bkdewitte

After Dunnysm1 played games selling his GL550, i didn't buy his car...

I continue to look for a slightly used GL550. Anybody... send me a line.
pref. pewter barolo or white color with KLG,RSE,ipod and Illum DS. I m not a dealer btw.

thanks,
Bart

bkdewitte

still looking. Anyone considering mail me. tx for reading.

Stumblefoot

I think we all like our 550's too much.

Best Wishes.

StevethePilot

This might sound far-fetched and maybe there aren't enough of them around yet to have it happen, but have you tried looking at the repo auctions?

oinick

Have you seen this month's Car and Driver, page 127? I don't know what stock you put in the car magazines' opinions, but they are not really wild about the 550, and I understand their reasoning.

It would be hard for me to pass on a 450 if I wanted a gasoline model, especially with the current incentives from MB. You would get a much better deal on the 450 or 320 for less (a lot less). As C & D puts it, what you get with the 550 compared to the 450 is 21 inch wheels, 47 hp, and 52 lbs-feet more. At a whole lot more money and a whole lot worse mileage...

Just my two cents...

Nevada Jack

Have not read the article yet but here is my "two-cents."

Chrome rails, all options, ADSII, and whatever I have not mentioned. A "better deal" is relative to the purchase, but a better value is relative to the package. Load up a GL450 to the level of the GL550 and then evaluate the packages...the GL550 is the best in my opinion. The 5 liter engine provides more than just 47 more HP, it appears to be much better matched to the 7 speed tranny and performance is almost equal to the S550.

I would have been greatly pleased with my 2007 GL320 had I not cancelled the order, but I think when the GL550 was introduced and I had driven it, I would have been trading up to the 2008 model 550. It's performance and ride (with the ADSII option) is just so enjoyable that it is hard for me to accept the C & D lack of being "wild" about it.

I'll read the article now...

bkdewitte

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies.
The problem with the GL550 seems to be the low number of them available on the market ( I even have a dealer checking auctions for me). I think only a small number of people are not happy with their car....and the MB dealers try to cash in on the hype by not discounting their stock of GL550s with low miles.
I normally buy used cars with few miles on it but it seems that the wait for a GL550 might be a bit longer than what I planned for.
It is a great car. If I find one over here, there is good chance that the owner took good care of it...
Might buy a lexus470 in the end and wait till MB offers the GL with ventilated seats and distronic.

Kar don

MB dropped the ball on the 550 in my opinion. It really needs the nappa leather upgrade that it was SUPPOSED to get... as well as ventilated seats. Off road pkg too.

oknish

This is usually the part where GL Fahrer mentions how MBUSA has got it right. I am not shooting the messenger but I have a problem with the message from MBUSA for sure.

sraj

I have to agree with NJ. If you are going to option up a GL450, you may as well go for the 550. The additional content is worth much more than the $7000 differential, in my opinion, and it is the only way to get multi-contour seats. Also, my mileage after 10K miles has been better than the C&D example (I'm seeing 16.7 mpg in mixed driving). I just don't see the downside, although admittedly I have not examined the current MB incentives on the GL450.

ubrs

Having driven the GL 550, I must say, the GL 450 has plenty of power. Yes, the GL550 is a bit faster, but in my case, I would've had to shell out another $11,200K, plus an extra set of tires for my tahoe trips. FYI, my GL 450 is pretty loaded, PI, PII, dual screens, 19" package etc. Anyhow, I think the GL 550 looks bad a**, however, since I was not going to be driving it, I decided to save the almost extra $12K for a downpayment on the new M3

LETO

If you need a lot of extras on the 450, you are better off getting a 550. The GL450 premiere edition I had was 74k (and I was still left wanting distronic, drive dynamic seats, rear heated seats, adaptive dampers and heated steering), it would be a no brainer now to get a GL550 at that price point.

Having said that, the leather and wood on the Premier Edition was superb!

BeanCounter

Just for kicks I drove a 550 the other week when I was in Southern California and the performance difference to me was really not that noticeable. I am not really sure if the 550 engine is a better match than the 450 engine to the transmission as I think both are a really good match. With that said, as others have indicated if I were going to buy a loaded up GL I would buy a 550 because the price differential is not that much. But for those buying mid to lower level equipped GL's the 450/320 is the way to go. I initially thought the 450 may go away when the 550 came out but I really do see the niche that both provide. Either way can't go wrong............

Carl Lassiter

But if money isn't a factor, the GL550 makes a lot of sense for the reasons they stated as unimportant. They also forgot the sheet metal changes. I don't put much, if any, stock in the American car rags.

Now, the off road pkg needs to be added so the 550 can compete with the LX570 in all departments and ventilated seats would be nice too.

NJ- you say 5 liter. It's my understanding the 550 is a 5.5l.

BJ021

Not sure where you live - but check this site out: http://www.luxurymotors.com They have a number of dealerships...mostly around Chicago.

Click MB and then -refined search- and choose GL. They have a number of sweet 550's...

Good Luck!

Nevada Jack

I don't think you will see the ORP added to the 550...it is being marketed as a luxury SUV and I just don't see it as an off-road vehicle. We may see the ventilated seats added as an option if the demand is strong enough...at least I hope so.

Yes, the 550 is a 5.5 liter engine....just a quick shorthand I guess...:-)

bkdewitte

BJ021,

Yes, the guys at luxurymotors have a bunch of GL550s available. Have you checked their prices? They are trying to sell used cars at new car price levels. No thanks.
I wait a bit more... In a couple of months I should be able to pick one up at 70-72K levels.

BJ021

It's a used car dealer - they start high!

Stumblefoot

I think you'll see the leather and seats you are seeking in MY '09. But, I don't think you'll ever see the ORP on the 550 with those AMG wheels.