I can't make up my mind... the 55 AMG is super sexy but I need good offroad capabilities. I'm not sure wether the lower case and side exhausts are fine for off road. I can't even judge what difference there is between those 2 models with my own eyes as I live in France where they only sold 1 G class last year. There's a 4 months waiting list as they have 0 stock. Here everyone goes for boring Cayennes, Range Rovers or X5s.
I'm crazy about the G, but don't have enough elements to judge.

Ted, jimmy, someone with experience, please....

Yann

Hmm, well the AMG would be nicer, but you don't want to even get a speck of dust on that thing if you go off-road. I would, myself go with a G500.

Good luck in your decision.

I have a G55 and I do take it off road quite a bit. I did change the shocks to the G500 shocks since the 55 shocks were actually way too firm. I also put different tires on it as the stock G55 tires are not made to go off road. My ride height and performance off road are identical to a G500. I know this for a fact as I've owned both a 500 and 55. I can see how the sides pipes might give you some trouble in certain situations but so far I've had no problems. You can't go wrong with either truck as they're both a lot of fun.

G-class is great for off-road and stuff, but I can't see the reason to buy a 25 year old box w/ plastic surgery.

I'd take the G500 tho. The 55's too much for that box.

FrankW,

I can't see the reason to buy a $50k C-Class either. But to each his own. Right?

.........To each his own indeed. The most reliable car I ever owned was a 1992 honda Prelude. One can make a perfectly rational argument that it is indeed stupid to buy a mercedes when a Honda will perform just as well orven better and will be mopre reliable.

..........regarding G55 vs G500. To me the visual apperance of the G500 is anemic compared to the G55. The offroad capabilities are the same. The sound of the G55 engine an exhaust is pure music. The HP is more and will soon be even more if you buy the AMG G55K. In short, there is no question in my mind that the G55 is superior. But whther this superiority is worth the $15K to $30K difference is a personal choice.

Ted

I've owned three G-wagens. A 1991 300GE, a 2002 G500, and a 2004 G55. I've used all of them off-road, and let me tell you that there's nothing like some extra torque to make 4x4 adventures more fun. If I were able to afford it right now, I'd trade in my G55 for the Kompressor today...but I still feel like the power of the standard G55 is quite good and makes up for the weight and size of this vehicle.

name one other performance sedan that will out perform the C32 at it's price. you can't...The S4 maybe, but it's still slower than the C32.

on the other hand I can name couple SUV that can out perform the G500/55 on the road or equal (or little less) off road. The Range Rover, the X5 4.8is, and the Cayenne turbo which all are better refined than the G. IMO

BUT to each of his own. if you like it, it's not my business.

Thanks for numerous replies.
What I can't figure out though is why C drivers want to waste time on a G class forum to demolish the car. Are you sure you're not a wee bit jealous?Just enjoy your ride and let me enjoy mine thank you very much.

OK, AMG it will be then. But the 55 tires are part of the whole great aspect of the car and it would break my heart to replace them with 500's. Can it really not be done without doing so?...

YFV,
In the US, which may not be the case in Europe, the 55 comes with performance orientated tires which are not off road friendly. You really do need to change the tires if you're going to spend any time off road. Good luck and enjoy your 55.

FrankW,
I like the C32. I just don't like it when some jack%$& tries to start a flame war in a thread were he shouldn't be involved. The G55 is unique which is why it appealed to me over all other SUV's. If you're an enthusiast, like you seem to be, you should understand that. Have fun with your C32, it's a great car.

The Range Rover is not as powerful as the G55 by far and the X5 4.8is has got less torque, although a little bit lighter.
The Cayenne turbo is faster in every detail so just to annoy Frank I'll order the G55 Kompressor not later than Monday morning. Plus I should be the only one in France to own one, which puts me waaayyy ahead of any of the x0 000 Cayenne owners all over France.

Thank you for making my choice easier. I'll keep you all posted with details and pics....in 5 months, according to MB France.

Yann.

By the way.............................black or silver?????????????????????????????

I replaced the tires with 35" on my G500. You could do the same for the G55. For offroading, the stock tires on the G500 in the USA aren't much better than the ones on the G55.

That exhaust bugs me though... it could easily be changed so it does not interfere in high-centering conditions. High-centering is more of a concern here in California when offroading; other places (such as the Netherlands) don't need to be concerned when going offroad. So the type of offroad driving you do makes a big difference.

If MB France is having so many problems providing you with a vehicle, have you considered importing a slightly used one yourself? Just a short drive...

-s-

You're correct. The only potential problem with the 55 vs. the 500 when it comes to off roading is the side exhaust. I haven't had a problem yet but I can see how during a "high-centering condition" you might have a problem. They sure are cool to look though.

I guess I'll have to wait and see how I handle the G55 with its genuine tires according to my needs. Regarding the side exhaust, well, I'll have to be a bit carefull, but who isn't. :v
Now about buying it abroad, it could have been an option going to Germany for an amg so that I can at least see the car and try it, but now that my mind is set on the Kompressor...
I can't wait, what coulor would you get? How about silver with black interior, although full black is cool too.

...........congratulations on your decision. Remember to change your shocks(you do not need to change the springs) to G500 shocks. The G55 shocks are way too stiff. Interestingly, the G500 shocks have an AMG part number while the G55 shocks do not.go figure. I also changed my tires to Nitto extreme force.....305/55/18's. This give the G55 an even more muscular look. I was told that the tires are good for perfornmance driving as well as off road use, but I am yet to go of road. But for non off-road driving, Extreme force in my opinion is the best tire for the G.

Ted

Thanks, I red that from you earlier on the thread but it seems that European models are being built with the same shocks already as the G500's. That's one more question MB france will find hard to answer. I'll probably have to call germany directly....

enjoy the new ride

Silver exterior, black interior sounds like a plan.

Congrats. I'm not trying to get in the middle of anything, but I don't see how Frank tried to start anything. He only gave his opinion, you can disagree with it, but I don't think it's right to call him jealous just because he posts on a forum that doesn't represent his vehicle.

"I can't see the reason to buy a 25 year old box w/ plastic surgery"

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.
Now there was no pun intended and no offence taken.
End of incident.

Good way to end it!
~Keri(who feels like she's the new conflict manager of MBWORLD )

Do you have any rubbing issues with these tires? What about ESP? Can it handle them? The stock Yoko tires are a joke for snow or off road. Granted they are very nice on the highway at high speed.

You are kidding me right? The G is a multi-purpose military/civilian vehicle. There is way any of the cars you mentioned can hold a candle to the G-wagen offroad. Locking front/center/rear differentials vs. open diffs. C'mon, The G-wagen is all about offroad prowess and does not try to act like a wannabe sportscar on stilts. Whats ironic/funny is that the BMW and Porsche handle better onroad than your C32 stock for stock. :p