I’m looking at a 2018 g550 w/ 37,000 miles that does not come with any warranty.

The last owner had the vehicle for only four months . When I looked at the car fax it said the steering wheel was changed out 3 weeks before he traded it in. The dealership said that the he just wanted to upgrade it to the amg steering wheel.

Do you guys think that is legit?


I’m trade looking to trade a 2023 bmw x7 in for this.

Based on this information we are supposed to magically know if this is legit?

Get a pre-purchase inspection done would be my advice. If it doesn't feel right, walk.

what are you concerned about?

that I’m putting $90k into a car without a warranty and I just want to make sure I’m picking the right horse.

Ill sell you my G63 with same miles for $5k more just serviced.

Have had both 550 is softer but G63 interior is a lot nicer and the extra power is welcomed not that the 550 is slow.

CarFax should show you repair history. At 40-45k the bigger service is do which is approx $3500-4k

Wouldn't sweat warranty the money you save being forced to have MB service you can put towards repairs.

2018 means the warranty just expired. You can get aftermarket warranty for approx $4k which will open options for repair shops.

what color exterior/interior is the g63 ? You want to trade for my x7 plus $5k?

The previous owner had the steering wheel changed out weeks before selling. I ordered an inspection (see attached).

should I be concerned ?

Steering wheel angle

Lemon squad report

Front suspension

Here’s the link for the report

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ulg...w?usp=drivesdk


Carfax report

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/ar20/u0rDimb1GsRS1e8PeGqvaEQKMWyXpbL90dlWDQiiLkYLEZFqrL dh6wnjLPX598nKm-iWqBun9aeowVWIulYBcjIYIPBK8bX67pQ

I wouldn’t worry about the steering wheel at all. The only possible concern would be if it were replaced due to an airbag having fired, but that’s unlikely with a clean carfax and nothing else showing in the inspection.

I changed my steering wheel because I wanted a different one as well.

I would NOT buy a 63. They are a handful from a maintenance and repair standpoint. The 550 is MUCH more reliable and I wouldn’t worry without a warranty personally.

63, NOT a chance.

Post this inspection to clubG for a more thorough analysis.

I am looking at the 2016 - 2018 G63 and would appreciate it if you expanded into why G63 is less reliable than a 550.
Don't they have the same engine (M278/ M157)?

I have had both and do not understand that statement as 90% of the vehicle is exactly the same. Actually the only real difference is the drivetrain and they both have the same service intervals and costs.

40k service is the big service and if memory serves me it was identical in costs approx $3500.

The g63 offers more power and a lot nicer interior. The suspension is a bit stiffer for road handling.

early 550's were NA - G63's are twin turbo.... so that's the crux of the maint. issues related to engine - agree the G63 seats and trim are nicer, and ride is fairly crisp - changing shocks make a large improvement.

E

The motor has many more known issues than even rhe 4.0L 2016-18 G550 turbo motor.

leaks, etc. plus the turbos on the 4.0 16-18 G550 motor sit on TOP of the motor making them much more easily accessible.

Yes- the drivetrain is the only real difference and unfortunately that is exactly the problem area.

Yes, but even the 16–18 G550 has a very reliable 4.0L TT motor. I’ll reiterate- if running costs are important to you, stay away from the 63. If you need the power- a supercharged G55 is stout and reliable.

Bang for the HP, the 55 is the winner - save your money for some mods ( either HP or overlanding - or both). the interior can be sorted pretty easily - Recaro's or Scheelman's if you want better seats...... the tech is a bit painful as the main rub I think, but coming from a 97' FJ80 it's prertty fresh !

Good luck in your hunt !

You guys keep stating the 63 are this huge problem but I have never had any issue and have several friends with them and never heard of this maintenance nightmare you guys keep stating?

What many more known issues? And just because 2 people on a forum note them doesn't mean they are an issue.

What exactly is this high maintenance on the 63's you keep quoting? What on the engine wears so quickly and where do you get this info from?

17 G63 has approx 40k and is just as reliable as my 15 550 was and not a penny more in costs to maintain. Maybe the brake components but mine are still orig and just on 2nd pads and Ill take ether big brake benefits anyway.

The G55 are great trucks but they are also 10 years older so that brings more repairs do to age that would more than offset a later 63 or even 550. A 13 year old truck or a 5 year old one?

Yes, if your into modifying a truck then but an older one as you are changing everything anyway but if your just using as is buy the latest year you an afford.

I agree, so far so good here as well. I think some of the earlier 5.5 AMG's suffered from cylinder scoring which is a quite significant. To my understanding that was resolved and later year models with this engine do not have that same issue.

Actually M157 motor (5.5L TTV8) in G63 and M278 motor (4.7L TT V8) in G550 are the same engine.

turbos are not in same location nor same size

Reliability is not the same, nor is displacement etc

Semantics.

WHAT is not as reliable? And your documented proof of it?

Check this out for more detailed info. http://australiancar.reviews/mercedesbenz_M152_M157_M278.php#:~:text=While%20th e%20M278%20engine%20had,spaced%20at%20106.0%20mm%2 0intervals.
You will notice that although turbochargers are different in both cases, they are located within the V.
The bottom line is that there is no significant difference between the M157 and M278 engines and their reliability, making G63 as reliable as G550.

I'd argue the AMG builds may/ should be better....

M273 for the win....