G63 Daily Driver
 

Hello everyone, new member here. Currently looking at pulling the trigger on a 2018 G63. Not interested in waiting for 2019's nor in paying full or over MSRP. I have a 2015 SL550 that I plan on keeping so there is a nice balance here. I drove the 63 the other day around town (live in the city) and it was a ton of fun, so no complaints with regards to city driving. I think I get it.

We have a beach house that is about a 2.5 hour drive that we go to a few times a month. How is the highway driving? What type of characteristics should I expect on the highway? I've scoured the internet and have read all types of opinions. Many stating that the G is great as long as you drive less than an hour or don't take it on long drives. I am not planning on trading or flipping so this is a long term commitment for me. While I have the SL as my other car I plan on driving the G most of the time, especially during winter months.

Also, the 63 comes with summer tires. I don't plan on taking it out in deep snow but would like the comfort of knowing that it can handle a few inches on streets if needed. Can anyone chime in on this? Should I consider all-seasons?

Many thanks in advance.

My 2018 G63 is my DAILY DRIVER. I am on the freeway (highway/interstate) 4-5x a week and also plenty of Los Angeles city driving in between. Love, Love, Love my G63. The amazingly high seating position is beyond awesome for visibility. The G is easy to maneuver and with the width being a little narrower than most all other suvs or even cars...so easy to park!

The G is most comfortable on the highway, but not uncomfortable with city driving! We are on G #10 (I think, lol) and have driven across state lines many times....supreme comfort. I do not understand a single complaint about the G being uncomfortable and the seats are even approved by the National German Back Foundation!

MPG is awful, awful, awful...but it is a G, so should not be a surprise, but man.....Chevron better send me a damn fruit basket for Christmas!!

You will not regret an '18 G-Class. Might be the best vehicle you have ever owned!

I'm glad you had a chance to drive the G63 around the city. The only problem I have encountered when visiting the city is that some of the parking garages have low ceiling heights that could cause a problem. I almost got trapped in one when I first got the G but luckily was able to escape unscathed. The highway handling characteristics are another thing. It is not going to go down the road in a smooth and relaxed fashion..like your SL. I have taken the G on one long trip and it does wear on you after several hours. I have two other Benzes in the garage and opt for either of them for long distance touring. There are some on this forum who have disagreed with this position but for me it is like night and day. The higher the speed in the G the more you have to pay attention. Remember, this is a 35 year old design that has been improved over the years but it is basically a solid axle truck. Don't get me wrong, with all of the G's shortcomings it is a "hoot" to drive and is the most used vehicle in my garage. I wouldn't be without one. I think a lot of the shortcomings with handling will be corrected with the MY 19 units. We shall see once they start hitting the streets and are subjected to real world driving. I can't wait to drive one. Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted on your progress.

what kind of gas mileage are you averaging on the highway? i had a cayenne turbo and was averaging around 12 city and 19-20 highway during normal driving.

MPG is pretty consistent in the G, especially the G63. It is ALWAYS between 10-12; 12-14mpg on the highway with the perfect speed, flat road, no wind, perfect humidity and angels helping. LOL

If you are concerned about mileage, save yourself some grief....don't buy one. Consistently 12 to 15 MPG. At least it has a large tank that helps with range.

YUP! As I said in my first reply to this thread....MPG is awful, awful, awful, but it is a G and should be no surprise to anyone!

Getting 8-10mpg is not unusual, but for me 10-12mpg is really the norm..city or highway! Gas pig, but with ALL my amazing cars I have had in 25 years, The G is in the top 3 of most fun every day!!!

The G was my daily for quite some time. I told the wifey the G will be going back soon and now it's her daily until then. All my cars are horrible at 8-14 MPG so it doesn't affect me. The huge fuel capacity helps offsets the mpg.

I have taken the car on a few 500+ mile road trip, latest being to Montreal, no issues! It's not like our range or s560 but it's plenty comfy. Height clearance is always, always an issue to be on the lookout for. I can't park at my local airport due to the height :(

I find highway driving to be OK not great for long distances, not quite as comfortable as a GLS for sure but it's fun to drive and keeps you awake since it wanders left and right on the road :zoom:

Mileage is in the high single digits in the city but the G550 can actually get up to 16-17mpg on the highway at 55-60, benefits of the smaller displacement. I would imagine the new G63 can too

I think parking garage height is the biggest problem for city dwellers. I've seen garages w/ 6' 6" min clearance and I definitely did not even try. Otherwise it's great to drive in the city because visibility is great, the truck is narrow and not too long so it fits in compact spaces.

I think it's great in the city if the fuel bills and garage height are not an issue

Update: I went ahead and picked up the 2018 G63 yesterday (pics to follow). I am thrilled with the decision, although a slight bit out of my comfort level price wise, I find it worth every penny. I couldn't say no! The build quality IMO is superior to any other SUV out there. Feels like it's carved out of a solid block of steel. I test drove it on the highway and found it perfectly fine, you do get feedback and there is some play in the wheel I but I knew that going in.These are hardly deterrents IMO. The seats are very comfortable and adjusted properly should have no problem on distance trips. I can always change the position during mid-trips as I've done with other vehicles for relief. We are going to take a drive to our beach house next week so I'll report back on the ride quality/experience.

As for the mileage, it's 2.5 ton truck. What to expect? I did manage to get 16 MPG yesterday on some short open driving, I'll take it albeit short lived.

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'll post pics as soon as I take them.

Congrats!

Congratulations. May you have many miles of happy motoring.

CONGRATS!!! Enjoy it. I have had 4 Range Rovers (3 Supercharged, 1 HSE), 5 Rolls-Royce (3 Phantoms, 2 Ghosts), 4 Bentleys, Porsche, Audi, tons of BMW, TONS of MBZ....and the G is in my top for FAV all around vehicle. So easy to park, drive, FUN, super high seating position, supremely cool and so unique.

I know the new, 2019 G will be amazing, but it will not have that insanely over-built, carved out of a single piece of granite the 18 and older Gs have. MBZ cannot make such tanks anymore!

Yes, to the 6'6 parking garages (or lower) ONE time and ONE time only in Beverly Hills. C R U N C H going in and C R U N C H going out :-O Not a fun day in our G!!!

Pics attached. I am loving this beast more and more every day.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...38a8a53eb.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...1eeabc02f.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...9008e9aed0.jpg

Nice!! Palladium Silver right? Looks so shiny :)

Enjoy and hope you get a bit of beach driving time too!

She's a dandy....Happy Motoring!!!

how many miles on your g63? I have a 2018 as well. I wanna know how the reliability has been for you?

QUOTE=Deutsch100;7582762]My 2018 G63 is my DAILY DRIVER. I am on the freeway (highway/interstate) 4-5x a week and also plenty of Los Angeles city driving in between. Love, Love, Love my G63. The amazingly high seating position is beyond awesome for visibility. The G is easy to maneuver and with the width being a little narrower than most all other suvs or even cars...so easy to park!

The G is most comfortable on the highway, but not uncomfortable with city driving! We are on G #10 (I think, lol) and have driven across state lines many times....supreme comfort. I do not understand a single complaint about the G being uncomfortable and the seats are even approved by the National German Back Foundation!

MPG is awful, awful, awful...but it is a G, so should not be a surprise, but man.....Chevron better send me a damn fruit basket for Christmas!!

You will not regret an '18 G-Class. Might be the best vehicle you have ever owned![/QUOTE]