Advice on possibly purchasing a MB GLK250 Bluetec

[duaner]

So, it is time to replace our 2011 9-3 and a client of my wife offered to sell us a 2015 GLK250 that he bought for his daughter but she didn't want. It has 96k km and seems to be loaded.
There is a tear in one of the seats and a small rust spot starting on the bottom of the tailgate (my wife has pics, I can post if needed). I haven't looked at it but my wife has, along with a guy she is working with who had looked at them in the past and said it would be a great buy.

Anyway, I have no experience with MB and never thought I would even consider purchasing one. It's just a lot of vehicle for the money. I also have no experience with diesel. The reviews on the GLK250 are mixed but generally quite favourable. And, a baller I am not, so repair costs concern me a bit, although I think Raybern (where I take my 9-3) does MB as well.

I would appreciate any advice on owning a MB, especially a diesel, or just diesel in general.

Thanks!

[JohnnyHockey13]

Are you deadset on getting the diesel??...because I know for a fact that the GLK350 is one of the most reliable vehicles MB has ever made in history (I owned a 2010 with 230,000km on it did a lot of research before buying it).

[ThePenIsMightier]

An amazing thing happens to a car when you remove: the spark plugs, the coils, the leads, and everything else to do with the ignition system... It starts!

Go diesel.

[dj_rice]

For a GLK, I'd ask them if the Adblue system has had their Adblue Heater and/or Adblue injection nozzle replaced as this would be a big bill your not ready for. But otherwise, thats all I can think of thats common failures

[tonytiger55]

Ive been keeping a eye on these too. They seem a lot of car for the money. The consensus on diesels are generally more reliable. I am curious how they fare in this cold climate and what the servicing costs are.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I love diesel but the SCR systems are always a risk on a used vehicle.

[duaner]

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Are you deadset on getting the diesel??...because I know for a fact that the GLK350 is one of the most reliable vehicles MB has ever made in history (I owned a 2010 with 230,000km on it did a lot of research before buying it).

I'm not deadset on getting a Mercedes, never mind a GLK. This just happens to be a really good deal, although I do like that it gets 27-28 mpg combined. If I don't get this particular vehicle, I won't be looking at any other MB.

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For a GLK, I'd ask them if the Adblue system has had their Adblue Heater and/or Adblue injection nozzle replaced as this would be a big bill your not ready for. But otherwise, thats all I can think of thats common failures

That would be good to know then, however, he hasn't owned it long and I don't know if he would know. The original owner was/is one of his employees though, so perhaps he could still find out.

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Ive been keeping a eye on these too. They seem a lot of car for the money. The consensus on diesels are generally more reliable. I am curious how they fare in this cold climate and what the servicing costs are.

The answers to those questions are what I am looking for as well. I thought diesels needed to be plugged in all the time in winter, which wouldn't be able to happen where I currently work, although it's a temp job anyway.

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I love diesel but the SCR systems are always a risk on a used vehicle.

Is this the AdBlue system in this case? It just occurred to me that this may be what the BlueTec refers to.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Yes SCR is the selective catalyst reduction system (exhaust fluid). That crap can crystallize over time and cause issues, it can freeze in extreme cold and cause issues, and there’s tons of sensors and injectors etc related to it.

[nismodrifter]

Diesels have not required plug in for ages. With the right oil, strong battery, it will start in nearly any conditions.

[ThePenIsMightier]

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Diesels have not required plug in for ages. With the right oil, strong battery, it will start in nearly any conditions.

Agree. (For the first few hundred thousand km).

[ExtraSlow]

yeah, diesels in a "car" like this can be treated same as gasoline engines. The benefit from block heaters or battery chargers in the same conditions.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Chances are it doesn’t have a block heater anyway. My 335d doesn’t.

[duaner]

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Diesels have not required plug in for ages. With the right oil, strong battery, it will start in nearly any conditions.

Interesting. So, quite the opposite of what I thought. Good to know. Thanks!



At this point then, the main concern is if the Adblue Heater and/or Adblue injection nozzle have been replaced, and the bit of rust.

My wife's business (interior design) is getting busier and she essentially needs an SUV to carry samples around and one that is decently reliable. Anyone want to buy a 2011 9-3 turbo4 XWD with 128k km as a project vehicle? haha

[Tik-Tok]

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For a GLK, I'd ask them if the Adblue system has had their Adblue Heater and/or Adblue injection nozzle replaced as this would be a big bill your not ready for. But otherwise, thats all I can think of thats common failures

Step 1) delete EGR and DPF system, problem solved.

[bjstare]

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Step 1) delete EGR and DPF system, problem solved.

Definitely. But that undermines the whole "I'm getting this car because it's a good deal" goal here. It would cost thousands to do that (it does on BMWs anyways).

[revelations]

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My wife's business (interior design) is getting busier and she essentially needs an SUV to carry samples around and one that is decently reliable. Anyone want to buy a 2011 9-3 turbo4 XWD with 128k km as a project vehicle? haha

When my wife was doing sales (carrying product around to customers) - we got her a minivan and good winter tires. The thing was brilliant in the city and on the highway, summer or winter. She drove it 400,000km, until the (manual) gearbox intermediate shaft bearing started to go.

An SUV made no sense for her as the sliding doors were the winners - esp in our garage and in parking lots around the city. The extra maintenance cost and fuel consumption also fared negatively - as she got a flat rate for mileage.

Unless the MB vehicle is a steal compared to the used market (like saving 30% off asking) I would not bother - as it comes with too many questions for this purpose.

[Tik-Tok]

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Definitely. But that undermines the whole "I'm getting this car because it's a good deal" goal here. It would cost thousands to do that (it does on BMWs anyways).

I suppose. I often forget that most people on a car forum don't turn their own wrenches. Delete would still be cheaper than repair though (or close to it).

[Mitsu3000gt]

What is the price? At first glance there doesn't seem much to get excited about, it's ~6 years old, relatively high KM, is somehow already rusting after a short time (likely insight into how it was cared for), and has a ripped seat. Unless it's priced well below market I'm not sure I see the appeal.

[duaner]

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What is the price? At first glance there doesn't seem much to get excited about, it's ~6 years old, relatively high KM, is somehow already rusting after a short time (likely insight into how it was cared for), and has a ripped seat. Unless it's priced well below market I'm not sure I see the appeal.

Yeah, there is some concern for how it was cared for. High km? 96k on a 6 year-old vehicle is pretty decent (16k km/year). He's offered to sell it to us for $19,200. I'm fairly certain he could get at least $24k. His one condition is that we don't just turn around and sell it for profit. I hate selling and buying vehicles, so that won't be an issue. haha

I just looked on AutoTrader and Lone Star has the same year and model, with 89k km, for $29,900. Of course, that would depend on condition and options/packages.

[duaner]

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When my wife was doing sales (carrying product around to customers) - we got her a minivan and good winter tires. The thing was brilliant in the city and on the highway, summer or winter. She drove it 400,000km, until the (manual) gearbox intermediate shaft bearing started to go.

An SUV made no sense for her as the sliding doors were the winners - esp in our garage and in parking lots around the city. The extra maintenance cost and fuel consumption also fared negatively - as she got a flat rate for mileage.

Unless the MB vehicle is a steal compared to the used market (like saving 30% off asking) I would not bother - as it comes with too many questions for this purpose.

There is simply no way my wife will drive a minivan, and I would rather not as well. haha As it is her company, she wants to have a vehicle that gives the appearance of being successful and good at what she does. In no way does this need to be a luxury vehicle, but for these purposes, SUV>minivan. If you hired an interior designer, do you think it would matter what vehicle they pulled up to your house in and whether or not it made them look successful?

I would rather get a decent, average SUV, but for the equivalent price, there are CX-5 GS's and such. A lot less vehicle for the same money, often higher mileage as well.

Perhaps if I need to ask all these questions, I should stay away from MB...