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I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for insight and thoughts on going with an older style X164 GL550 (2010 or 2011) vs. looking at a less optioned 2013 GL450.
I thought I purchased a CPO 2010 GL550 that was fully optioned, until the dealer sold it to someone else, while we had an agreement to purchase, but that's another story.
Since then I've been thinking for a little extra money should I go with a 2013 GL450?
I'd like to get good value for my dollar, and have a good portion of the depreciation behind me. That's why I liked the 2010/2011 GL550 it had options that were good for me and the family like: rear seat entertainment, rear heated seats, trailer hitch, leather,front ventilated seats etc. etc.
As I look for GL450's yes the interior is more upscale, and the amount of tech options and upgrades are significant vs. the X164, but in my price range, there doesn't seem to be that many with a good option set, many don't have leather, no rear seat entertainment, limited trailer hitches, mostly have stock 19 inch wheels etc.
Also, I'm bit afraid of the first model year snafus that often exist.
I'm guessing if i wait longer more lease return options will create more inventory, but I was hoping to get a vehicle for summer road trips.
Any thoughts or suggestions from those much more in the know?
I appreciate it!
Last edited by iuprecise; 06-17-2015 at 06:54 PM.
Reason: spacing
Thanks Venom-AMG. When I did the VIN lookup for several used vehicles it listed MB-Tex as the seat material. I thought Leather seats were an option on GL450s but standard on GL550s.
X166 doesn't really do it for me, but if you are looking at same money or similar money, basically a much newer truck is not a bad idea. The engine difference is probably negligible. MB Tex is a great interior option.
The difference would be at least $5k.
I like the brawny look of the X164 GL550, but I'm worried about having a vehicle that's worth hardly anything after another 3+ years.
I've seen the Designo interior in a GL63 in the showroom, nice...
Last edited by iuprecise; 06-18-2015 at 11:34 AM.
Reason: spelling
X166 is aging but the X164 is ancient. With the new GLS coming out, both are about to become history. '13-'14 X166 450 has the V8 biturbo. '15 has the V6 biturbo. That's a whole new thread of discussions. Having owned the X164, I much prefer the X166.
I would like to clarify - X166 is "new" generation - which means enthirely different chassis, interior, systems than X164.
Generation design normally go for 7 model years - with a refresh/upgrade done 4th model year - which is what some have refered to as GLS (replacing designation GL) happening MY2017.
Yes - if mileage/equipment/features/interior/color - if we say "equal" a newer pre-owned vehicle - down the road will be worth "more" than a older vehicle.
In direct comparison X164/X166 - with the X166 there were significant changes that made the dirving and passenger experience smoother, quiter, and more comfortable than the X164 - both power and fuel economy improved as well.
1) many don't have leather - MBTex is synthetic bonded onto a cotton webbing backing - as compared to leather - known for long term ruggedness - ez care/clean-up - and frankly in the X166 - MBTex material does not get as scalding hot in the sun as compared to comparable color leather - and has perforated seats panels to give similar-to-leather look and feel.
2) no rear seat entertainment - factory rear seat entertainment is useful if controlling video/sound from the front is a FAMILY REQUIREMENT - by and large repalced by personal electronics used by 2nd/3rd passengers - and yes, after factory build quite expensive to add factory RSE with front control - like $3500-$4200.
3) limited trailer hitches - frame mounted aftermarket hitches are EZ - with basic trailer light hookup about $600-$800 - for advanced trailing functions of the factory system - for heavy duty towing like antisee/saw 2012-2014 GL's would need to add revised SAM rear controller - 2015 forward the $900 15+ MB retrofit hitch kit has electrical and a "learning" SAM that does not require replacement
4) wheels/tires - yes, "most" 450's/350's are 19 - but about 20% overall have 20's
If a GL has any remaining 4yr/50K mile new car warranty left - Mercedes CPO warranty goes out to full 5yrs from original purchase in service date - unlimited miles. If a GL does not have any remaining new car warranty - then MB CPO is 1 yr unlimited mileage.
Many thanks for the input!
I think I will go with the consensus on the forum and look for a X166 that fits my needs. I'm in Seattle and the inventory is rather sparse for what I'm looking for, so I'll expand my reach to Northern California as well.
I'm only targeting vehicles that still have some initial warranty left in them, so I can extend the warranty via MB.
Am I right in thinking that you can only extend the warranty if its CPO if bought from a MB dealer, but if it isn't purchased from a MB dealer then any vehicle as long as its still under original warranty is eligible for the MB extended warranty?
Many thanks for the input!
I think I will go with the consensus on the forum and look for a X166 that fits my needs. I'm in Seattle and the inventory is rather sparse for what I'm looking for, so I'll expand my reach to Northern California as well.
I'm only targeting vehicles that still have some initial warranty left in them, so I can extend the warranty via MB.
Am I right in thinking that you can only extend the warranty if its CPO if bought from a MB dealer, but if it isn't purchased from a MB dealer then any vehicle as long as its still under original warranty is eligible for the MB extended warranty?
I hate to throw a wrench in things but I put 87k miles on a 2008 X164 550 and now have had a 2014 and now a 2015 GL 63 and plenty of seat time in loner x166 GL450s.....
Quite frankly, I'd rather have the last year of the X164 GL550 CPO than a new 450.. It handles better, faster, fabulous interior, more options, 19mpg, better looking, and dollar for dollar a much better value. Their isn't any super new tech in my 63 that makes it sooooo much better from the point of getting in, turning the key, and driving point A to B.... And think about what you could do with the extra $30-40K or in my case after trade in $80k
I hate to throw a wrench in things but I put 87k miles on a 2008 X164 550 and now have had a 2014 and now a 2015 GL 63 and plenty of seat time in loner x166 GL450s.....
Quite frankly, I'd rather have the last year of the X164 GL550 CPO than a new 450.. It handles better, faster, fabulous interior, more options, 19mpg, better looking, and dollar for dollar a much better value. Their isn't any super new tech in my 63 that makes it sooooo much better from the point of getting in, turning the key, and driving point A to B.... And think about what you could do with the extra $30-40K or in my case after trade in $80k
I just traded our 08' 450 for a 13' 450 with the same options (although I'm stunned that parktronic is an option on a GL!?!? Our 13' doesn't have it?). The 13' has run flats and I'll wait to make final judment until I put non run flats on it, but the car is a little stiffer riding than the 08' was, while feeling larger behind the wheel - a lose lose if you ask me. I'm hoping some non run flat tires will make the X166 feel more benz like - a little more nimble while better riding at the same time.
The dealer put brand new bridgestones on it, I'm taking them off and will ebay them. I had bmws = I hate runflats. Have to decide between new Michelin premier and conti uhp which is better for the car (prob the conti)
The x164 was analog whereas the x166 feels more digital - i.e. the electronic steering (which has less feel). But I think the OP is right about values. The X164s as nice as they are, are not going to be worth much in the near future.
Here in the US - I don't know why latest post refers to as "13 GL w/runflats" - since in the US for X166 runflats are ONLY required if B&O stereo was a build option - otherwise you have "regular" tires and a spare..
I have a spare. The dealer fitted the runflats as part of cpo reconditioning.
I wouldn't be shocked if the car came with non run flats and the dealer just put them on for whatever reason.
As an aside: my experience w/bmw was that the engineers tune run flat suspensions to compensate for stiff sidewalls. So the initial wheel travel is softer on the dampers to absorb the jolts of the stiff sidewalls. Then the remaining travel/damping is stiffer than a non run flats out of necessity. The problem with that - IMHO is that it lacks linearity. When driving down a rolling country road w/a runflat suspension truck means small sharp bumps like pottholes or expansion joints cause lots of wheel movement - sloppy like a suburban. The X164 was not that way. The X166 is - with the run flats. Hopefully it improves with regular tires. Rubber makes a huge difference.
I really don't like to bring up the issues I had to deal with on the 2012 GL550 I had for the past three years. So glad I moved on from it and liking the 2015 GL550 more.
I really don't like to bring up the issues I had to deal with on the 2012 GL550 I had for the past three years. So glad I moved on from it and liking the 2015 GL550 more.
Not to rehash bad memories, but it would be great to know the issues you had with your 2012 GL550. A couple of weeks ago I was close to pulling the trigger on one, but hesitated since it wasn't CPO.
"I have a spare. The dealer fitted the runflats as part of cpo reconditioning."
"Run flats" are a specific factory option in the X166 - "normally" specifically selected in the event you have the upgraded B&O - yes, it is "possible" to select this factory option on a build - without having the B&O - but frankly I have never ever seen that done.
In this specific case with your 2013 GL - I would ask for a factory spec sheet for your VIN# 2013 GL - or printed spec printed from the VMI from the VIN - to check if RunFlat was factory installed.
Yes - specifc RunFlat's are factory spec/approved tires - but for heaven's sake you have the 2013 GL spare - so why sacrifice ride quality, decreased tread life, and higher replacement cost on run flats for a X166 without B&O ? Downright strange, or possibly some miscommunication from the dealer.
Strange... I would suggest you check it out before coming up miles down the road on tire replacement(s) ..
The problem with that - IMHO is that it lacks linearity. When driving down a rolling country road w/a runflat suspension truck means small sharp bumps like pottholes or expansion joints cause lots of wheel movement - sloppy like a suburban. The X164 was not that way. The X166 is - with the run flats. Hopefully it improves with regular tires. Rubber makes a huge difference.
You are spot on. The X166 450 is exactly as you describe even if you don't have runflats. With normal tires it absorbs road imperfections better than the x164 but is not as linear in steering as the x164. The x166 550 has the linearity in steering as the x164 in addition to the ability to absorb road imperfections that the x164 lacked.
BTW I've owned a x164 320, a x166 450 and 550.
You perceive handling characteristics that many do not. You might only be happy with a x166 550 or 450/with Active Curve.
Not to rehash bad memories, but it would be great to know the issues you had with your 2012 GL550. A couple of weeks ago I was close to pulling the trigger on one, but hesitated since it wasn't CPO.
You are spot on. The X166 450 is exactly as you describe even if you don't have runflats. With normal tires it absorbs road imperfections better than the x164 but is not as linear in steering as the x164. The x166 550 has the linearity in steering as the x164 in addition to the ability to absorb road imperfections that the x164 lacked.
BTW I've owned a x164 320, a x166 450 and 550.
You perceive handling characteristics that many do not. You might only be happy with a x166 550 or 450/with Active Curve.
Wonderful! I didn't even test drive a 550 specifically since I assumed the 450 was the comfort sweat spot of the lineup. We've had X5s and an X6 and I didn't was another SUV with an identity problem (thinking its a sports car). The 08' 450 was old school analog benz...roof open windows down. The new 450 is stuffier - trying to copy an S-class - which it is not.
Thanks for the tip. I'll drive a 550 for comparison.
3) limited trailer hitches - frame mounted aftermarket hitches are EZ - with basic trailer light hookup about $600-$800 - for advanced trailing functions of the factory system - for heavy duty towing like antisee/saw 2012-2014 GL's would need to add revised SAM rear controller - 2015 forward the $900 15+ MB retrofit hitch kit has electrical and a "learning" SAM that does not require replacement
Quick question regarding the above, you mention that the 2015+ GL's only require a trailer retrofit kit. Do you happen to have information about this kit (part number)? I've not seen such a thing so far and I've been looking high and low. All mentions seem to indicate that if I have a car without the option code 550, a new SAM is also required.
06-17-2015, 06:54 PM
Having owned the X164, I much prefer the X166.
