He was warned! SOOO many things can go wrong on this GL63 AMG! What does the Wizard find?

[@bullittmafia]

I mean in fairness, once Hoovie told me not to buy it I immediately put a deposit on it lol. I haven’t listened to his car advice since he bought that Bentley Continental 😂. Thanks for the vid on the truck Wiz! You should do another video driving it. For all it’s maintenance scares it’s such a boss to drive comfortably or hammer it down and enjoy those turbos 😎

[@hectorsanchez3338]

I have a 2014 gl500 with 24K miles and yes, it is a blast to drive.....just got to take very good care of the engine and service it every 6K miles.

[@Shododaan]

So you and Hoovie - misery loves company?

[@aussie2uGA]

The best way to keep a car coming back into service is to scare the customers with expensive horror stories.

[@bullittmafia]

@@Shododaan two peas in a broken pod lol

[@Private011]

Looks like a fun vehicle. It's all good 👍🏽. Sometimes you just have to let the bear eat you. 😂

[@thomaswinters6586]

You hit the jackpot with Grimes! He's a great asset to your shop.

[@TheBrian2024]

right 🎉

[@MrTilbin]

Because he hired someone that has worked on a certain brand before and seen the same problems over and over again?

[@thomaswinters6586]

If you follow The Wizard, you'd know this isn't the only time Grimes has thoroughly explained a diagnosis of a vehicle. He's not a one trick pony.

[@alanprather8399]

it's very cool of wizard to let grimes and Jake use his shop after hours. wizard is a good fellow helping people starting out.

[@tylerniday8935]

Im a dealer tech myself. This is the way it goes, but they are also great assets to indie shops. Besides learning pattern failures, dealerships spend ten's of thousands to get techs to that knowledge and level.@@MrTilbin

[@JeeperZJ]

Mercedes mechanic here, ive worked on hundreds of these trucks....i will recommend that unless you're buying it with a factory cpo/elw warranty, or don't care about pissing away money....DO NOT BUY ONE! Here are a few things were missed/incorrectly stated. Grimes did a good job running down the list of things that can go wrong with the engine, but left out a few very important ones. So he mentioned the coolant lines, good, we specifically see failures occur with the turbo coolant feed lines specifically, you can also have issues with the radiator upper hose port cracking and causing a small leak. Expect that when performing repairs that any of the smaller coolant/vacuum lines and fittings can and will break, so make sure you have time to wait for parts if you're doing any of this sort of work at home. Another major issue with these engines is that oil gets into the main engine harness via the cam position sensors, there is nothing you can do about this except to have the harness checked at each service interval. The only fix is to replace the engine harness and any components that have been contaminated as well which include fuel injectors, coil packs, cam sensors, cam adjusters, ecu etc....its an extremely costly repair and affects every m278/157 engine. Of minor note, the lower oil pan can leak as well...its a pretty easy job to remove and reseal. Moving on, if you live in a rust belt state you can expect the transmission oil pan to get rusty and in severe cases, leak. If you do alot of all weather driving, it's likely that it will require replacement....I would recommend doing so when it's due for servicing. The transfer case can leak from the rear shaft seal, sometimes from the case half seal as well, keep an eye out for that. Expect the air suspension to require repairs to nearly every component. Typically the rear air springs and link rods are the first to require replacement....as wizard stated the links seize up and can even bend or break, but the rear bags can also leak.....sometimes it's not an external leak as there's internal valving that, after sitting, can allow air to push back to the distribution block located above the compressor and cause a leak. The distribution block valves can also fail, so can the pressure relief valve on the compressor, or the compressor itself...especially if there's been water ingestion. We can pneumatically test many of these components, but if there's nothing conclusive then we go by a process of elimination which can get expensive. In short....I wouldn't recommend the purchase of any w166 gl/gls model to anyone.

[@ericswires8534]

Normally I do not buy something like this but last May I bought a used 2012 Amg E63. It was in immaculate condition and I always wanted one. I knew it was risky with high mileage of 94k but was regularly serviced. I haven’t had any issues yet but after reading your post I’m terrified. Any advice. ? 😵 I’ve had it checked out by my Merc dealer and it didn’t have any major issues that needed addressed.

[@JeeperZJ]

@@ericswires8534 no need to be terrified, but you have to keep up on your maintenance and ask for certain checks. Since you're in an e63 you should ask them to keep an eye on your left front lower control arm, the eye likes to slide on the bushing sleeve.

[@ericswires8534]

@@JeeperZJ thanks 👍🏻

[@hsautomotive7235]

Thanks for all that info, greatly appreciated. I have a 2016 GL550, do you know in which years MB changed the coating on the cylinder liners so these engines don’t have the scoring? I’m not too bothered by any of the other issues but scoring would total this truck out.

[@Prettygoodlawncare]

Is the gls63 engine basically the same block or have they resolved the scoring issues? Thanks.

[@EricArmstrong-vo6dp]

You know it’s bad when Hoovie says don’t buy it.

[@seananderson5850]

Hoovie isn't a fool, he only plays one on TV.

[@annihilist]

We're experiencing a rash of wheel thefts here in Sacramento, CA where I live. Lots of people finding their cars up on cinders in the morning. So yes, that is still happening.

[@Dad2dannyjr]

Same here in Miami. Especially on Honda accords.

[@Steverz32]

I live in Sacramento , they hitting those Camrys HARD! I don’t even think their wheels are special 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@privateer0561]

People are living in tents there; maybe that's a sign?

[@cathrynm]

@@privateer0561 People living in tents -- that's the whole USA these days. maybe not Alaska, because they'd freeze to death there.

[@benztech2262]

@@cathrynm You must be from California.

[@NomadicCratic]

Grimes is on top of everything. He really knows his stuff. Can you post a video driving it?

[@JerzyBoy973]

Had my 2014 for over 5 years. The only mechanical issue I ever had was coolant leaks. It I was extremely diligent with fluid changes. I did have to replace a suspension airbag but that’s wear and tear it only cost me $100 for an aftermarket bag and took 100 minutes to swap.

[@Allen216.]

What engine?

[@burdman516]

My 2017 GLS63 had the same problem with the coolant less then 60,000 miles I choosed to replace all the fittings at once when the first one failed. Currently sitting at 106… with the problems since. It’s been a great car since I bought used with 25k in 2018.

[@johanw9513]

There’s a lot of 10-15 year old expensive premium cars that are on the market for not very expensive prices. A lot of young guys get these, without realizing that the reason they go cheap, is that they are creeping close to maintenance equinox, with a lot of very expensive repairs looming on the horizon. Buyer beware!

[@Nick210]

The trick is to buy a good one for a good price and sell it in 3-6mths. You’re essentially playing Russian roulette with the maintenance and making some money on the back end.

[@Lonnie91a]

I’ve got a 2014 ML with 170,000km. It’s been super reliable.

[@ronjohnson8119]

The W166 ML/GLE have been very reliable vehicles. They are the polar opposite of the GL 166 chassis.

[@imamyusofi5268]

So a ml63 biturbo from 2013 is reliable? The one I've stumbled upon has 193.000 kilometers

[@ronjohnson8119]

@@imamyusofi5268 I would steer away from the AMG versions.

[@imamyusofi5268]

@@ronjohnson8119 got it. The more research i do, the bigger the truth comes out.

[@ShiroUwUs]

Cam covers and coolent issue is not really a issue if you know what to actuality look for. Same for the sensors. Also not hard to replace yourself if you have access to WIS. The cylinder walls are because of lack of maintenance and not doing oil changes.

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

The owner has to be a total idiot to skip services after buying an AMG...

[@Superchargedtio]

Very true . I have a 2014 e63 and 2018 GLE63s

[@vintagetriplex3728]

Weird. I have a friend who had a 2013 CLS 63 with the 5.5L twin turbo V8. He owned it for 9 years and put 140K miles in that car. The only major repair that was done was the timing chain but other then that, minus the rear air suspension failing, he never had any major problems with the engine itself.

[@GrimesGarage]

Surprising the timing chain was done, typical failure mode is the cam adjusters

[@peteyv]

The timing chain on 2012-2013 M157 engines is problematic because of the link design. It was revised in late 2013 production (MY14+) to have thicker links and reduce the chance of stretching. Also an oiling issue in the early M157 timing chains that was remedied by a check valve installation. Other than that only other issue is cam sensor/magnet oil seepage thag seems to be the case on many MBs

[@stephenhunter70]

@@peteyv I wonder if oil pressure is actually the root cause of the no 5 cylinder problem too?

[@diablocls55]

M157 is a hit or miss engine. And people love to shame the m156 for its faults but I’d say the m156 is way more reliable. It’s good ol NA power good for 200k miles with proper maintenance

[@peteyv]

@@stephenhunter70 I believe cylinder 5 issue is actually due to excess heat and not enough cooling. But I am not a mechanic, just an MB enthusiast

[@SA0JIM79]

Wooow i cant believe you almost have 1M subs already!! 🎉🎉🎉 i’m truly happy for you and the family Wizard 😊

[@5000RR]

I had 2013 GL450 4.7 tt car is a tank i loved it so comfy so safe,i did invest 9k into repairs first year but worth every penny

[@Vizenz121_OR]

To be fair, it was a lot of the earlier engines that were affected by these problems. The cylinder liners I believe were changed around 2015/2016 from the Silitec to the updated Nanoslide cylinder liners which are much more duarable and ever since they did that, I haven't heard of anymore cylinder scoring. They are actually really reliable engines overall as far as I know, as long as you check the TJ's and stay up to date on the repair information. Also not all Silitec engines can have scoring but I personally wouldn't buy one. Especially 2014. That's taking a big gamble. Buy a later model year of the engine if you don't want any problems. In terms of the coolant loss issue oil was also mixing with coolant etc that was also fixed after Dec 2013 manufacturing date. So that should no longer be a big problem anymore. As far as the lines yes they can leak still though. As for the worn valve guides that problem was also fixed according to MB after engine number 2789xx 30 128000. And I believe it only affected the 278 version.

[@EvanderHolyfield]

So if you were ever to get one- what year would you say is the oldest model you could still get to avoid most of the common issues?

[@Vizenz121_OR]

@@EvanderHolyfield None probably unless it was a really good deal. I would have to take out a spark plug and see if a pen magnet would stick to the cylinder wall. Then I would be comfortable. If it doesn't then I am not sure I would buy that particular engine. If it sticks it's Nanoslide if it doesn't it's Silitec. That's the only way of knowing as far as I know. Mercedes-Benz has kept pretty tight lipped about this. It always seems to be the front 2 cylinders. I would probably just skip it and go to the 177/178 based engines if it were my money. 157/278 can be a very reliable engine though but there is always that chance and unless I am making a bunch of YT revenue or something, it's not worth it for me. It can cost 40-50k if someone were to go through Mercedes. Just give me an old 113k. Am I being a little bit too cautious? Ya probably but that's just my opinion. The other engines used that coating too but they are great engines and I think it had something to do with the heat on the 157/278 or something because the 112/113's etc had Silitec and all those were solid engines but some are suspecting that it's the rod and piston design of the 278/157 combined with Silitec because non or very few of the older Silitec engines had that problem. I can't say for sure when they switched but the only way to tell if it has is by using a borescope or magnet through the spark plug and checking. The Nanoslide cylinder walls are much harder too. The Silitec will have an almost yellowish coating. You will be able to tell.

[@jgripen969]

@@Vizenz121_OR Same story with all German cars. They’re shit for the first model years, then a facelift comes around and fixes them.

[@jaymanrun1]

Thank you for the info. I was in the market for a2015 Ml 63 but you just scared the sh*t outta me. Now I’m rethinking it.

[@Vizenz121_OR]

@@jgripen969 It depends though. My SL55 was a first model year car and it's been terrific dependability wise. Ya they made some changes to the ABC for sure but overall it was a good system. This rule though overall I think can go for all kinds of different cars Toyota too.

[@crazyfroggie6546]

i always used to say to customers keep the locking wheel nut key in the glovebox, its the first place anyone looks.

[@williamegler8771]

Strange how two different owners can have two different ownership experiences with the same model. I have virtually the same vehicle and although it has not been as trouble-free as a Lexus it hasn't been that bad either. It is been maintained by the book first at the dealership and after the warranty ran out at a well-respected import shop. It has been significantly more reliable than the Range Rover Sport it replaced.

[@bngr_bngr]

Anything is more reliable than a RR.

[@williamegler8771]

@bngr_bngr Don't say that too loud! I commented on the reliability problems my wife and I were having and I got slammed by owners claiming they had NEVER had a single issue with theirs and they were as bulletproof as a Toyota.

[@MJA5]

@@williamegler8771I can guarantee you they are not.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@williamegler8771 my friend said her RR Evoque was the best car ever. After three years she traded it for a Lexus NX. I don’t understand why expensive luxury cars are not more reliable.

[@williamegler8771]

@@MJA5 Did you own mine?

[@CrazyUncleChris]

Jaime and I are SOOO happy I listened to your advice about not buying the GL and getting the ML350 instead. It's absolutely flawless a year later.

[@drunvert]

MLs are rock solid

[@AeroGuy07]

In the early 2000s, there was an office building in northern Cincinnati whose parking lot was used for overflow for a chain of local car dealers, mostly Mazda. One morning, I pulled in the lot and three brand new Mazdaspeed 3's were sitting on blocks and rotors because the wheels had been stolen.

[@stevenf7683]

I have seen cars up on blocks 4 times in the last year. Security lug bolts are something that SHOULD be done. People are getting desperate now.

[@georgebettiol8338]

You are correct, rims (especially the rare types) continue to get stolen - usually in large cities. However, the more attractive option for the average criminal is the catalytic convertor - which in most cases is simpler and quicker to remove.

[@felixrobitaille8170]

A curb rash is better thief deterent haha and I dont have to remove your "security" stuff because the key broke or you just lose it. Depending on the car it takes between 2 and 30min to remove the security thing on all 4 wheels

[@mikep490]

@@felixrobitaille8170 True and thieves often have removal tools, maybe your own if you leave it in your car. I'm thinking of a friend's son who had new tires/wheels put on his car. Less than a week later he found it on 4 cinder blocks. That one seemed suspicious to me, maybe an inside job.

[@jeeefthegreat7555]

Well many of us don't live in broke a** areas like you do.

[@keithbellair9508]

Yep.. wheels and tires are an easy heist and easy to sale

[@stevenveach6984]

"Only a fool buys an out of warranty AMG " - a very wise man

[@privateer0561]

"Only a fool buys an out of warranty AMG " - AMG themselves

[@dingdong2103]

Only an idiot skips services on an AMG. - Confutse.

[@eliezerramosjr1017]

Only a fool buys a Benz. Period

[@ajlopez6219]

I’ve been super happy with my used w205 C63s. No problems yet

[@deebocj]

At least she’s pretty 🤩 😂🤣

[@MercedesE63S-AMG]

I have a 2016 E63S with the same engine. I know the 2014-early 2015 in my model which is probably the same for the GL63 had some engine & block issues but they fixed it all in 2015. I didn't catch what year this GL was. My E63S has almost 140k on it. I had my engine scoped a couple years ago & the cylinders looked perfect. The only issues I have had with mine is like he said the stupid plastic elbows & etc that Mercedes put in the cooling lines. I replaced all of my lines & the new lines I removed the elbows & all of the plastic I could & put metal ones in there with actual hose clamps & not those stupid Mercedes round band ones with a couple of dimples to hold them on. I had problems with those stupid things just popping off randomly. Lastly & most expensive repair was my transmission that I had to replace a couple years ago. Some German engineer thought it would be a good idea to put the propeller shaft (front shaft for the front tires)'s rear ujoint inside the transmission. So guess what started to go bad? That rear ujoint. They said once it starts making any noises it's too late to open the transmission up & just replace that ujoint because it's already doing damage to other stuff inside the transmission. They don't make brand new 7 speed transmissions anymore. You have to get a remanufactured one from Mercedes & cheapest was $7500 installed. It came with 2 year warranty unlimited miles. I think it just ran out like a month ago. 🤷 Other than those 2 issues (cooling lines/transmission) it has been a great car. I raced it every Wednesday at a local nascar oval track until this year because of work I don't have the time now to do it. So it has been ran hard & performed very well. I have won a lot of the events in those years with it against cars that were pretty much all out race cars. My car is stock & I drive it pretty much every day. I also have another Mercedes that wizard loves too. I have a 2005 CL55 AMG. Yes all of the suspension hydraulic struts & stuff has been replaced except lines & stuff like that. It's not that expensive if you do all the work yourself. No issues with its suspension, engine or transmission. The only thing I've done to it over the years was lower it. It used to be my daily until I got the E63S. The CL55 & my 3800 SC GTP motor swapped completely restored 1986 Fiero GT just pretty much just sit around. They get driven once & a blue moon. 🤷

[@tmph1814]

It seems Grimes is the real deal on Mercedes expertise I'm very impressed of his knowledge and communication

[@maximusfuscus]

Took my GL350 Bluetec transmission out 4 times (by myself). It was leaking fluid from the bellhousing. Very small drip. The pump was pristine, even took it to a good trans shop, they confirmed it was not the issue. The pump bearing good. Replaced main front seal twice, just in case I didn’t press it perfectly. To no avail, still leaking. Rebuilt torque converter. Still leaking. It was working normally. Sold it as it was at a loss. My previous ML320 CDI was a hero towing my RV with almost no issues but got taken out by a flying moose.

[@Potrice1337]

You probably had the common oil cooler seals leak. My 2013 ML350 Bluetec is now at 302 000 km and runs like new except for a very minor leak (oil cooler seals). It's a 2.5k job but I never bothered to fix it since the leak is extremely minor.

[@maximusfuscus]

@@Potrice1337 - I had that fixed, my ML had it. That was black oil, the transmission fluid is very different. Not related.

[@JoshPhelps-q2k]

I had a 2013 CL63 M157 and kept til 140k miles. Tuned by Eurocharged 850ft lbs of trq 751hp w/ Xpipe. Never had engine or transmission issues. Replaced consumables and wear and tear items. LEGENDARY MOTOR

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

This exact situation happened to my knucklehead brother during the lockdowns. He bought a 2015 SL500 that was $100,000 brand new and paid only $15,000 for it with only 99,500 miles on it. I warned him the reason it is so cheap is because it will cost $40,000 to service that Mercedes to go another 100,000 miles. He didn't believe me. Anyway, he drove it for about 10,000 miles and then had to take it in for services. Not only did he have major mechanical issues that had to be addressed, but also had a major issue with the convertible roof that itself was $15,000. The final bill was almost $45,000 to fix everything and do the required maintenance....so he sold it for $8,000 and lost $7,000. Only people who hate their money buy BMW's, Land Rovers, and Mercedes Benz.

[@duckhunter8387]

He didn't loose $7k. He just drove a car that cost $1.42 + gas to drive.

[@privateer0561]

He got away cheap. 70 cents a mile isn't bad at all.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Middle class people should not buy those vehicles period, they're not middle class vehicles, they're for wealthy people that wouldn't bat an eye at a big repair bill, or just buy a new one every 3 years. I tell people that all the time, yet one of my friends just bought a used Land Rover. All I can do is shake my head.

[@felixrobitaille8170]

My coworker bought an SL350 1993 for cheap and was so happy. He then ask me for help with some electrical issues on the exterior light (I am a mechanic and he is a tire guy). I was like sure buy new wiring harnesses and strip the car first because those have biodegradable wiring harnesses. He did not believe me until he called the Mercedes dealer

[@miguelvega7769]

My 2010 bmw x5 xdrive30i says different 😂😂 N52 engines are extremely excellent, and don’t have issues unlike V8s and diesel

[@risinbison1106]

Grimes is the very definition of don’t judge a book by its cover.

[@klenner]

I was watching this and at 02:55 Disco Elysium booted in the background and the melancholic music really fit when he started talking about the engine. 10/10 content wizard

[@MarkoVukovic0]

Such a pity that the Merc V8 engines of late seem to be far less reliable than e.g. the M113, which is practically bulletproof. Where did they go wrong?

[@GrimesGarage]

More exotic materials, more tech in the name of efficiency, tighter tolerance, forced induction, etc. the m113, m112 and m111 were absolutely rock solid.

[@frankmagana1408]

Its weird, I have an E63 with this M157 engine, have had it 10000 miles and it has been reliable. All my research pointed to these engines being reliable. Couple of issues lie within the engine mounts and the cam sensors and magnets, where they would leak internally and the oil would wick to the ECU and fry it. That being said, M113k is a more reliable motor

[@georgebettiol8338]

Probably because the cost of a bean counter is far cheaper than an engineer. What's more, I suspect it was a bean counter that did the stress analysis on the 'gumby type' link rod.

[@diablocls55]

M156 is decent despite its faults. I would never trust the 157 or 177/178.

[@kevin9c1]

I have heard stories that the M272/M273 was based on the M112/113. Obviously totally different heads and other things but sort of loosely based on it. Then with the M278 and M157, my understanding is they did not have the hot V M177 ready yet (BMW beat them to that), so they ended up with this solution in 2011/2012. They are a decent driving engine, sound good and get pretty good fuel economy but yeah, they scare me and I have an M157. I used to have an M113K and it had its own issues. Aside from leaks, my E55 was known to have a "fatal oil pump tube O-ring" that would harden with age and eventually drop oil pressure. Mercedes didn't and largely still does not equip their vehicles with oil pressure sensors so by the time you figure it out it's way too late. I did not have any known issues with oil pressure on my 04 E55 @ 143k but then it was totaled (it seems to be back on the road, however, according to Carfax).

[@jamesweatherley9215]

I've got a 2018 C63s with the M177 4 litre biturbo V8. It's not the cheapest thing to get serviced, but as the Wizard says you have to keep up with it. It's so much fun to drive though! My engine was built by Sebastien Ziegler.

[@kybruce1]

I agree that locking lugs are a huge pain. Have taken them off a few new cars I have bought. Also, the tin caps on many Ford and GM cars and trucks are worthless. I always change those out with regular lug nuts

[@kevin9c1]

I bought my 2014 E63S from the original owner at around 97, 98k. Full dealer service. I am at 101k and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about my M157. No issues currently but I plan to do a Blackstone oil analysis next oil change. And I will not tune the engine. That seems to increase the risk of cylinder scoring a lot. Plus they are octane sensitive and a little knock will burn pistons/rings/score the cylinder walls. The advice is good. Maintain it fully, switch to 5k oil change intervals (I think the dealer was doing 10k before which I try not to think about), and keep up on warnings signs for the common/expensive failures. Then, just enjoy it. I wouldn't be happier with a Honda Accord.

[@BubblesTheCat1]

Mr wizard here in South Africa it's a big thing you see cars every morning standing on cinder blocks, wheels gone😂

[@FrankCrow]

I have a 2024 GLE 450 on order. I couldn't afford the 580 or anything AMG. It seems like a really nice car! I'm really glad that there wasn't any huge issues with this one. At least so far!

[@FrankUrsino]

enjoy. Longtime Benz owner and most models are absolute joys to drive and own.

[@wildbill6366]

Grimes is a car genius.... 🥇 Gold..

[@derekheld1427]

I bought my car used and it came with wheel locks and just like you say, no key! Luckily it was an OEM one so a short trip to a dealer later and a wallet $20 lighter and I had a replacement.

[@bigbill709]

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

[@jerrywh3]

Yes wheels are still stolen. 4 years ago a Chevy dealership in Covington, LA had over a 124 wheels and tires stolen.

[@7s29]

Mercedes really know their planned obsolescence.

[@LayzeeGiant]

If you don’t think wheels get stolen anymore, come down to Tulsa. My neighbors truck got the wheels stolen off of it in the HillCrest Hospital parking lot.

[@marksrepairj623]

Better pull that #5 spark plug and look in that cylinder for scoring now

[@LilYeshua]

I always store my wheel lug lock tool with my spare tire. Back in the eighties one of our customer's car broke down in town and when he went to have it towed someone already put the car up on blocks and stole the wheels

[@NGMonocrom]

If I ever buy a luxury SUV, it's going to be a Lexus.

[@adrianhicks1616]

I also famously told him NOT to buy a CERTAIN BLACK FERRARI 355 that ended up burning to the ground.

[@GrandMoffJoseph]

5:52 - you need to have it play that magic sound every time you give Hoovie another cost estimate. xD

[@Anonymous-zv9hk]

For an older couple who wants a really comfortable, quiet car in which to travel over our terrible Interstate highways (in SC) to visit grandkids, etc., (10,000 miles per year), what do you think about acquiring one of the 2017 to 2020 Lincoln Continentals, with low mileage, no accidents?

[@bleachstain9785]

Considering they just cancelled the platform, and it’s based on the Ford Taurus platform. I’d say it’s likely a decent car more or less. As always, avoid the ecoboost if you don’t want surprise repairs.

[@TM15R]

"AMG"...ALL MONEY GONE............

[@seamasrigh2162]

I've always wondered where Owners Manuals go. Until recently every used car I ever got the Manual was always missing.

[@Danno2020]

Would love to see a Wizard review of the 2017-19 GLS 450. The AMG and 550 always get the most attention, but what about reliability of the bi-turbo V6 in the 450?

[@GrimesGarage]

M256DE are solid. Outside of the cam cover leaks that all the 256/8 and derivatives are plagued with, I’ve seen a few CCV hose failures. Never had to open any of those engines up.

[@ozarkliving7263]

Get a Land Cruiser, don’t be stupid

[@kevin9c1]

@@GrimesGarage I think you mean M276?

[@GrimesGarage]

@@kevin9c1 you’re right. 😅

[@Ovules]

@@GrimesGaragehey man. Do you think a 1998-2002 e320 benz is reliable?

[@HEXGlenn]

I saw a pickup on cinder blocks about 2 years ago, inside a gated parking garage.

[@EarlSinclair97]

Rob should have run far, and fast.

[@astonmartinvee8]

I've got a 2015 CLS63S with the same engine with 45K miles. Services at main dealer annually. Stock standard. We've recently changed the cam sensors as a precaution (to help avoid oil in wiring issue). Only non-service item other than the cam sensors is one coil went and had to be replaced about 10K miles ago. That's it.

[@colewo92]

On a side note, I daily drive a 2014 MB ML 350 with 100k miles and it’s very reliable with good gas mileage. I would one day like to upgrade to a 2013-2016 Ml 550 with the 4.4l V8 TT. Is that in the same boat as the ML63 in terms of reliability?

[@GrimesGarage]

The 2014 should have the m276 v6, which is an absolutely stellar engine packed with tons of tech. The ml550 would have the 278 which the amg engine is based on.

[@kevin9c1]

The M278 is a 4.7L. Its big brother is the 5.5L AMG M157.

[@thnktank1]

Thank you guys, helping me narrow down. 👍

[@Anne6621]

that Mercedes will run fine with no issues if you only did an extensive detail inside and out and on the engine bay and undercarriage because it is a proven fact that all cars run better after an extensive wash and detail !!

[@rashaansmith1978]

😮😂😂😂😂

[@dodgeguyz]

It’s been (unscientifically) proven that a car seems to know when it’s taken care of. I’ve seen it. You can have the same car with 2 different owners and the one that isn’t maintained will always have all sorts of weird failures as opposed to the one that is taken care of! And I’m talking about stupid shit breaking like switches, sunroofs and stuff like that. A car just seems to know when to give up.

[@Anne6621]

@@dodgeguyz it seems you failed to realize i was only making a joke

[@dodgeguyz]

@@Anne6621 I know. So was I.

[@rocsamg]

i bought one new in 2013, has 180k miles on it, not a single problem besides an alternator and a rear bag, i have an m156 amg nd worry everyday if today is the day for a major, issue, it has 160k miles on it. ive had 15+ mercedes and not a single major issue! maintain them and they will be just fine!

[@GrimesGarage]

M156 are fairly solid but not without their own unique faults. Valve cover seal, cam solenoid seals and intake corrosion are all common

[@duancoviero9759]

I have seen cars sitting on blocks 3 times last year. Twice in San Francisco and once in Las Vegas. All 3 of the vehicles involved had custom wheels though. Security Lugs might be worth it if you have expensive wheels that attract attention.

[@diablocls55]

This is what happens when you vote for democrats

[@bleachstain9785]

Boy am I glad I didn’t throw my Mandrus on my 211 yet then.

[@eberafre6213]

I have a 2015 GL63 AMG 4 matic it is normaly driven 10,000 miles a year, Eng.oil changed at 4500 mi. Trans oil and filter changed around every 20,000. I dont like going to the dealership so i do the maint. My self. I believe my maintenance schedule is working out for me because i have had no problems with the car. I never use aftermarket parts. I have also enjoyed owning other models in the past like the Cls550 and the S500. I hope my experiences help you, cheers.

[@mclarenjohnf1]

Daniel San is great and Grimes! is filling that Hole that Daniel is not a fan of. The Wizard is getting a dream team back together.

[@jedwin4816]

From watching Hoovie and now The Wizards videos: Where does the Wizard find these very experienced young guys who are top-tier exotic car mechanics- in Kansas of all places? These guys sound like they've been in the business for decades already.

[@kevin9c1]

@@jedwin4816 Well I assume he is able to hire them by paying them well and possibly tempting them further with the possibility of their own KZbin/spin off situation.

[@jedwin4816]

@@kevin9c1 none of them so far seem all that jazzed about being on camera but they play along. I wish them all the best.

[@kevin9c1]

@@jedwin4816 That's because they are developing those skills while working for the Wizard.

[@vickimcintosh3004]

Hi Bud and Jen. Keep up the good work.

[@johnnymontecristo4050]

Wizard: you don't need security locks San Francisco: enters chat.

[@ndafarachaitezvi1139]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@M157-04LLY]

I bought a 2014 ml63AMG 2014 performance package with 39,000 miles for 39,000$ Not a single dint or scratch on it. All rotors are in great condition/ the average fuel mileage was at 14.6 mpg at an average speed of around 40 mph . It hasn’t been reset in 21k miles That tells me it was mainly highway driven mine is mainly city driven and I average 12 mpg at a speed of 24 mph for the past 9k miles that I have had it . The cam sensors leak oil into the ECU mounted on the top of the engine. I replaced those right away as a preventative. There is a sensor under the vehicle for to adjust oil pressure while idling and I disconnect that to maintain full oil pressure at all times. No leaks , it has the new timing chain with no obvious wear or discoloration. Turbo waste gates aren’t rattling excessively Turbo coolant level was at full mark ( this usually is low because people fail to check it ) Has tons of power. Oil changes are going to be done from here on out every 4-5 k miles KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS . I hope I found a good one 🥲 I’m aware of the issues theses have … and they are not cheap at all. Actually really scary . Haha

[@qthetroll]

that’s crazy because i’ve owned 3 of these and never had issues

[@rashaansmith1978]

3 of them huh😢😂😂😂😂😂

[@kerrylewis2581]

New or used? How long did you own and how many miles?

[@qthetroll]

@@rashaansmith1978 yes because i had a GL450 upgraded to GL550 then GLS63 🤪🤡

[@qthetroll]

@@kerrylewis2581 i got them at 75k and had them close to 130k. only issue outside of normal maintenance was a plastic coolant hose on the expansion tank broke. no other issues. these are solid vehicles as long as you do proper maintenance on time.

[@johnnytacosauce]

​@@qthetrollrespect to you sir owned one German car and would never do it again🤣

[@jimdunne1900]

AMG is a great optional performance package. The 5.5 TT hits hard in the C63. SUVs being heavy AWD is heavy and slows but offers more utility and passenger space. Probably over $100k new, a good buy used.

[@dangarcia4866]

Why anyone buys these things is a mystery. To me, the definition of luxury is something that reliably stands the test of time. In that context, nothing is more luxurious than a Lexus or Toyota product.

[@diablocls55]

But life is too short for boring cars

[@ammoalamo6485]

@@diablocls55 Lease the exciting ones on the shortest possible lease; buy the reliable, boring ones. But I think what most people want is a car that impresses their neighbors and co-workers.

[@mfn1077]

@@ammoalamo6485how do I lease ? I’m 19

[@DKK]

Love the generalization “they all have problems”. 😂 I wouldn’t come to your shop if the work was free

[@jeffzekas]

My dad bought one Mercedes, after spending thousands of dollars on it, he sold the Mercedes and bought a Chevy station wagon, a decision he never regretted.

[@jb4038]

"The Achilles heel" on these is EVERTHING!!!!!!

[@2001perseus.]

You can kinda understand why Rob didn't listen to Hoovie, who to be fair has probably bought more clunkers than anybody else he knows.

[@thumpinthenight1917]

Some DIY, tricks and tips videos would be sweet! Love your channel

[@felixbaum48]

Damn, Grimes is just great! Question for Grimes: Are there any GL's that ARE RELIABLE? No air suspension + GL350 diesel perhaps?

[@semajniffirg230]

2017-2019 gls450 have a good engine

[@bleachstain9785]

When the air suspension goes boom, just replace it with a strut masters kit, or coilovers. That’s what 90% of us do.

[@DueVolvi]

Wow, Grimes very nice to listen to, great performance!

[@67daltonknox]

As they used to say, a wealthy man buys a new AMG Benz, only a rich man buys a used one.

[@duancoviero9759]

who's they???

[@Creek_Hunter]

Let's not forget the extended warranty bulletin for the exhaust valve issues plaguing the M278 in these cars. Just had the dealer rebuild the top end with $0 on my end, but it took them 45 days. The final bill was around $32k,iirc. And of course, they have found oil in the wire harness.

[@GrimesGarage]

Cam sensor leaks. Also really common on the m276/8 and m157

[@Creek_Hunter]

@@GrimesGarage It was only a $105,000 SUV, after all. German quality - not so much.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox6627]

You should take a look at Auto Auction Rebuilds. Randy has bought two Ford F150’s at his usual IAA Auction yard which had been stolen and guess what… both had missing wheels… so it does still happen. He wasn’t too bothered as he ended up with two cheap trucks that he had to source some wheels for… BIG DEAL!

[@nellayema2455]

Mrs. Wizards witty comments and retorts in the background crack me up.

[@Mastermind12358]

If you can't afford em new, you can't afford em used. No matter how "cheap" they are.

[@mfn1077]

Bro the markups are Insane will doing your own work help?

[@Mastermind12358]

Sure, but you'll be pulling your hair out and paying some insane prices for some parts. @@mfn1077

[@ericpowers2469]

I consider locking lugs a piece of mind security item. I replaced the OEM single lock with a full set of 6 per wheel, and bought an extra key lug.

[@josueelombre931]

I can hear a certain mechanic laughing in the background yelling “endless money pit!”

[@christopherkraft1327]

Another great video from the Wizard, Mrs Wizard & the team!!! 👍👍🙂

[@martinehrlich3908]

Drop an LS into it!

[@MarkoVukovic0]

HAHAHA, not the worst idea.

[@elmundo1871]

My GL450 has been great. Suspension and regular maintenance is all that's been needed in the last few years. Expensive at the dealership but, I just do it myself. Much less expensive.

[@aknsg1]

Does Gl 450 has turbos and direct injections? I'm thinking of buying gl 450 but I'm hesitating to buy

[@Calvin7007]

Buy Toyota Only 😎

[@bigbill709]

Back in the mid eighty's I had a Chevy monte carlo with rally wheels came out one morning to go to work some had stolen both my passenger side wheels left it on blocks.

[@bigbill709]

Sounds like over priced junk ?

[@hitmanhite8958]

I had the GL550, the non turbo version. I was by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned, I liked it more than my 911. But yes it was a maintenance nightmare once warranty was gone, but man, nicest SUV on the road.

[@1982dsc]

They are cheap though!

[@bankait_rex1860]

Yep just like BMW's , wondering why ?? hmmmm lol something that not even HOovie would bite is something I do not want to even see in pictures lol.

[@zephead843]

I like how Wizard casually throws in, "Yeah, Mrs. Wizard's Maserati."

[@GMCGUY-]

Junk

[@JustinFrascona]

I owned a 2014 e550 same power train but the 4.7 , it was really reliable never had a major issue. Did experience the cam sensors leaking, motor mount failures 3 times, and the plastic intake pipes getting torn up from the torque of the motor. My w211 did the same though. Wrecked the car at 130k miles car was tuned and abused I never had a serious problem with it. But I did over service the vehicle, oil changes every 3-5k miles. Of course brakes and suspension needed work at some points as well but that would be true for any vehicle.

[@billd66]

Wheel theft is definitely a thing in greater Boston, where I live, but it seems like Hondas and Acuras get targeted a lot for whatever reason.

[@anthonymolina7416]

You’ll see a lot of older gen honda crv and accords with current gen Honda wheels Lol 😂

[@556bc]

my steel wheels were stolen in Honolulu when it was parked on a semi-busy street from my 4 door Chevy POS car some odd years ago. At least they left the cyder blocks.

[@Aaron48219]

I live in Detroit and still see cars on cinder blocks from time to time. It's still a thing.

[@hvguy]

I have a 2017 gls550 and the air suspension bags need replaced every 80k, arnott makes some good bags. And the compressor wears out if you let it go with bad bags for long. Replace the plastic turbo coolant lines at 60k and itll be good Front bags are in the same boat. The scoring cylinders are odd, it seems hit or miss.

[@darkside3345]

Here in Colorado people still get their vehicle stolen and the wheels taken off its crazy. Its worse during winter you see vehicles all the time stolen on cinder blocks.

[@jamesstewart3771]

The wheel lock key gets lost because of tire places not putting them back .

[@jbisschj7992]

2015 G63 on 84K KM's. Besides a cam case cover leak (known issue) that was fixed in 2021 and power steering line rubber elbow (known issue) fixed in 2023, absolutely no issues at all 😊 But I do wait religiously for oil and coolant temp to be up to operating temperature before any wide open trottle action.

[@pokFryRicebich]

I just bought a GL450. For cheap low miles only 52k 1 Owner. $4700 in maintenance and axel boot repair 1 month in at dealership. All air struts already replaced at dealership thank goodness.It's an expensive vehicle to maintain however ride quality and comfort is unbeatable. You feel like a King driving these things.

[@sjcjlc]

more valuable information from the wizard. thank you!!

[@Daddyj2007]

My cylinder 8 wall was scored and loss compression and a new motor was 20k needless to say I no longer own it