andiego

Hi fellow GL-ers
Can anyone elaborate in detail the true difference between the GL450 and 550, namely with the engine/ drivetrain and ECU?

Thanks

Plutoe

Why do you want me or any one else to spend an hour to provide and answer!

andiego

Seemed like a great conversation starter!

450Boss

I'll take a shot at it...the 450 is lesser to the 550 in sports and performance wise.. although you can take a 450 and soup it up to exceed the 550 and stock GL63 horsepower. But if you want a sportier ride I suggest that you go with the 550. Look at my thread and previous posts to understand my take on it. Good luck keep us posted!

450Boss

At least I tried..

DC-BENZ

I thought the newer MB's have no engine liter differences based on the markings alone. In other words a 450 does not mean 4.5 liter and 550 is not 5.5 liter. If that's true, I'd assume ECU programing and maybe some slight Turbo differences at best.

NolaGL550

Mostly true, but not exact. Here is a link to C&D's stats for the 2017 GLS (GL became GLS the last few years) model variations:

http://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes...ls-class/specs

A quick breakdown of the 2017 model:

GLS350d 4Matic - 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, V-6 engine; 255 hp, 455 lb-ft; 9-speed automatic transmission

GLS450 4Matic - 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine; 362 hp, 369 lb-ft; 9-speed automatic transmission

GLS550 4Matic - 4.7-liter turbocharged 8-cylinder engine; 449 hp, 516 lb-ft; 9-speed automatic transmission

GLS63 AMG 4Matic - 5.5-liter turbocharged 8-cylinder engine; 577 hp, 561 lb-ft; 7-speed automatic transmission

So, in essence, they do have engine liter differences between the different models; just not the exact matching liter-displacement to the corresponding model numbers (ie: GLS550 is actually a 4.7L engine displacement).

Hope that clears things up!

450Boss

@Nola That's so dumb on Mercedes part

NolaGL550

I have to disagree with you here. It's actually a smart business decision because people don't like change; in this case constantly changing the model numbers would be confusing and possibly turn off customers. It is a bit frustrating to us car guys/gals since BMW is also guilty of it. The German auto manufacturers seems the most guilty of this in my opinion. On the business side, it's a cost savings issue. If the company were to change the model numbers every few refresh cycles or new model cycles when they change engine displacement, then they'd have to re-invest lots of time and money to re-educate the company representatives, technicians, and public on what this model equates to in past models. People tend to be brand loyal, and many are also model loyal. That's just my understanding, having worked for BMW in the past, but I could be off on the main reasoning.

Mike450

If the OP is specifically talking about the 2013-2014 GL, not the GLS model designation you quoted, the only difference in the drivetrain is turbo PSI.

As far as I recall, the V8 TT and drivetrain in the 2013-2014 GL450 and GL550 are identical except for ECU called PSI. Basically they detuned the 450 for lessor power via a lower turbo PSI.

The GL450 went to the TT 3 liter V6 in 2015, which carried forward into the GLS designation in 2016.

andiego

-- Hey Mike, OP here. This is the answer i was looking for, thank you. Are you aware if there are any suspension differences between 2013 450 and 550? I recently upgraded to the 21' AMG wheels, while the ride and looks are excellent, just wondering if the GL550 suspension is setup differently to run on 21's

Mike450

From what I recall, yes, there is a difference in suspension and also, the 550 gets a wider track, hence the wheel flares.

BlownV8

I believe the 550 also has the ADS suspension too.

byroncheung

and for $2000 or so you can get an engine tune to bring an 450 up to 550 power / torque level or even more!

BlownV8

For $2k you can get the power up to the 63 level.

Osmile01

What company is gets it to the 63 level??

srfrboy

There are several companies that can get that kind of power with a tune.

https://www.renntechmercedes.com/ind...l-e-550-detail

http://www.oetuning.com/products/mer...4-6-v8-biturbo

There are alot more to choose from.

I have a tune on my GL550 and love it.

Osmile01

The first link is for the E class but the second I get. My question was getting 63 stats in a 450. A tuned 550 must feel like a huge difference though.

srfrboy

You are correct, the first link is for an "E Class". However, the engines are the same.

As for your question about a 450 vs a 550. They are the same exact engine. The 450 is a "tuned down" version of the 550.

Any of these tuners will give you the information about the two versions of the GL with exact same end result HP and TQR numbers.

Hope that makes sense.

Both engines are V8 TT.

Here is a video with a tuned GL450

Osmile01

I learn something new everyday. No idea the E and GL shared the same engine. I'm looking to get mine tuned and was probably going to go with SpeedTuning USA since I worked with them for my old Audi. Guess I should take a look at Renntech and OE in the meantime. The video is impressive. Thanks for for the share.

43221B

I've owned both a '14 450 and a '15 550. I had ADS or adaptive suspension in both. my 450 had considerably more body roll than the 550 in both sport and comfort ads settings. That could be because the 550 has both a wider wheel offset and wider wheels/tires. But...I think the suspension is tuned to be a little sportier. The 550 still has a lot of body roll and it is more of a luxury cruiser than a sporty suv like a Range Rover or Cayenne. It's the best ride you're going to get in a 3 row SUV/Crossover though. Personally, the 550 is too harsh with still too much body roll in the Sport ADS setting and too floaty in the Comfort ADS setting. Really, it needs the Active Curve adaptive sway bars if you want even a slightly sporty ride.