GL 450 vs. 550
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
06 C55, 15 S550, 16 G550
GL 450 vs. 550
Which one would be a better engine? In terms of reliability. I know the 550 is probably awesome as its seen on so many models. 450 engine are only available on a few vehicles. Are they an older design?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 162
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
When we had a GL450, we had nothing but issues with the engine. It eventually needed to be replaced and MB ended up buying the car back from us. The 550 cars we've had have been nothing but perfect. Not only that, but the GL450 is SLOW. The 550 will have more get up and go, not to mention nicer styling.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
06 C55, 15 S550, 16 G550
When we had a GL450, we had nothing but issues with the engine. It eventually needed to be replaced and MB ended up buying the car back from us. The 550 cars we've had have been nothing but perfect. Not only that, but the GL450 is SLOW. The 550 will have more get up and go, not to mention nicer styling.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: San Diego.Ca
K3 05 E55 sold, 09 GL550
Owning GL550 a month ago, all I can say fast, solid, and stylist that's all we need for SUV . If you're looking to buy GL class and money is not issue I say get from 09 550 which have techology upgrade .
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
06 C55, 15 S550, 16 G550
Do you mean the 2010 GL550 has no additional upgrades, hence not necessary?
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 64
From: NJ
2009 S550 4Matic 2009 GL 550 2009 AM DBS
Agreed with previous posts. I've had an 07' S550 with no issues and currently have an 09' S550 and a 09' GL550 for the wife with no issues. You can't beat the power and performance for the 5.5 liter engines. They are rock solid in opinion.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: San Diego.Ca
K3 05 E55 sold, 09 GL550
2009 had paddle shift, 40GB hard drive and Sandish memory slot on comand , bigger side mirrows, wireless headset for RSE, insert DVD behind center console and 8" LCD screen .which same 2010 model
get 09 GL550 you save thousands instead to get 2010 .
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
06 C55, 15 S550, 16 G550
2008 had button behind the sterling wheel, reg comand head unit, smaller and round side mirrows. wire headset for RSE , insert DVD only under seat of passenger , 7" LCD screen
2009 had paddle shift, 40GB hard drive and Sandish memory slot on comand , bigger side mirrows, wireless headset for RSE, insert DVD behind center console and 8" LCD screen .which same 2010 model
get 09 GL550 you save thousands instead to get 2010 .
2009 had paddle shift, 40GB hard drive and Sandish memory slot on comand , bigger side mirrows, wireless headset for RSE, insert DVD behind center console and 8" LCD screen .which same 2010 model
get 09 GL550 you save thousands instead to get 2010 .
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Clear as mud, yes?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
Regarding which is the better engine I guess that is relative to what you are looking for. Is the 550 faster than the 450, yes. It was posted a while back when the 550 came out, the 0-60 times were 6.5 seconds for the 550 and 7.2 seconds for the 450. Having driven both, to me the difference was not that noticeable. In any regard I am not sure how half a second equates to the GL450 being "slow". The 450 engine is a newer engine design and my guess is that it shares the same block as the 550 it just has smaller pistons but maybe I am wrong. Regarding engine issues, I have had none with mine and I am at 42,000 miles. I do like the look of the 550 especially the fender flares and wheels but don't particularly care for the grill (I prefer the simpler two cross bar look) or the split exhaust pipes (little too Pontiac to me). With all that said, if you are looking to get a fully loaded GL, I would think the 550 would be the way to go because most of the goodies come standard versus optioning out a 450.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
With a 0.7 second difference to 60 between the 550 and 450, I'm not sure how someone can say that the GL450 is SLOW in comparison. I had a 625+ HP 745+ lb/ft CL600 with Renntech ECU/TCU before the GL450 so quickness is relative. Compared to my old CL600, the GL450 is SLOW but I would not make the same comments about the comparison between the GL450 and GL550. OK maybe I will. They are both SLOW. Then again, the guy in the twin-turbo Viper will say that the Renntech CL600 is SLOW.
Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the comparison between the GL550 and GL450.
Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the comparison between the GL550 and GL450.
With a $77,750 base price, the GL550 outstickers a base GL450 by more than $20,000. Before you fall off the porcelain, we should tell you that a comparably equipped GL450 would cost roughly $70,000, and you can’t get the GL550’s 21-inch wheels on the GL450 (feel free to keel over now). So, give or take a few bucks, the GL550 costs $7000 more. Are 47 horsepower, 52 pound-feet of torque, and 0.7 second shaved off a 0-to-60 time worth that much? In a sports car, we might say yes, but this is a sport-ute. And we shouldn’t forget that the larger engine will cause chronic wallet emptiness at the fuel pump.
Although the GL550’s EPA numbers are only 1 mpg worse on the highway than the GL450’s, the GL550 we tested only returned 15 mpg versus 18 for the GL450.
Although the GL550’s EPA numbers are only 1 mpg worse on the highway than the GL450’s, the GL550 we tested only returned 15 mpg versus 18 for the GL450.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 162
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
With a 0.7 second difference to 60 between the 550 and 450, I'm not sure how someone can say that the GL450 is SLOW in comparison. I had a 625+ HP 745+ lb/ft CL600 with Renntech ECU/TCU before the GL450 so quickness is relative. Compared to my old CL600, the GL450 is SLOW but I would not make the same comments about the comparison between the GL450 and GL550. OK maybe I will. They are both SLOW. Then again, the guy in the twin-turbo Viper will say that the Renntech CL600 is SLOW.
Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the comparison between the GL550 and GL450.
Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the comparison between the GL550 and GL450.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I've whined and b1tched and moaned about my GL, and I've had so damned many problems I'm certain this one was built on a Friday by a left handed guy borrowing someone else's tools from a different manufacturer, but I still love the stupid thing through and through. I just want to take it out in the desert and light it on fire a lot of the time, is all.
STP
Last edited by StevethePilot; Apr 8, 2010 at 11:15 AM. Reason: SPELL CHECK! D'oh!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The 350 (gas in ML) 450, and 550 are all the same engine, same design (M272/273), the V8s with simply more cylinders. The 450 is only available in GL in USA. The ML450 simply has the number bumped up to indicate the power added in addition to the 350 V6 by the hybrid motor.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Gl550,S550,C230
THE TIRES!!!!!!
If you have no money problems go with the 550. I will have to say the engine and the feel inside is a lot better. The 21 inch tires just make me sick in the wallet. (and stomach) The tires cost almost 400 a piece.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Good advice... Just about three years too late though!
