2013 450 vs. 2012 550
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: cali-hawaii
2020 e63s wagon
2013 450 vs. 2012 550
i test drove the 2013-450 and a 2012-550 today and i must say for the price i rather have the 2012, not that big of a difference.
rather have more HP in the 2012 at a cheaper price than a 2013 with no amg body kit and wheels, sure it's new but not worth the money imo.
why on earth mercedes does not offer the amg kit in the usa is ***-nine!
we r the largest market but treated like the smallest, mercedes usa, u suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rather have more HP in the 2012 at a cheaper price than a 2013 with no amg body kit and wheels, sure it's new but not worth the money imo.
why on earth mercedes does not offer the amg kit in the usa is ***-nine!
we r the largest market but treated like the smallest, mercedes usa, u suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From: Middlesex, NJ
03 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 07 MB GL450
Do you realize that the GL550 has the AMG package appearance? It should be 550 vs 550 and 450 vs 450.
And wait till you testdrive (if ever) a tuned GL450 Twin Turbo V8. Then it'll be far quicker/faster than a naturally aspirated V8 GL550 of prior 2013.
And wait till you testdrive (if ever) a tuned GL450 Twin Turbo V8. Then it'll be far quicker/faster than a naturally aspirated V8 GL550 of prior 2013.
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
defn go for the 2013. Updated equipment and at least you have the rear row access feature. Bodykits and everything can come later, you will at least have the option of choosing non amg kits later on down the road.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I agree with the others. Go with the 2013 GL450. Just a tune will get you to 500+ hp and the engine will be so much smoother with much more torque than the 2012 GL550.
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GLK350, ML550
The 2012 is naturally aspirated and doesn't have the pronounced turbo lag of the 2013's. It will feel more responsive even if slower according to a stopwatch. I drove the new GL450 today, and was turned off by the lag. I also own an ML550 with the same engine as the 2012 GL550 and it's great in ways that number crunchers won't understand.
That said, I'm going to get a 2013 GL350 for the great fuel economy on long trips. I'll deal with the lag since I don't need two fast cars.
That said, I'm going to get a 2013 GL350 for the great fuel economy on long trips. I'll deal with the lag since I don't need two fast cars.
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Audi S5, GL350, Audi A4
I agree. I've got the GL350 for hauling the family while getting great fuel economy. When I want to so 0-60 in 4.9 secons, I drive my Audi S5
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
There should be virtually no turbo lag nor should it be perceptable with the bi-turbo V8. The turbos are small and tuned for low end torque so it will be at full boost very low in the RPM range.
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GLK350, ML550
The fact that you said "should" tells me you haven't driven the cars yourself. I can assure you there is nothing magical about the v8's when it comes to lag. They have easily noticeable lag. I didn't drive the v8 back to back with the diesel, rather about two weeks apart, but from what I can remember the lag is very similar between the two. For the record, the only turbo I've driven that had very little lag was an N54 335.
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From: FRESNO CA
GL550
The fact that you said "should" tells me you haven't driven the cars yourself. I can assure you there is nothing magical about the v8's when it comes to lag. They have easily noticeable lag. I didn't drive the v8 back to back with the diesel, rather about two weeks apart, but from what I can remember the lag is very similar between the two. For the record, the only turbo I've driven that had very little lag was an N54 335.
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http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...st_test/?ti=v2
Lag, seriously?
This is an interesting bit on the GL550. Keep in mind this is just a more aggressive ECU tune than the GL450 but still far less hp and tq than what you can get from Renntech.
The two relatively small turbos on the Mercedes spool up fast, making peak torque by 1500 RPM and delivering it all the way to 4000 RPM.
This is an interesting bit on the GL550. Keep in mind this is just a more aggressive ECU tune than the GL450 but still far less hp and tq than what you can get from Renntech.
The GL550 proves once again that a name is merely a name and has nothing to do with engine size. The topline GL (until the AMG version bows later this year) is also powered by a 4.7-liter direct injection twin turbo V-8, this time producing 449 horsepower and a whopping 516 lb-ft of torque. Those gargantuan numbers are good for a sports-car-like 5.1-second 0-60 mph time, and a -- wait for it -- quarter-mile time of 13.6 seconds at 102.6 mph. To put that into perspective, we just tested a BMW 335i that was a full ton lighter and ran the same quarter mile in 13.3 seconds at 103.9 mph.
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From: Middlesex, NJ
03 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 07 MB GL450
That's as fast easily as an 02 S55 AMG and CL55 AMG...
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From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
Those numbers on the GL550 are insane. I am considering ordering a GL350 but this discussion is making me consider a GL450 and getting it tuned. Testdrove the GL450 and wasn't too impressed compared to my '09 ML320BTC but ofcourse comparing a heavier vehicle to a lighter vehicle...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 367
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From: Middlesex, NJ
03 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 07 MB GL450
Those numbers on the GL550 are insane. I am considering ordering a GL350 but this discussion is making me consider a GL450 and getting it tuned. Testdrove the GL450 and wasn't too impressed compared to my '09 ML320BTC but ofcourse comparing a heavier vehicle to a lighter vehicle...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 474
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From: cali-hawaii
2020 e63s wagon
now that i have driven them both, still not that big of a diff. for the price. i'm sorry but the the styling is what seperates the 13'550 from the 12's but it's just a body kit and its not worth the the extra money. u can pick up a loaded 12' for under 80k and a loaded 13' is a 100k. sorry but i'm not that sold, i think they did a better job with the ML'S than the a GL'S....
