Quote:
Originally Posted by bfeng
I think these are pretty unreliable due to the diesel emissions system and then a host of well known other weaknesses. In addition to the mentioned weak areas, my steering rack is starting to seize ($2500), the air bags failed ($350) hvac blower failed ($250), the wood trim all crazed/cracked in the first winter out of warranty ($800), and it's full of buzzes and rattles. I've had mine going on 5 years and am averaging $2000 a year in repairs (in addition to maintenance work). My towing mpg is about 13 at 65mph pulling a 6000lbs encoded car hauler, and it runs out of power going up steep hills at 75mph. I think a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT might tow better. I'm sure if I did a delete and tune it would tow better. But I'm a tree hugger so no emissions delete for me. Overall a nice SUV, but not at all reliable. Our Mercedes W166 has simular miles and no repairs. Our previous W164 Mercedes went 175k without any major repairs and went to a new owner running strong.
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$250 to replace a blower motor? It’s a $90 part, and 15 minutes of work... if you lost your screwdriver and had to spend 5 minutes looking for it.
Arnott bags with lifetime warranty should’ve been $120 a side, so $240 total... but those of us with coil springs don’t have to worry. Admitted I could probably use new front springs, they’re rustier than they should be.
I’ve personally never heard of steering rack problems, I don’t think that’s common at all. And I got 20mpg average towing long distance with 7k lbs Of open car hauler behind me- pulling an (enclosed) wall is hard!
In my experience, fixes on this vehicle are no more expensive than my Acura TL was. With the exception of emissions, of course. I would say that it’s very advantageous to have another car and be willing to DIY things, but that’s true for any luxury vehicle.
And towing, I could accelerated up the steepest highway hills I could find, up to 85. My trailer tires are only rated to 80 so I’m not really willing to go much higher, or stay there for any more than a few seconds. If I’m willing to torture it, I really feel I could’ve pulled 7k uphill at 75+ until my fuel ran out.