I have a wonderful 2018 S63 - My lease ends in July 2022. I dislike the look of the new S Class dashboard, and I am considering getting a GLS 63 AMG.

I wonder if anyone has experience driving or owning both - I've never had a GLS of any kind - getting all that space will be good in a lot of ways I am sure.

How about the ride? The S Class can't be beat, but is the GLS 63 going to be as opulent, and still be as beasty as the S 63?

Should I just buy out my lease and keep the S63 a bit longer? (Do I already have it so good I should just be grateful?)

I'm from a small town, and they have zero stock usually of any high end cars - I'll probably have to buy before I try!

Any feedback or anecdotes appreciated!

 

I don't have either but I heard that the GLS is really just another of MB's marketing, it is not remotely close to being an S-Class in terms of ride quality and refinement.
I agree that you should just buyout the car and hold it for longer, after all, the market is in your favour and the residual on your contract is way lower than what the market is now if you do choose to change your mind and sell it. On top of the suspending production of 2022 V8 across MB's lineup, driving prices of V8 even higher.
The GLS in USA is made in Alabama while as the Sedan is Made in Germany. I heard numerous complaints of interior quality issues of GLE and GLS and cars that are made in Alabama in general.
Here is the thread where another forum member answered my question on the GLS and the S-Class: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8393313
Here is the GLS forum for the model you are looking at : https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class-x167-255/
Here is the GLE forum and if you scroll down there are built quality concerns: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class-v167-250/

 

As a separate data point coming from someone who has owned multiple S classes, 164 GL, and 166 GL/GLE's, and E's. I can tell you that the reliability of the GL/GLE/GLS blows that of the S class cars out of the water. The only issues I've ever had with my 164 or 166's has been from poor quality parts from German suppliers and not from the fact they were assembled in Alabama. The main difference is the S classes and the GL/GLE's I've owned is the S class is loaded with high end, expensive, complex suspensions and other technology that seems to be released before they've debugged everything.

With that said, I would stay away from the X167 for a few years until all the bugs are worked out. The higher end models are loaded up like the S classes and we are seeing issues reported. The 166 GL/S/GLE's have excellent reliability. The only issues I've experienced, again, are from either poor manufacturing process of engines built in German or engine components/parts from Germany. If you were looking to get a GLS, I would look no further than a CPO 2019 GLS63. You will love it.

I'm a big MB fan and currently have four of them but, looking at JD Powers initial reliability survey, the first two spots are US built vehicles. Point is, don't bash a vehicle just because it is made or assembled in the US.
The best (and worst) brands from J.D. Power’s 2021 Initial Quality Study | The Star

 

My problem with a 2019 GLS63 is that I strongly dislike the iPad they haphazardly stick in these cars.

It's the same reason I am not that interested in the new S Class so much.

What's funny is that my 2018 S 63 has the nice dashboard, and the brand new 2021 GLS 63 would also have a similar proper proportioned dashboard I think. But a Older GLS - No - it has iPad, and a brand new S Class - tiny screen for instruments and then a big Tesla style iPad poorly fitted in place. I ain't going for it.

I could change my mind - but at the moment I'm losing the incentives to upgrade.

I am thinking maybe I should end my lease early, pay the residual and list my 2018 S63 for sale and maybe go try a Bentley Continental out for a couple years. It's really confusing.

I was stoked about getting a 2021 GLS 63 - but I have no way to test one out - It would be another case of me buying before trying. It's hard to do that if you are unfamiliar with the car. I do think the dealer has GLS 450 maybe - I'll go check next week and try to figure out whether a GLS will be good.

My understanding is that my 2018 S63 might be holding value due to the semiconductor shortage. Maybe I should take advantage of that. We have too many cars really. I just got a 2020 911 C4S - maybe I should sell that - I kind of don't love that 911 - too much horrible electronics in it. The door handles seldom work! In order to use "Home Link" you need to go through 3 screen presses. The touch screen has a horrible interface. Car drives and sounds great - but the electronics ruin it for me. I really much prefer the 2018 S63 - fast as hell - super comfortable - sounds like firecrackers and outrageous power, and instantly turns into a comfy limo with adaptive cruise and massage and on and on. Once you have an S Class, it's hard to imagine driving anything else really.

GLS 63 needs to be feeling a bit like an S Class. If all these reports of "no quality control" on the 2021 GLS 580 or GLS 63 are true - I might regret selling the S63. The car is like new with only 42000 Km on it. (26k Miles).

I'm undecided - I need more hands on research and some test drives to know. Who knows maybe I might not mind the iPad dashboards so much?

 

Do not EVER sell the S63. Buy it out, buy an extended warranty, and enjoy your life(cars). Life is too short to be concerned about cars when you already have the best (S63).

if you want a nice large SUV, get a RR SVR, not a GLS.

 

I like that advice - it's just that I compromised on that one slightly.

I dislike black paint. I would have preferred silver or nearly any other colour.

Then I also made a strange "mistake" - I got Burmeister High End audio - and we love the sound - it's great. The problem with Burmeister High End is that the subwoofer and all the extra speakers or whatever eats up the trunk space. I had a 2015 S 550 and it had tons of storage cubbies and stuff. This one barely holds sunglasses kind of thing . Anyways, we also have the executive rear seat reclining with chauffeur position - that's a great place to have a nap. Also I DID get silk beige designo leather - so the car is black with black rims outside, but inside it's nice and bright. Sunroof is the Magic Sky Control - very cool show off feature but not so important really - just very cool. No Wireless Car Play - but whatever - I can plug it in and then I have it. I just don't do that much.

What I also really think is amazing on this car that I barely even try is the race mode - it has the Nordschleife map! Hockenheim. Spa Autochamps. Maybe Laguna Seca I should go there and try it. It records your inputs - brakes maybe and throttle and wheel position - cool for analysis. I never even used this yet!

Tire pressure AND TEMPERATURE for each wheel! Amazing!

So quiet inside.

Comfort mode and adaptive cruise.

No Night vision on this one - I liked that feature on my old 2015 - oh well.

Tiny Trunk though. Oh well.

Black rims - I guess I don't mind them now since I don't have ceramic brakes. No brake dust mess visible at least.

 

I heard MBUSA is stopping third party dealerships from purchasing out the lease of their vehicles but I am not sure if that is true for MBCA. If it isn't true, I am wondering if you want to get a quote on that Bentley and see what they offer on your car after they pay off your lease and the residual value for you to save you from the hassle of having to buy out the lease, pay the residual, admin fees, taxes and then find a buyer yourself? That being said before that, do some research on how much your vehicle goes for in the used market first. If it is true, then you have to buy it out yourself and then sell it yourself instead.

Yes your vehicle is holding value well and even appreciating because of the official news of 2022 V8 suspension in USA due to multiple factors, which is indirectly/directly affecting the value of MBCA cars too.

I too agree with the other forum member on the suggestion of just getting an extended warranty and enjoying the car since from what you told us so far, the car is irreplaceable for both your needs and wants.

The worse is buyer's remorse which you don't want, don't get something you never had a chance to test drive and at the same time get rid of something you truly enjoy for this new car.

 

Sage advice. Very true.

 

I have both a W222 S63 and X166 GL63. The ride on both is great, even in S+ on the GL63. It handles well beyond what anyone would expect. For the most part, both cars have been very reliable, and it's been mostly tires and brakes for both. It's the best of both worlds and the newer GLS63's have just closed the gap with the interior improvements that rival the S-Class.

 

Just got my new GLS63 AMG (2021) 2 weeks ago and I can tell you that it's as close as it comes to quality to an S.
S550/S580 is more geared towards comfort and the ride is a cushiony.

GLS63 has amazing build quality, a beast driving and those seats are oh-so-comfortable and it's very closely comfortable to an S (provided you have 22'' or less wheels / 23'' wheels are not comfortable). The high commanding seating position is actually a better experience than driving an S.
Just make sure you get "All" options/packages that are offered by Mercedes as all adds up to overall experience.

There are few gripes ofcourse (like Carplay not playing full screen and other minuscules) but I recommend don't buying a thing from anyone saying that build quality isnt the same as any car which is built in Germany. It's the same company and not a local mechanic shop whose quality differs based on the location where "owner" isn't present.

P.S. I have a 2017 S550 too.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with your vehicle, I am glad to hear that you are enjoying yours!

There is a concern on build quality across different plants because that is indeed true based on experience from different plants (although we can't ignore human error and if the person who was building it was having a rough day the night before or partied the night before and didn't have enough sleep) (there are paint regulations between countries as well so the technology used to apply paint will indirectly affect the durability of that paint as well although recently the plants are coming close now as regulations has spread globally, I personally seen the paint being much better quality on German built cars compared to Alabama plant cars but that was a few years ago so it must have changed)

At the same time, I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your car and that the build quality on your car is great for you. So far, you are one of the first ones I heard that have a good build quality GLS and I am hoping to hear more, as the improvement of build quality is always a good thing to hear especially for cars of this calibre.

 

I'll be posting pictures soon

 

Great! looking forward to that

 

Just uploaded in this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl63-amg-...ml#post8429215

 

 

I have a 2016 S63 and just picked up a 2021 GLS63. Material and built quality I would have to give it to the S63. but the GLS63 is not that far behind.
Interestingly GLS is more fun to drive and turns head everywhere with those huge 23' monoblocks.