GL550 driving impressions (somewhat long)
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Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 179
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From: Raleigh, NC
2001 BMW 540i/6-speed, 2008 GL550
GL550 driving impressions (somewhat long)
After a 15 minute test drive at the local dealer:
Pros:
1) Engine: when the sales associate was taking us out, he gunned it and I was thrown back in the seat. When I took over, the response was good but not as great. I attribute this to my tentativeness on the test drive; I'm pretty sure that as the car and I get to know each other, the performance will be just fine.
2) Transmission: see #1 above. Very smooth shifts.
3) Brakes: some reviews have complained about the brake feel, but I had no problems with it. The stopping distances were quite short for class.
4) Ride: like a sport/luxury sedan. The ADS is very effective, with a noticeable difference between settings. Interestingly, I found Sport to be adequately comfortable for most road conditions. However, it's nice to be able to offer that smooth comfort ride to passengers on long trips. Also, absolutely no penalty in harshness with the 21" wheels.
5) Body: in the metal, the differences are noticeable but not as pronounced as some of the publicity photos would indicate. The AMG wheels are very, very nice. Overall, the look is aggressive and sporty, but not at all blingy or garish. A nice upgrade.
6) Handling: steering is lighter than the 3 S550's I have driven, but with better feedback. The effect is sporty and nimble, and the vehicle handles like it is 2000 pounds lighter than it is. I don't know how Mercedes gets this level of handling without a ride harshness penalty, in a vehicle of this size. To me, this alone justifies the $80K price tag.
Cons:
1) Leather: the same as other GL's. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel. Perhaps with break-in, the seats will soften. Also, it is blisteringly hot in NC these days, and ventilated or at least perforated leather seats would have been welcome.
2) IR glass: would have been nice for heat control; not really needed for sound dampening as the GL550 is very quiet as is.
TBD:
1) Multi-contour seats: did not feel all that much difference with the different settings, but I did not have enough seat time to make a judgement.
2) Fuel economy: bound to be pretty low, but one has to pay a price for a vehicle with all of this capability and capacity.
3) Winter performance: I'm a little concerned with how the tires will handle the occasional winter weather we have here. My main justification to my wife for moving to the GL from a minivan was to have all-weather capability (to get me to work at the hospital). If things are bad with the standard setup, I will have to switch to winter wheels/tires (which I preferred not to do for the rare occasions we have slippery roads during the winter). This was a calculated risk; the overall package of the GL550 was too compelling to resist at this price.
Raj
On order: 2008 GL550, Pewter/Macadamia, RSE, tow package.
Pros:
1) Engine: when the sales associate was taking us out, he gunned it and I was thrown back in the seat. When I took over, the response was good but not as great. I attribute this to my tentativeness on the test drive; I'm pretty sure that as the car and I get to know each other, the performance will be just fine.
2) Transmission: see #1 above. Very smooth shifts.
3) Brakes: some reviews have complained about the brake feel, but I had no problems with it. The stopping distances were quite short for class.
4) Ride: like a sport/luxury sedan. The ADS is very effective, with a noticeable difference between settings. Interestingly, I found Sport to be adequately comfortable for most road conditions. However, it's nice to be able to offer that smooth comfort ride to passengers on long trips. Also, absolutely no penalty in harshness with the 21" wheels.
5) Body: in the metal, the differences are noticeable but not as pronounced as some of the publicity photos would indicate. The AMG wheels are very, very nice. Overall, the look is aggressive and sporty, but not at all blingy or garish. A nice upgrade.
6) Handling: steering is lighter than the 3 S550's I have driven, but with better feedback. The effect is sporty and nimble, and the vehicle handles like it is 2000 pounds lighter than it is. I don't know how Mercedes gets this level of handling without a ride harshness penalty, in a vehicle of this size. To me, this alone justifies the $80K price tag.
Cons:
1) Leather: the same as other GL's. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel. Perhaps with break-in, the seats will soften. Also, it is blisteringly hot in NC these days, and ventilated or at least perforated leather seats would have been welcome.
2) IR glass: would have been nice for heat control; not really needed for sound dampening as the GL550 is very quiet as is.
TBD:
1) Multi-contour seats: did not feel all that much difference with the different settings, but I did not have enough seat time to make a judgement.
2) Fuel economy: bound to be pretty low, but one has to pay a price for a vehicle with all of this capability and capacity.
3) Winter performance: I'm a little concerned with how the tires will handle the occasional winter weather we have here. My main justification to my wife for moving to the GL from a minivan was to have all-weather capability (to get me to work at the hospital). If things are bad with the standard setup, I will have to switch to winter wheels/tires (which I preferred not to do for the rare occasions we have slippery roads during the winter). This was a calculated risk; the overall package of the GL550 was too compelling to resist at this price.
Raj
On order: 2008 GL550, Pewter/Macadamia, RSE, tow package.
Last edited by sraj; Aug 7, 2007 at 11:25 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
After a 15 minute test drive at the local dealer:
Pros:
1) Engine: when the sales associate was taking us out, he gunned it and I was thrown back in the seat. When I took over, the response was good but not as great. I attribute this to my tentativeness on the test drive; I'm pretty sure that as the car and I get to know each other, the performance will be just fine.
2) Transmission: see #1 above. Very smooth shifts.
3) Brakes: some reviews have complained about the brake feel, but I had no problems with it. The stopping distances were quite short for class.
4) Ride: like a sport/luxury sedan. The ADS is very effective, with a noticeable difference between settings. Interestingly, I found Sport to be adequately comfortable for most road conditions. However, it's nice to be able to offer that smooth comfort ride to passengers on long trips. Also, absolutely no penalty in harshness with the 21" wheels.
5) Body: in the metal, the differences are noticeable but not as pronounced as some of the publicity photos would indicate. The AMG wheels are very, very nice. Overall, the look is aggressive and sporty, but not at all blingy or garish. A nice upgrade.
6) Handling: steering is lighter than the 3 S550's I have driven, but with better feedback. The effect is sporty and the nimble, and the vehicle handles like it is 2000 pounds lighter than it is. I don't know how Mercedes gets this level of handling without a ride harshness penalty, in a vehicle of this size. To me, this alone justifies the $80K price tag.
Cons:
1) Leather: the same as other GL's. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel. Perhaps with break-in, the seats will soften. Also, it is blisteringly hot in NC these days, and ventilated or at least perforated leather seats would have been welcome.
2) IR glass: would have been nice for heat control; not really needed for sound dampening as the GL550 is very quiet as is.
TBD:
1) Multi-contour seats: did not feel all that much difference with the different settings, but I did not have enough seat time to make a judgement.
2) Fuel economy: bound to be pretty low, but one has to pay a price for a vehicle with all of this capability and capacity.
3) Wiinter performance: I'm a little concerned with how the tires will handle the occasional winter weather we have here. My main justification to my wife for moving to the GL from a minivan was to have all-weather capability (to get me to work at the hospital). If things are bad with the standard setup, I will have to switch to winter wheels/tires (which I preferred not to do for the rare occasions we have slippery roads during the winter). This was a calculated risk; the overall package of the GL550 was too compelling to resist at this price.
Raj
On order: 2008 GL550, Pewter/Macadamia, RSE, tow package.
Pros:
1) Engine: when the sales associate was taking us out, he gunned it and I was thrown back in the seat. When I took over, the response was good but not as great. I attribute this to my tentativeness on the test drive; I'm pretty sure that as the car and I get to know each other, the performance will be just fine.
2) Transmission: see #1 above. Very smooth shifts.
3) Brakes: some reviews have complained about the brake feel, but I had no problems with it. The stopping distances were quite short for class.
4) Ride: like a sport/luxury sedan. The ADS is very effective, with a noticeable difference between settings. Interestingly, I found Sport to be adequately comfortable for most road conditions. However, it's nice to be able to offer that smooth comfort ride to passengers on long trips. Also, absolutely no penalty in harshness with the 21" wheels.
5) Body: in the metal, the differences are noticeable but not as pronounced as some of the publicity photos would indicate. The AMG wheels are very, very nice. Overall, the look is aggressive and sporty, but not at all blingy or garish. A nice upgrade.
6) Handling: steering is lighter than the 3 S550's I have driven, but with better feedback. The effect is sporty and the nimble, and the vehicle handles like it is 2000 pounds lighter than it is. I don't know how Mercedes gets this level of handling without a ride harshness penalty, in a vehicle of this size. To me, this alone justifies the $80K price tag.
Cons:
1) Leather: the same as other GL's. I was a bit disappointed in the plasticky feel. Perhaps with break-in, the seats will soften. Also, it is blisteringly hot in NC these days, and ventilated or at least perforated leather seats would have been welcome.
2) IR glass: would have been nice for heat control; not really needed for sound dampening as the GL550 is very quiet as is.
TBD:
1) Multi-contour seats: did not feel all that much difference with the different settings, but I did not have enough seat time to make a judgement.
2) Fuel economy: bound to be pretty low, but one has to pay a price for a vehicle with all of this capability and capacity.
3) Wiinter performance: I'm a little concerned with how the tires will handle the occasional winter weather we have here. My main justification to my wife for moving to the GL from a minivan was to have all-weather capability (to get me to work at the hospital). If things are bad with the standard setup, I will have to switch to winter wheels/tires (which I preferred not to do for the rare occasions we have slippery roads during the winter). This was a calculated risk; the overall package of the GL550 was too compelling to resist at this price.
Raj
On order: 2008 GL550, Pewter/Macadamia, RSE, tow package.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County PA
MB
Raj, Thanks for your input. In regards to the tires, I understand that these are M+S rated. Is it the tread depth and tire size that concerns you?
Last edited by emayer; Aug 7, 2007 at 06:03 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
Oh yeah I need a 911 turbo convertible so I can make it to the primary angioplasties in 30 minutes.. Time is muscle!!!
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County PA
MB
We're definitely
here from Raj's excellent feedback but I just couldn't resist. Apologies all!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
19 MB G63, '18 RR Dawn, '15 RR ATB LWB, '14/'08 MB GL550, '11 MB CL63 AMG, '11 X5 50i etc etc
Think I could get a Ferrari on this logic.... What could be more important than someone's life and me driving a dream-car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 3
From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
That is a great write-up, Raj. I am sure NJ will thank you for it too 
And, Pewter/Mac is a beautiful combo. That was the first GL I ever saw and it has stuck with me.
And, Pewter/Mac is a beautiful combo. That was the first GL I ever saw and it has stuck with me.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Thanks
Correct nish. Nice report and I love the comments about the ride quality. I am a "ride quality" nut, always have been. That is why I was so upset when I found out the 320 did not have ADSII available.
I agree about the ventilated or at least perforated seats. I am going to give up some fantastic seats but as things go, you win some and lose some.
Thanks again sraj...so many doctors on this thread maybe BETO's remark about an ambulance had some merit...
I agree about the ventilated or at least perforated seats. I am going to give up some fantastic seats but as things go, you win some and lose some.
Thanks again sraj...so many doctors on this thread maybe BETO's remark about an ambulance had some merit...
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
2001 BMW 540i/6-speed, 2008 GL550
Exactly. Concerned that the big doughnuts will turn into skates.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 3
From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by sraj
Exactly. Concerned that the big doughnuts will turn into skates.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 196
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From: Bucks County PA
MB
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Thanks for the detailed report Raj. I know there has been a lot of consternation about those tires, so I'm going to be real interested in how they perform living here in CO. My dealer isn't expecting any issues and I've noted that GL Fahrer also feels the same. Keeping my fingers crossed though.
