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It is time to upgrade our family utility SUV. I currently have an Audi Q7 4L with the 4.2L V8. It has treated us good, but it is getting old I am just ready to upgrade.
I use the Q7 mostly to shuttle kids around and tow our boat so this would do the same and hopefully more. I currently split time driving the Q7 with my BMW 535i,
but have found since it is winter and Q7 has dedicated snows it gets driven more.
So we had a chance to drive a 2012 GL550 and other than a few issues we loved it. My wife really liked the seating dynamics of it and it just fit her. I loved the looks
of it. The only thing I was not excited about was the front seats seemed narrow. I am sure I might get used to it, but the seats fit my wife perfectly.
We have not had a chance to drive an x166. I would love to spring for a GL550, but that would eat into the budget I have set aside for a new waverrunner, bigger
boat, and utility shed. Those I am thinking x166 GL450.
-So if you had to choose between at X164 GL550 and X166 GL450 which would you get and why?
-What is better about the X166 and vice versa?
-Which model is more reliable?
-Are the 21inch wheels a pain on GL550's? (Q7 and BMW have 20's)
166 GL 450 for the engine and updated body. Throw a good ECU tune on the 450 and you have GL63 type power.
The 164 550 will be more reliable due to it being NA engine and fewer things to go wrong.
The 21" tires are not a pain. Many different makers of them now so no need to spend $1.5k every 20k miles.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by not2fast
It is time to upgrade our family utility SUV. I currently have an Audi Q7 4L with the 4.2L V8. It has treated us good, but it is getting old I am just ready to upgrade.
I use the Q7 mostly to shuttle kids around and tow our boat so this would do the same and hopefully more. I currently split time driving the Q7 with my BMW 535i,
but have found since it is winter and Q7 has dedicated snows it gets driven more.
So we had a chance to drive a 2012 GL550 and other than a few issues we loved it. My wife really liked the seating dynamics of it and it just fit her. I loved the looks
of it. The only thing I was not excited about was the front seats seemed narrow. I am sure I might get used to it, but the seats fit my wife perfectly.
We have not had a chance to drive an x166. I would love to spring for a GL550, but that would eat into the budget I have set aside for a new waverrunner, bigger
boat, and utility shed. Those I am thinking x166 GL450.
-So if you had to choose between at X164 GL550 and X166 GL450 which would you get and why?
-What is better about the X166 and vice versa?
-Which model is more reliable?
-Are the 21inch wheels a pain on GL550's? (Q7 and BMW have 20's)
Thank you for your help.
550 for either gen.
The 550 comes standard with most options. Hid headlights, multicontour seats, leather, rear ac, ventilated seats, more hp, adaptive dampening etc ;
These are all options on the 450 and you will spend a lot of time trying to find those options on a 450
How often do the 21's crack? I saw somewhere people complaining about that.
Who makes tunes? (I did some research, but options seemed limited compared to MHD/APR I see on BMW/AUDI side)
Other than looks are there big improvements body wise in x166's?
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by not2fast
Thank you!
How often do the 21's crack? I saw somewhere people complaining about that.
Who makes tunes? (I did some research, but options seemed limited compared to MHD/APR I see on BMW/AUDI side)
Other than looks are there big improvements body wise in x166's?
I don't think that is a huge issue tbh. I read a lot here and even asked my sa before because I was curious ; it doesn't happen that often. Remember the 550 does have ads to mitigate the hardest bumps.
You can always get replica or oem 20" and stick them on the 550 if you want more sidewall and are really concerned. Usa rim is highly recommended if you do.
Oetuning advertises on here. And they often have sale. Not worth it in the x164. If you yet the x166 it's cool. Only thing though what was mentioned about the 450 getting 63 power. Thats only available when the 450 was available with the biturbo v8: in the 13-14 model years.
And again you'll have to find a unicorn with all the mentioned options including a very important one. Harmon kardon sound system.
Big improvements? No. Not really. Body styling is changed. Command is slightly different. Bluetooth music streaming is standard in x166 but you can buy a 75$ adapter that does the same thing in the x164.
Airmatic still fails in both.
Search cars.com for 2013-14 GL450's within 100 miles of where you live. It's a certainty that you'll find several with all of the options that you would want. You can likely pick up a loaded one with decent miles for under $30k.
Regarding reliability, the x166 4.6 biturbo motor is no less reliable than the NA 5.5L v8 in the previous gen 550. In fact, it gets better gas mileage and has A LOT more power than can be reliably tuned to massive power for $1k. IMO, the x166 is a much more attractive and modern looking vehicle than the x164, inside & out. And it is roomier and has more safety equipment available.
I need to look at an x166 before I do anything. I did look at interior pictures and the x166's look slightly better and miles ahead of my Q7.
I am starting to think an x166 GL450 with some 20 inch replica's might be the way to go. Chipping it would be nice too.
Saw this in another thread that was helpful.
Based on experience:
X164
2007: early build GL450s have the dreaded balance shaft issue. GL320CDI very reliable.
2008: GL450s aren't bad, GL550 5.5L became a thing and are just AWESOME. GL320CDI still great.
2009: All GLs got a facelifted interior (mostly the front of the cabin.. BlueTEC became a thing unfortunately . I'd stay away from any BlueTEC diesels because they are nightmares. Do your research.
2010: Exterior facelift for GL350 and 450. Ugly mirrors though. 550 wasn't facelifted in the front for whatever reason... Would still stay away from BlueTEC. Interior ambient lighting became a thing on vehicles with premium leather package.
2011/12: Mirrors were facelifted on all mainly to acquire blind spot assist. GL550 front bumper was updated. GL450 & GL550 outstanding, very reliable. GL350 may had oil cooler seals updated. Still would stay away.
X166
2013/14: Entire new vehicle. M278s are just amazing and as reliable as they come. I don't have much knowledge on the BlueTEC but I've heard that the oil cooler still leaks... New AMG model was introduced.
2015/16: 3rd row fixed sunroof removed from then on, nothing too interesting here.
2017+: Facelift.
GL 320's have the same issues as the 350's with the exception of Adblue system since the 320 doesn't have it. Still suffers from stretched timing chains, bad cam gears, leaking oil cooler seals, leaking turbos, and a few others.
The early 450's suffer from worn cam gears caused by the use of low quality material to make the gear. I have around 250k miles on mine and it still runs great with very little repairs needed. The CEL comes on but the car runs fine. I can swap in a used 550 engine if it starts running rough but, for now, it just keeps chugging along without using oil between oil changes.
I have the X166 2015 GL450 that has the V6 twin turbo's. I don't believe there is a chip upgrade on this, so if you are looking at a X166 GL450 with the V8 that can be tuned, it will need to be a 2013/2014 model.
I have the X166 2015 GL450 that has the V6 twin turbo's. I don't believe there is a chip upgrade on this, so if you are looking at a X166 GL450 with the V8 that can be tuned, it will need to be a 2013/2014 model.
OE Tuning sells a tune for the V6 bi-turbo in your truck that appears to get fantastic gains. 106 hp and 124 lb/ft or torque at the wheels. Gross hp & tq gains could easily be 20% higher after accounting for parasitic losses.
Wife chose this one. I really liked the X166's. The seat controls are much improved, but she liked the seats in the X164 better. If all goes well in 2 years we will replace this with an X166 GL550.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Ok. Eat some of it I mean. Retail is usually pretty high to begin with (7-9k) so if they can eat some of the cost at invoice the warranty becomes attractive.
They offered a 2-year powertrain warranty for 4k. Service history was great on it.
I am a DIYer so hopefully, this doesn't have any more issues than my 11-year-old Q7 did. The bad news is I think I already lost it to my wife. Her 2016 Honda Pilot is currently sitting in the garage waiting for a new snow tire so she is driving it and loving it. She already talked about ordering weather tech mats for it. It might be hard to get her out of it.
If that happens she has worked her butt off and we can get CPO one for her to replace the Pilot.
They offered a 2-year powertrain warranty for 4k. Service history was great on it.
I am a DIYer so hopefully, this doesn't have any more issues than my 11-year-old Q7 did. The bad news is I think I already lost it to my wife. Her 2016 Honda Pilot is currently sitting in the garage waiting for a new snow tire so she is driving it and loving it. She already talked about ordering weather tech mats for it. It might be hard to get her out of it.
If that happens she has worked her butt off and we can get CPO one for her to replace the Pilot.
Don't get those crummy Weathertech mats. They're bulky, the edges bend, and they are slippery as hell when they're wet.
Save yourself money and get these far superior mats. They are never slippery when wet, fit better, stay in place much better, are easier to get in an out of the truck for cleaning, and weigh about 1/5 of the Weathertechs. I leave them in year round and they are great.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by not2fast
They offered a 2-year powertrain warranty for 4k. Service history was great on it.
I am a DIYer so hopefully, this doesn't have any more issues than my 11-year-old Q7 did. The bad news is I think I already lost it to my wife. Her 2016 Honda Pilot is currently sitting in the garage waiting for a new snow tire so she is driving it and loving it. She already talked about ordering weather tech mats for it. It might be hard to get her out of it.
If that happens she has worked her butt off and we can get CPO one for her to replace the Pilot.
haha lol 😂
Yeah don't get the weather tech mats. The oe mercedes ones that are rubber are really nice though for the front and second row. For the third row j would get weather tech because they designed it to cover where you walk on.
It shouldn't be. Just keep an eye out on the air suspension. That would have been a problem either way on x166 or x164.
I will certainly be looking for air suspension problems. I looked into how to change them, but didn't look into how to know they are going bad before they are bad.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by not2fast
I will certainly be looking for air suspension problems. I looked into how to change them, but didn't look into how to know they are going bad before they are bad.
those spider mats look really cool.
Soapy water and bubble test.
You'll notice when your car looks like it broke a leg and is kneeling.
Buy from fcp euro and stick to Bilstein. Fcp has a replacement warranty.
Arnott is also available, but they are known to fail earlier than oem. Hence the generous warranty provided.
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