Clarifying off-road option or not
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 381
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
Clarifying off-road option or not
I read thru the thread debating the off-road. I'm putting together my order for a '18 GLS 550.
I have off-road now. I do NOT drive off-road, although occasionally drive on gravel roads. I do use the snow mode when there's snow or ice on the road, but I am not sure what that does (psychosomatic benefit I suppose).
We do get snow and ice, but not high piles of snow. That said, I'd want every advantage for grip in the snow and ice. I have winter wheels with winter tires that I'll use on the new car (MB wheels).
I also get that you get underside protection. I assume that also adds weight.
Will I miss the off-road?
Thanks.
I have off-road now. I do NOT drive off-road, although occasionally drive on gravel roads. I do use the snow mode when there's snow or ice on the road, but I am not sure what that does (psychosomatic benefit I suppose).
We do get snow and ice, but not high piles of snow. That said, I'd want every advantage for grip in the snow and ice. I have winter wheels with winter tires that I'll use on the new car (MB wheels).
I also get that you get underside protection. I assume that also adds weight.
Will I miss the off-road?
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 28
From: Western Europe
2017 GLS 350d
You wont miss the off road to drive in the snow and ice. Off road is good for added clearance, and mainly for the low range gear ratio. This is not needed for snow driving. Low range increases the torque at the wheel so it increases the risk of wheel slippage. You want to apply as low torque as possible. That's being done by putting the car in snow mode with the selector between the front seat. As for the added clearance, if you need more clearance than what you can get with normal airmatic without offroad package, I dont think you should take that road!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
My customers that have it are proud to have it - and I think to have it is neat - have you noticed the NaySayer's are all owner's that don't have it ?
If I had to creep either up or down a icy hill... yes, I would want it on tap... "Slippery mode" is entirely different acting...
" If the GLS model is equipped with the optional Off-Road Engineering package, OFF-ROAD+ mode is also available. With this, the low-range gearbox and center differential lock intervene if necessary in order to ensure a high degree of drivability in demanding off-road terrain. This is further boosted by the extended functions of the AIRMATIC air suspension with raised ride heights for a ground clearance of up to 12.5 inches (306 mm) and a fording depth of up to 23.6 inches (600 mm)."
If I had to creep either up or down a icy hill... yes, I would want it on tap... "Slippery mode" is entirely different acting...
" If the GLS model is equipped with the optional Off-Road Engineering package, OFF-ROAD+ mode is also available. With this, the low-range gearbox and center differential lock intervene if necessary in order to ensure a high degree of drivability in demanding off-road terrain. This is further boosted by the extended functions of the AIRMATIC air suspension with raised ride heights for a ground clearance of up to 12.5 inches (306 mm) and a fording depth of up to 23.6 inches (600 mm)."
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 12
From: Chester Springs, PA
2017 GLS 550 & 2016 SLK300
Don't forget that it makes it easier to clean the wheel wells. I raise the extra 3 inches on my GLS and no problems cleaning in there.
Ya'll will laugh but I'm serious. I enjoy cleaning the cars and keeping them as spotless as possible.
My biggest reason for ordering with was for the undercarriage protection on PA roads, the ability to better clean is a bonus.
Ya'll will laugh but I'm serious. I enjoy cleaning the cars and keeping them as spotless as possible.
My biggest reason for ordering with was for the undercarriage protection on PA roads, the ability to better clean is a bonus.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 74
Likes: 4
From: NJ
GLS450, RX400h
Quite agree with Fab. The Off-road+ and underside protection was well worth for us and great to have the low range and other options in this package.
Thanks for the wheel well cleaning tip GT! Will be sure to raise it up all the way next time
Thanks for the wheel well cleaning tip GT! Will be sure to raise it up all the way next time
Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
From: Belgiumshire
W126-500SEC
I offroad my cars, so I find it useful. I also find the low gear with middle diff comes in very handy when manouvering a large trailer.
It DOES however come at a price : there's extra losses in the power transfer. So expect to lose a few horses and burning a bit more fuel. Can't be helped.
It DOES however come at a price : there's extra losses in the power transfer. So expect to lose a few horses and burning a bit more fuel. Can't be helped.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 526
Likes: 203
From: Texas
2021 GLE 53 AMG Coupe
Don't forget that it makes it easier to clean the wheel wells. I raise the extra 3 inches on my GLS and no problems cleaning in there.
Ya'll will laugh but I'm serious. I enjoy cleaning the cars and keeping them as spotless as possible.
My biggest reason for ordering with was for the undercarriage protection on PA roads, the ability to better clean is a bonus.
Ya'll will laugh but I'm serious. I enjoy cleaning the cars and keeping them as spotless as possible.
My biggest reason for ordering with was for the undercarriage protection on PA roads, the ability to better clean is a bonus.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
Likes: 12
From: Chester Springs, PA
2017 GLS 550 & 2016 SLK300
Shot of my GLS550 interior including knob for offroad package. Push the knob in order to raise/lower for adjustment. Turn the know to raise/lower the GLS.
Wouldn't let me post actual picture for some reason, link to my flickr page with it.
Wouldn't let me post actual picture for some reason, link to my flickr page with it.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 74
Likes: 4
From: NJ
GLS450, RX400h
I've previously posted the knob and the raised position here -
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...ml#post7089703
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...ml#post7089703
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 721
Likes: 78
--
My customers that have it are proud to have it - and I think to have it is neat - have you noticed the NaySayer's are all owner's that don't have it ?
If I had to creep either up or down a icy hill... yes, I would want it on tap... "Slippery mode" is entirely different acting...
" If the GLS model is equipped with the optional Off-Road Engineering package, OFF-ROAD+ mode is also available. With this, the low-range gearbox and center differential lock intervene if necessary in order to ensure a high degree of drivability in demanding off-road terrain. This is further boosted by the extended functions of the AIRMATIC air suspension with raised ride heights for a ground clearance of up to 12.5 inches (306 mm) and a fording depth of up to 23.6 inches (600 mm)."
If I had to creep either up or down a icy hill... yes, I would want it on tap... "Slippery mode" is entirely different acting...
" If the GLS model is equipped with the optional Off-Road Engineering package, OFF-ROAD+ mode is also available. With this, the low-range gearbox and center differential lock intervene if necessary in order to ensure a high degree of drivability in demanding off-road terrain. This is further boosted by the extended functions of the AIRMATIC air suspension with raised ride heights for a ground clearance of up to 12.5 inches (306 mm) and a fording depth of up to 23.6 inches (600 mm)."
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
2018 GLS450/2016 Range Rover Sport
I read thru the thread debating the off-road. I'm putting together my order for a '18 GLS 550.
I have off-road now. I do NOT drive off-road, although occasionally drive on gravel roads. I do use the snow mode when there's snow or ice on the road, but I am not sure what that does (psychosomatic benefit I suppose).
We do get snow and ice, but not high piles of snow. That said, I'd want every advantage for grip in the snow and ice. I have winter wheels with winter tires that I'll use on the new car (MB wheels).
I also get that you get underside protection. I assume that also adds weight.
Will I miss the off-road?
Thanks.
I have off-road now. I do NOT drive off-road, although occasionally drive on gravel roads. I do use the snow mode when there's snow or ice on the road, but I am not sure what that does (psychosomatic benefit I suppose).
We do get snow and ice, but not high piles of snow. That said, I'd want every advantage for grip in the snow and ice. I have winter wheels with winter tires that I'll use on the new car (MB wheels).
I also get that you get underside protection. I assume that also adds weight.
Will I miss the off-road?
Thanks.
I wish my car can have it but I don't have choice, it is only one I can get in Toronto now.
Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
From: Belgiumshire
W126-500SEC
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
GLC300
Shot of my GLS550 interior including knob for offroad package. Push the knob in order to raise/lower for adjustment. Turn the know to raise/lower the GLS.
Wouldn't let me post actual picture for some reason, link to my flickr page with it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/genera...posted-public/
Wouldn't let me post actual picture for some reason, link to my flickr page with it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/genera...posted-public/
