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I recently upgraded to a GLS 550 from a GLE 350 mainly because I thought the 350 V6 engine was too weak. I always felt like the 350 struggled to get going. The 550 engine feels very powerful and has responsive acceleration, smooth trans, and no lag compared to the 350. The 550 is a true beast and drives like a dream with its airmatic suspension. Eco mode can be memory-disabled with this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/252811119026. When it comes to gas, I filled up the GLE 350 once every 2 weeks and the 550 is about the same...GLE prob does a little better in the city but highway is same. GLS 550 engine looks very similar to the GLS 63 engine from the outside...wonder if there are any differences on the inside besides software?
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by sjahanmi
New...I paid $92k out the door including all taxes and fees.
Yeah I know the 4.7 litter vs 5.5 of the AMG but from the look and design of the two engines they look very similar right?
A tune will bring the 550 to 63 specs. So you'll have that same kick of acceleration.
Honestly if you plan on keeping the car get the mb elw warranty, which ups your warranty till 7 years and 100k miles. If mileage is a factor and time isn't as much a cpo has unlimited mileage up until 7 years from first in service date.
You'll need the warranty for the struts and air bags, harness for engine and other issues.
Wow, how you manage to get over 10k off? All the dealers I've been talking to are only willing to do $2k to $5k. Even on left over 2018 GLS450's they're only willing to do $8k off.
I'd love to get a new GLS550 for $92k all in.
I guess I have good negotiating skills lol. A lot of the dealers around where I live in the DC metro area go off of sales goals and incentives so even if they break even or just get the processing fee they're fine.
Congrats on the new wheels LOL... Yes I cna understand the start stop feature. To me is you live in a congested area or have to start and stop a lot etc. even for that split second its a pain... I suggested to MB so many times to install a slight delay when to switch off, but I just hit the button when in city with frequest start and stops. As for the oil, I would jut go with 0w-40 synthetic Mobil 1. It just makes sense and Mercedes service centers all use it. As for 10K oil changes... In my both cars I change it slightly before 10K as I typically drive less than 10K a year. When I do change it I can tell the difference clearly how the car starts and how smooth the car idles.. In both of mine I cannot tell the engine is running at idle.. Love it..
Keep all maint items done and it will last you a long time. They are built to extreme tolerances and that is the type of engineering you pay for,.
Enjoy the ride.. Cheers
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
I forgot to give by 2 cents about maintenance.
The mb oil and intervals are fine if you only plan on keeping it in the 50k mile warranty.
For me, now that my car got over that 50k mark I noticed the car really really enjoyed fresh oil.
And that's not good.
You shouldn't be so obviously noticing a difference in fresh oil and for my x164 it was extreme.
Having done all the service at the dealer with mb oil and intervals i ended up changing tactics at 78k mi.
I wasn't liking the noise at cold starts and temps the engine was making. It was a high pitched whine even and it sounded like it was in pain. It would go away when the car was at temp but it hinted at inadequate oil formula.
So I switched. I performed an engine flush and put it first castrol edge ow40 at mb 229.5 spec with ceratec in it too.
Then I changed the oil 6k mi later with Liqui molly 5w40. And that's what its been running since.
Noticeably quieter and much much smoother. It's amazing. No more annoying ticking lifter noises.
That being said you have one opportunity to break in the enfine right so that the seals are correct.
Nothing major to do just keep the engine speed varied under different loads and no redline for first 1k.
Do an oil change at 3k and fill with fresh oil.
Again I prefer Liqui molly or castrol. The mobil 1 I really didn't like and that is the mb oil.
Also, you can stick to 10k if you want, but I would do a 5k oil interval every 20k mile and an engine flush at the same time.
Your 550 has a 4.6/4.7l twin turbo V8 while the AMG 63 in the GLS/GLE has a 5.5l twin turbo V8 so they are not the same engine.
Did you get a CPO or a new one? How much did you pay (if you don't mind sharing) I'm in market for a GLS450/550 as well.
Thanks
Technically true. However that 5.5 is a rebored 4.6 Ergo you take the "smaller engine, do some machine work and you get the latter. From the outside and dimensionally its they are identical. If you boost the 550 version you can get over 500 hp without breaking a sweat. Regardless, its moot since the 550 is as delivered ridiculously powered the extra power of the 63 is mostly wasted.
A tech at the dealership told me today they don't use timing chains anymore. Is that true? There is no timing chain inside the engine? How the heck does the crankshaft connect to the camshafts then? He said Mercedes did away with them a few years ago cuz it's one less thing to worry about. There is now one single timing belt that controls everything he said. He said they also require transmission fluid and filter changes every few years because the old saying that they are sealed for life wasn't true and they were replacing transmissions frequently. He also said the oil and fluids are equally important to change and maintain. If you change the oil and fluids regularly along with the air filters the engine could technically last forever.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by sjahanmi
A tech at the dealership told me today they don't use timing chains anymore. Is that true? There is no timing chain inside the engine? How the heck does the crankshaft connect to the camshafts then? He said Mercedes did away with them a few years ago cuz it's one less thing to worry about. There is now one single timing belt that controls everything he said. He said they also require transmission fluid and filter changes every few years because the old saying that they are sealed for life wasn't true and they were replacing transmissions frequently. He also said the oil and fluids are equally important to change and maintain. If you change the oil and fluids regularly along with the air filters the engine could technically last forever.
Hmm....
It definitely has a timing chain.
Mb flip flops on the flush intervals. In. 2010 they said every 40k miles. But I assume people who were leasing didn't want to pay for f tranny flushes so the last time I was checking for a 16 model it showed tranny flush at 60k.
Take everything with a grain of salt. Including what we all say.
Yes, I would agree with that. Also I should clarify by saying he was an assistant manager service advisor and I know those guys get paid per job done $oooo.
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Originally Posted by sjahanmi
Yes, I would agree with that. Also I should clarify by saying he was an assistant manager service advisor and I know those guys get paid per job done $oooo.
Which dealer? I'm also in dc. I always send our cars to euro Bethesda
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Side note: Im super frustrated with their body shop. Their glass guy screwed up twice putting in the rear tailgate window glass (added more scratches) and this weekend I noticed he broke the trim on the tailgate door.
Oops, sorry to hear that! From my experience Alexandria and Tysons have the best prices while Chantilly has the highest prices (least willing to negotiate off sticker) but the best service center.
Here is a picture of the finance managers GLS 63 AMG engine... The turbo intake tubes look like they are made of a slightly different alloy then the GLS 550 engine. Although same design.
03-16-2019, 03:52 AM
