Mercedes GL X164
Discussion
Didn't even know about these till seeing one yesterday, seems about nearest we get to what the yanks might call a compact SUV, ie, the size of a small town. Built in America, anything to know about them? Will be looking for a second car for minimal mileage and it must be practical. Had looked at, and dismissed L322 5.0 SC due to mechanical fragility (perceived, timing chains?), and, well, L322 don't rate well for reliability, Cayenne gts about 2009 or so, liked for the same reasons as RR, on the fence with these, know faults seem to be more fixable by conpotent spanner fella and less of them, but really like the look of the big Merc. Seems to straddle the luxury suv/land cruiser segments, designed to go off road and replace g wagen originally? So, any tips, hints, etc...? Budget likely 12k tops and am in no hurry, just like doing my homework.
I have a bit of a hobby where I buy these types of cars to sell on. I've looked at a lot more than I've bought as so many are complete sheds now. We don't have diesels where I live so I can't tell you anything about them, but here is my (purely anecdotal) experience in terms of comparing an X164 / L320 / L322 / Cayenne.
The V8 Petrol GLs can be prone to hugely expensive timing gear issues - I've seen it on two that I viewed in the past. The air suspension also doesn't seem to hold up quite as well as the air suspension in the Cayennes or Range Rovers. The interior feels cheap in places, but seems to last pretty well. All of the above is also true for the ML of the same generation.
2010-2012 5.0 Range Rovers, both L320 and L322 do indeed have the expensive timing chain issues that you mentioned. Some 2012 and all 2013 ones don't though, which could be a good option. There's a VIN checker you can use to see if the car you're looking at has the updated timing chain guides.
The prefacelift L320s and L322s with the 4.2 S/C are very solid: I've had 5 cars with that engine and none have given me any trouble. You do have to put up with a much more plasticky and dated interior though. The air suspension can fail, but it's not hugely expensive to replace and as I said, seems to fail less often than the GL.
The second gen Cayennes (2008ish onwards IIRC) are pretty solid and would probably be my first choice if I could find a good one. The one to avoid is the first generation with the 4.5 non turbo engine. In any Cayenne, you should also make sure the transfer case oil was changed regularly as they are a common failure point.
The V8 Petrol GLs can be prone to hugely expensive timing gear issues - I've seen it on two that I viewed in the past. The air suspension also doesn't seem to hold up quite as well as the air suspension in the Cayennes or Range Rovers. The interior feels cheap in places, but seems to last pretty well. All of the above is also true for the ML of the same generation.
2010-2012 5.0 Range Rovers, both L320 and L322 do indeed have the expensive timing chain issues that you mentioned. Some 2012 and all 2013 ones don't though, which could be a good option. There's a VIN checker you can use to see if the car you're looking at has the updated timing chain guides.
The prefacelift L320s and L322s with the 4.2 S/C are very solid: I've had 5 cars with that engine and none have given me any trouble. You do have to put up with a much more plasticky and dated interior though. The air suspension can fail, but it's not hugely expensive to replace and as I said, seems to fail less often than the GL.
The second gen Cayennes (2008ish onwards IIRC) are pretty solid and would probably be my first choice if I could find a good one. The one to avoid is the first generation with the 4.5 non turbo engine. In any Cayenne, you should also make sure the transfer case oil was changed regularly as they are a common failure point.
Geekman said:
I have a bit of a hobby where I buy these types of cars to sell on. I've looked at a lot more than I've bought as so many are complete sheds now. We don't have diesels where I live so I can't tell you anything about them, but here is my (purely anecdotal) experience in terms of comparing an X164 / L320 / L322 / Cayenne.
The V8 Petrol GLs can be prone to hugely expensive timing gear issues - I've seen it on two that I viewed in the past. The air suspension also doesn't seem to hold up quite as well as the air suspension in the Cayennes or Range Rovers. The interior feels cheap in places, but seems to last pretty well. All of the above is also true for the ML of the same generation.
2010-2012 5.0 Range Rovers, both L320 and L322 do indeed have the expensive timing chain issues that you mentioned. Some 2012 and all 2013 ones don't though, which could be a good option. There's a VIN checker you can use to see if the car you're looking at has the updated timing chain guides.
The prefacelift L320s and L322s with the 4.2 S/C are very solid: I've had 5 cars with that engine and none have given me any trouble. You do have to put up with a much more plasticky and dated interior though. The air suspension can fail, but it's not hugely expensive to replace and as I said, seems to fail less often than the GL.
The second gen Cayennes (2008ish onwards IIRC) are pretty solid and would probably be my first choice if I could find a good one. The one to avoid is the first generation with the 4.5 non turbo engine. In any Cayenne, you should also make sure the transfer case oil was changed regularly as they are a common failure point.
Thanks for this!! I have a rather perverse longing for a Cayenne GTS manual, and did indeed consider the earlier 4.2 ffrr as they seem bomb proof but they will be getting kinda long in the tooth by the time I'm looking in earnest. The V8 Petrol GLs can be prone to hugely expensive timing gear issues - I've seen it on two that I viewed in the past. The air suspension also doesn't seem to hold up quite as well as the air suspension in the Cayennes or Range Rovers. The interior feels cheap in places, but seems to last pretty well. All of the above is also true for the ML of the same generation.
2010-2012 5.0 Range Rovers, both L320 and L322 do indeed have the expensive timing chain issues that you mentioned. Some 2012 and all 2013 ones don't though, which could be a good option. There's a VIN checker you can use to see if the car you're looking at has the updated timing chain guides.
The prefacelift L320s and L322s with the 4.2 S/C are very solid: I've had 5 cars with that engine and none have given me any trouble. You do have to put up with a much more plasticky and dated interior though. The air suspension can fail, but it's not hugely expensive to replace and as I said, seems to fail less often than the GL.
The second gen Cayennes (2008ish onwards IIRC) are pretty solid and would probably be my first choice if I could find a good one. The one to avoid is the first generation with the 4.5 non turbo engine. In any Cayenne, you should also make sure the transfer case oil was changed regularly as they are a common failure point.
I quite like the GL myself but they are huge!!, typical of that era Mercedes interior, they do have issues with their air suspension sometimes but it’s not the end of the world cost wise as far as I know.
320 CDI V6 is perfectly adequate 420 CDI V8 isn’t far off the pace of a 4.2 Supercharged L322 but is suitably crap on diesel.
As far as I know they’re meant to not be bad off road and have all the bits for proper off roading-locking centre and rear diffs, low range gearbox, hill descent control and height adjustable air suspension, honestly though if you need the off road ability I’d probably try and find an ML with the off road pack instead as the GLs size puts me off.
You can’t go wrong with a Landcruiser, it will be very unlikely to give you any issues and will be very capable but less refined than the Merc, as much as I like them and would recommend one, I don’t know, this time I’d say live dangerously and get the Mercedes, or if you really don’t care about the fuel bill, did it and get a Cayenne Turbo, a Supercharged RR wouldn’t see which way one went!, if your budget allows the late L322s with the 4.4 TDV8 are lovely and much more modern than the GL inside.
320 CDI V6 is perfectly adequate 420 CDI V8 isn’t far off the pace of a 4.2 Supercharged L322 but is suitably crap on diesel.
As far as I know they’re meant to not be bad off road and have all the bits for proper off roading-locking centre and rear diffs, low range gearbox, hill descent control and height adjustable air suspension, honestly though if you need the off road ability I’d probably try and find an ML with the off road pack instead as the GLs size puts me off.
You can’t go wrong with a Landcruiser, it will be very unlikely to give you any issues and will be very capable but less refined than the Merc, as much as I like them and would recommend one, I don’t know, this time I’d say live dangerously and get the Mercedes, or if you really don’t care about the fuel bill, did it and get a Cayenne Turbo, a Supercharged RR wouldn’t see which way one went!, if your budget allows the late L322s with the 4.4 TDV8 are lovely and much more modern than the GL inside.
Walter Sobchak said:
I quite like the GL myself but they are huge!!, typical of that era Mercedes interior, they do have issues with their air suspension sometimes but it’s not the end of the world cost wise as far as I know.
320 CDI V6 is perfectly adequate 420 CDI V8 isn’t far off the pace of a 4.2 Supercharged L322 but is suitably crap on diesel.
As far as I know they’re meant to not be bad off road and have all the bits for proper off roading-locking centre and rear diffs, low range gearbox, hill descent control and height adjustable air suspension, honestly though if you need the off road ability I’d probably try and find an ML with the off road pack instead as the GLs size puts me off.
You can’t go wrong with a Landcruiser, it will be very unlikely to give you any issues and will be very capable but less refined than the Merc, as much as I like them and would recommend one, I don’t know, this time I’d say live dangerously and get the Mercedes, or if you really don’t care about the fuel bill, did it and get a Cayenne Turbo, a Supercharged RR wouldn’t see which way one went!, if your budget allows the late L322s with the 4.4 TDV8 are lovely and much more modern than the GL inside.
It's the size of the Merc that appeals. Have three dogs, one at 56kg, and we like biking etc.. i kinda like the idea that the Porsche is an old design and by the end of its first run, say 2008/2009, most faults should be fixed. I had a cheap 928 years ago and it felt like sitting in a bank vault!! Build quality was wonderful even though it seemed dated, I like the idea of an 'old' feeling quality car. Thanks for the advice!!320 CDI V6 is perfectly adequate 420 CDI V8 isn’t far off the pace of a 4.2 Supercharged L322 but is suitably crap on diesel.
As far as I know they’re meant to not be bad off road and have all the bits for proper off roading-locking centre and rear diffs, low range gearbox, hill descent control and height adjustable air suspension, honestly though if you need the off road ability I’d probably try and find an ML with the off road pack instead as the GLs size puts me off.
You can’t go wrong with a Landcruiser, it will be very unlikely to give you any issues and will be very capable but less refined than the Merc, as much as I like them and would recommend one, I don’t know, this time I’d say live dangerously and get the Mercedes, or if you really don’t care about the fuel bill, did it and get a Cayenne Turbo, a Supercharged RR wouldn’t see which way one went!, if your budget allows the late L322s with the 4.4 TDV8 are lovely and much more modern than the GL inside.
Edited by biggbn on Saturday 5th February 22:04
I ran a 2006 GL420 CDI for 3 years, from 2012 to 2015. Very good car, we took it from 55k miles to about 85k. Fantastic engine that moved it along very well, always felt like it had enough power, I personally suspect the 320 would feel underpowered, but in fairness I never tried one. We averaged about 24 MPG. I just had it serviced, the only issues that arose was air suspension randomly dropping on either of the rear corners. I had this done, cost about £1200, but that was the only expense over normal BAU costs that we had.
Space was pretty good inside, they're not that wide, but the rear most seats are some of the better 7 seat options.
Space was pretty good inside, they're not that wide, but the rear most seats are some of the better 7 seat options.
Had my 2010 GL450 for 5 years now, wouldn't have clue what I would replace it with other than a newer GLS.
At this age it the Air suspension struts haven't been replaced then budget for replacement fronts £500 per corner, rears £500 the pair plus fitting but easy enough to DIY, especially the rears.
350 is a face lift 320 v6 diesel, 450 is a face lift 420 v8 diesel but much rarer than the 420s. Same engines in both. believe the 350's added the ad blue tank but the 450 didn't get one.
The 420/450 is a bit more than just an engine upgrade over the 320/350 they should have the genuine leather interiors rather than the mercedes "leather" that isn't.
No major common expensive failures on them i'm aware off, the v6's can suffer a turbo oil leak, easy cheap fix but if not fixed can damage other components within the engine V. the v8 are twin turbo with turbos on the outside of the engine V so don;t suffer the same issue.
Any other questions please ask.
At this age it the Air suspension struts haven't been replaced then budget for replacement fronts £500 per corner, rears £500 the pair plus fitting but easy enough to DIY, especially the rears.
350 is a face lift 320 v6 diesel, 450 is a face lift 420 v8 diesel but much rarer than the 420s. Same engines in both. believe the 350's added the ad blue tank but the 450 didn't get one.
The 420/450 is a bit more than just an engine upgrade over the 320/350 they should have the genuine leather interiors rather than the mercedes "leather" that isn't.
No major common expensive failures on them i'm aware off, the v6's can suffer a turbo oil leak, easy cheap fix but if not fixed can damage other components within the engine V. the v8 are twin turbo with turbos on the outside of the engine V so don;t suffer the same issue.
Any other questions please ask.
biggbn said:
It's the size of the Merc that appeals. Have three dogs, one at 56kg, and we like biking etc.. i kinda like the idea that the Porsche is an old design and by the end of its first run, say 2008/2009, most faults should be fixed. I had a cheap 928 years ago and it felt like sitting in a bank vault!! Build quality was wonderful even though it seemed dated, I like the idea of an 'old' feeling quality car. Thanks for the advice!!
If you need the size then definitely go for the GL over a Cayenne, I had an early Cayenne Turbo and while the boot is a decent size it’s nowhere near as big as a GLS with the rear most seats down, or if you put the back seats down you get a huge flat load space, ideal for biking!, only a Disco 3/4 would come close and I think even that would be smaller.Edited by biggbn on Saturday 5th February 22:04
If you can, try and go for a facelift GL so it will be a 350CDI instead of 320, and will have the later nav unit with Bluetooth,DAB radio and iPod etc as well as the LED lights and I think performance and economy were slightly improved too.
Thanks for all these knowledgeable and helpful answers and observations. As I have said, am in no hurry, just moved house and about to be walloped with the energy bill increase, but I like to research things properly. Who knows, by the time I come to buys something, perhaps I can afford a big petrol engined one!!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff