemed even and it didn't pull to either side.

Have any GLK owners noticed this steering behavior? I assume all they GLKs have the same setup, and non-adjustable steering. Would wheel alignment alter the feel? Or is this just how Mercedes does it?

 

[RussBarnes]

I bought my '15, one owner, 52k mile, life in AZ, 2wd in Feb. Love many things about the car, but the steering is different, and on mine I think it's too "soft" in corners. I know I can put new struts on and tighten it. I probably could have more caster adjusted into it, which would address your feeling....but I also think I can live with it because so many other things (braking, acceleration when switched, ride is a little soft, but after my too firm sl550, it feels OK.

I bought mine for a backup to my wife's car because we put 20k a year on her Explorer that we haul dogs to shows in. But I hate having to climb up into that instead of slipping behind the wheel of my GLK.

 

[Wheatridger]

Thanks for that. BTW, I just started showing my American Eskimo dog, who has 12 AKC points towards her championship 15. At 15 lbs, we can haul her in our littlest car.

 

[Wheatridger]

Oh, yes, the other question! Should all the four round dash vents be on all the time? I couldn't find a way to control their individual outputs.

 

[Triggerman]

2013 was 1st yr of electric power steering so Merc was still figuring it out.

The vents twist open and closed I believe?

 

[Wheatridger]

I read that in the manual, but didn't find any adjustment. is it possible that the vents had rolled around 180 degrees so they were backwards?

The steering issue disturbs me more. I care less about high performance than the feeling of precise handling. It makes me sad, because I loved so much else about the GLK.

 

[Triggerman]

Well just like people every car has its little quirks and imperfections. We just have to decide if we want to live with it or get divorced… I mean trade it in lol.
But I can tell you mine has 327,000 miles and you would think it’s three years old. So they are well-made.

 

[Wheatridger]

I've heard that from two specialist mechanics' shops and from Consumer Reports. That's never happened with other cars I chose! (Audi Allroad, many VWs, an uber-SAAB 99 Turbo). One car, the NSU TT, was known only to old German car mechanics who retired at once when I got mine.)

The GLK and I are still dating. There was some heavy petting this drive, but thedeal wasn't quite sealed. I need to fondle a few other cars before I commit. Looking at a lean, XC-sized Swede next.

 

[Brian Cole]

I've had my '14 GLK 350 for several months now and the steering seems fine to me, but that is just my opinion.

 

[galleychief]

I have been happy with the response and handling with my 2015 GLK350. Before this truck, I drove a C230 K sport sedan. My driving style remains 'sporty' and I have no complaints with handling.

 

[Wheatridger]

I have been happy with the response and handling with my 2015 GLK350. Before this truck, I drove a C230 K sport sedan. My driving style remains 'sporty' and I have no complaints with handling.

It's the sportiest CUV I've ever driven, lean and taut, with instant power on demand. In my limited family-hauling experience with it, the GLK drove like a big GTI.

 

[13glk250]

I read that in the manual, but didn't find any adjustment. is it possible that the vents had rolled around 180 degrees so they were backwards?

The steering issue disturbs me more. I care less about high performance than the feeling of precise handling. It makes me sad, because I loved so much else about the GLK.

Wheatridger, if you grab the fins of the vent and rotate, either clockwise or counter clockwise it opens and closes the vent. On Auto with the heat on the center vents don't normally have air flowing through.

I will say I have noticed the steering doesn't seem to snap back to 'center', It never really has though from what I remember, I have owned the car since new.

 

[JollyMoto]

We have a 2011 bought it a bit over two years ago with mileage in the mid 50's, now has mid 80's, thing drives and steers perfectly.
Problems?, steering lock sensor went, pricey, goofy round ducts from the air filter box to the front ram horn simply rotted apart. Lights. all exterior lighting is a nightmare when it comes to changing bulbs.
I deleted the steering lock, used 3" flex aluminum dryer duct to replace the OE ducts. The lights , no cure just a PITA

 

[ianrandom]

We have a 2011 bought it a bit over two years ago with mileage in the mid 50's, now has mid 80's, thing drives and steers perfectly.
Problems?, steering lock sensor went, pricey, goofy round ducts from the air filter box to the front ram horn simply rotted apart. Lights. all exterior lighting is a nightmare when it comes to changing bulbs.
I deleted the steering lock, used 3" flex aluminum dryer duct to replace the OE ducts. The lights , no cure just a PITA

Can I recommend putting your model and year into your profile for us please? Complete your Profile

 

[JollyMoto]

done

 

[Wheatridger]

To conclude, I bought my GLK last week. It still has some quirks, but I'm getting used to it. It's kind of a truck, which is new to me. It's the best-looking and best-constructed car I've ever owned, and I'm very pleased.

 

[Brian Cole]

Lol, "kind of a truck"? I have an older Durango for comparison, so my view on that differs somewhat. But yes, plenty of power, more HP than my V8 Durango but not as much torque. The 7 speed transmission makes up for that, though.

 

[John350]

It's kind of a truck,

Lol, "kind of a truck"? I have an older Durango for comparison, so my view on that differs somewhat.

If it doesn't gross at least 20,000 lbs, it's not a truck...

The center cross piece of the vents rotate 90 degrees CCW to close and CW to open (or is it the other way around?) Try it on one of the outer ones as the inner ones aren't always fed by the ACC.