I bet the new 550s moving not as quickly is more to do with the current economy and uncertainty with it slowing as we still have very restrictive rate policy (at least here in the US), and less about the V8...

If it were G63 I'd definitely say a different story with a 6 cylinder, but I wager most G buyers are see and be seen types at least speaking to here in CA with the 550 as the least expensive ticket to entry, I bet most couldn't tell you how many cylinders were in their G wagon. They just want to be seen high up on the roads in their new unplated Gwagon with the designer duds. And I say this having owned 2 G63, but us geeking out in the forums over our Gwagons are not that type, and likely in the minority!

TLDR - when rates drop and if the economy picks up, I bet more will move again, even with V6

 

I'm not in CA, but even here I know some buy G-wagons just for the name - with indifference to the # of cylinders. Still, interesting to see G550's sitting and dealerships already agreeing to MSRP on the G580 (before they are even built).

 

Imo ADM is getting hard for dealerships to justify in light of the ever increasing MSRP for essentially what is the exact same vehicle. For example, buying a 2025 G550 is like buying a 2021 with $20k ADM.

So unless you live in a crazy market like CA or NY where every soccer mom has a G you shouldn’t be paying ADM…

 

Kind of funny… today I received a phone call from a dealership I haven’t done business with in over four years. They have a factory build 2025 G550 sitting on their lot that they are having a hard time moving and offered it to me for MSRP.

They even tried to sweeten the deal by offering me above market for a trade on my 2021 G550. Either the market is truly changing or this confirms that no one wants a V6 in a G wagon.

 

Total amount of unsold G 550s in the US is now at approximately 561 vehicles as of today.

 

And what is it normally? Really glad to hear dealers having a tough time; they've been gouging for far too long.

 

Would have to beg to differ here. Personally I like how the car looks inside and out, how it drives, etc. I really couldn't care less what other people think. I want to buy it for my own personal enjoyment and money definitely isn't the issue, I simply don't care for any extra power since I like driving like a grandpa.

 

What I’ve watched across all hobby markets where the manufacturer still creates the product is that when they see that the “price was wrong” they raise their prices to their dealers. They are not interested in seeing their customers make more money than them. This cycle causes unacceptable inflation due to price gouging and greediness.

Do you blame the ******* dealers? Do you blame the wealthy, beyond wealthy, ignorant, that don’t care about the rest of the economy, or do you blame the manufacturers for not reigning in their distributors? Or, depending on your views and location, do you blame the government for not protecting the consumers?

Remember, some of these car dealers were even trying to make deals where you could only sell the car back to them, trying to take from the secondary market. Never give this scum your money. Walk away, tell them you have choice and that they can go suck on a log.

Never pay more than retail unless you are willing to always pay more, for the same or less.

 

Definitely a lot of 2025 G550’s sitting on the dealer lots for sale. I personally wouldn’t want the smaller engine. I would imagine you will soon be able to pick one up for 5k under MSRP.

 

Me neither, I have a G 63 ordered.

 

Up to 584 now, with many dealers having more than one in stock.

 

Given the pre-facelift G63 accounted for roughly 60% of all G purchases worldwide, this is not really a shocker. The 550/500 was outsold by the 63 when it had the V8, so Id assume this ratio will only favour the 63 even more going forward.

Case in point is the guy on here who got a 25 550 recently and the starting price consisted of a $32K ADM, only for the dealer to settle for MSRP (and this was supposedly a hot market state). There will be considerable discounts to be had for the 550 soon enough.

 

I think for the right price the 550 could be a relative bargain. Would love to have a crystal ball and see how they hold after a couple years. Would they be the strongest resale in the class? 63 of course excluded.

 

I haven't heard of anyone getting them UNDER MSRP yet, but for sure at under MSRP, I think they'd have a decent resell, especially for those who don't care about the extra HP.

 

That was me and to be fair that discount was based on a long relationship of buying a lot of cars from the dealer group.

I have to say, if you haven't driven the new G550, you might be pleasantly surprised at how competent the engine is, I've had a lot of performance cars in my day and I felt zero need for any more power than the 550. Each to their own though.

 

Makes sense to me what Benz did, I bet 9 out of 10 people who specifically want or need a V8 go for the G63 anyways, otherwise with hybrid assist I bet the V6 has more than enough power plus better MPG since most of these are not used off road but as grocery getters and highway cruisers..

I'd be thankful there's even a V6 in there, wouldn't surprise me if eventually G550 is inline 4 and G63 is some souped up V6 supercharge hybrid turbo thing..

 

For a base G550, what is the lockability of any of the three differentials? Lock all 3? One of them? Two of them?

 

I almost think several of these threads in this forum should be bifurcated between the G550 and the G63. I get confused at times which model a particular post is addressing. The G550 is an amazing car, but I think it doesn't appeal to the owners/followers of the G63. This is NOT a shade against anyone by any means. I own a '24 G63 and often wonder at gas station fill-ups if I had made a mistake and should have gone with the G550 - but that only happens at gas stations. The moment I get into my G63, I'm quickly reminded by the throttle response/exhaust symphony that I had chosen the proper vehicle for me.

I'm of the belief that there is a perfect G Wagon for everyone, but I just don't think the G550 and the G63 are commensurate with each other. They appeal to very different audience groups. To each his/her own. At the end of the day, we are all lovers of boxes that defy the basic rules of aerodynamics. Enjoy your G Wagons!!!

 

I have a 24 G 63 also and had a 21G 63. I have a 25 G 63 on order with a 10/1 production date.

 

Can't wait for you to get delivery of your '25 G63. Hopefully you will then share your determination on which G63 you like the most!!!

 

Thanks, hopefully this will be the best one yet. I’ll be sure to post pictures and a review. The active suspension, keyless go and M Bux should make this the best one yet.

 

Same as the G63 - lock all 3.

 

Agree I do not need the V8 and did not want the low MPG (money has nothing to do with it). But if you need the V8 by all means go for the G63.

 

I think the V8 has the same mpg as the 6 cylinder for 25.

 

That would be awesome. 6 cylinder is 17/19/18. That would be a massive increase for the G63 V8. If that’s true I screwed up, I was assuming 13 city and 16 highway for the V8.