Does anybody have info on the number or ratio of G550s produced vs. G63s?

 

They don’t even make the 550s anymore in many EU countries... its the G350d or G63...pretty sure more G63s are produced.

 

I think he is referring to the US only, which if so is an interesting question.

 

Review articles have said G Class is only MB vehicle where AMG version outsells traditional one. They didn’t give numbers but did give ratio.

I believe it was 60 percent G63 and 40 percent G550 sales but it’s been awhile since I read it.

 

Seems to be approximately 60% G63, 40% 550. The previous gen was similar split, and the listings for sale on CarGurus shows a similar split.

 

I always found this interesting. Is there a reason why G63 outsells the G550? Is it that the G63 is just "cooler" with AMG branding and is more powerful?

Seems like the G550 has more utility as it is better for off-roading (I get it that most people are not off-roading), but also, it is less expensive.

As someone who is in the market and is waffling between the G550 and G63, it is surprising to me that more buyers choose the G63 at a higher price point. I have not pulled the trigger on a G550 because I am still worrying that I will have buyer's remorse whenever I see a G63 in the street (similar to when me in my mid 20s, I bought an entry level Rolex after a year of saving and mulling it over, and then basically immediately lusted over an AP for the next 5 years of my life).

 

FWIW, the celebs in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. virtually all are rockin' G63's, never to be caught in a G550 (I suppose there is always that 1 in a 1,000 exception). Then again, those peeps are loaded, so for those richie-richies, $ doesn't matter. Must be nice! Of course, there is the rare celeb photographed driving a 4x4 SQ'd, but I recently read an article saying Mercedes will soon be relaunching the 4x4 SQ'd (WooHoo!), however this next gen 4x4 SQ'd will be exclusively built around the G63, not the G550. The article said given the high price of the 4x4 SQ'd, it made no sense to not use the G63.

 

I could afford either but I bought the G550 since I did not have to wait as long for an order (way to picky to buy off the lot) and my wife wanted the Zen Wood Steering wheel. I have no regrets and as recently discussed in a different thread everyone other than enthusiasts will not know the difference but some will notice the AMG badge so if that matters to you get the G63. The G63 is also faster and has some different body parts so get the one that appeals to you!

 

I understand the long wait, from first hand experience. However, the delta between the G550 and G63 is a lot deeper than some different body parts, etc. For instance, check out the video made at the Mercedes G testing site. There is a 45 minute, or so, interview with the head G63 engineering guru, and he goes into great lengths discussing the different transmission used in the G63 vs/ the G550, with its faster shifting, etc. This is also touched on in one of Mercedes marketing brochures (or one of their cut sheets) on the G63. It's more than just skin deep, as you say quite a bit faster, etc. Of course, if you want the Trail Package, with its different suspension optimized for off-road, and also giving a smoother ride performance on road (if you like that S-Class feel), then the G63 is a must.

I really don't understand it when folks talk about the price delta. If you load a G550 to the hilt, you are knocking right at the doorstep of the price of a well equipped G63, and yet IMHO, you're getting a lot more car with the G63.

Then you hear ppl saying how the G550 has better off road performance. Wait a minute, you're saying you might scrape the G63 pipes? Give me a break, no one is going to spend $200k+ on a car and take it off road to beat the krap out of it, scraping over boulders. Maybe in their dreams. I believe there are some stats on this, too. If memory serves, I think the percentage of new G owners who actually truly take their car into off road rugged terrain (not just lamo dirt roads, etc.) is like less than 1%. And, the number who truly go into off road rugged circumstances involve G's that are like over 9 years old. I also have a 2008 Jeep Wrangler, and it's perfect for such activity. If off road is your thing, get a Jeep for that, and use your G63 for what is meant for: cruising to/from Starbucks in your neighborhood. Other cars for other things.

IMHO, JM2C, and YMMV

 

My previous MY '16 was a 550 and I chose a 550 for my '20. I got the AMG options I wanted and still came in 20 to 25K below the G63. I have owned many high performance cars and just don't understand how a hot rodded truck, that was never designed to be a high performance vehicle, is worth the extra price. The 550 has plenty of power and correctly optioned provides all the performance that I need. If I want to have fun on the twisties I take out my C 43 coupe for some exercise. Although in the crowded Northeast there aren't many places to take full advantage of the car's capabilities. At the end of the day...to each his own.

 

There is no right or wrong answer in deciding what some prefers and that should be respected, IMO of course but who the heck can disagree with that?!

 

Well stated, pdeacon. On the 'to each his own,' check out the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck. 0 to 60 in 2.9 secs, and it's one badass lookin' truck! I put my deposit down back on Day 1.

BTW, I read an article (I believe in Car & Driver), predicting that the G63 will continue to greatly evolve, with tons of more HP. C&D was saying they understand a hybrid powertrain, with 4 electric motors and a 'super souped-up' G63 engine, developing 1,000+ HP (including the power generated by the ICE and the electric motors, of course), will be deployed in the next ult-powered G63, and I forget how much predicted torque. Same thing is predicted for the evolving C8 Vette (hybrid with 1000+ HP), as time goes by and Chevy does its thing.

The hybrid super car/trucks ain't gunna ever end! As to trucks with tons of HP, check out the upcoming 2021 Dodge TRX Hellcat, or the next gen Ford Shelby Baja Raptor (Truck!), with its expected blown Mustang GT 5.2 L V8, running at least 800+ HP. The 2021 Dodge TRX Hellcat will feature FCA's 707+ HP Hellcat blown engine. My brother owns a beautiful Dodge Demon, with 840 HP (with AV gas, otherwise a paltry 805 HP on Premium). I'm here to tell you, when you hear that Hellcat awesome blower whine, it literally gives you chills, up and down your spine. Probably damn near as good as what Chris Mathews felt when 'chills went up his legs.'

I don't think Mercedes intends for ppl to necessarily do a lot of driving with a 1000+ HP G63 on racetracks, with lots of sharp curves, etc. I think it is all about snapping your neck back, but hard, upon punching full throttle, and hearing the awesome sounds, when you floor it.

 

bmp

 

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I think "regular" people (i.e. not celebrities, professional athletes, or lottery winners) in the position to get a G-Class tend to have the mindset of wanting the best of the best (within reason), so it makes sense to get a G63 even if they don't know or care for the differences between a 550/63. Agree a 550 is a better off-road choice, but as we've seen this applies to 1% of buyers.

This is the pitfall I'm sure many fall into: my initial plan was to get a basic-ish G550 with a $140k MSRP. I then decided that I wanted the AMG line, night package, massage seats, and adaptive suspension, and before I knew it I was at $150k. Well then that's only $10k off from a G63 which has most of the 550 options standard, so might as well go for it at $161k. Well, who gets a 63 with no options, so now I've got 21" rims, night package, and diamond seats and have settled at $170k lol.

A few months ago I would have laughed at myself for spending $30k more than planned, but when you do it step-wise like I did then the deltas get lower and lower.

Also for my mindset - back in 2015 I chose to get a V8 Range Rover Sport over a base full-size Range Rover for about the same price ($90k at the time). Well I love my Sport but I have also spent the last 5 years looking at every darn full-size Rover wishing I had gone for the full size years ago. I'm not going to make that mistake again, although I hardly ever see 2019+ G-Classes on the road, but when I do it's usually a G63.

 

Couldn't agree with you more, Hodog. You hit every salient point, and I also did the same exact thing as you. I was originally optioning-out a G550, but it soon added up so high, that it was an easy peasy decision to go with a well optioned G63. I wound up loading that up, too, so the price delta over the G550 was a bit more than what I started with. But, I'm 100% glad, and so happy I did exactly that. I know this is just anecdotal, but whenever I see a 2019+ G, it's always a G63. Same thing at my Merc dealer. He had like 2 G550's on the sales floor, and one G63. The G63 had many peeps jaw drop oogling around it and staring at it, but literally not one single customer looking over either of their new G550's on the sales floor. To me, this says a lot. I don't think I have seen even one single 2019+ G550, always a 2019+ G63.

 

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In San Antonio it’s about 50/50 from my observation with the 2019+ G.

I went with the G550 as I wanted the slight advantage in Offroad capability. Mine is lifted on ATs. At the time there were no lifts for the adaptive suspension that wouldn't throw warning lights on the dash. This also excluded the G63 for me at the time. I realize this is different now.

I also have a deposit on a Tesla Truck so will keep my 550 until I see how that turns out in production form. Will either switch to that, the Rivian Truck, the upcoming 700+ HP Raptor or a G63 at that time.

Also, my guess is when they do upgrade the infotainment in the G they will skip MBUX and go right to the new MBUX 2 debuted in the 2021 S-class so worth it to wait a few years on getting another new G.

 

The Dodge Demon doesn’t run on AV fuel, it runs on unleaded racing fuel or Premium unleaded. You can’t run a vehicle on AV fuel, it’s blended for a different air fuel mixture. Even if you could, no airport would fill your tank and it’s low lead, not unleaded.

 

the OP question " ratio of G550s produced vs. G63s"

The production of G63's is about 1/3rd (G550+G350D)

The G63 is the "most successful" AMG "variant" - (ex of variant is E63 in E-Class).

Frankly the G63 is under-priced - "should be" USD$200K here in the US and Mercedes US would still sell as many..

 

My guesses on why the G63 is alot more popular amongst buyers:

1. Real world use case: Yes, the G550 is better off road. That doesn't matter to the vast majority of buyers. The G63 looks just as capable off-road and that's what matters
2. MSRP comparison: The G63 MSRP really isn't much more than the G550.
3. Primary reason: the buyer of a G550 and the buyer of a G63 are generally the same person. This a lot different from other model lines where the buyer of the entry level and the AMG are totally different people. Someone looking at an E300 is highly unlikely to consider an AMG E63S and vice versa.

 

Lots of interesting commentary! And as for the comment about 1/3 of production being G63, that is what my dealer said, but we all know never to trust what the dealer says LOL

 

The way I see it, if I'm going to spend 150k on a vehicle why not spend a little more? I mean if I can afford a 150K vehicle, what's an extra 15-20k?

 

I think you need to try both cars back to back and you will see why G63 outsells... i was in your situation and actually got a PO on a 550 but got very lucky and found my dream spec G63... here are my thoughts:

1- my 550 came to 162K which is close to a G63 price... so i ended up spending 190k... 30k is not much and this was heavily optioned G63...

2- the two models are worlds apart... try them back to back and you will see that the performance delta is very satisfying.... not needed but so much fun and irrational.

3- You get alot of cool AMG features on the screen that can track many different aspects of the car...

4- while options are similar, the steering wheel options and Rim options are killer on the G63... the sport AMG steering wheel with carbon and alcantara is awesome looking and changes interior look... had to get this.

5- lets be honest, G63 holds its value soooo much better and thats a good thing for most of us that buy cars and not lease them

6- the grill on the G63 - YUM

7- not sure why people say that the 63 is not as good as the 550 off road!!! i got the trail package and i my 63 will go pound for pound with any 550 off roading

probably missed some other items but for 30-35k more, you get a 63... i would spend 50k more if i had to...

I was on the 550 camp but after you drive back to back, see the different features and options, its an easy decision. the biggest issue with G63 is the LONG waiting times and for those that dont want to wait, need to pay up. 7 out of 10 buyers will get buyers remorse if its in your nature to regret....

IMHO

 

Yes points 2 and 3 are really what it boils down to and are well stated. Not much delta compared to other models where the AMG is much higher.

Also most AMG models depreciate wildly and the G63 actually does the opposite with low miles.