VeryBlackSL65

I remember walking into the dealership and giving a black, 2009 G55 a much anticipated test drive. Stiff seating, laborous steering, and the most gorgeous grunt and exhaust note next to an SLR. I was mad in-love.

Two months down the line, a little over a thousand on the odometer, and many refuelings later, my family was becoming weary of my lovely beast. The child seat took up a fair amount of 'bench-space' in the rear. Both my wife and I repeatedly closed the door, smacking our outer hip (we're heavy, but not obese), not to mention if you jump in too quickly, the thick door sill cracking your head like a papaya.

For our family, this was not the optimal choice when you have "family-oriented" vehicles ready to soak-in parties of eight. So, we concluded that the G55 was ultimate for daddy's ego, with sound, rigidity, plush interior, and *****-out performance, but we ended up at the Cadillac dealer, trading in for a $90k Escalade ESV Platinum Edition (giving us a ton of room), losing big-time on our $120k G55... Damn, that was the hardest compromise I've ever experienced. Hell, I still gotta stomach ache... but, family needs comes first, right?

sprins

Wrong. Daddy's ego is at least equally important. Youmade the wrong decision IMO.

alroumi

Would be better if you got the Full Size Range Rover with the Supercharged engine.

drew138

This post should be sticky'd and is one of the reasons there are a lot of low mi. cars for sale. 100% agree; but I'm keeping mine!

transferred

Very true in that it's a far more capable vehicle than the GM....however they only seat 5 (confused whether 8 seats were needed, unclear in orginal post) but he got the stretched ESV so

Behike

No doubt, family always comes first. You did the right thing. Some suggest that you should have gone with a RR but you would have had another series of problems (you would feel Christmas all year long with sensors constantly lighting up).

This is my 2nd G55, first was a 2009 and I love it over everything else I have owned and driven. I love it more than our Bentley, tells you how nuts I am about it. The only thing I would worry about in the G55 when I have kids are the front and rear rigid axles; not the best comfort for the brain (sometimes).

transferred

Don't think the 2010 RR's have many issues, my neighbors both run great. even with the odd hiccup, it's the class leader by far. LX570's another good option, esp if reliability is the chief concern, seats 8 too iirc but not as much space as ESV...

Behike

Good to hear so, didn't know the newer models are better. I have to admit that I would also pick a full size SC RR over the GM. The interior is sublime.

VeryBlackSL65

You guys are all correct in that RRs and LXs are great seconds to the 55, but, I gotta say (and am no way including the G55 in this discussion) that the 'Platinum' edition Cadillac is pretty impressive. A ton of LEDs in the headlights to blast the road at night, a much softer leather than standard, and the interior finish is a mile above a stock Escalade. And, you guys are right, a mass amount of room for eight and a ton of cargo.

I know, GM build quality, but, damn, you have to check this thing out. Hell, I hated having to drive multiple people in my G55, scuffing their feet on the back of my gorgeous seats and drinking their coffees, hoping they wouldn't spill a drop. The Caddy?, who cares.... not to mention a very healthy 6.2 litre engine, pushing AWD....

I sure miss my "multi-select" on the G's dash...... anyone want to loan me theirs for a day???? I'll let you take the SL65 Black for a spin .!!!!!..

VeryBlackSL65

That was my baby........Still have one left !!!!

VeryBlackSL65

Here they are.....

transferred

Damn, they look too sweet together...buy it back!

nyc123

I sold my g55 after 1,000 miles for the same reason too stiff bumpy noisy and loud to go very far with the family. Just picked up a 2010 rr sc this weekend and love it. But I sure do love looking at the g55 when I see one on the road. The truth is while a regular g550 does not look at cool as the g55 it is the better driving car and if I ever got another G thats probably what I would get. Not as stiff or noisy but still the same high build quality.

Behike

I have the G55. Missing the SL BS. I was looking for a SL65 but gave up. The BS is amazing!

sc_trojan

well, you should have done what I did- replace the g55 shocks and springs with the g550 shocks and springs. While it made the car an inch higher, the ride is MUCH smoother.

Behike

Isn't better to get a G550 from the beginning?

jimmyg

A lot of people put G500/550 shock absorbers on their G55...low cost and limited impact on the handling. Another option is the new BRABUS electronically adjustable shock absorbers for the G-Class which offer both a comfort and sport mode with almost instant changes in modes. Cost including installation is about $7k.

drew138

I find the G55 is actually a bit too soft and would prefer the steering and handling to be more tighter overall. 95% of the time I'm alone in the car. Anyone have the Brabus setup or have posted reviews?

sl55amg33

Probably isn't much discussion anymore, but after being around a few GL-class cars, just wondering why this wasn't in consideration if you needed room and seating for 8? I have been impressed with the GL550 special editions and think it is a great looking truck with a very comfortable ride and still pretty quick for not having an AMG model available.

Behike

Same here. I find the ride comfortable.

I think it's because the GL is ugly. But that's me.

PCH

That's gotta be a first!

sc_trojan

No, because the G550 does not come with a supercharger- which I have since modified with a new pulley and ECU to give me an additional 150+ hp

Behike

Heh good point but I am not sure all the power in the world goes in pair well with height and soft suspension.

sc_trojan

Actually it doesn't. With my g550 suspension, the car is downright scary to take a corner at high speed.... it's just more for straight line acceleration, bragging rights and to keep an ocassional M3 at bay when at a stoplight.

If I want to take a corner at high speeds, I simply drive my 996tt that I have modded to have over 700+ hp.

Behike

Cool. Gotta love the face of boy racers in their M3 at a red light drag in the G55! Annihilation.