Greetings,

I recently totaled a Mercedes E350 4Matic, when a drunk driver t-boned the side. Luckily, my kids weren't in the car at the time, and I walked away without a scratch on me. I am still amazed, and needless to say will be going back to Mercedes for my next car. I am extremely interested in the g55, but had some questions hopefully some of you can answer. Is the g a good daily driver? How is it in the city (I live in Chicago, river north area)? Thank you all, and looking forward to any responses.

Fine as a daily driver ... but you sit upright, like a truck, and it bounces, like a truck ... it is not a sedan

The only problem I had with mine was parking. Garages try to charge you more. It is tall, so you can not park at some garages. When you park on the street, people do not hit the front (the Grill Guard scares them) ... but I have seen many with the Tire Cover dented

Added benefit ... other cars get out of your way ... and you see over traffic

You are going to LOVE the G55 when it Chicago dumps a foot a snow on you and you are the only person on the road with a silly grin on your face.

About the post above... get the Brabus or Kleemann shocks, lowers your G 1 1/2 in to 2in. Might not seem like much, but the handling is much better and more manageable.

Make no mistake about it, it is a truck. That being said, I think it is the most fun you can have in the city on four wheels. As stated above, the view is excellent and the acceleration is a blast. People just don't expect this level of performance in a brick. You will not regret it, although your passengers might.

You'd be happier with a G550 for daily drives as it has a softer suspension and with the slightly higher MPG you will stop to refuel every so often less.

Nevermind the 550, the G55 has the hp and exhaust noise to make you grin like a silly child.

Granted, but not sure how long he will have that grin on with the stiff G55 bouncing up and down the pot holes in Chicago land...

I've been in both, and personally like the G550 more cause it's smoother. I don't think I'll ever understand the concept of AMG + Trucks...

Thank you all for the replies. I will be going to the neighborhood mercedes dealer this weekend, and test-drive both the g550 and the g55, and will most definitely come back here and post my observations for you all. I am getting the impression the g550 is more smooth and better for daily drives, and the g55 is....well, the g55. My wife (greenpeace type) is still very reluctant, but I think I can turn her around. I'm a physician, so I really need a car that can go anywhere in snow/ice, and I think I found it (great clips of what the g can do on you tube. I probably spent a whole day just in awe). Thanks again for the replies! I will let you all know what happens.

...if you can find a R63, it'd be great to get your impression on the G55/G550 vs. the R.
Patrick

Naperville Mercedes has a brand new black 09 G55. Motorwerks of Barrington has a nice looking 05 silver G55.

i would prefer ml63 over the g55, its faster, newer design, better interieur quality, more comfortable.

It's apparent you don't understand what the G is. Using the letters ML and G in the same sentence is sacrilege.

Couldn't agree more. The G55 exhaust note alone outweighs all the weaknesses of this awesome machine...

What you are saying is true as I have driven both and currently own a ML63. However the "G" has so much character to outweigh its cons. I don't care if its aerodynamic, slower, less comfortable it is a "G" Wagen! However for the longest time I wouldn't replace my ML63 for a "G" because it did lack a lot of the amenities that the ML has, but now the '09 "G"s are out and I have no excuse not to buy it other than $$$. The '09 "G"s are the best of the best. Real major updates on it.

2010 G-Class has some major interior updates beyond what was in the '09 models, so consider waiting if creature comforts are important to you.

OH Damnit, just when I thought they perfected the G! Where did you find this information?

All the details are in this thread...but haven't found any pictures yet:

https://mbworld.org/forums/g55-amg-w...55-2010-a.html

The R63 is disgustingly fast.

Drove one for a weekend and was tearing up sports cars and watching their shocked looks on their faces... so much fun. Problem is... its not a G.

For practical purposes, luxury and speed, the R63 wins hands down. But the G has character that the R63 cannot reproduce.

If you get a G, the bad news is that you may have to pry the wife away. She has taken over and even (Heaven forbid) set her memory seat position #1. We truly love our 08 500 and use it as we did our 04 as a daily driver.

deeprmbg55:

I'm glad you walked away from the E350 accident without a scratch. Mercedes do make some great, sturdy vehicles.

As for the G class, I'm currently on my second G55 and seriously cannot even think of changing to another SUV in the future. The only other SUV I would own is another G55 in another color!!! No other SUV offers as much character, style, driver's view, exhaust note, or luxury all combined in one square little box.

Is it the most comfortable SUV out there? Absolutely not! It bounces when driven over the smallest holes and bumps, and is as stiff as a 50 cu ft. dump truck. However, you'll be enjoying every bump and pot-hole thanks to that NASCAR exhaust note and mountain top view that no other SUV offers. It is truly the ultimate, go anywhere, luxury SUV.

Just make sure you get a set of Blizzaks or the equivalent for the winter.

The dealer probably won't order them for you since they are below the recommended speed rating so Tirerack or you favorite independent is the way to go.

You'll need ice tires, not all seasons or whatever they come with. Make sure you take them off in the spring or they will cook and loose their grip.

Having owned 2 G500s and a GL450 in the past this is my suggestion:

Since you have kids and have to transport a family in comfort I would try a GL550 after you are done test driving the G's.

If you do not have any off road use, you will need to know that the G is:

1. very stiff & will send reverberations thru your arms when you hit a pot hole.

2. No matter which engine you get, the pedal effort to maintain highway speed is great. You can use cruise, but unfortunately distronic is not an option on the G.

3. The car is quite narrow and the cargo space while tall is deceptively small in terms of floor space.

4. The rear seat is a bench and quite uncomfortable (there is no arm rest)

You are paying 100k for this car for the extreme capabilities and to get into a very specific niche. Also, the curb appeal is exotic.

However, you are not getting much in terms of 100K luxury. I hate to say this but what keeps you from looking at the newly updated 500hp Range rover SC?

I am not trying to dissuade you but having owned and extensively driven a G I often hear from people who think that they are getting into a luxury SUV when they are shopping for a G and they are far from their expectations.

My friends in the UK don't even buy Range Rovers anymore.

G wagen in my book is not a great daily commuter vehicle for various reasons.

1. Gas Guzzler
2. Way too stiff and gets tiring after awhile
3. Seats arent very comfortable
4. Lacks luxury gadgets

However, it is the perfect vehicle if you are looking for

1. Unique on road and off
2. Moster-like power
3. Exhaust rumble

I loved it for about 2 months and I got just tired of refueling every other day and the stiff ride on an SUV is just too bouncy unlike the feel you get in a sports car. Granted mine was 06 so it lacked all the new goodies MB decided to put in the brand new G wagen.

Did I mention I blew up my engine? hahahahaha

Would I ever buy one again? Yes because it's a G wagen, but I wouldnt use it daily basis.

The point being?