Switching to G Wagon(W463) from S Class(W222)
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 33
From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
I’m doing this exact switch going from a big w222 s550 which I love, to a 2016 G63 that I just agreed to buy. Overnighted them the cashier’s check this morning, should be arriving next week from MB of Roanoke. I am in love with both cars for different reasons. How is the OP finding the adjustment from the S to the G? I intentionally did not trade in the S because I see so many posts on here about what horrible road manners the G has that I wanted to make double sure I liked it first.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 288
Likes: 81
Mercedes G63
I came form a Porsche to the G63 a few years ago. Not bragging, but this is my 3rd G63. The other two were the older generations just prior to the new body design. As others have said, go drive one and see first how u like it. The new models are greatly improved for ride etc, but it will still not be S class smooth. But thats a given, it's meant to be a rugged vehicle that does things the S wont do. If you get into in-climate weather or have to pull off the road for some reason you are set. U can even tow something easy enough with the G. Though maybe not as comfy as some cars, it is more versatile. Sitting higher to me it is easier to see on the road for safety and be seen by others. If you want a more adjustable ride, opt for the trail package. I have been told it also rides a bit better on the road with the package because the suspension electroncally adapts more. My 2021 should arrive in 2 weeks. I will update on the suspension when I get it.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 281
Likes: 61
2011 G550
I came form a Porsche to the G63 a few years ago. Not bragging, but this is my 3rd G63. The other two were the older generations just prior to the new body design. As others have said, go drive one and see first how u like it. The new models are greatly improved for ride etc, but it will still not be S class smooth. But thats a given, it's meant to be a rugged vehicle that does things the S wont do. If you get into in-climate weather or have to pull off the road for some reason you are set. U can even tow something easy enough with the G. Though maybe not as comfy as some cars, it is more versatile. Sitting higher to me it is easier to see on the road for safety and be seen by others. If you want a more adjustable ride, opt for the trail package. I have been told it also rides a bit better on the road with the package because the suspension electroncally adapts more. My 2021 should arrive in 2 weeks. I will update on the suspension when I get it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 288
Likes: 81
Mercedes G63
Unfortunately the last one is gone on trade and the only one will be the new one when it arrives. The last G63 I traded was designo white with under 1000 miles and a black interior.
Last edited by Jagdpanzer; Dec 9, 2021 at 12:03 AM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 100
Likes: 19
2018 AMG G63, AMG E63s
I don't find the ride to be harsh at all tbh. I've been dailying my truck ever since i got it. In the past 4 months, I've almost put 10k miles on it already. I've driven it from DC to Boston and back and NYC and back, but it's definitely an acquired taste. Maybe it's also because everytime I get in it, I am always smiling, so I basically turn a blind eye on the ride unintentionally. I bet there are not a few vehicles that can do that, which is why most G wagen owners say, there's nothing like it and there's nothing that can replace it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 9
From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
It arrived two days ago and I've been driving it everywhere. First - everybody was right, it rides rough. It handles better than any SUV I've ever driven, and better than most cars out there. It's only when you get to the very edge of the envelope, like going around a corner at 40, that you remember you're driving something that tall. On the whole I would trade some of the handling for a softer ride and will probably look into the shock swap. Second is it gets lots of attention, some positive, some negative. More than I expected.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 33
From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
It arrived two days ago and I've been driving it everywhere. First - everybody was right, it rides rough. It handles better than any SUV I've ever driven, and better than most cars out there. It's only when you get to the very edge of the envelope, like going around a corner at 40, that you remember you're driving something that tall. On the whole I would trade some of the handling for a softer ride and will probably look into the shock swap. Second is it gets lots of attention, some positive, some negative. More than I expected.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 281
Likes: 61
2011 G550
It arrived two days ago and I've been driving it everywhere. First - everybody was right, it rides rough. It handles better than any SUV I've ever driven, and better than most cars out there. It's only when you get to the very edge of the envelope, like going around a corner at 40, that you remember you're driving something that tall. On the whole I would trade some of the handling for a softer ride and will probably look into the shock swap. Second is it gets lots of attention, some positive, some negative. More than I expected.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 29
Likes: 11
G
It arrived two days ago and I've been driving it everywhere. First - everybody was right, it rides rough. It handles better than any SUV I've ever driven, and better than most cars out there. It's only when you get to the very edge of the envelope, like going around a corner at 40, that you remember you're driving something that tall. On the whole I would trade some of the handling for a softer ride and will probably look into the shock swap. Second is it gets lots of attention, some positive, some negative. More than I expected.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 288
Likes: 81
Mercedes G63
It arrived two days ago and I've been driving it everywhere. First - everybody was right, it rides rough. It handles better than any SUV I've ever driven, and better than most cars out there. It's only when you get to the very edge of the envelope, like going around a corner at 40, that you remember you're driving something that tall. On the whole I would trade some of the handling for a softer ride and will probably look into the shock swap. Second is it gets lots of attention, some positive, some negative. More than I expected.
Did you get the trail package option? That option is supposed to help the ride on the road even more from what I have read and have been told.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 33
From: NYC
2016 S63 4D, 2015 G63, 2017 Macan Turbo, 2001 M5
maybe he’s comparing to an old wrangler or an rv? Even the new g wagon handles poorly.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 281
Likes: 61
2011 G550
My 2011 G550 way better than my old LX570’s ever did. Those had a body roll that I could never get over. Great trucks otherwise and Uber comfortable. They ate miles up on road trips.
Only thing that really bothers me to any degree is how heavy the steering is, but I believe a 2013 G550 I drove seemed to have much lighter steering. Anyone know if the steering system saw any changes in 2013+?
Only thing that really bothers me to any degree is how heavy the steering is, but I believe a 2013 G550 I drove seemed to have much lighter steering. Anyone know if the steering system saw any changes in 2013+?
Last edited by PeriodCorrect; Dec 18, 2021 at 07:05 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 9
From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
I have come to exact opposite impression, this G63 corners and accelerates like nobody’s business. The ride quality sucks, that’s clearly the trade off there. I’ve had range rovers, 4 runners, a navigator, no other full size suv I’ve driven has ever taken corners like this. It’s impressive to me, and I’ve driven a lot of off road 4 wheel setups.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 9
From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
Thats the new 21 model that comes with that, and I’ve also heard good things. I have a w463, 2016 G63. The idea of paying $100k+ over retail because of the supply chain shortage was not attractive. I’ll get to know my preowned G63 for a year while likely losing little money since they seem to hold their value, and then contemplate a newer one when dealers aren’t gouging people for $100k+ “market adjustment”s. That seemed like a better strategy.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 288
Likes: 81
Mercedes G63
Thats the new 21 model that comes with that, and I’ve also heard good things. I have a w463, 2016 G63. The idea of paying $100k+ over retail because of the supply chain shortage was not attractive. I’ll get to know my preowned G63 for a year while likely losing little money since they seem to hold their value, and then contemplate a newer one when dealers aren’t gouging people for $100k+ “market adjustment”s. That seemed like a better strategy.
