F456toG55

Hi I am Sylvain, 43. I am French and live in France with my wife and 2 girls (7 and 4). I currently drive a Ferrari 456 Mgt which I use for the week ends with my 3 girls. It is a fantastic car with the mythic V12 engine and you can feel a lot of emotions while driving it ..... BUT ... I am the only one in the family who likes it. too small too noisy ... this an unusefull car for the girls. So I had a look to other brands, M5 - RS6 - E63 - ML63, and so I have tested a M5 touring with the amazing V10. Problem is I didn't feel any emotion in driving this car, very good engineer job, but I was very disappointed by the lack of thrills. On the Ferrari I feel young and fun, in the M5 I felt old and boring.
Then a friend told me about the G55, It is hard for me to test drive a G55 (none in my area) so sorry for the strange question but : do you feel young when you drive the G55 ? Is your family happy when you take it ?

RBYCC

A G55 isn't going to make you feel young, more a feeling of exclusivity...
They are not large vehicles and ride quality is truck like.
The exhaust note is noticeable.
Not bad performance for a 3 ton truck...

F456toG55

I can read many things regarding comfort.
What other car can you compare the G55 to ?

E55Dimon

More input on this would be great from owners, Im a big fan and going to be looking for one in the summer but am however worried about the whole "truck feel". Going from low sports cars/sedans could be very difficult.

Milobeans22

i've only just purchased a G (taking delivery next week)...and i also don't have the stable of world class vehicles you (and many other users) have. consequently, i am probably not the most qualified user to answer your question. that said, i have driven my fair share of great cars...911, ferrari, RR sports, etc...and i can tell you nothing has ever given me the rush i felt test driving a G wagon. i laughed like a little kid when i first fired up the engine. the G may not be the fastest and it certainly isn't the best handling vehicle....but to paraphrase an article i read recently, it feels like you're driving a dragon. i'm not sure there is another car on the planet that can stir more emotion.

F456toG55

thank that is exactly what I wanted to hear, having fun without driving (very) fast is not so easy

Milobeans22

don't get me wrong....a G55, with its 5.4L supercharged V8, 500hp, 516 foot/lbs torque, 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, is no slouch.......just don't take a corner like you usually do. keep in mind, the G63 is even faster and more powerful.

if emotional response is what you seek, you have found it in a G wagon.

Milobeans22

....and to risk laying it on too thick, check this out. i think it conveys what i'm trying to say very well:

RBYCC

I'm on my second one and no matter what else you own it is a vehicle that should be considered for very unique utilitarian reasons.
Not for everybody...it's an almost 35 year old military design with off road capabilities like an H1 Hummer.
Not one curved panel in the body or glass.
The AMG version even with an upgraded interior still rides like a truck, but a very fast one with a NASCAR side exhaust rumble......
If you don't like old designs then better you look at more of a SUV like the GL...

E55Dimon

Everything I can say about the G you already know, IMO no GL63 or ML can compare to the G. It's that "truck feel" I'm worried about.
It'll be quick enough (going to be modded), etc. Do they rollover? Can I take an exit at 50?
I had a couple boosted quattro audis and an AMS Evo8 that I took exits with like it was a go-kart race. I learned well not to do that in the low E.
Dont mean to hijack thread )
As much feedback would be great. Love the motor, love G more.

RBYCC

I will repeat ..it has a "truck feel" because it is a truck...

Do they rollover?....Any vehicle will rollover if you attain an incorrect attitude in cornering.

Can you take an exit at 50...again how sharp of a curve does the exit have...

The G's center of gravity is not as high as it appears to be with the weight biased low to the truck type frame and three transfer cases...
It's not a unibody like most SUV's...it's a very old military vehicle design.

If you're worried about the "truck feel" then you have every reason to worry..
The G is not for one who wants to have it handle like a Quattro or EVO...
It's not "boy racer" stuff....it's a very fast truck that rides and handles like a truck...

First time you drive it in cold weather before the tires and steering damper heats up you'll discover how much of a truck it is...

Based on what you ask it appears that the G is not for you....

1badassbenz

I have had a few G500's and G55's. I currently have a G55 Supercharged. It sounds amazing, has lots of power but like the others stated it does have that 3/4 / 1 ton truck feel and rough riding. I even tried installing the G500 shocks to soften the ride but it is still a rougher ride. I would recommend trying to find one to drive prior. I love mine but its that type of vehicle you either love it or hate it.

E55Dimon

Thanks for your input.
I'm looking to drive it everyday and enjoy it. And have the peace of mind that if my wife drives it she will not roll it over. Make sense? It's a tank, right? I want my kid to be safe in it.
What I don't want is to commute to work on crappy roads and remember every bump. I do want the Mercedes comfort. 10mpg roughly I assume?
I cant test drive a G55. My dealers only have G550's. Those ride less harsh, and much slower. This is difficult.

You have an excellent taste in cars sir.
How much more comfy is your E55? Mine is white too, by the way.
Why do you love it? I love the look, always have. And the motor. And the presense it has anywhere it goes.

1badassbenz

My E55 is much more comfy & not even comparable in my opinion, the G is rough. Nice choice, white is very rare and hard to come by. Is your E55 a wagon as well? I love the G because I like that rugged / rough feel, it's a beast and yes you are correct the look and presence is amazing in my eyes.

E55Dimon

Nope, sedan. Yeah white was hard to find and I changed it to matte red after 3 years, going back after winter is over.
I guess I really have to drive one. I would probably like the rugged feel too, but our roads here are absolutely terrible. I wouldn't be ok shaking 2 hours a day. I'll be keeping the E55 and have a G35x as well, but I would want to drive the G

RBYCC

You're not going to get "Mercedes comfort" as it's not built for comfort in spite of having a upgraded interior.
It doesn't bother me as my CLK63 Black Series has a not so "comfortable" ride quality.
Crappy roads will feel like crappy roads as the suspension is more of an off road then street design.
Back seat not something for long trips.
Smaller then it appears with a short but high cargo area.
If your wife has yet to turn over a vehicle then the chances are that she won't be able to roll a G-Wagen.
Great daily driver but it is a harsh ride.
MPG around 10 stop and go and up to 17 on highway.
Drive the G550 and if you find it too harsh then no need to go any further...

twist-a-grip

Other than my fast cars, I have a 2011 GMC Denali 2500HD (diesel), a 2014 Denali 1500, a 1997 Landcruiser and just dumped a 2014 Range Rover SC for my 2014 G63. The 2500 pickup is a tad rougher than the G, but is honestly easier to drive as the G tends to wander all over the road (please someone tell me if this is not normal). The 1500 is more comfortable and much easier to drive than the G. The LC is more comfortable, but wanders much like the G because I have 37s on it. The ride quality and comfort of the G cannot even touch that of the RR. Furthermore, the G55 is rougher than the G63 and the G500 is supposedly more comfortable than both AMGs, but I don't have seat time in a G500 to confirm. Just because it's an AMG doesn't mean its lack of comfort should be compared with sports car and exotic suspensions set up for handling and performance - it's a truck suspension. That being said, I only have one other exotic that puts a bigger smile on my face than the G63. It's a crappy ride and handles like poo, but is just plain fun. In my opinion, a G should be at least a 5th or 6th car, not your only car.

E55Dimon

I'm sure I'll still get one, but damn this thread has brought disappointing news. Cant settle for a range rover down the road.

F456toG55

thanks to everybody for your answers, I can see many G55 for sale in Europe, but I still face some problems to find out the evolutions (interior and engine)
Is there anything somewhere I can find the man imporvement years after years
For example MY2007 goes to 507 hp, MY2008 got new speedometer .... ???

PUR Motors

Yes! The G55 OR G63 is the way to go. The G-Class is one of the most Unique cars ever produced. Its thrilling and it also is great for the family! so if you are considering one I have a couple that I can ship out to you!


VISIT


UNIQUEAUTOBROKERAGE.COM

alroumi

2010 and newer gets different style seats similar to the current ones on G63.

F456toG55

Hello, the Ferrari has gone and I have found the one I was looking for, I will have it next thursday. I drove it once and what I can say is that it is a very exciting car ! Regarding the rough comfort, it is ok for me, better than expected. In Europe maybe we are familiar with that kind of comfort. It looks much better than the Ferrari or the fiat 500 I daily use. And the start up is so amazing, just before the green light goes on I wanted to say "see you in Hell ...."

v8plus4

F456toG55

The G55 is at home now
400 kms yesterday to come back from Barcelona

I confirm : it is a BIG toy, and that is exactly what I was looking for

I feel like a little boy in it like I used to be in the Ferrari

drdrank

I would agree with this. And I would disagree with the statement that the G doesn't make you feel young. That's obviously personal, but this definitely makes me feel like a big 5 year old kid playing with Tonka trucks in the sand.

I also have a 911 Turbo and a race car, but I love driving this. Every time I touch the gas pedal and hear the side exhausts, I giggle like a little kid. It's hilarious every time. And my girl gets an even bigger kick out of it.

Obviously won't corner like your 458 down a mountain pass, but I laugh just as hard stomping on the gas going down a regular street, before even hitting 35mph.