Used 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Diesel Consumer Reviews
Used GL-Class for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Nice, but costly to maintain
Abraham, 03/19/2016
updated 09/23/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
41 of 43 people found this review helpful
The performance of my GL350 is unacceptable at any level of quality standards. The Oil Cooler, AdBlu Heater, and GPS unit have all failed, within 5-8 thousand miles of the warranty. The costs to fix all these items are > 10% of the original purchase price of the car, at >$7,000. No one would offer that this performance meets or exceeds the most basic expectations. While MB national and local discounts were offered and accepted (20% off), I told the MB national representative, Andrea D., Case Manager, [contact info removed] that I doubted if that discount was near the profit margins enjoyed by MB on parts and labor, making the ENTIRE cost remediation of these issues on my shoulders. We didn’t SHARE the remediation, I paid for it ALL. I’ve purchased 4 Mercedes since 2008…I’ll not be an eager return MB buyer for my next auto… UPDATE - (9/16) Since this above, I've had the motor on the autolift tailgate fail and need to be replaced. Another $500 down the drain...
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Worst vehicle ever! Better get real good warranty!
Brian, 03/15/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
42 of 45 people found this review helpful
Fell in love with the looks of this vehicle. We had a VW Passat TDI but needed a bigger vehicle, and this seemed perfect. We wanted the diesel for the torque and fuel economy. Very soon after buying it (used with 69,000 miles) we began having problem after problem. Key fob quit working and then mysteriously began working again and now quit again, front wheel bearing went, had it fixed, then had to bring it back after they said they needed to replace it again, got it back and the other one went, then the air strut which began popping over every bump soon after buying it. Motor mounts went, steering column module went bad, transmission valve body had to be replaced, and it still revs and slams into second gear the first time take off in cold weather. Oil cooler seals leak, dealer supposedly changed them but they began leaking again. Never noticed the leak until AFTER they changed them bit it is a common problem. Cost: almost $3,000. AdBlue tank heater went bad, $2,000. Glow plug control module went bad, sway bar bushings and links went bad, tailgate sometimes doesn't close unless you hit the button several times or lock and then u lock with the key fob if you close it with the fob. Can't fold the second row seat back down because the seatbelt gets stuck and I have to unbolt it from the bottom to raise the seat back up. Vehicle now has 83,000 miles. Our Land Rover LR3 never gave us any problems except for an air compressor thay went out and a wheel bearing, which I easilly tackled myself. Fuel economy is dismal for a diesel. Best I can get on the highway is 22 mpg with the cruise set at 75. Cebeer console is poorly designed. You can't put anything in it. Cargo cover is poorly designed. You can't use it without scratching the sides of the vehicle, and the seatbelt snag on it making it a pain to get it into the grooves. I could go on. the LR3 also rode so much smoother, and the headlights were 100 times better, especially the high beams. Cargo carrying was also better even though the GL is much larger. The air suspension also raised and lowered very quickly on the LR3. Takes forever to raise on this vehicle. If you buy one get ready to become good friends with the service people. On the bright side you'll get to test drive alot of cars because at least they give you a loaner car. I can't get rid of this thing either because despite the fact that I got a good deal below book value, it depreciated like a rock. I regret buying this car. I've had BMW's, Land Rovers amd another Mercedes, and while Land Rovers are supposed to be unreliable, this Mercedes is way way worse than any Land Rover I've ever owned, even my 2002 and 2003 discovery II. There are other things I've had to get repaired bUT since there are so many I can't remember them all. I will rejoice the day I can finally get rid of this. Never again will I buy another Mercedes Benz.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class for sale near you
Showing 3 of 76 listings
- GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,699135 mi away
- GL450 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $11,798176 mi away
- GL550 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $29,998264 mi away
See all 76 listings
6 Years of Maintenance Headaches, but still Own It
Jim A., 09/26/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Original owner, vehicle serviced 100% by Mercedes repair/maintenance facilities in San Francisco & Monterey CA. After 50,000 miles, the maintenance problems began, and they are common to many other postings I have seen on the web. Engine oil cooler seals go ($4,000), front wheel bearings leak/go ($3,000), AdBlue Heater goes ($3,000), vehicle loses speed and requires multiple repair visits to finally repair fuel system problem ($2,500), plus regular maintenance that has averaged $1,500 per visit. Vehicle has locked me out twice, battery has unexpectedly drained on several occasions requiring jump-starts, "Check Engine" light goes on way too often, requiring dealership visits. Vehicle itself is a pleasure when it's working properly, but those intervals are getting shorter and shorter. Bought the diesel for power, efficiency and reliability but it's not turing out that way.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Continuous Costly Maintenance
Ken, 03/25/2016
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
29 of 31 people found this review helpful
Here is a list of repairs on our GL350, 2011: 1. Fuel system changed, fuel rail, high pressure fuel pump, all 6 fuel injectors $600 each in part, total cost > $5000. 2. AdBlue preheater, $1300 part, total $2100 3. Pending issues, oil cooler seal leak, estimate $2800, part and labor 4. Pending issues, cold start rattling noise; most likely due to timing chain stretch MUST buy extended warranty if you still want this car. Highly recommend to wait until next business management change at corporate level to bring back their quality products. Currently, it's way below acceptable standard of practicing good business.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
2011 GL 350 Bluetec
Atlanta North, 09/30/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
59 of 73 people found this review helpful
We just recently moved from a 2008 GL 320 CDI to the 2011 GL 350 Bluetec. The fit and finish and additional sound insulation in the 2011 are very noticeable. There are some nice feature upgrades from 2008 to 2011 such as bluetooth, voice control, HD radio etc. MB has definitely taken a step forward on what was already a great vehicle. The larger 20" tires on the '11 are definitely nicer than the 18" on the '08. We loved our previous GL and look forward to even better experience with our '11. In fact already the fuel economy seems slightly improved which was already impressive for such a large vehicle.
Goodbye Audi
Dan, 10/24/2010
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I had been driving an Audi a8l (2007) and a Ford escape hybrid (2008) I wanted to consolidate to 1 vehicle--it needed to be an upscale, fuel efficient, and fairly large SUV (I haave 3 dogs and no way were they getting into the Audi). I found that in 3 years my Audi had taken a $58,000 depreciation hit! Still I liked the q7 tdi, and had never owned a Mercedes--I was so put out by Audi, that I went across the street and fell in love with the gl 350 bluetec. Its sumptuous and amazingly comfortable interior, quiet, quiet ride, beautiful rear visibility and increased cargo over the q7 sold me. I love this car! I give it a thumbs up and [violative content deleted] to Audi!
Better have a warranty
Mark Miller, 02/05/2016
updated 02/16/2017
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car since new. It has been a love hate relationship. The fuel economy is very good for a full size, 3 row, all wheel drive vehicle. I have found the ride and handling and body rigidity to be sub par. Reliability has been below average with an engine leak at 50,000 miles that required the transmission to be dropped and cost $3,000. One of the air bladders in the suspension went out at 55,000 miles which cost $1000. An emission sensor went out at 60,000 miles which cost $2,000. Fuel filter recall occurred twice. You will get to know your service adviser well. That has been my experience with my other European luxury cars. I like the character and comfort of the car over the Asian makes. Given the lack of personality with the Asian equivalents I may try domestic next because the warranty will be out soon. The extended warranty definitely paid for itself. Addendum Watch out for poor resale value. Thanks to VW (diesel gate scandal) as well as Mercedes long term cost of ownership, when I went to trade in my Blue tec diesel for a new BMW X5 5 months ago I was offered $20,000 for a vehicle in perfect working order (other than needing new tires), having all the maintenance records,very good cosmetic shape (garaged throughout its life) with 65,000 miles on the odometer. It lost $53,000 dollars in value over 5 1/2 years. Poor resale is a trend with all Mercedes. They are so expensive to maintain and repair as they get older. Mercedes please get rid of the unnecessary complexity (ie air bladder suspension) which makes maintaining these vehicles past warranty difficult. By the way I bought an BMW X-5 diesel (was on special due to VW again) and its drive train is unbelievably better than the Mercedes diesel. It is the first diesel vehicle I have owned (and that is many) that I cannot tell its a diesel. Getting 28-30 mpg in suburban driving in the BMW with AWD. I no longer own the GL. I can say that my neighbor has traded in his 2015 GL after 2 years due to multiple visits to the dealership for mechanical issues. This vehicles are more complicated than they need to be.
- Safety
- Technology
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very heavy, safe, and fast for its size
Tony, 03/28/2020
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I travel a lot and wanted a safe and comfortable SUV, all I can say is, this is it, I have had most of the issues people are talking about in their reviews, the only difference is that I have 160,000 miles on mine and have done all the maintenance the way I know it should be done, forget the manual, oil should be changed every 3K miles, its a diesel, no matter what you want to call it, its 3K or you will have issues, noise on cold start ups, is a timing chain tension er you can change from the outside of the motor, who else does that, and gave way at 150K miles, minor oil leaks but never the oil cooler seals, again 3K mile oil changes work here, 6 injectors just because was not happy with performance after 160K miles, car was still running, changed out the air suspension pump 180.00 on eBay,no big deal to swap out by any shop. I now have an electrical issue somewhere after replacing injectors, but once my mechanic fixes it,, I have no intentions in trading the car in, still runs like a luxury SUV, looks like a million bucks, and performs very well and feel very safe on the highway. If you dont like to spend money on maintenance, get a low end 4 banger Nissan, bottom line this is a very expensive automobile and so is the maintenance. if this is not what your willing to sacrifice for the price of luxury and performance, stay away.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very nearly perfect
expdek, 09/22/2011
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
Having owned a variety of minivans and large SUV's over the years, we were looking at the new Dodge Durango. A trip to Carmax to check the trade value on our van allowed us to walk the lot and we were taken by a GL450. We wanted new, so went to the local MB dealer and drove the 2011 GL450. End of story, we were sold with the ride, handling, luxury, and style compared to anything we had ever seen. The dealer encouraged us to try a GL350 diesel, and that really made the deal so much better, to have this kind of performance with this kind of fuel economy.
Trouble some vehicle
nafresh, 06/24/2015
updated 07/02/2018
2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL350 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have 2013GL Since 2013 now after 48 months Engine and transmission start leaking oil Overall this 2013 is better than 2009 and 2011
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value