nyc123

I have never driven a g550. Anybody that has driven or owned both I am wondering how different is the ride in the g550 ? Is the suspension much different ? Much less harsh on the bumps or not that different ?

Roar

I drove a 2010 G550 because the dealer did not have a 2010 G55 in stock. I am an AMG fan & have to admit, I was surprised by the G550... the "roar" of the exhaust, the surprisingly good response to mashing the pedal & the comfort of the ride. I went to another dealer to drive a G55, fully confident that it would be no question the AMG would be far superior, & was shocked to have to think twice about it.

Ended up with a 2010 G55 because... well, it's an AMG ! Took 2 hours to drive 50 miles in Friday nite rain/traffic, but it was wonderful!

G55AMG-CRH

I agree 100% with "Roar." I was recently shopping for another SUV and drove the 2010 G550 because the dealer didn't have a 2010 G55. The new 550 has the same power as my 04 G55 and the same grunt and exhaust roar. The ride was also a bit softer then the AMG. Interior is pretty much unchanged other then the new thicker steering wheel and sturdier lumbar, bolster seat controls.

The decision is exactly what Roar says. "The AMG is the AMG." Way better curb appeal, killer side exhaust, crazy power, upgraded interior. The subtle, more squat body styling for me is the reason for the AMG purchase. The 550 is too tall and thin. The AMG is perfectly balanced, as it should be for the money.

That said, I didn't buy a new G-Wagen. I went for a 2010 Porsche Cayenne GTS. Totally different ride and I love it so far.

BOYRACER

I currently drive a 2002 G500 and "had" a G55 AMG and I gave up the G55 to drive a "500" and it was purely the RIDE and suspension was just too much for city driving.

...now if your comparing the G550 to a G55AMG, imo, hands down i'll take the G550. And, yes, I've had the opp to drive the G550 here in Canada and what a WONDERFUL MACHINE now mated to the 7-speed and the 5.5l V8, why on earth would u need a 55amg? SOUND? LOOKS? EGO?...
not so much, beyond me that's why I have a G550 coming.

cheers.

transferred

G55 has better brakes, handling and far more power. Yes, the G550 is a good car too but if money's no object then the G55 is the clear choice especially since they softened up the ride these last few years....only time G550 is a better choice is if truck has been bought for offroading...

-Rob

BOYRACER

Hi Rob,

Noted, and your right about the better brakes especially when your moving the 5,800lb behemoth at 232 km/hr, it better have some darn good toot'in binders!

As for handling, yes maybe slightly tighter around turns but truth of the matter, when I had my G55, occassionally I honked on it around some 'round abouts or sweepers, but all in all it NEVER WENT OFF ROAD and call me a city slicker, nor has my G500, or eventually the G550. So sure your right about the "handling" factor.

Well power... WHOA...that's a whole other can of worms! It's fantastic

And lastly, given the geographical region of my permanent residence.... GOOD LUCK finding Nokian Hak 5's STUDDED rubber. It's near IMPOSSIBLE to get winter tires & rims for a G55 AMG unless money's no object, then ok (that's first hand exp. talking after I got a nail in the side wall and it destroyed the tire, and I went for 4 months on a ****ty A/S!)! Not happy.

Anyhow... all the best young buck.

G' Oh Canada Go!

Behike

Finding the 55 too stiff?

joe_yoh

Never been tried driving a G550, but my friends said that it's very nice and I should have tried.

Behike

Nothing like the 55

Behike

Unless you live near the North Pole in Canada, there are couple winter tires for the G55. Toyo actually make winter tires that are in stock size (2009+ year model G55).

BOYRACER

Studded Toyo's?

May I ask what your running for winters and u using the MB factory rims?

the North Pole? yes, and we live in igloos too!

Behike

North Pole was a figure of speech, no disrespect

I got my '10 G55 in early February. I am running the stock tires that came on it; no problem at all. Would do fine even in 1 meter of snow. I've been in Boston this winter and has not snowed at all so didn't find the need to put winter tires.

Here are the Toyos:

http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/ob...ntry-g-02-plus

They exist in G55's stock size at 275-55-19

Behike

^ I update my location

nyc123

I drove the g550 today I did think it was much more comfortable than the g55 was. I also thought the fact that it was a little quieter would make it easier to live with . If I get another G I actually think the g550 might be the better way to go.

Behike

You'll keep the G550 for a month.

nyc123

I miss mine I am getting another one and keeping it this time. Just debating g550 or g55 this time and debating color. Thinking silver rather than blk this time .

Behike

You seem to miss the G-class; which is normal. You had a black 55, get a silver 550 this time and see how it is.

My favorite 2 colors are silver and black. The reason why mine is now black is because my 1st was silver.

AMG1

They are very similar however you cannot beat the supercharged V8 in the 55. This engine will deliver spectacular performance that will keep you interested in the car for a very long time.

nyc123

I had a g55 but did not keep it that long as I found it hard to live with for anything other than very short drives. That being said I miss the truck as I love the feeling of being in it and the seating position/view as well as the looks of the truck and the tank like feeling. I was thinking that a new g550 would still give me all of what I miss but maybe be easier to live with for slightly longer drives with the softer suspension and quieter sound.

Behike

Spencer,

I am going to road trip across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver then attend the L4P Gold Rush Rally (Seattle - Portland - San Francisco - LA - Vegas) and then road trip back across the US from Vegas to Montreal.

All that in the G55.

adam28

This is like my brother. He has always had a love hate relationship with the g55. 2 years ago, his wife had the 2005 grand edition and he had a brand new 2008 model. The suspension on these 2 cars was so different it was unbelievable. He eventually got rid of both of them and got a Range Rover Supercharged because it was a smoother ride. And now he wants to get rid of Range and go back to G55.

yoyo1985

How fast is the 2010 G55 amg anyways? 0-60 in 6 secs? or way faster? I dont know.

Behike

I do 5.4 - 5.5 for the 0-62 mph (100km/h). It's wicked fast.

6 is more the g550

nyc123

I am still debating what to get back into. Options are g55 vs g550 or an e63 wagon or a range rover supercharged. Daily driver is a panamera turbo.

Behike

Get something else than a G55 Spencer. You had one and sold it. Why go back? You would have kept it otherwise. G550 will pretty much be the same just more "civilized". I have a feeling you will go for the RR SC this time.

ps: how's the panamera?