2018 GLS 450 incoming
 

Hello all from Canada :)

My fully loaded 450 will arrive in 2~3 weeks, but I am now thinking a 3.0 V6 engine maybe is too weak for a loaded 450? Considering the extra weights and bigger wheels (21inch)...

This one is to replace family's R350 bluetec.

No I didn't test drive one... there were plenty of 550 available to test drive at the time I placing the order but not a single 450 in dealer's (6 dealerships in town) lot. I don't know the situation in US. In Canada, it is VERY difficult to get a brand new 450, no one wants to take order. My dealer is happy to give me a 550 instead (10000CAD extra than the 450 incoming). I am wondering if I should switch. V8 seems so much powerful than V6, on paper at least.

Switch right now! Aside from the active curve system which I strogly recommend, everything that is optional on the 450 is standard on the 550! The price of the much more powerful engine amounts to about 5k once you factor in the standard equipment. If you expect to ever tow or to regularly drive with a full vehicle the difference in power between the 6 and the 8 are painfully obvious, the 8 tows better than any f150 for example, heck, it tows better than a base f250 (at 7500lbs).

Not any F150.. the base F150 is rated at 5500 lbs and then the higher grade at 7500 lbs and then the Ecoboost at 13,200 lbs..

GLS450 - is rated around 7716 lbs

Also, read this on the curve system: https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-system-2.html

If you did not drive a 450 then you have nothing to compare. You have to decide based on your needs.

Not going to tow anyting with it, nor offroad... for such applications, I will bring out my "private" 6.2L V8 whipple supercharged F150 Raptor :y

The GLS will be the kids hauler around town, like the old R350. My wife drives it too. It is one of the reasons I ordered the 450 instead of 550 to be honest, lol... If it were for me only, I would have gone with a 63 AMG at the first place ;)

Weight ratings say nothing about towing ability. The 450 and 550 are rated to tow the same weight. The difference is torque and how low on the rpm band it is. For example the f150 ecoboost can tow up to 13k mostly due to a very high axle ratio and a frame, however, it will be slow and taxed anywhere close to its max rating, the 550 has 100 lbs more of torque and less weight, thus it can pull its 7500 lbs like it wasnt there. I know, I had an Eboost, tow-wise it doesnt hold a candle to the gls 550. Not to mention brakewise...

Yeah I hear you, same here. My wife drives the GLS most of the time. I drive it on the weekends. If I drove more often we would have gone with a 550 too.

I would not spend the extra money for a 550, Again, its your choice and money.

OK, I will give it a try. Seems 450 is a more popular model than 550 here, won't be hard to sell and upgrade to 550 I guess, if I am really not happy with its power. I heard some even pay over MSRP for used :crazy:

Going to be for sale as 2020 model, available by the end of 2019 I was told. Still more than a year and half out. Life is short, enjoy while we can, don't wait :D

If you read some posts here, there is talk of the new GLS coming out in few months.

Another huge reason to take the 550 over a 450. 0-60 in 4.8 sec!!!! Measured on my G meter! Holy smokes Batman!
https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...upid-fast.html

Final decision, wife said 450 is good enough, then 450 it is. Happy wife happy life, right? Picking up next week. Besides, new model is at the corner, if I am really not happy with the power, then it will be one more excuse to upgrade to new model ;)

If that thing is accurate, those numbers are more than impressive! shocking impressive I would say :D

Happy wife... happy life!!! Ergo, I guess Trump's life must suck!
:shakehead

You could get a tune that'll put you in the ballpark of the GLS550. http://www.oetuning.com/products/mer...es-benz-gls450

Void the warranty? Not a good idea on Benz cars.

Picked up the 450, drove 10 minutes back home, feels a bit soft on startup, good power after picking up some rpm. For such a big SUV I think the V6 performs pretty good. But no doubt the V8 will be sweeter.

Let us know more once you drive it a bit more, or more importantly when your wife drives it.

Simply getting a tune doesn't void your warranty. Federal law protects you. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select parts if those parts are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty. If it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.