c4004matic

No magic procedure, AC on, listening to tunes, usual junk in cargo area, sport mode, simply mash and go from brake hold. No torque brake. Wow! gives my e43 a run for the money!

GeneralToner

Did I not say this is a fun car to drive when you want to be immature. Surprises the heck out of people that such a lumbering vehicle can actually move rather quickly.

Glad that you're enjoying yours.

jerome8283

c4004matic

I like being immature... A LOTTTT!!!!

Benz Werd

Wow, they're some very impressive figures!

I am loving mine as well. It hammers when you need it to, but it's also very docile when you want it to be as well. This is the exact reason why I chose it instead of a GLE63s which was way too loud & aggressive for me.

In my opinion all of that AMG madness isn't necessary unless you're a hoon, and have money to burn on tyres wearing out faster, plus higher fuel consumption and servicing costs. The non-AMG 4.7litre V8 bi-turbo is plenty, and it still sounds amazing too!

I just wish they'd bring the non-AMG V8 back to the GLE-Class as the GLS is way too big for my requirements, but I still wanted a V8 so I ended up in the GLS500. After nearly 8 months and 11,500kms I'm getting used to it now though.

Cheers guys

c4004matic

It gets going like a bull but once it passes the quarter mile it loses it's steam quite quickly. 7th to 9th gear are pretty high. As you, I love puttering around in comfort mode where its ridiculosly smooth while still more than resonsive enough for everyday driving. Even in comfort it cruises unflappably at 80-100 mph. One thing I wish I did have from the AMG is the brakes, once those 2.5 tons get rolling over 100 mph the brakes are still good, but not confidence inspiring.

Benz Werd

Yes, I couldn't agree more about the brakes. The brakes on the GLS are certainly not as 'sharp' as my ML was. I imagine it's due to all that extra weight. It also doesn't handle as well as the ML. I've had to completely change the way I drive with this car. It certainly is a truck, whereas the ML felt more like a car to drive. I have tweaked my 'Individual' settings so I have the steering/suspension set on Sport & the engine/transmission set on Comfort. I find this to be the perfect combination for me most of the time. In full Comfort mode it seems to be too floaty, and full Sport mode just uses too much fuel as the transmission rarely changes into top gear at normal highway speeds. But it's nice to have the different options!

Not long after I took delivery I sent the GLS for a proper wheel balance & alignment to professional suspension specialists, not just a place that sells & fits tyres. It only cost a couple of hundred dollars but it's made a huge difference and it drives so much better now. The interesting part of all this was my MB sales rep actually advised me to do this the day of delivery (even though I was going to do it anyway) but why aren't these things set up properly at the factory?

c4004matic

Dang! Exactly my same individual settings. Do you have curve control? I drove a GLE 43 and I found that it handled worse than the 550 with the curve system. The GLE 43 also cooked its brakes and suffered fade after a short hard romp, Im pretty sure the 550 would too.

Benz Werd

Yes, I have Active Curve System too. It's a standard feature on the GLS500 here in Australia, amongst many other features that are standard here, unlike the USA & Canada. But you guys get them heaps cheaper than us, so it makes sense.

There's the exchange rate to take into account, plus we have all these silly taxes that bump the price up even more, and then shipping costs too. The price of mine before any discounts was just over $200k AUD because I have loaded it with most options (Entertainment Package, designo Exclusive Package, Off-road Engineering Package, Wood/leather steering wheel, and Power Closing Doors - just about everything else is standard). I was lucky enough to get 15% off though, but it's still heaps more than what you guys pay!

I have attached the Australian specifications for the GLS-Class so you can see what is standard here compared to North America, if you're interested.

c4004matic

We are in general the cheapest car market in the world. In some countries, prices triple of quadruple our prices! I suspect that most other things other than scrubland are pricey in Australia too.

hyperion667

Fast boat

C280 Sport

For what it is yes. The GLS550 is way more power then you would ever need. It is a huge car also!

c4004matic

Big is really a relative point, Its big for a car, its rather small for a "micro" bus which is part of its mission. For example its shorter and less wide than a Honda Odyssey a vehicle than essentially no one in the US would consider outsized.. Its taller but just by 3 inches but that allows to ford 20 inches of water, a fabulous AWD system and real offroad capability. Its virtually lilliputian compared to an Escalade, Lincoln, Infinity Q 80 or Lexus 570 all of which have virtually the same interior dimensions and purpose (except the extended versions of the Cadillac and Lincoln which should require a truck license). I really like the size and the fact that it handily out handles (pun intended ) any of those. Plus it can tow my 24 foot Whaler with ease! Our previous MDX could not tow it at all.