GL450 underpowered?
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2010 Mercedes Benz GL450 4MATIC
GL450 underpowered?
Hello guys,
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Yes, any vehicle under 1k hp is underpowered. Let me say this, my GLS450 has much better power delivery than the old NA V8. Of course, the 63 blows both away.
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Mercedes gl450
Hello guys,
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
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2010 Mercedes Benz GL450 4MATIC
Your like to floor it is likely why you feel it is underpowered. I have a 2011 and i don't find it underpowered at all. This suv is not made to be a Porsche burner. I live in a hilly area and often drive on mountain roads. I never have a problem leaving other cars far behind. That said, I've owned a lot of Benzs and, unless you get an AMG, you aren't going to experience off the line tire burning acceleration. I remember a review describing my new 1998 GL 420s acceleration as like a commercial jet taking off. The speed isn't immediate but it builds quickly. I'd say that describes every Benz I've owned.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
You need to drive the snot out of it every so often to blow out the carbon deposits. Yes, it has 330 hp when it was new, but it weighs like 5500 pounds.
This is not a rocketship. It is a couch on wheels.
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2010 Mercedes Benz GL450 4MATIC
yes but I was under the impression mercedes did not make underpowered vehicles back then? I want to know how car and driver got 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, is there a certain way they launch the car or something?
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
most MBs with the 722.9 transmission also launch in second gear which adds to the mushy launch feeling and adds times. C&D probably manually paddle shifted from 0-60. This is not recommended for transmission longevity.
plus, your car may have lost some horsies due to wear and carbon deposits as well.
it is what it is, a couch on wheels.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Hello guys,
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
I have a 2010 GL450. It’s a 4.7l v8 with 335 hp and 339 pound feet of torque. I always felt the car was underpowered for a v8 benz. For instance when I floor it from a stop the RPM shoot up before they shift and the engine sounds stressed. When its in there 3rd gear around 30mph then it feels better when I floor it, but do you guys think this SUV is underpowered? Does making the RPM’s shoot up to 4-5k from a stop bad for the engine? I often like flooring it.
If so, you have a transmission issue.
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2010 Mercedes Benz GL450 4MATIC
Thread Starter
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Posts: 31
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2010 Mercedes Benz GL450 4MATIC
all 300 series MBs were “adequately” powered but I would say they’re not.
most MBs with the 722.9 transmission also launch in second gear which adds to the mushy launch feeling and adds times. C&D probably manually paddle shifted from 0-60. This is not recommended for transmission longevity.
plus, your car may have lost some horsies due to wear and carbon deposits as well.
it is what it is, a couch on wheels.
most MBs with the 722.9 transmission also launch in second gear which adds to the mushy launch feeling and adds times. C&D probably manually paddle shifted from 0-60. This is not recommended for transmission longevity.
plus, your car may have lost some horsies due to wear and carbon deposits as well.
it is what it is, a couch on wheels.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
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From: Gresham, OR
GL450
I recently bought a 2010 GL450, and last weekend used it to tow my 6800 pound trailer over Mt. Hood for a Memorial Day camping trip. It did great, and had plenty of power to keep up highway speeds up the steeper grades. I didn't even have to turn the AC off. Previously I had an overpowered but unreliable 2013 GL450 with the twin-turbo V8. I definitely felt the power difference without the turbos in my 2010, especially at the higher elevations. But the NA V8 in my 2010 was quieter than the turbo version and the engine bay wasn't anywhere near as hot after towing as the turbo version was. A few times I had to run at 4k rpm for a short time to pass a slow truck but I kept the center display on engine coolant temp and never saw it get hot. The 2010 isn't geared for quick launches, though. I wouldn't say the 2010 GL450 is underpowered, it's just properly powered, but if that's an issue for you then I'd recommend selling it and buying a X164 GL550. I don't recommend the 2013-2015 M278 twin-turbo V8 (GL450 or GL550) because the engine is unreliable (overpowered and fun, though!). And anything newer is going to be pretty expensive.
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I recently bought a 2010 GL450, and last weekend used it to tow my 6800 pound trailer over Mt. Hood for a Memorial Day camping trip. It did great, and had plenty of power to keep up highway speeds up the steeper grades. I didn't even have to turn the AC off. Previously I had an overpowered but unreliable 2013 GL450 with the twin-turbo V8. I definitely felt the power difference without the turbos in my 2010, especially at the higher elevations. But the NA V8 in my 2010 was quieter than the turbo version and the engine bay wasn't anywhere near as hot after towing as the turbo version was. A few times I had to run at 4k rpm for a short time to pass a slow truck but I kept the center display on engine coolant temp and never saw it get hot. The 2010 isn't geared for quick launches, though. I wouldn't say the 2010 GL450 is underpowered, it's just properly powered, but if that's an issue for you then I'd recommend selling it and buying a X164 GL550. I don't recommend the 2013-2015 M278 twin-turbo V8 (GL450 or GL550) because the engine is unreliable (overpowered and fun, though!). And anything newer is going to be pretty expensive.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
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2006 S350L
Honestly, I have a GL450 as well, and I don't feel it's underpowered.
If I need to move, it moves. No doubt about it.
It would be advisable to check for codes, i.e. maybe your intake manifold runners are stuck, it could be many things.
The M273 4.7L is a powerful engine.
I also have an S350, and a BMW 750i, so I have an opinion of what's underpowered or not.
If I need to move, it moves. No doubt about it.
It would be advisable to check for codes, i.e. maybe your intake manifold runners are stuck, it could be many things.
The M273 4.7L is a powerful engine.
I also have an S350, and a BMW 750i, so I have an opinion of what's underpowered or not.
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Honestly, I have a GL450 as well, and I don't feel it's underpowered.
If I need to move, it moves. No doubt about it.
It would be advisable to check for codes, i.e. maybe your intake manifold runners are stuck, it could be many things.
The M273 4.7L is a powerful engine.
I also have an S350, and a BMW 750i, so I have an opinion of what's underpowered or not.
If I need to move, it moves. No doubt about it.
It would be advisable to check for codes, i.e. maybe your intake manifold runners are stuck, it could be many things.
The M273 4.7L is a powerful engine.
I also have an S350, and a BMW 750i, so I have an opinion of what's underpowered or not.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
likely, but that would also manifest itself into a check engine light for both cats.
I just cleared my check engine light last week by Italian tuneup. Tank full of premium, 2 mile hill, D3, punch it Chewie.
I just cleared my check engine light last week by Italian tuneup. Tank full of premium, 2 mile hill, D3, punch it Chewie.
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From: Denver
2005 ML500, 2011 E350 4M, 2012 GL550
Thats possible, also flaps in the intake manifold, I`d check the codes also a visual check on the lever. Its doesn`t always give a code, depending on what position it got broken and stuck.
Driven both 450 and 550 on the 164 platform, I can tell 550 is a bit more peppy at the launch but 450 is no slouch either, also when you are down to sea level you will have a noticeable difference, they both feel much more alive. Being in CO sucks, especially going to higher altitude.
Driven both 450 and 550 on the 164 platform, I can tell 550 is a bit more peppy at the launch but 450 is no slouch either, also when you are down to sea level you will have a noticeable difference, they both feel much more alive. Being in CO sucks, especially going to higher altitude.
Last edited by 01blackhawk; May 28, 2025 at 05:27 PM.
