nyc123

love the panamera. would get the new e63 wagon if it come here but not sure if it will

storm10

I would say that G550 is the better choice: Smoother ride, powerfull (not much slower than G55), less expensive and less expensive maintanance, keeps better resale value over the years, time -proven technology. Meanwhile, read this interesting overview: G550 vs. G55 AMG , which gives you G-Class overview, compares g55 to g500 and also compares G class to GL class.

Behike

I mean no disrespect but ...

Why is the G550 a better choice? Do you own or owned a G-class?

"Less expensive"? I doubt money is an issue when you get an SUV that runs on diced giraffes.

"Maintenance"? How is the maintenance of the 55 any different than the 550?

"Time proven technology"? You may try to sound wise but how long as the 5.5 Kompressor been in the market for or as a matter of fact the indestructible AMG 5 speed auto?

And please don't even bring up the GL, are you a soccer mom? Benz attempted to replace the G class with the GL. Guess what? EPIC FAIL!

Your article ends with "Bottom Line: Why buy $10,000 Rolex watches, when you can buy a very good quality $300 Citizen watches? What is the reason to spend money on something that you desire, but can live without?"

Puahahaha!

ps: I agree that the 55 is not for everyone but don't come up and suggest the 550 based on an article written by a journalist that drives some crappy car.

storm10

For your information: most G-Class drivers in LA - are women, "soccer moms" like you said. Because they are crazy about boxy style.

My opinion: G550 is better than G55 - is my personal opinion and is not based on anybody else. You pay $20k more for G55 - just to get 0.6 sec faster acceleration from 0-60! And also show-off your $10 AMG badge , plus G550 is more comfortable to drive.

As far as GL550 - there is no doubt that it has better performance for the on-road drive. I personally raced GL550 at Willow Springs Raceway trek, and I can tell you, that if I race GL550 against your G - I will loose you on the first curve and you will be way behind. Because G-Class is purely designed for the off-road and does not have air-dynamics, handling and maneuverability of GL550. GL has unibody design, G -class has truck design - thats why its incapable to take high-speed corners...

Behike

^ You apparently have not driven a G55. The struts and overall suspension would make a sport car shy. I raced a Mustang on the twisties on Mont-Royal here in Montreal in my 1st G55 (a '09) and the Mustang could not keep up. The G55 has almost no body roll. You DO NOT know how the G55 handles. Do me a favor, do to a MB dealer, act like you can afford a G55 and test drive one. Come back and post your thoughts.

You try to make a point with "I would" and "IFs". i.e. "I would suggest...", "If i raced..."

Not saying the GL is not a good car, I love MB and I am sure it is but ... don't hate the G55 because you love trees and cannot afford one.

storm10

You keep saying that I can't afford G55 and I need to drive it... it sounds like you buy G55 just so you can show-off on how much you spent...

I drove both G55 AMG with older 476 HP before 2007 and newer redesigned 500 HP. Of course, G55 AMG is overall more superior car vs G550, but thats not my point. My point was that G550 is overall BETTER DEAL than G55, because you spend $20k more, but don't gain a lot. When I compare cars, money is not the only factor that I look at.

I'm not saying that G550 has better performance than G55. If you're looking for "Top of the Line" - than get AMG.

Behike

The one very thing I dislike the most in life is showing off or bragging and I hate people who do it. I simply cannot stand them.

If I own and drive a G55 it's because I love the car. I can care less of what others think. My 1st one ('09 silver/black) was stolen few months after I bought it and I got another one ('10 black/black) 2 months ago.

If you had said "My point was that G550 is overall BETTER DEAL than G55, because you spend $20k more, but don't gain a lot." from the beginning, I would not have been ticked like this.

The 550 and 55 are different. The 550 sits much higher and is thus more comfortable. It is also a better candidate for serious off-road as it doesn't have the side tail pipes going out (they are on the side like the 55 but hidden under). The 55 has AMG struts and suspensions making it more stable and has less body roll but harder.

Depends what you like and want.

ps: Meant no disrespect. Apologies for being a bit offensive.

PCH

The G550 and G55 both have an overall height of 76.0". The reason for the slight difference in ride quality is due to the specific shocks and springs used on the two models.

Behike

I am pretty sure there is less clearance between the tire and the body on the 55 than on the 550. So, I think the 55 is a bit lower ...

PCH

'IF' there was it still has nothing to due with the ride quality. Don't take my word for it. Contact your dealer and ask them how the suspension parts differ between the G550 and G55.

Behike

Not saying clearance between body and tire has something to do with ride quality. Mentioned it in reference to height.

I can care less which is lower or higher. I love the G and I driving it.

To me nothing comes close in terms of SUV.

PCH

Don't mean to bust your ***** but I was merely responding to your statement, "The 550 sits much higher and is thus more comfortable. Do you not correlate ride quality to comfort?

Behike

Indirectly yes. Ballz busted!

Marcus Frost

I've owned a GL320, drove a GL550, and a G550. To me, there's simply no comparing the GL class to the G to begin with, and as for the G550 and G55... the argument that "you don't get a lot for the markup" can really be said about any AMG. Look at the 65 versus the 600... same thing applies for a lot of cars. 911 Turbo vs GT2... almost $60k difference, and marginally better performance. You either "get it" or you don't.

The bottom line is you have to be a little nuts to not only appreciate the differences an AMG has for the markup it costs, but those of us who do think it's worth it just "get it". I don't know how else to describe it. We aren't really looking for .6 sec faster 0-60, or little miniscule advantages... the value is in the package, what makes an AMG... well, an AMG. Those who do not "get it", you are free to drive the non-AMG versions all you want. I never considered a G550 when shopping for my G55. As you can tell from my signature, I'm a bit of an AMG "nutcase"

-m

Behike

Could not have said it better.

SCG

I think i'm sort of an expert on this matter.. Having a GL550 and on my 5th G wagon. All of them we're 55's except the 2002 (Didn't make a 55 in 2002)
If you're thinking about RESALE Value... Wrong car for you. As we all know the AMG's drop a lot... But, really who the F cares? NO COMPARISON between a G550 and G55 ZERO! If you're buying a G550 cause of the ride you're smoking crack... It's a TRUCK and they all ride like a truck... If you want comfort and a Benz SUV, then the GL550 is what you need.

I purchased a GL450 (as my soccer mom car) I HATED IT!!! The ride, the interior, power etc etc... 2 months after i purchased it, I got a 2009 GL550... NO comparison between the GL4450 and 550 ZERO!!!

Behike

I was waiting on your input SCG as you owned many G55s.

ps: I sent you a pm, please check, thanks.

nyc123

We own a gl550 as well. It is my wife's car. It is a very good car and good for her. I would not want to drive it daily as a bit too soft and boring for me but still very well made and serves its purpose well.

nyc123

In the end I decided to get a pre owned low mile 2008 e63 wagon for the longer drivers little more comfort . Car has 9,000 miles and it like new condition pick it up tomorrow. It sounds like the US might not be able to get the new 2011 e63 wagon here in the states so having one of the last of this very rare car appeals to me especially since I was able to buy the car for less than 60 cents on the dollar. Going to get another g55 as well. Just cant get myself to spend the money on a RR when the g55 just feels so much more solid. Just debating color either going blk blk again or maybe something more unusual like green or white.

laxexquis

So I guess if you were buying a G more for off road use and winter use you would be better off with a 550?

I have been considering an 09+ G and having mainly been looking at G55s, but considering the fact that I drive an S550 daily, this G would be my winter car here in NY, and after reading this thread maybe a G550 would be better for me?

Looks are not an issue, nor is the need of sports car like handling as I am about to make a deal on an 03 SL55.

What do you guys think? I am willing to spend the extra $ for the 55 if it was worth it, it's funny, I was expecting the 55 to be better off road with more torque and hp, but it makes sense now, the side exhaust and performance tires work against the off road ability.

John

Behike

It really depends on what you mean by "off-road" as it's relative to each and every single one of us. By that I mean rock climbing vs 5 inches of snow on an urban park vs sand dunes in the Middle East.

By no means is the G55 less capable than a G500/550. The only slight little advantage the 500/550 has is the height of the car. Being higher, you have more clearance.

Don't forget that the 500/550 also has the exhaust tips at the same place as the 55; they are not just not extended as much. They end where the ramp begins. You can see them if you look under any 500/550.

The G55 comes with stock tires that are oriented for speed and performance. I had them on last winter (between Montreal and Boston) and I didn't have a single problem. For this winter, I ordered Toyo winter tires in stock size (Observe Open Country G-02 Plus) and will be putting them on this week. I did so to compare with the stock tires and also because I intend to get "dirty" (deep piles of snow and frequent ski trips up north in Quebec with many mountain off-road). Migth as well have fun.

I'd recommend the 55 over the 500/550 for the lower height ride and stiffer suspension for better handling. The 500/550 is too "wiggly" and takes longer to stabilize. Things like bigger and nicer looking wheels, brush guards and light guards add to the appeal (imo).

GL Fahrer

Nice discussion, but please stop perpetuating this mis-information that the G55 sits lower than the G550.
They both offer the EXACT same ground clearance and overall height (Std USA models).

1 Remove the running boards
2 Remove the AMG side pipes (G55)
3 Swap-out some off-road tires and you've got the most capable off-road vehicle in production.

BTW: nice Rolex analogy. No-one who owns a DeepSea will ever take it to a depth of 12,000 feet!!!
Omega Speedmaster Professional; worn on the Moon and certified by NASA for extravehicular activity. No one who pays for one will ever suit-up in earth orbit.

But it sure is nice to own a device which has been built with quality, craftsmanship and tolerances beyond our capabilities. That why I also own a 'G'

just my $.02

Behike

Interesting; good to know. Thought the G55 sat lower due to the height between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender (at least visually).

OK55

If you buy the 550, you'll be miserable each time the real McCoy thunders by...
Brgds

betrezra

Would your decision to own the G55 vs G550 change if you already had another sport car?

Then perhaps you'd like your G to be more of an offroader and your sports car to handle sports car duties..... rather than a sports-car-sub hybrid?

.....

When I get down to it...... even if I had a 997TT sitting in the garage I'd still get the G55 if funds allowed just because.


...... final thought..... we currently drive an 07ML500....... how does the G compare to the ML class?
Say G550 VS ML550 and G55 VS ML63?
We use the ML500 to tow jetskis to/from the beach 90 mi each way..... how would the G55 handle towing duties and sand/dirt pulling?