Great review. Your financial analysis is spot-on. I bought my 2007 brand-new, and it has over 180,000 miles on it now. It does not burn any oil like yours, I guess thats the luck of the draw. It does burn up air suspension components though. You just have to get used to that and divide the cost by the overall pleasure of driving such a great vehicle. It doesn't leave you stranded by the side of the road, so it's not so bad. One thing to check is the rubber hose on the air compressor intake, they tend to crack, and then you have dust getting in and destroying the components. If you switch to aftermarket parts its much more bearable (just replaced my air compressor for $200). They are too good to get rid of. Every time I start looking for a replacement SUV I realize that I already have the best one.

Great review, just picked up a 2008 GL450 with blown rear struts and AC not working, $50.00 for a do it yourself can of R143A recharge, picked up a set of Rear struts for 200.00, did the install myself. wow! truck runs great. keep the videos coming! .. subscribed!

Can't wait for the 200,000 mile review!

We have same 2007 GL, but with over 240,000 miles. Still reliable doesn't burn oil, just recently had to change alternator for the first time and front diff. I don't go to the $tealers for service but to a great indy

Thank you for doing this videos. This thing’s are way easier than most people think. Oil change; air filters cabinet air filters every 4 years or 40k Spark plugs every 90k ; Water pump power steering pump and all the pulleys if any of them goes bad, you can change them with basic tools your self. Air matics are the easiest shock replacement of any car ever. The only thing you need to take it to the dealer is the transmission fluid replacement and flushing. You can save a ton of money and drive that thing for ever.

Thank you so much for all of your input about this particular Mercedes! I have had one before, bought it used and didn't have much luck with it, even though it looked top-notch beautiful. We are looking to put an offer on one tomorrow. Oh, my heart is pounding with excitement.

Great SUV for mechanics. Maintenance for me 10% of what he was stating. Strutmasters has lifetime warranty struts for all Mercedes. Just picked up a GL450 2008 for $6500 bad struts. Strutmasters and $1000 later all brand new my labor. $7500 and it looks brand new in and out. Learn to do most maintenance yourself.

You are very well spoken Joe. Your monologue was interesting and informative! I have a 2014 ML350 that I bought in 2017 from a Mercedes dealer. It now has 106k on it. I’ve have saved THOUSANDS doing my own brakes, coil packs and other not too difficult repairs. I agree about paint quality. When I take mine to Mercedes, the advisor always comments how good it still looks. I advise investing in an engine code reader and tackling repairs that you think you can do. You mentioned your “second” battery as a possible cause of your slow cranking. This auxiliary battery costs about $65 and I believe on your vehicle is located behind the rear cargo side panel on the right/passenger side. A bad one can cause crazy problems like the inability to shift between drive and park as well as gauges not working or reading right.

Thank you for your review and reassuring words Joe. Just bought my first GL. I had that inner doubt whether I made the right call.

It's been an expensive truck, but a great truck. If you are thinking about buying something like this GL450 , do yourself the biggest favor in the world and get a buyer's inspection at the Mercedes dealership!

I have put on Strutmaster conversions on these and they ride great. No more airmatic problems. Comes with module to be wired in and no more suspension messages. Kit comes with front struts/shocks and coil spring and shocks in the rear. Shocks are Bilstien and like I said dives as good as airmatic. If you buy one of these used it’s money well spent.

I have a 2008 version - I do all my own maintenance and repair. Mine only has 100k miles - I agree with your review. Very helpful. People often overlook the tires & suspension. Very expensive in these vehicles.

I bought an ML550 without the air suspension. Car also had slow start and it finally got fixed. Previous owner replaced battery and battery cable. Issue was still there till my mechanic replaced the starter. Starter was only 130 but it took few hours labor to replace it.

Hey Joe, been watching your videos since your review of the GL years ago. I’m from Tacoma, Wa bought my GL back in 2006 and only drove it 29,000 up until 2016. I’ve driven it as my daily for the last two years now and I am approximately at 71,600 miles. I am putting about a quart between oil changes. My only concern was for the amount of mileage I put on the first ten years of its life I had it parked downtown Seattle out on the street. So I have water marks galore. Plan is to give it a full paint correction and remove my dealer installed clear bra since it’ll be 12 years it’s been on since Dec 28, 2006. Thanks for your insight over the years on the GL.

The shocks are a problem on these Mercedes BUT with a little mechanical ability and a few free to use tools from Auto zone I changed all four air shocks AND I even bought a air pump thinking that it might go too. In all it cost me $1400 completely finished. I started early Saturday morning and was done by Noon. 5 hours and it was my first time. Now I know I can do it in 2- 2 1/2 hours if someone I know has the same SUV. I believe the guy in the video was taken advantage of the second time around. I believe it was thr rear shocks and the air pump that went and not the front shocks. They do go but like in 8-10 years not quickly. Just my thoughts on it. Oil changes take 1/2 an hour and cost me $65 and that's with an oil filter change. I'm loving the SUV NO DOUBTS AT ALL.. Anyone on Long Island need help with there repairs just send me a message, and we'll save $1000's One last note on the suspension, You can replace these with cold spun steel shocks made for this model. cost $1000 and are life time guarantee. You can buy these and bring them to a local repair shop. Easy exchange if you don't feel up to it. Bought My 2008, 79,000 for $8500! I'll be repeating buying these for as long as people keep selling them. Already looking for one for the Wife

I have a 2008 GL450 as my car in college, I know lucky me, but it has about 145,000 miles, and its actually doing pretty well. It is very fun to throw around in the snow. The engine sounds amazing, and I wish i could get an exhaust on it. And to be honest, I really want to keep my car until it just breaks.

Joe replace your starter. After that she'll fire. Right up. I put in a. BOSCH from FCP Euro.

Ours has been a pain with expensive repairs too. We bought it about 8 years ago for under $20000 with the same 70000 mileage as yours. Just put a few thousand in to it instead of selling because these SUVS are true luxury. The drive is incredible, it's such a great size and it's beautiful Replacing it would be incredibly expensive. It's not a daily driver anymore. We just use it for hauling, long trips and when we have visitors. Going to do some "car camping" in it this summer. We will be holding on to ours for many years to come.

Honest as hell! Thank You for that! 👍

Finally a videos that gives a different (positive) perspective on owning a Mercedes. Do you take your truck into Mercedes for maintenance/repairs or indy shops?

Kid timed out😂.loved it

Ugh I just bought a gl450 with 100k miles on it and you're giving me a heart attack

Damn! Excellent review sir you save my life lol

Ive had a GL450 for the past 3 years, I haven't experienced as much oil issues with my car, but the past 3 years I've only put about 15K miles on it. Ive swapped out the rear shocks but that only costed me $100 for both rear shocks and I haven't had any issues with them, I did do it my self as well. One culprit I had was the air shock compressor, but even that I bought a used one for $100. Still a good car though. Just the MPG on the car I get roughly 11 mpg- 13 in the city and 17 going downhill on the highways, which is the reason I barely put any miles on it. I just use it to tow my boat, jetski and mobile home as well as taking it on road trips and snow utilizing the AWD.

Thanks, So much, I watched your two year old review (only gl450 owner review on KZfaq) before I bought mine, several repairs in, ready to go all the way now as well, thanks for both and yeah, I want to keep it forever. 101-168k miles and purring. 22" AMG s with Falcon 50 series. Big brakes and rotors next. Intake manifold stainless upgrade done.

I own 1 year in NY. Using for 1 car houler🙄its runs runs and again runs....without any problems🤷‍♂️

Hi Joe, do you still have this GL? How long have you had it beyond this video. Thanks

I do my own work save me a fortune 🤣🤣🤣

Thank you!! We are about to buy such a Mercedes GL :)

Bought our W166 ML350 new way back in 2012. Optioned it as we wanted, 155k miles and near 8 years later we still haven't had a reason to upgrade. Everyone hates one those that buy new but if you can maintain them well from new it makes sense to buy them new. We leased a 2010 GL550 before the ML and although we loved that engine of the GL we used the third row maybe twice the entire time we had it. The GL/GLS are great for large families but not us, at least yet. Have you guys looked into the new 7 passenger GLE? We've been considering a GLE450 or 580.

You have to learn to work on it yourself. My wife's GL450 suspension just went out. I ran all part reference numbers, and I priced the parts, front and back air springs, pump, new filter for the pump, solenoid valve, etc. Fixing to get started! Will save literal thousands. Also, get a cheap Harbor Freight tire changer. Buy the bubble balancer to balance your tires as well. Does a fantastic job! Not for commercial use, but does a bang-up job for single family use vehicles! Used on my ML500 Mercedes! Very smooth ride! Guaranteed! Fun to work on, but you better do your homework. Once you learn procedure it's smooth sailing! The GL450 does have 2 batteries. A big full size and an auxiliary smaller battery.

Love Benz. They are crazy expensive but they ride like Tiger tanks ...great video 😊👍

Ours is a 2007 GL450 and it’s currently at 170k miles. Needs a fixer upper (minor issues) but overall it’s a strong fun great SUV I’d still drive around for my daily needs.

Gr8 review. I have seen some pretty cheap at 176K miles but now I see why. To expensive to maintain unless you have money to burn. Not for the working class though.

Is there a aux input in the center consol?

Hi Joe . I m going to make the final decision to buy a pre owned GLS 450 with 40k miles . Do you think I should be confident to do it and enjoy my a couple of years worry less riding ?

ours starts slow too ! it hasnt failed to start, but just starts slow. 2011 GL450 here at 150k miles

Can you do a video with every maintenance item you've had to do from oil changes to Major repares and how much each costed. What mileage you had when replaced...maybe ask the Mercedes mechanic how much certain things are to replace. I heard it's over 100 bucks for window wipers?

The Mercedes GL is a sleeper it’s way more reliable than the X5 and Audis it can actually tow things, it can actually go off road and when your mechanically inclined this truck is the best you can buy them for 4000-6000 at the dealer auction. In my opinion they last

The 07 and 08 is full of problems especially transmission , 2010 and up are much better . But air suspension is always an issue with any model , transfer case replacement is always a must etc🤔 and it's bad on gas, really bad.

Mercedes and Lexus have the best weather resistance paints.

I had the same thing in 2007. It is the Premier Edition with Napa leather and the light colored wood trim, then bought a GL550 in 2009

I own all kinds of mercedes! But I have a R500 for the family! I bought it real cheap but so far I have about 150k on it! The car is very reliable the only thing I done was regular PMs Tire and battery. 500 v8 was built for heavy loads and built for roads! All cars with air bags have to be service!

The potential problem with your hard start is a known and common problem on the 06-08 models. Replace the Cable Harness from the Jump post to the Alternator to the starter motor (Its one cable). This in my opinion should’ve been a recall but wasn’t. It’s a cheap part, try it...you have nothing to lose !!

You guys are great 👍

My stepmoms gl550 is a 2010 and the airbag suspension went out twice. I do not think Mercedes high end cars should be owned longer than 5 years. Great review though, it is a nice suv forsure.

Thanks for video Looking at a 2012-2014 gl450 wanted to get a rough idea on what to possibly expect

Nice review. I disagree with the oil use comment though. If they don't leak oil they are burning it. There's no other options.

JOE in the video, Don't drive it if your shocks go. At all.

The chances of that happening with the shocks losing both front and back is impossible they made you purchase shocks all around. The air shocks are the safest and easiest to change save money

I bought 2011 GL 450 with 30k miles and drives awesome.... I am thinking just put 5k miles a year because I am getting scared it will break. I hope does not break until 60k to 80k miles.

Just put conventional spring suspension if the air ride is not critical.

Great review thanks for it, sorry my bad English, my gl500 2009 in Mexico only has about 50k and only had a blowed air bag, I did the job and I guess was dust that scrape the rubber because the bag has a small perforations,the pump also started to fail I guess because all the carbon dust has no a way out ,just clean several times with wd40 leave a couple of hours to dry and it works again.

As for your slow start follow the module!!!!!!! Update and refresh the software or buy Carly or something she can help you pin point the problem

actually, the recommended Mobil 1 oil for Mercedes is Formula M 5W-40, specifically formulated for Mercedes. but they are rather difficult to find, and only comes in 1 quart bottle, not 5 quart bottle, so much more expensive, even if you can find them. so most people end up using 0W-40.

Thank you for this information

I changed my shocks no big deal bmw x5 and Mercedes just buy parts and do it yourself

I have owned many Mercedes, have 4 now, including a GL450 and none of them have ever "gone thru" a lot of oil. Usually you just check every month and it's all still in there. Maybe add a Quart in six months

Mercedes makes great reliable engine and transmissions.

Really cool review

Thanks for sharing 😁👌

Can you install a backup camera?

Great review

Good afternoon Joe by the way great informative video I found a 2007 GL450 with 183,952 miles for $5,487 would you recommend to purchase not too sure cause if the high mileage thanks

I have a 2008 gl 450. The tail gate lock broke, but I fixed with a new one myself, it came to 30 dollars. The steering pump also failed. Got it replaced. Got one front shock that lowered when it's parked, but apparently there is no leak, it's the valve that fails when parked, so when you turn it on lifts well and also raises well. So I have done nothing about it so far. Mine did came with rear view camera. Maybe yours is disconected.?

We are a Mercedes family. Have bought several over the years. And with a family of four. There is usually three in the driveway. We are thinking about buying a 2012 GL450. It has 127k miles. And seems to be in great shape. The dealership is asking $13k. Does that sound like a good price?

Great review. I am going to buy may be 2013 model. Did you used regular or premium gas? Thanks

if it goes thru oil between oil changes, that means it's burning oil.

Hi Joe! I loved your video. The GL450 just became the car I want to buy next, used. It goes without saying that used luxury vehicles make more financial sense than new or used cheap vehicles. Regarding your car turning on slowly, have you checked the engine starter motor? When those need to be fixed/replaced, the first sign is an engine that is slower than usual to start. SOMETIMES it may go so slow as if the battery is about to die. They can usually work like this for a very long time, as I came to realize on my 2008 Honda CR-V, which had a slow starting engine for over 18 months. I hadn't realized because it was already this way when I bought it!! Eventually it died completely and when I had it replaced, turns out the actual turning speed is really fast! Some things you learn through experience. Hope this helps!

I have a 2013 GL450 truck been hell since I got it I’ve had the truck 2 years haven’t even put 20k miles on it it’s at 111k miles I’ve spent rite at $24k just in the last 5 months very expensive to maintain and of course I only take it to the Dealership big mistake trading in my Range Rover for this GL450 never again going back 2 Range Rover

thank you for this video, but what kind of battery do you use? I mean how many arms

This is the best fucking review on you tube ...thank you so much

Now it’s 2022. Do you still have the GL? And if so, how has it held up? Thanks!

I heard you can get replacement shocks from a brand called Arnott. They are not an original Mercedes-Benz part, but they have great reviews and will save you thousands! My question for you is what makes this car worth it with all of these maintenance items compared to a similarly equipped Lexus? Is the Mercedes that much more comfortable and better than a Lexus GX or LX to justify these massive repair bills? I like Mercedes also, but I don't want a car that is a "money pit."

Thanks so much for posting this! We are in the process of looking for a new car and I saw this car while at a car wash and fell in love. I really like the 2016 models. I haven’t even test driven It yet but this video sure does help us to know what to expect! I know the maintenance is expensive for this luxury car, but would you say it is high maintenance? Like compared to Jeeps-I used to have one and there was always something wrong with it. I hated it! I now have a Toyota Sienna minivan and it’s been amazing as far as maintenance goes-it’s such a workhorse. I guess I want a luxury workhorse now and I am hoping that this car will fit the bill!

Why would you buy a Merc in the middle of nowhere???

Great review, however... THAT IS NOT A TRUCK!! It isn't even truck like. It is an SUV body installed on a beefed up version of the S class car frame. You referenced this yourself in the video. Again, great video, but that is a serious pet peeve of mine.

Give us a 2020 update please

Hey Joe good morning , I'm saying hi from Dallas Texas , great video ! I have a question for you , I have the same vehicle but is the 2011 with 120.000 on it and I'm thinking to do the transmission service, do you think that is a good idea ? I would like to hear your opinion, thank so much in advance.

This is a highly informative video but the wind is almost unbearable. Thanks for making it but please keep wind noise in mind next time you film something.. Open prairies may not be ideal, THUMBS UP

Any vehicle will be expensive to maintain if you will take it to the mechanic for every work.

The reason why the vehicle is starts slowly is because of your starter. The starter needs replaced.

Seems like you guys use it for a lot of utilitarian stuff too so it gets beat on a bit. Especially being in Hawaii you guys are probably on some rough roads a lot, no?

The parts are alot cheaper than what you quoted. You were including mercedes shop labor too. Yes?

Hi Joe, I'm looking at a 2008 GL450 with 175,000 miles $6,500. I test drove it and it drives damm good. Tires are virtually new, drives straight, shocks are good and cosmetically it looks decent. I want to pull trigger and buy it, but the hige mileage scares me. also it has a check engine light, which owner says its cause of an evap leak. Should I pull the trigger and buy it

Great car mate!

Is the insurance premium on this unit similar to average vehicles in your family?

Are the prices you quoted at a dealership or at an independent mechanic?

So it has been reliable except for the shocks. The rest was regular maintenance.

The Fast Lane with Joe Tunney hey im checking out an brand new looking 07 GL450 with 180000 miles on dash , its a private sale and he's asking $5500, could i still get the "buyers inspection" list you speak of somehow or would the owner have to produce it?? He claims to have all carfax and service records on hand.

Hey Joe, do you still have the GL? Anything new gone wrong?

Buying a 2007 Gl450 137,000 miles for 6 grand good buy or not??

Mid 2000s Mercedes give me bad vibes... we have a 2006 ML350 with 147k miles and it seems like it’s dying. Idk something tells me it’s gonna get scary and expensive real quick. We have the oil changes done at Mercedes mostly other than a couple times at the normal oil change shop, and give it Regular gas. Runs ok. I personally think the manufacturer saying you HAVE to use a certain brand of oil is a bit silly. The gas, probably a bit different on your GL with the V8 but the V6 is fine, although logistically they’re pretty much the same engine, just the V8 has two more cylinders 😂

I have an 08 gl550 and sometimes it does start slow to

I have a 2008 gl 450, this one did came with back up camara. the problem I am having is that the navigation dvd is not being read, it tell you that is cant be red, I got a new dvd with updates and is the same story, any advice?

Greatest suv ever made merc✌

Hello Joe, Aloha! Our family just bought a 2009 GL 450 on the Big Island of Hawaii and I am having isssues finding the right mechanic to do the job (RAAb,Big island Honda?, etc.), do you have a referral? Lastly would you recommend Arnott compared to OEM?

Aloha Hawaii! I am going to see a 2008 AWD GL450 4-Magic with mileage of,136,106, 3 months/3,000 miles Powertrain Warranty included $10,995 @ my local used cars dealership. Tell me what you honestly think.

Try running Amsoil on your Mercedes. It might fix that oil problem you have

What do you mean it uses alot if oil? Every 1k miles??? Funny mine doesn't. Mines an 09