2021-23 GLS63 next vehicle?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay area
S560, GLS63
2021-23 GLS63 next vehicle?
Hey MBWorld!
I'm about to start doing some extensive research and hope to make a purchase of a 2021-23 GLS63 here within the next couple of months.
Anything I need to look out for besides the 48v I see a lot having promblems with.
I would love to hear from some owners that love their X167!
Thanks so much in advance 🙏🏾
I'm about to start doing some extensive research and hope to make a purchase of a 2021-23 GLS63 here within the next couple of months.
Anything I need to look out for besides the 48v I see a lot having promblems with.
I would love to hear from some owners that love their X167!
Thanks so much in advance 🙏🏾
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay area
S560, GLS63
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 53
From: Reno, NV
2015 C63 AMG S Edition 1, 2021 GLS63, 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider
I have a 2021 GLS 63 and while I really like it, I do not love it as I did my 2015 GL63.
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay area
S560, GLS63
I have a 2021 GLS 63 and while I really like it, I do not love it as I did my 2015 GL63.
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 23
I've owned ten AMGs over the years, and I will not buy anything newer than MY2019. Not worth the hassle to be a software beta tester and rattle detective.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Well, I went from an X166 GL63 that I owned from new for 7 years to a X167 GLS63 that I owned for 33 days to a X166 GLS63 CPO that I've had for the last four months. The X166 GL63 was the best vehicle I owned and the X167 GLS63 was the worst. Multiple 48v issues, electronics issues, check engine issues, thermostat failure, etc.. It spent more time at the dealer than with me and so I took the loss on it. Found a low mileage CPO and it has the same type of soul as the 2016 GL63 owned previously. No issues with it so far and it's under warranty until 2027.
I've owned ten AMGs over the years, and I will not buy anything newer than MY2019. Not worth the hassle to be a software beta tester and rattle detective.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
I've owned ten AMGs over the years, and I will not buy anything newer than MY2019. Not worth the hassle to be a software beta tester and rattle detective.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 212
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay area
S560, GLS63
Well, I went from an X166 GL63 that I owned from new for 7 years to a X167 GLS63 that I owned for 33 days to a X166 GLS63 CPO that I've had for the last four months. The X166 GL63 was the best vehicle I owned and the X167 GLS63 was the worst. Multiple 48v issues, electronics issues, check engine issues, thermostat failure, etc.. It spent more time at the dealer than with me and so I took the loss on it. Found a low mileage CPO and it has the same type of soul as the 2016 GL63 owned previously. No issues with it so far and it's under warranty until 2027.
I've owned ten AMGs over the years, and I will not buy anything newer than MY2019. Not worth the hassle to be a software beta tester and rattle detective.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
I've owned ten AMGs over the years, and I will not buy anything newer than MY2019. Not worth the hassle to be a software beta tester and rattle detective.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
GLS63
Update from X166 vs X167
I have a 2021 GLS 63 and while I really like it, I do not love it as I did my 2015 GL63.
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
1. The 2021 has so many rattles that it is driving me crazy. The dealership is trying to address them over time.
2. The front suspension has something wrong/loose that we cannot seem to figure out. When you hit a rather large bump, say a speed bump at 10mph or so, there is a not insignificant suspension vibration (it is more than just a rattle). What ever is vibrating is fairly substantial. It is less in Sport mode and even less still in Sport+. It is not the lane assist vibration but something in the unsprung suspension. Again, my dealer is on it. This car should feel like a rock when a bump is encountered and the dampening should deal with these types of suspension impacts much better than mine does.
3. The shift logic is not that great. It tends to lurch when cold and even after warming up, still shifts at inopportune times that makes it feel a bit clunky. I think 2 less gears would make a world of difference so it doesn't need to shift so much.
4. The brakes are not progressive and are grabby at low speeds. This is most notable when the start/stop feature shuts off the engine before you are at a complete stop. When breaking in these conditions and when the start/stop shuts the engine off, the brakes seem to trigger ABS. I don't know if changing to a different pad compound would make it better but even the head of service noticed this while on a test drive to diagnose #2 above. He was like "Wow! The brakes are grabby". Note his use of technical terms. I personally think the car believes it is rolling away during a "stop" moment of the start/stop feature and activates the collision assist feature. This is probably the most annoying part for me as I take my daughter to school every morning in this vehicle and in the long line of cars, moving very slowly, this happens frequently. When I turn the start/shop feature off, it is better but still not as smooth and progressive as I would like it.
Those are the most significant issues I have encountered (other than having to buy new wheels so that I can fit it with snow tires here in the Sierras) so really pay attention on your test drive and good luck.
Kurt
I'm look to upgrade from 2017 to 2022 GLS63 and read this with interest. Do you still prefer your 2015 X166?
Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Pascal
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 53
From: Reno, NV
2015 C63 AMG S Edition 1, 2021 GLS63, 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider
Pascal,
Many apologies for the tardy reply, but i do still prefer the 2015. The dealership found some loose suspension components and replaced the entire driver's side shock assembly but it still has a horrible ride. I am going to have the dealership take one more stab at the suspension issues and if they cannot fix it, I may trade for a GLC63. My son will be driving soon so a smaller vehicle may be good for him. I will let you all know soon.
Kurt
Many apologies for the tardy reply, but i do still prefer the 2015. The dealership found some loose suspension components and replaced the entire driver's side shock assembly but it still has a horrible ride. I am going to have the dealership take one more stab at the suspension issues and if they cannot fix it, I may trade for a GLC63. My son will be driving soon so a smaller vehicle may be good for him. I will let you all know soon.
Kurt
