Difficulty choosing between 450 and 550
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
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ml 350
Difficulty choosing between 450 and 550
Hi everyone,
Im sorry if someone has already started this thread (of which im unsure of) but im really confused about going for the GL450 or the 550. I do not have a family yet, so it's just me and my girlfriend, but i really like SUVs, and i'm thinking of upgrading from my ML350 to either a GL450 or a GL550. Can any of you recommend which one i should get?
Thanks!
Im sorry if someone has already started this thread (of which im unsure of) but im really confused about going for the GL450 or the 550. I do not have a family yet, so it's just me and my girlfriend, but i really like SUVs, and i'm thinking of upgrading from my ML350 to either a GL450 or a GL550. Can any of you recommend which one i should get?
Thanks!
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GL550
I want all the extras so for me the price of the 450 plus all the options ended up just a few thousand shy of the 550. I like the biggest most powerful engine and I really love the stying details of the 550--fender flares, grill, chrome roof rails, etc.
So for me, the 550 was it.
So for me, the 550 was it.
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
The only reason to go for the 450 is slightly better gas milage and/or the biggest difference ( if you live in snow country or want to travel on dirt/mud roads.............fantastic enhanced 4 wheel drive system)
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GL450
I leased my GL450. I really liked the look of the GL550 but it's residual and money factor were much less favorable than the deals they had for the GL450. So from a lease perspective, I would have been paying for a premium on the price and financing.
Why did you go with the ML350 over the ML500 or ML55 (or whatver the AMG version is)? That might help guide you this time.
Why did you go with the ML350 over the ML500 or ML55 (or whatver the AMG version is)? That might help guide you this time.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
If you are going to get a fully loaded up GL you should get the 550. Everything is pretty much standard on the 550 and by the time you get done loading up the 450 your price differential to the 550 won't be that much and you will get the bigger engine, wheels, fender flares, etc. If you are just going to get a GL with a few options then the 450 is the way to go (probably about a $20,000 difference between a base 450 and a "base" (which is fully loaded) 550). Can't go wrong either way..........
Thread Starter
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ml 350
what does blittle mean about the 'fantastic enhanced 4 wheel drive'? does that mean the GL 550 doesn't have enhanced 4 wheel drive?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
What I mean is.......the 320 and the 550 both come with the standard 4 Matic all-wheel drive system. Only on the 450 is the "Off-Road-Package" ( sometimes called "enhanced off road" by MB) offered. It allows you to lock the center and rear differentials and also adds an increased ability to raise the vehicle beyond what the standard system allows on the 320 and 550. These features give the maximum 4 wheel capability in those situations that demand it.
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Precisely because of the available Off-Road-Package. I travel back and forth to New England a lot in the winter and specificly on some snow or, sometimes mud roads, in the hills of Vermont
The ORP adds more functionality to an already great SUV!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
I agree with the others -- price out the 450 you want, then if it is close in price range to the 550, then get the 550.
For me, I wanted the P1 package & the sunroof (this was in 2007 when they were separate options) and that was it. The 550 wasn't available when I bought my 450. I love the looks of the 550 but in all honesty, price was a consideration for me, hence the 450 with very few options.
I would say test drive both, if you can. If $$ isn't a major consideration, then go for the 550 -- lots of "goodies" and a powerful engine.
For me, I wanted the P1 package & the sunroof (this was in 2007 when they were separate options) and that was it. The 550 wasn't available when I bought my 450. I love the looks of the 550 but in all honesty, price was a consideration for me, hence the 450 with very few options.
I would say test drive both, if you can. If $$ isn't a major consideration, then go for the 550 -- lots of "goodies" and a powerful engine.
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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
I wanted a loaded car and a 450 loaded approaches a 550 in price.. So the 550 just made a lot sense for me..
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From: central pennsylvania
12 CLS550, 09 CLS550, 04Cooper,10 Cooper S
sk31- A lot of people got 450's as they were the only model available when the car was introduced. I purchased a Premiere edition (which came equipped with close to all options, 20" wheels, running boards, roof rack etc), this car stickered in the mid 70's if the 550 was around it would have been a no brainer of a choice.
Build a 450 if you have no need for the off road package and you cross 70K after options, just go ahead with the 550. Will save you from buyers remorse IMHO.
Have to mention that this is the best SUV I have ever driven. Even better that Range Rovers in terms of handling and highway manners.
best
Build a 450 if you have no need for the off road package and you cross 70K after options, just go ahead with the 550. Will save you from buyers remorse IMHO.
Have to mention that this is the best SUV I have ever driven. Even better that Range Rovers in terms of handling and highway manners.
best
Last edited by LETO; Oct 29, 2007 at 04:38 PM.
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GL550
Not bad to look at either.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
sk31- A lot of people got 450's as they were the only model available when the car was introduced. I purchased a Premiere edition (which came equipped with close to all options, 20" wheels, running boards, roof rack etc), this car stickered in the mid 70's if the 550 was around it would have been a no brainer of a choice.
Build a 450 if you have no need for the off road package and you cross 70K after options, just go ahead with the 550. Will save you from buyers remorse IMHO.
Have to mention that this is the best SUV I have ever driven. Even better that Range Rovers in terms of handling and highway manners.
best
Build a 450 if you have no need for the off road package and you cross 70K after options, just go ahead with the 550. Will save you from buyers remorse IMHO.
Have to mention that this is the best SUV I have ever driven. Even better that Range Rovers in terms of handling and highway manners.
best
There your are......
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
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From: Julian, CA
2007 Porsche 997S & 2008 GMC Sierra
When we went to visit our local Mercedes dealer in August the plan was to order a 2008 ML550 due to size (the wife didn’t want a SUV that was bigger than her current Lexus LX470). Upon entering the dealership she immediately saw a GL450 on the showroom floor and next to it was a ML55 AMG with 20” wheels. She like the GL better than the ML but liked the AMG wheels on the ML. Our salesman, being the helpful type told her about the new GL550 with 21” AMG wheels. I didn’t stand a chance! Personally I would have liked to have seen her in a GL450 only for the 60 series tires vs. the 40 series on the GL550. When she had a BMW 4.4 X5 with sport package and low profile 19” tires she curbed the wheels on more than one occasion, the Lexus wheels never touched a curb; I hope she can do the same with the GL550.
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19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
2008 Mercedes GL450 Wagon
24 Month – Residual 66% of MSRP – .00200 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00240 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 46% of MSRP – .00240 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
2008 Mercedes GL550 Wagon
24 Month – Residual 62% of MSRP – .00390 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 43% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 38% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
24 Month – Residual 66% of MSRP – .00200 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 58% of MSRP – .00240 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 46% of MSRP – .00240 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 40% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
2008 Mercedes GL550 Wagon
24 Month – Residual 62% of MSRP – .00390 Base Rate
36 Month – Residual 54% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
48 Month – Residual 43% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
60 Month – Residual 38% of MSRP – .00355 Base Rate
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by dunderhi
I plugged in a fully loaded 450 ($72,315) vs. a standard 550 ($77,750) and came up with $1,222/mo vs. $1535/mo for a 36 mo, 12k/yr, $0 down lease.
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19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
I left the single options that they have in common off of both models, and left off the ORP and 19 wheels on the 450. Last year I wasn't able to get the 19" wheels without the ORP. The ORP & wheels combined cost $3770. Clicking yes to every possible option gets the 450 to $80,050 and the 550 to $83,125.
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GL450
I agree on the lease savings. Below are the October lease rates. I plugged in a fully loaded 450 ($72,315) vs. a standard 550 ($77,750) and came up with $1,222/mo vs. $1535/mo for a 36 mo, 12k/yr, $0 down lease. Using the difference in payments and a conservative 5% interest rate, the difference in cost of the lease is approximately $12,000 over 3 yrs. The difference in cost to purchase would be much lower given a likely higher resale value for the 550.
The 0.0019 money factor must still be available because the special lease term they are advertising is exactly what they had in August. So the rough equivalent interest rate of a 0.0019 money factor is 4.6% and 0.00355 is 8.5%.
Last edited by 85mm; Oct 30, 2007 at 01:03 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
! Wow Puggy you are in Julian. Trust you made it OK and your neighbors/friends came out OK. Re: this decision, I went through the same analysis. No deal for a 320 anywhere in Nevada or Oregon, except a little off MSRP and we can't have them in CA anyway! Never did figure out how to register it even if I got a good deal. And there was no decent deal (did not think of Costco or the route Jen went, stupid me) for a 550 from thousand oaks to San Luis. I live in Solvang. So it was more like a 10K premium for a 550 and then you don't have IR glass, which I wanted since we do enjoy the sun in the Santa Ynez valley or the ORP system which I thought I might need when I go to the snow. So a very loaded 450, Pewter on black like yours, with a decent, competitive deal, is what I will get in about 10 days. With the 450, you only lose a little chrome and about .6 secs to 60 mph, and a big, big star on the front. 
Last edited by tm4exc; Oct 30, 2007 at 01:33 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
Hi everyone,
Im sorry if someone has already started this thread (of which im unsure of) but im really confused about going for the GL450 or the 550. I do not have a family yet, so it's just me and my girlfriend, but i really like SUVs, and i'm thinking of upgrading from my ML350 to either a GL450 or a GL550. Can any of you recommend which one i should get?
Thanks!
Im sorry if someone has already started this thread (of which im unsure of) but im really confused about going for the GL450 or the 550. I do not have a family yet, so it's just me and my girlfriend, but i really like SUVs, and i'm thinking of upgrading from my ML350 to either a GL450 or a GL550. Can any of you recommend which one i should get?
Thanks!
that might be my next vehicle..
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 224
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F150,GL450, G63, Aprilia Tuono, Honda Cbx
For me
It would have been expensive to go 550 .
I got what all i wanted and was 67K after taxes. If I had to go 550 it could have been easily going over 80K. One thing I miss not getting is ORP.
I should have added that to the order. I love the rest of it.
Another thing I noticeed that newer trucks dont have a separate button for headlight washer (Mine does, May built). I wonder if 550 has it .
from reading all the posts I believe 550 does not offer
IR glass
ORP
Which is
I got what all i wanted and was 67K after taxes. If I had to go 550 it could have been easily going over 80K. One thing I miss not getting is ORP.
I should have added that to the order. I love the rest of it.
Another thing I noticeed that newer trucks dont have a separate button for headlight washer (Mine does, May built). I wonder if 550 has it .
from reading all the posts I believe 550 does not offer
IR glass
ORP
Which is
