houseofpayne

So I currently have a 11 G55. I have never driven it in the snow. Curious to peoples experiences in the snow. Debating selling the G55 for a either a GL 63 or a GL 550. Interested in peoples comments.

G55K

It all comes down to the tires. With decent snow tires you can't go wrong with a G or GL.

tcsracing1

id image a G on winter tires would be unstoppable. Especially with the locking diffs for when the snow gets deep.

grane

I drive my G all the time in heavy snow with Geolander ATS. I've never had to lock the differentials for snow on a normal asphalt or proper gravel road. YPMD. I don't think the other vehicles you mention will do as well. Less ground clearance and incline angle. Depends on where you live.

There are several choices on sponsor tire rack for dedicated snow tires, all of them good.

NB: If you are in the USA many MB dealers don't like you to go below an H rated tire, ie, some may refuse to work on the car if they see same, so keep this in mind when you are buying. You still have good choices. For example, we have H-rated Pirelli Snow and Ice on our GLK (available also for the G) and like them very much. She has summer tires on dedicated rims.

I just soldier on with the ATSs....

mtlg550

Picked up my Wifes new G550 today in Canada with a snow storm going on..We had the winter tires installed pre delivery. All i can say is the G is a beast and un stoppable in the snow. Really happy with this truck so far and cant wait to upgrade to a 63 already lol...

P.S. Was really surprised with the nice growl the G550 makes.. Wasn't expecting that!

cyclrder

My Gl63 is terrible in the snow with the factory tires...waiting on Winter Scorpions... Should be better.

That being said (all things being equal with the same winter tires on all compared) a G wagon should stomp anything... A GL550 4matic with electronic all wheel drive would be second and the GL63 with fixed 40/60 split 4 wheel drive would be third.

The electronic 4matic on the GL550/450/350 (and corresponding MLs) is very sophisticated and works quite well directing power to slipping wheels whilst the relatively primitive 4matic 4 wheel drive on the GL63 simply brakes the slipping wheels and is fixed at the 40/60 split (this is necessary to handle the raw power of the AMG (this is a similar situation with the new S63).

A G wagon has the benefit of additional diffs to mechanically handle the traction issues. It also has less horsepower than the GL63.

All I can say is that my 2008GL550 with Dunlop 20in winter sport 3D tires was fabulous in all snow issues including 16 inch blizzards.

The other day with relatively little snow and slush... My GL63 was frightening... Hopefully the new tires will improve things but I can already tell that the 4 wheel drive is about as sophisticated as a 1985 Ford Bronco.

As comparison....MB gave me an E350 loaner that same slushy day and it drove around without any issue with traction at all!

asitreadalong

Hello to all. I'm new to Mercedes Benz by just acquiring a 2011 GL450 which is the best car I've ever owned. I'm not new to tires. I've been in the business for years. Any car's snow performance will greatly improve with snow tires. Snow tires should be renamed Cold Weather Tires because of the properties of the tire rubber under 32 degrees, but I digress. I almost purchased a G and would suspect either of these beasts would dominate in snow. I just traveled to Maine 5 hours in ice and snow with 19" Nokian Hakapolitas' and never once felt unsafe. The car, its weight, balance and advanced 4matic system coupled with quality snow tires could have driven through anything. I might travel up to help unstick the Russian Ice Breaker if they can't in the next few weeks.