GL550 v. GL450?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 S500
GL550 v. GL450?
I'm ready to say good-bye to my '08 Navigator and had set my sights on the GL550...dealer says I'll be unhappy (fuel consumption, tire replacement , etc) and that I should get the 450...help!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: FRESNO CA
GL550
My 550 gets better fuel mileage in the city than my Navigator gets on the highway. The only tire issue will be in the snow. I haven't heard of any 550 owners wishing they had gotten a 450 instead.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
S600
18-19mpg for long trips 90% freeway driving, 10% city
the 21" tires are pricey from about $360-460 since its an odd size 295/40/21, but i'm not concerned with that since i got 22" oz wheels with 305/40/22 tires which cost from $150 and up.
when i bought my wheels about a year ago, i picked up the stock Continental CrossContact UHP, and it was $421 for the 21" tire vs $156 for the 22" tire. they stopped making the 22" Continental CrossContact UHP now for some reason.
just drive both and see which one you like better because i don't think there would be a major difference in gas mileage.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
09 GL550, 08 S550 4MATIC w/sport package
I'd say get the one you want and don't worry about the 1-2 mpg diff between the two. Afterall, I'm sure either one will g
I'd say get what you want and don'worry about the small dif in mpg between the two. As mentioned above, drive them both back to back
and see what you think.
I'd say get what you want and don'worry about the small dif in mpg between the two. As mentioned above, drive them both back to back
and see what you think.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: W Coast & E Europe
08 E63, 07 RS4, 04 GT3, 10 LR4, 02 Pajero
You get all the goodies, more power and fairly substantial external changes with the 550.
Reasons to choose the 450 above the 550 would be if a) you wanted a fairly stand car with little options, as the 450 in base form is still a nice SUV and is substantially cheaper and b) if you wanted it to be off-road ready as the 450 can be had with an off road pack and 18" wheels. The 21s on the 550 are totally unsuitable for rough trails and curbs as well. Something to bare in mind but whichever you choose you'll be happy.
By the way, what is the smallest wheels that will clear the calipers of the GL550? The calipers on my LR4 mean the smallest I can go is what it came with- 19s. Even though I'd prefer 18s, I knew this before I bought but it was annoying as most cars (even high performance cars) are able to fit one size wheel smaller than supplied with. Anyway, if anyone knows chime in as I'm simply curious and want to know if my guess from eye-balling that the 550 can handle 19s is accurate.
Reasons to choose the 450 above the 550 would be if a) you wanted a fairly stand car with little options, as the 450 in base form is still a nice SUV and is substantially cheaper and b) if you wanted it to be off-road ready as the 450 can be had with an off road pack and 18" wheels. The 21s on the 550 are totally unsuitable for rough trails and curbs as well. Something to bare in mind but whichever you choose you'll be happy.
By the way, what is the smallest wheels that will clear the calipers of the GL550? The calipers on my LR4 mean the smallest I can go is what it came with- 19s. Even though I'd prefer 18s, I knew this before I bought but it was annoying as most cars (even high performance cars) are able to fit one size wheel smaller than supplied with. Anyway, if anyone knows chime in as I'm simply curious and want to know if my guess from eye-balling that the 550 can handle 19s is accurate.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2009 GL450, 2002 325Cic
The 550 has some nice extra options (raise and lower height, rear heated seats, etc) and a few external tweaks (fender flare, larger grill, etc) that are nice, but none of which I thought were worth the ~$2,000 tire replacements every couple of years (30k). Plus I found limited availability, in my area, of the 21" tires.
Glad to hear that the 22" option is an alternative with a lower cost tire.
Even so, I don't regret purchasing the 450. We are very pleased with the ride, comfort and amenities.
Glad to hear that the 22" option is an alternative with a lower cost tire.
Even so, I don't regret purchasing the 450. We are very pleased with the ride, comfort and amenities.
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
