newyorktoLA

Just wanted to share my thoughts after the 1st 1,000 miles on my Magno Black G63 with Trail Package. The G has full XPEL Stealth, XPEL tint, and is Ceramic Coated.

After the first 1K miles, I have to say I miss my 2015 G63 (which I had for almost 4 years). The 1st thousand miles has opened my eyes to the following (and yes, these are all 1st world complaints, but still annoying):

1. The car has been in the service bay THREE times so far - one at 200 miles to fix a creaking dynamic driver's seat, one at 400 miles because all the assistance functions stopped working (dealer updated software), another at 900 miles because the window has been rattling nonstop and assistance functions stopped working again (dealer replaced the rubber surround of the window, but it is still making PLENTY of noise and multifunction camera was replaced). The next day, all the assistance warning function messages came back, but haven't come back since. UNACCEPTABLE for a 200K car to have so many issues. My Chevrolet Bolt hasn't been in the shop once with 30K miles on it...
2. WINDOW Issues - besides the window rattling (sounds like the window sticking/unsticking as I go over bumps and rougher roads and consistently over 70mph+), the rubber surround had to be replaced because it would roll on itself. It's ridiculous this didn't pass the factory check. Oh and the window still makes the squeaking noise.
3. The steering wheel tends to cover the top portion of the digital instrument cluster in order for me to be comfortable. Honestly, the positioning of the dash should have either been lower or higher because the very thick steering wheel blocks much of the display.
4. The steering wheel is WAYY thicker than my 2015's to the point where it's almost difficult to keep a grip. I rather have a thicker steering wheel than a thinner one, but gripping this thing is difficult.
5. THE WIDTH - the new G63 is wider than my old G63, which takes away from the ease of driving and comfort that I had with my 2015. The old one was much more maneuverable compared to the new one - parking is much more difficult in the new one as well.
6. BATTERY ISSUES - Critical battery levels nonstop on the Mercedes Me Connect app...
7. PARTS AVAILABILITY - Getting new parts for the new G63 is a nightmare. My car sat in the dealer's lot for 3 weeks because they couldn't locate a rubber surround for the driver's window in the US and needed to order it.
8. QUALITY ISSUES - The driver's door handle squeaks/creaks/rattles like a motherf*cker. So do all the other door handles. I don't know why Mercedes chose to fuse together a plastic and leather part on the grab handle because clenching them together to close the door results in a very loud creak. My 2015 had no squeaks/rattles except for the one that came from under the hood and could be remedied with some tape. After the dealer put together the driver's door panel after removing it to fix the window issue (Still ONGOING!), it creaks even worse. The 2015 door grab handle is a piece of solid material covered in leather - less parts --> less squeaking/creaking.
9. LESS RUGGED - this is obvious, but everywhere I would knock on my 2015 G63, it would be solid metal (except for the fender flares). Less so on my 2020 - much more plastic used and aluminum for doors, etc. The doors are lighter and the door closing sound is 100X better and more satisfying on the old one. Another example - functional rain gutters on the 2015 that could help me climb on to the roof (for car washing for example) to plastic pieces all around the roof.

Things that are better than my old G63:
1. The sound system - light years ahead of the older H-K system.
2. The seats - the seats are much more comfortable to me than the older model - not only do I use the massage on every trip, the dynamic seats are a great addition.
3. Sportiness - this car reminds me so much of my (now-gone) C63S coupe in that body roll has been minimized in S+ and in S+, the car is very aggressive. At a stop light, if I release the brakes, the car raises in the front and leaps forward without even pressing on the accelerator. I guess this is what happens when the G63 shares the same engine as the top of the line AMG GT-R!
4. Cupholders - great, but wish Mercedes put a phone tray in front of the cupholders like they do on almost every other model rather than the cigarette lighter. Would be nice to have somewhere to put my phone. In the 2015, my iPhone fit perfectly into the little ash tray thing of the center console.
5. Sunroof - it's nice to have a sunroof in general
6. Intelligent Light System - great to finally have Auto Highbeam Assist and lights that curve with the car. The front fascia of the car looks SO much better than the old one, in my opinion.
7. Rear Door - the rear door has a hydraulic strut to assist with opening/closing it, which makes it much easier to use.
8. CarPlay - didn't have it on my 2015. Great massive screens and touch wheels on steering wheel are a lifesaver.

If you have a 2017 or 2018 (with CarPlay/Android Auto), I would hold off on the new one. Ambient lighting + digital dash and stuff like that is all very gimmicky. I thought I would enjoy the 2020 more than my 2015 and I definitely do - the driving experience is light years ahead of my 2015, but I don't know if the 2020 is worth almost double the price. Just my 2 cents - all I know is that the old one felt bulletproof and the new one is filled with creaks (from door handles to seats to windows) and electrical gremlins. I also miss some of the charm of my 2015 - from the air vents on the hood to the basketball hoop cupholder to the functional rain gutters, disconnected bumper and fenders, flat glass with the double reflections, etc. - the 2020 feels like a generic SUV compared to the 2015. Maybe I'm used to the weirdness of the G since that's what I've been driving, but the new one is definitely less "cool." Overall, I'm happy with my 2020, but if I could do it again, I would have gotten a 2020 G550 or a 2017-18 G63.

fastmd

Thanks for your post. I am glad I am keeping my 2016 G63 when my 2020 G63 arrives in 3 weeks.

drew138

The steering wheel position over the top of the digital display is an issue for me as well. Have driven with the turn signal on for an extended periods much to my dismay!

pdeacon

Now there's the ultimate solution. A couple of forum members have done exactly that. For me, all things considered, my '20 G550 is much more enjoyable than my previous '16 G550 without giving up the unique character of the G in general. To each his own.

NikBenz1

I have 100 miles on my 20' G63 and so far I am loving it. Will get back after the first 1000

Bob Z.

iTrader: (1)

Can't you just the adjust the steering wheel up or down so you can see the whole display?

newyorktoLA

The whole display is really only visible when the steering wheel is all the way up (at least when the seat is all the way up as well). The top of the wheel blocks the top-middle portion of the screen, no matter what seating position I choose.

abhatti55

The rain gutters on the previous car made washing and getting to the roof so much easier. They were also functional. On the new one, the roof is a real pain to wash. When you go to dry, water constantly drips down the rear side windows. I have learned to just live with the window creaks and cabin hvac pressure changes.

TuLsaViPeR

Im Actually looking buy another, pre-2019 G-class the resale value just skyrockted I bought my 2013 4 yers ago for 76K and I owe 38K and the value of the car is still worth around 70K if you can find one for sale.

E552006

I had a 14 G63 and now a 20 G550

I agree with some of your observations but overall I feel this is a better vehicle.
My main issues have been, like yours, the steering wheel is in the way of the display and there’s really no way to see all of the display with the wheel in a comfortable position for me.
I’ve had rattles in the front mid speakers since I picked the vehicle up and am taking it in for first service at 200 miles to remedy this issue.
Also the interior door handles squeak and that drives me nuts.

The G still feels just as solid to me otherwise and I do not mind the additional width that provides more room inside nor the aluminum panels that provide the weight loss.

My 20 G550 feels almost as quick as my 14 G63 and throttle response is better.

Like I said, overall better vehicle with a few things to fix. The last platform had decades of refinement and development put into it, this generation is the biggest change ever to the platform and I would expect that given another year or two these issues will be solved.

NikBenz1

Last night I took my 20' G63 out on the highway and at 70 mph the drivers/passanger front windows were shaking to the point where it looked very dysfunctional. I immediately put them up. The rear view mirrors were vibrating but it was ok I guess. This morning my car basically stalled (went into neutral), on the infotainment it read "Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC malfunction, Consult workshop". I tried to restart the car, didn't work and somehow I managed to get it back into drive and I was on my way. Very weird. I called dealership and they said to show service the message (I took a pic). So yes, a few quirks so far.

newyorktoLA

Literally the same thing except mine says Active Distance Assist inoperative. Mine was built Jan 2020 - maybe there were some factory issues. Hoping they release some bulletins...

NikBenz1

mine said that as well to confirm. Mine was built in April 2020. I’ll let you know if I hear anything, let me know if you hear anything.

Mopars

Sorry to hear about all theses troubles. I have about 5k in my 20 G63. Not a single problem yet. Drives so much better than my 18 G63.

spourreza

hand made cars... quarks will happen!!!

Festertester

Sorry to hear about your troubles. You should sell it and get the 2018. Pretty great deals on those.

Bexlee

When I read through the opening post (the negative points) the first thing that came into my head was has your car for some reason had to have some bodywork?

Are most lot of the issues centred around the drivers cabin area? Perhaps it could have had paint work; seals removed and parts badly refitted? I know if I’d have had the same issue I’d have been looking for signs of disassemble and reassemble. I’m sorry to hear that the new G hasn’t lived up to your expectations. If I’d of experienced the same things as you I would also be disappointed :-(

sweet63

I'm supposed to pick up my G 63 next week. I just saw this thread, and I was this close (visualize a very small gap between my thumb and index finger) to contacting my dealer and telling them to keep their pile of crap known as a 2020 G 63. However, after reading your post about 5,000 miles and no problems, maybe I won't be so hasty :-j

Floobydust

I still prefer the farm truck, rifle bolt ruggedness of the old G. To me, the new G is still undergoing a giant user beta test and it will take two or three MY's to sort things out. I am happy to wait for that.

newyorktoLA

Update on some of the issues - to address the creaking of the door handles, I just popped them all off (super easy), applied some lubricant to the back and snapped them all back on. Problem solved!
Battery issues seem to have self resolved - maybe because I'm driving it daily now.
No more messages re: Distronic Assist Inactive, LKA inoperative since dealer replaced multifunction camera.

The only thing really left bothering me is the window ticking noise at high speeds, but even my 2015 had a lot of rattles from the window when it was new (fixed at Service A where they added some foam around the window). Will probably just address this later at 10K service as it's only a problem over 75 mph+ and most of my driving is city driving.

Since hitting 1000 miles (car now has 1400 miles), the car has actually become a lot better and still light years ahead of my 2015. Rather than focusing on the negatives, I've decided to stop worrying about little things and just drive the damn thing and enjoy it.

newyorktoLA

I think the old G and new G are just completely different cars that share a similar look. The old G has a lot of character - insane body roll, basketball hoop cupholder, very heavy steel doors while the newer one is much more imposing since it's visually larger (width and height wise), is more sporty, and is generally more comfortable. Yes, the new G does have some issues, but my 2015 had a few as well - namely, horrible transmission shifting and the rattle from under the hood. Of course, as every MY changes, little improvements are made!

Bob Z.

iTrader: (1)

Did you use a trim removal tool to pop off the door handles and if so, where did you insert it? Pic?

Festertester

disagree - companies like mb don’t run ‘beta testing’ on the consumers, landrover makes sense, not mb.

Festertester

after my 1 year visit, all issues are resolved - love it.

Festertester

I was getting these messages intermittently then the day the annual service was due, to my luck, these appeared consistently and won’t go away. As a result they replaced ‘ESP CONTROL MODULE’ - seems like few vehicles might have faulty ones..I am not sure. These messages first appeared literally the day I picked it up. I let go brake on the steep slope in San Francisco and these messages appeared. Details in my first post of impressions here: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...errerid=240929


they also took care of the battery messages by recharging it, hasn’t appeared since. It’s been about 3 weeks..