Had the van for a year now and while it is a roomy vehicle it is a gigantic pain to get the kids buckled in the back and the thing just has no soul and I loathe driving it.
Never had a FWD vehicle before and it is just flat awful.
I was looking at Durangos but want something bigger if I am going to make the change so I’ll likely end up with an Expedition if I do get rid of the van.
I came across a 2012 Mercedes GL 350 BluTEC with 60k miles. Real good looking vehicle with all the bells and whistles.
I know one does not own a German vehicle out of warranty. My credit union offers a pretty extensive warranty at a decent price.
Just curious what the standard maintenance is like on these puppies are and how many miles they tend to be good for when properly maintained.

You will spend $1,000 every 12k miles on maintenece. Breaks will run you $1,200 to $1,500 at about 35k miles depending on your driving style. As for the engine itself, love it. I have had that engine in two different MB suvs.

I know nothing about that model.

My experience with MB Diesels: I picked up a 1978 240D (4-cylinder 2.4L normally aspirated with a gigantic 62 hp), new factory delivery.

I kept it for 18 years, a bit over half milli0n miles.

Low maintenance, low operating cost, very reliable.

This online source says $1650 A year. That is probably a good average when you figure in routine maintenance, breaks and odd things like the $1,000 auxiliary battery that lives under the front passenger seat and isn't covered by extended warranty (found out that was under there the hard way)


https://repairpal.com/mercedes...gl350+bluetec+4matic

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I know nothing about that model.

My experience with MB Diesels: I picked up a 1978 240D (4-cylinder 2.4L normally aspirated with a gigantic 62 hp), new factory delivery.

I kept it for 18 years, a bit over half milli0n miles.

Low maintenance, low operating cost, very reliable.

My '82 240D was the slowest car I ever drove, but I loved it. Totalled when I was rear ended by an F150.
Had an '82 300SD after that, bit more pep with the turbo.

I imagine the newer diesels are much better, and a 2012 should be pre DEC?

I've driven a couple Dodges with the BlueTec & it's a shockingly quiet diesel.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I know nothing about that model.

My experience with MB Diesels: I picked up a 1978 240D (4-cylinder 2.4L normally aspirated with a gigantic 62 hp), new factory delivery.

I kept it for 18 years, a bit over half milli0n miles.

Low maintenance, low operating cost, very reliable.

My '82 240D was the slowest car I ever drove, but I loved it. Totalled when I was rear ended by an F150.
Had an '82 300SD after that, bit more pep with the turbo.

I imagine the newer diesels are much better, and a 2012 should be pre DEC?

I've driven a couple Dodges with the BlueTec & it's a shockingly quiet diesel.

I have a 1989 250GD...a touch faster, but not much. About 90 hp.

Most Mercedes diesels are bullet proof...

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I know nothing about that model.

My experience with MB Diesels: I picked up a 1978 240D (4-cylinder 2.4L normally aspirated with a gigantic 62 hp), new factory delivery.

I kept it for 18 years, a bit over half milli0n miles.

Low maintenance, low operating cost, very reliable.

My '82 240D was the slowest car I ever drove, but I loved it. Totalled when I was rear ended by an F150.
Had an '82 300SD after that, bit more pep with the turbo.

I imagine the newer diesels are much better, and a 2012 should be pre DEC?

I've driven a couple Dodges with the BlueTec & it's a shockingly quiet diesel.

I have a 1989 250GD...a touch faster, but not much. About 90 hp.

Most Mercedes diesels are bullet proof...

Speaking of older MB diesels being bullet proof...when I was a kid I asked my neighbor who was a Mobil executive why he drove an expensive Mercedes diesel (E300 maybe) and he said that they actually weren't expensive to own because they last so long and MB didn't change their styling every other year like most manufacturers.

He sold that car to his oldest son (now my BIL) at 250k miles. He then sold it to his brother at 500k miles who then sold it to someone else with over 750k miles on it....that was a smart investment!

Unfortunately, this is not the M-B diesel of old. You will have the exhaust fluid to keep filled up, and it will almost certainly have a particulate filter to clean or replace at some point.