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I have a 2016 Gl 450 X-166. Elsewhere on this site I see the last year of the X-166 being 2015. My GL is equipped with the On/Off Road Package. I am now shopping for another GL or GLS with the on/offroad package but I don't know how to spot one. On my center console There are two pop up rotary knobs in addition to the main display control knob. From what I can see the center console design changed in 2017. Anyone out there have a 2017 or later GLS with the on/off road package? First, I would like confirmation that this package still exists after 2016 and second if it does can someone send me a detailed pic of the controls? The pic below is what 2016 controls look like.
I have a 2016 Gl 450 X-166. Elsewhere on this site I see the last year of the X-166 being 2015. My GL is equipped with the On/Off Road Package. I am now shopping for another GL or GLS with the on/offroad package but I don't know how to spot one. On my center console There are two pop up rotary knobs in addition to the main display control knob. From what I can see the center console design changed in 2017. Anyone out there have a 2017 or later GLS with the on/off road package? First, I would like confirmation that this package still exists after 2016 and second if it does can someone send me a detailed pic of the controls? The pic below is what 2016 controls look like.
Out of curiosity, how does the off road package perform in the 166 platform? I understand it's electronics controlling wheel spin, traction, etc. In the x164 there were center and read diffs which could be locked via a dial. I currently own one of the 164 specimens. I've also seen the x166 on the MB off road course with sales folks taken for a ride, but I am wondering about the real world experience.
My 2016 has Low Range. My research shows that only the 2016, 2020, and 2021 have Low Range. Not sure about older years or if this is even accurate information. If you look at the terrain dial you will see that the 2016 has different settings than the GLS console pictured. First, the 2016 has two off road settings. "Offroad 2" locks the front and rear. I do not see the dial that raises and lowers the car to 5 different ride heights on the GLS pic. As for performance, I "off road" in the San Juan Mountains in Southern Colorado. Mostly steep rocky terrain with some crawling, without much sand or mud. The 12.0 inches of stock ground clearance leads the class, including all pick ups trucks, for several years. The hill descent and traction control work great. It has a class leading turning radius and plenty of power especially in low. The weakest point seems to be the fording depth of 23.6 inches. I hear if you go deeper the battery could get wet and burn up the electrical system. Stream crossings scare me! So do deep puddles! I have had mine in 20" - 24" deep water but this limitation is definitely a concern in wet climates.
My 2016 has Low Range. My research shows that only the 2016, 2020, and 2021 have Low Range. Not sure about older years or if this is even accurate information. If you look at the terrain dial you will see that the 2016 has different settings than the GLS console pictured. First, the 2016 has two off road settings. "Offroad 2" locks the front and rear. I do not see the dial that raises and lowers the car to 5 different ride heights on the GLS pic. As for performance, I "off road" in the San Juan Mountains in Southern Colorado. Mostly steep rocky terrain with some crawling, without much sand or mud. The 12.0 inches of stock ground clearance leads the class, including all pick ups trucks, for several years. The hill descent and traction control work great. It has a class leading turning radius and plenty of power especially in low. The weakest point seems to be the fording depth of 23.6 inches. I hear if you go deeper the battery could get wet and burn up the electrical system. Stream crossings scare me! So do deep puddles! I have had mine in 20" - 24" deep water but this limitation is definitely a concern in wet climates.
Thanks for the quick notes on performance. Much appreciated. It looks like yours has locking diffs. I thought MB had done away with those in earlier X166 GLs.
I think your best bet it to look at the owners manuals for each of the years you're interested in and search for the off road package. That should give you info on the years the offroad package was offered and just as important which features were included. Personally I would be unhappy with physically locking diffs, but lack of height adjustability, like you have now. But that, of course, is my personal opinion and I am in no way trying to impose it.
"Offroad 1" lets the wheels spin if that is what you prefer. Height is adjustable on mine offering 5 different ride heights. I have needed locking diffs on several occasions. I am not sure why having them would make you unhappy but I may have completely misunderstood your last reply. Your opinions are welcome, I join forums looking for information not drama.
I think having locking diffs is a plus. I probably was not clear enough in conveying it earlier. It took me about 18 months of searching to get the options I was after, the off road package being one in my x164. Some will argue that having an off road package means having more things which can break. Fair point, but it's a risk those who buy the car with the package are ok with.
I've actioned my diffs on a couple of occasions, besides the odd "practice runs" on sand or snow to keep the system awake and moving.
When I was shopping for a GL I looked at the 2013s along with the x164 platform. Somewhere I read that in 2013 MB did away with the center and rear diffs. They used 4ETS, ESP, ABS, and maybe some other systems to emulate locked diffs in that particular MY. Yours being a 2016 with front and rear diffs is evidence that MB returned to using diffs with the off road package. I would not be surprised if MB stopped offering the option and then brought it back later. That's why I thought the owners manuals would be a good source of info since they are available on the MB site for download in searchable pdf format.
If I wanted drama, I'd join a forum for "the real housewives of..." or maybe they are on Twitter. Forums micht be too old school and uncool for that hip crowd.
X166 continued to and includes the 2019 model year.
Off road engineering package is knowable via photos of the center console showing the second button, and via VIN decode.
Off road engineering package on 166 includes 2 speed t/case and locking differential.
167 uses a different system. The 166 system is better because it gives more control.
All 166 ML/GL/GLE/GLS have three differentials: front, rear and center. All 166 use 4ETS, ABS, TCS and ESP.
4ETS is a game changer in a vehicle without the off road engineering package because it locks one wheel with the brakes and sends torque to the opposite wheel on the same axle. Nearly equivalent function as a locking differential.
Great information. When you say, "All 166 ML/GL/GLE/GLS have three differentials: front, rear and center. All 166 use 4ETS, ABS, TCS and ESP. " Are talking about standard equipment of just the ones with On/Offroad Package?
Also when did that package change to Off Road Engineering Package? 2020?
Great information. When you say, "All 166 ML/GL/GLE/GLS have three differentials: front, rear and center. All 166 use 4ETS, ABS, TCS and ESP. " Are talking about standard equipment of just the ones with On/Offroad Package?
Also when did that package change to Off Road Engineering Package? 2020?
All means all. All 166 without exception have three differentials.
Off road engineering was available up to and including 2019 model year.
From 2020-onwards the optional off-road system uses a two speed transfer case with a variable coupling to control front to rear torque bias. No locking differentials on front or rear axles. Also appears not presently available in the configurator on mbusa. 4ETS continues, it is part of the braking system function and technically doesn’t require any hardware beyond the ABS/ESP systems that have been around for 20-30 years. It’s just a software enabled feature MB introduced several years ago.
I read some articles online that I now believe to be incorrect. My research starts with the 2016 GL model equipped with the "ON&OFFROAD package". In 2017 the renamed GLS model now offered the "Off-Road Engineering Package". This continued through the 2020 models. In 2021 it was again renamed "Off-road package". Each package includes Low Range and up to 3.5 inches of lift. What I don't know is if any were made in 2022 due to the microchip shortage. If anyone has a 2017 - 2022 GLS with any of the off-road packages let's here from you. I would love to compare notes.
I read some articles online that I now believe to be incorrect. My research starts with the 2016 GL model equipped with the "ON&OFFROAD package". In 2017 the renamed GLS model now offered the "Off-Road Engineering Package". This continued through the 2020 models. In 2021 it was again renamed "Off-road package". Each package includes Low Range and up to 3.5 inches of lift. What I don't know is if any were made in 2022 due to the microchip shortage. If anyone has a 2017 - 2022 GLS with any of the off-road packages let's here from you. I would love to compare notes.
Go to MB in your country (what country are you located in?) and see for yourself if the GLS is configurable with the off road option. I checked on MBUSA and the two speed t/case option is not presently available. If you search for preowned models, off road options are knowable by you via photos of the center console and via VIN decode.
Do you understand what is being written?
What are you looking for? The current 167 model or the previous 166 model?
Correction: The "Off-Road Engineering package" ran from 2017 through 2019.
To chassis,
Do I understand what is being written? I could ask you the same thing.
My post is asking about optional off road equipment on the GL or GLS between 2016 and 2022. I am looking to buy a second one. The center console, along with the off road controls, changed in 2017. I know this because I have a 2016 GL 450 that I am very familiar with. Someone else posted a pic of the 2017 or later console without the optional off road equipment. Do you have a 2016 - 2022 GL or GLS with the off road package?
Here is a pic of the Off-Road Engineering package. Can anyone with a 2017 - 2019 confirm this?
Correction: The "Off-Road Engineering package" ran from 2017 through 2019.
To chassis,
Do I understand what is being written? I could ask you the same thing.
My post is asking about optional off road equipment on the GL or GLS between 2016 and 2022. I am looking to buy a second one. The center console, along with the off road controls, changed in 2017. I know this because I have a 2016 GL 450 that I am very familiar with. Someone else posted a pic of the 2017 or later console without the optional off road equipment. Do you have a 2016 - 2022 GL or GLS with the off road package?
Here is a pic of the Off-Road Engineering package. Can anyone with a 2017 - 2019 confirm this?
@Buck Horn you appear to still confused over the model years. Do you know the difference between 166 and 167 platforms?
No I don't agree. I have found conflicting parameters for the X-166 manufacturing run. This forum even contains errors in the main menu. Check it out. Go to the home page and click on forums. Link: https://mbworld.org/forums/ GL Class (X166) (62 Viewing)
2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166) GLS Class (X166) (9 Viewing)
Produced from 2016 to 2019
I don't see where a 2016 GL, not a GLS, is recognized as a valid model. None of this is important to me I am trying to learn about the 3 different off road packages offered between 2016 and 2022.
No I don't agree. I have found conflicting parameters for the X-166 manufacturing run. This forum even contains errors in the main menu. Check it out. Go to the home page and click on forums. Link: https://mbworld.org/forums/ GL Class (X166) (62 Viewing)
2013-2015 after facelift became GLS (X166) GLS Class (X166) (9 Viewing)
Produced from 2016 to 2019
I don't see where a 2016 GL, not a GLS, is recognized as a valid model. None of this is important to me I am trying to learn about the 3 different off road packages offered between 2016 and 2022.
@Buck Horn Search MBUSA.com for owners’ manuals. All will be made clear. Wikipedia is also good for model year information and much more.
Which vehicle are you looking to buy?
p.s. yes there are errors and omissions on this site. That’s why using the source (MB) is advised. This site is not run by MB.
Aren’t all 2016-2019 models called GLS? Marketing to show it’s the flagship SUV like the S sedan?
No, the 2016 is a "GL". If you search auto trader there is no option for a 2017 GL and there is no option in 2016 for a GLS. Could some exist in the world? I don't know.
No, the 2016 is a "GL". If you search auto trader there is no option for a 2017 GL and there is no option in 2016 for a GLS. Could some exist in the world? I don't know.
It appears you are correct, the face lift was 2017- , is it possible other markets came earlier? If not then then this forums is incorrect in the split of the two generations, and now see the confusion.
Quote from reviews..“You could be forgiven for thinking Mercedes was done with off-roading its big SUV, but the package was revived when the second-generation GL bowed for 2012. The new-for-2013 GL was slightly bigger than its predecessor, and it boasted a much more refined interior. Underhood, a twin-turbocharged V8 rated at 362 horsepower was standard in the GL450.
Unfortunately, the new Off-Road Package retained the 2-speed transfer case of its predecessor but dropped the locking rear differential. In its place, at least sort of, were adaptive suspension dampers, additional drive models tailored for off-road use, and additional underbody skid plates. A third control knob on the center console flanked by a few buttons is all it takes to identify a second-gen GL with the package.
The Off-Road Package sat out 2014 before coming back for 2015, with the adaptive dampers available as a stand-alone option rather than grouped with the four-wheeling bits. A facelift accompanied by a rename to GLS-Class for 2017 didn’t quite kill the package, but the 2-speed transfer case bit the dust.“
Ricardoa1 thank you for joining us. I am not sure what MB did in 2014 but you inspired me to study the 2015 GL off-road package. Here is what I found in the Owners Manual: "Your vehicle has an automatically activated differential lock for the transfer case. It controls the balance between the front and rear axles." p.260
"The LOW RANGE off-road gear assists you in driving off-road and when fording. When LOW RANGE is engaged, the engine’s performance characteristics and the gear shifting characteristics of the automatic transmission are adapted for this purpose." p.261
My research shows that LOW RANGE and 1 of 3 off-road packages where offered from 2015 to 2022 for the GL/GLS. Including low range (2-speed transfer case) in all 2015 to 2022 GL/GLS models with optional off road equipment.
All 166 and 167 with off road option have a 2 speed t/case.
In my opinion the best preowned MB available today is the 2019 GLS450 4MATIC with offroad engineering, AMG exterior and Designo interior. Rare/impossible option combination to find, because Designo and off road option were more commonly built with the V8 engine. I wouldn't touch the V8 because it is developing a reputation for fatal cylinder scoring around 100k miles.
I have researched 4x4 conversions on older, less complicated trucks and found it cost prohibitive. I have never heard of anyone trying it on a GL or GLS. FYI I sold a totaled GL with front end damage for $9,500. I would assume parts alone would cost that much.
03-07-2022, 03:57 PM
