[mr_reed]

And:
* Is it a Gas or Diesel?
* How many significant / expensive repairs along the way?

Gas by the model name.
Purchased in 11/2015 with 66K miles
Replaced Airmatic compressor
Replaced front brake rotors and pads
Replaced 4 tires
Replaced front Airmatic struts with Coil struts
Replaced rear Airmatic bags with coil springs from ML320

Needs quite a few teeny tiny things. That's where the cost comes: no major breakdowns, but a sensor here and a switch there and a motor here and a relay there.......

 

[harryfrank]

BIRTHDAY TODAY!

07, gl450, gas, 200k today!

 

[Tool]

Bad News. My '08 320CDI is dead!

Only made it to 241,568 miles. Regular 5K mile oil changes and a crank bearing went south. Tons of metal in the oil filter. Dealer would put in new engine for $20K and my independent would put in a used engine for $10K. I decided that I'd never have enough trust in the car to drive it anywhere on an extended basis so I sold it as is. Too many issues with the OM642 diesel engine. Worst thing was I had just replaced front and rear wiper blades and never got to use them!! :frown

 

[james.calton1]

2012, GL450, 123,XXX miles


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[[email protected]]

2011 GL450 with 79K, runs flawlessly.

 

[regult51]

Update:
222k miles
Replaced intake manifold actuator.
Low oil warning coming up every couple months. No oil leaking from bottom of car so I suspect something internal. Still runs fine.
Forgot to mention: Navigation DVD stopped reading a few years ago, so nav doesn’t work. Spring loaded Tray under radio doesn’t retract anymore either.

One thing I found interesting; my son drives my sister’s 2007 Honda CR-V with 200k miles. The steering wheel buttons retained all their markings and the hard plastic has remained pretty clean. The GL conversely has some sort of gummy residue and the markings have all worn off. Just a side observation.

2007 GL450, 210k miles.

Replaced:
Air compressor
All shocks

steering rack leaks, topping off every few weeks

 

[Lord Helmet]

2007 GL420, 133,000 miles.

Interestingly (but not very fortunate for me) about 126k miles, the head gasket went. Not shy of doing my own work I mused over the job for a while then decided against it. Right choice! PSC autocentre in Cheltenham (Uk) carried out the work and you can see some pictures on Facebook, it might sway you towards the 6 cylinder if you're thinking of buying a 'bulletproof' V8. But now all I need to do is change the gearbox, steering rack and every suspension bush and it will be a really great car! Oh and that sticky boot handle and the leaking receiver air drier...

 

[tewfiks]

2007 GL320 CDI

148000 miles
2007 GL 320 CDI

2 of the air struts
fuel pump

 

[jrb329gl320]

2008 GL 320 120,000

We bought it in 2015 to replace a recalled VW CDI, it had just received a rebuilt engine as the old one destructed at 70K, needed a new alternator by the time we got home and about 1K stopping all the oil leaks from a high end independent Las Vegas shop. About 80K the transfer case bought it, bolts holding the tensioner pulled out of the case. 90K had the turbo rebuilt, then about 100k both front control arms went. At this point it appeared that all was allright till this winter.

Car stopped on I15 exit at rush hour, no lights, no dash, but the windows kept going up and down and the door lock were locking and unlocking. Funny thing it broke down about a block from the dealer, so I had it towed in. The "kid" analyzed it and declared that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. Repair didn't even last to get home. Nursed it back to the dealer where they found that both batteries were under water along with the SAM, the rear computers were under water and a lot of wiring was shot. Dealer had me call USAA and they only charged me the deductible. Left the dealership and had the loss of power problem, dealer replaced the turbocharger and all was well until the first heavy rain. Again rush hour traffic about a block from the dealer, this time not only no lights, ghostly windows etc. and the car started running up and down on the air suspension.. Flooded computers again, USAA now pissed.... Dealer ripped the interior out, put the kid in the back and parked it in the car wash... Glass roof had come loose and water was running down the interior behind the upholstery. I was on the hook for a new roof and USAA picked up the rest.

First of July dropped it off at my independent in preparation for the annual pilgrimage from San Diego to Disney World and then on to Daytona Beach. Rear shocks were shot and front needed pads and rotors.. So now I'm visiting Mickey and the air conditioning keeps turning off and the other day the doors wouldn't lock..... I've got a 2000 Ford Excursion in the driveway, 260,000 miles on it and it's had several sets of brakes, a water pump and a pinion bearing from a grossly overloaded trailer while moving from SF to SD (70MPH up Grapevine on cruise control), but my wife loves the MB ride....

One of my policeman sons came across my 83 300TD wagon a few years ago on a DWI stop. Called us up to say it had 600,000 on it and was still going strong, AND THAT'S WHY WE BOUGHT ANOTHER MB DIESEL......

Disappointed in San Diego, Jim

 

[james.calton1]

I’ll never buy another 642. Maybe a 651 or 654 4cyl. I keep getting hounded by the dealer if I would like to look into a new ride whenever I stop in to buy parts. I tell them if they can come up with a diesel Metris 4matic I’m sold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DonD]

2007 320cdi Gl 330000 km,
replaced front shocks, air compressor, electronic cruise control, left rail fuel line, brakes once, tires 3 times. Oh and front transfer case (pricey), bottom line is I love the car, I feel safe when my wife is on the road driving it. We have lots of winter and cold temperatures, the car handles icy roads so well with good winter tires on it. 500k km here we come!

 

[yoleu]

Still running well
2007 - 420 cdi - 316 000 km

operations to come : front axle bearings

pre-heat spark plug calculator changed at 170 000 km and again at 294 000 km
main gearbox calculator changed at 291 000 km (speed sensors ko)
main front central shaft became noisy at 292 000 km, it took me 2000 km to found where it came from (and now i have a front left shaft, rear flector and front powertrain as spare parts...)
two arnott front struts at 272 000 km
chain changed in transfer box at 264 000 km
torque converter clutch changed at 231 000 km
coolant liquid sensor and all motor and gearbox suspensions at 206 000 km
rear level sensors at 204 000 km
egr gaz valve at 155 000 km
rear doors handle at 107 000 km

 

[PaulMH]

2008 GL320 170,000 miles
just maintenance

Dan

I have an ‘08 GL and have had to do a complete suspension replacement ($8k), many sensors causing check engine light to come on, the AC compressor (144K miles) and I have an oil leak that when it gets bad will cost $600 to replace. I do all the maintenance required which is pretty much just oil changes and transmission fluid changes. How’d you get so lucky?

 

[PaulMH]

Looks like the 2008 is more reliable than the 2012

Not my 2008 GL320 CDI! :-/

 

[Chrisrocks]

07 gl320 209k miles.
List of repairs
2022 : turbocharger, starter, fuel filter, map sensor, air intake sensor.
2021: headlights low beams and control module,
2019: transfer case, drive shaft, 4 air struts, air pump along with air control module,
2018: body module, kid poured gatorade in the battery compartment blew the passenger seat. Smoke came out. And everything was not functioned on the dash, the window motors caught smoke as well. End up replacing body module and window motors.
2017- 2013: new tires, fuel filter, all bushings in the suspensions. All wheel bearings. Front Half shafts.
all brakes. Trans flush and diff flush, crank position sensor, 2013 bought at 100k mile

That's most of the repairs I did. Every time at dealer they want 5k. End up going to an independent shop.

Overall, it is expensive to own a Mercedes Benz. Hopefully, engine and trans last another 100k miles.

 

[StenoPete1911]

128K... still going strong.

Front wheel bearings @100K. FCP EURO lifetime warranty.
Engine wheel bearing kit/tensioner/belt @100K. FCP EURO lifetime warranty.
Engine oil filter housing @100K. FCP EURO lifetime warranty.
Front struts R/L @100K. FCP EURO lifetime warranty.
Airmatic compressor/box @100K. FCP EURO lifetime warranty.
AT Flush @100K w/amsoil.
Front and rear Diff fluid @100K w/75-90 M1 LS.
Oil cooler seals..orange to purple.. @125K. Part of the BlueTec campaign recall, at my request.
New tires, 4. @100K.

Overall, car is running very good. A lot of this was just regular maintenance for me as I'm looking to keep the car for a while. I did the work myself and saved a few bucks. Front bearings and the oil cooler seals had to be done at the shop as I don't have a press at the house.

 

[tonylinc]

White one 151K miles has needed no repairs!
Gold one 147K miles, new airmatic compressor, front brakes.

 

[F4Windex]

I bought a 2008 GL 320 CDI a year ago, about 190,000 miles when I started driving it. We replaced the vacuum pump to fix an oil leak, and also because it looked original. My local independent MB mechanic also said the front struts looked brand new, but the front suspension bushings would need replacing soon.
Then we set off on a cross-country excursion from Phoenix to St. Petersburg, FL. Got 16.5 mpg towing a 6'x12' U-haul trailer over the 2500 miles!
Started back home a month later, after a fresh oil change and checkover at the MB Dealer in FL. Nearing the end of day 1, the alternator failed. In the middle of the FL Panhandle. On the record hottest day at the end of July. On a Friday at 5pm.
Tow truck wasn't available, but MB sent a guy to check it out, he said, "Yup, your alternator isn't putting out at all." I asked him about all of the oil that was covering the alternator and that part of the engine. "Yeah, that doesn't look good." Car finally got towed to MB dealer in Dothan, AL on Saturday. Monday, they told me it would be at least a week before they could even look at it. The saga of the trip home for the rest of us is almost worthy of a book.
September, the car finally returned to AZ on a transporter. The MB dealer had replaced the alternator, and a cracked oil filler cap. Hmmm. I just had the oil changed, right before the interrupted trip. Hmmmm...

Anyway, I eventually had the lower front suspension bushings fixed. There was a sudden increase in oil leakage, and the local independent MB guys replaced the oil filter housing, and some seals related to the oil cooler. I now have a persistent Check Engine light, which they think is caused by a turbocharger control module and may necessitate a new/rebuilt turbo and control module.
So far I have 202,500 miles on it, but I don't know if I've reached the point of diminishing returns yet. I like the car and what it can do very much, but my wallet may not be deep enough for the future potential maintenance costs.

Cheers,
Charlie F.

 

[ErikGL450]

2012 with 97,000. Just started to have a small oil leak from the lower oil pan. Going to replace the sealant this weekend.

 

[GL528]

376,000 miles here, or a bit over 600,000 kilometers. I am not driving as many miles these days, so the milage is not piling on like it used to.

The biggest issue I have had lately is the front airmatic struts failed. They are Arnott units I put on back around 120,000 miles. They have a lifetime guarantee, but their interpretation is that 9 years an 250,000 miles was a lifetime. The rear bags I put on at the same time are still good, however.

Some parts are now being replaced for the second time - I'm on my third alternator, second a/c compressor, third water pump, and probably a few parts I've forgotten.

The car still takes me across the country when required, still gets good mpg, is still very comfortable, and still uses little oil - in fact I seldom add any between oil changes.