GLS 450 or 550
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looking for gls
GLS 450 or 550
Hi All, I’ve been on the hunt for either a GLS 450 or 550. Two of the features that I’m looking for that seem rare on the 450 is adaptive cruise control (distronic) and leather seats. These seem to be fairly standard on the 550. I also love the look of the front bumper on the 550. I’ve been a long time BMW person and their 6 cylinder engines seem to be much more reliable than their V8 engines. We tend to keep cars for a long time and my wife’s x3 with the N55 turbo 6 has been the most reliable car we have ever owned. The GLS will be replacing an Acura MDX that has not been that reliable. It has the adaptive cruise control and I love it.
Are both of these engines too new to know how reliable they are long term? I’d imagine the additional heat that a V8 by default would have at least a little effect on its reliable.
Are both of these engines too new to know how reliable they are long term? I’d imagine the additional heat that a V8 by default would have at least a little effect on its reliable.
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Really depends on the look and efficiency you want. The 6 is way more efficient that the 8 but lacks the power. The 550 looks much better and typically has more options. Best bet would be if you can get the 550 body/options with the 6 cylinder engine.
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AUDI Q7
Had same dilemma 6 mos ago. Burned-out midnight oil on 450 for few months, good learning experience...looked at few, put hopes in fewer...then destiny had me in a 550. Best way to go, told my story on other threads. Again,lifer 4ringer , but Mercs are just beautiful and awesome!!
love me APR ST2SP Q7 & GLS550 MUCHO CALIENTE!!!
Beautiful teutonic beasties!!
love me APR ST2SP Q7 & GLS550 MUCHO CALIENTE!!!
Beautiful teutonic beasties!!
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Some recent threads have me thinking the M157/M278 V8 engines aren’t all that reliable at moderate mileage, starting around 100k miles. Valve guides, cylinder scoring, camshafts are the failure areas.
The GLS 450 uses the M276 base engine which seems to be the most reliable modern MB engine at this time. Bearing in mind Mercedes’ typical reliability is poor at best.
I think a late model X166 GLS 450 loaded with options and the lowest mileage possible is one of the best buys on the market.
The GLS 450 uses the M276 base engine which seems to be the most reliable modern MB engine at this time. Bearing in mind Mercedes’ typical reliability is poor at best.
I think a late model X166 GLS 450 loaded with options and the lowest mileage possible is one of the best buys on the market.
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From: Aubrey, TX
GLS550, GLE450 Coupe
We kind of went through the same process, but we were looking for a 450 with the ventilated seats (Texas summers). Apparently, this is extremely rare on a 450 unless it has the designo interior, and finding a 450 with the designo interior that was super-high mileage or somehow beat to hell was a problem. During this process, I finally realized that *all* 550s have the ventilated front seats designo or not. We finally found a CPO 550 in Lunar Blue with the ginger beige / espresso brown interior. I went ahead and bought the pre-paid maintenance and the unlimited mileage - 4 year extended warranty. Hopefully this will carry us until the all-electric GLS becomes available.
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2017 GLS450
550 is a bargain considering the standard options and they have terrible resale as no one wants them due to the fuel economy and pathetic reliability of the Mercedes V8s. I would personally go with the 450 if you plan to keep it long term as that biturbo V6 is the most reliable Mercedes motor till date. Yes, it is super hard to find a loaded 450 for a reasonable price, more so than the 550 but there is a reason why 550s sit on the lot for so long even at the bargain prices. It took me almost 5 months to find mine. (MSRP was 92k)
Last edited by CrazyBiker; Mar 12, 2021 at 12:37 PM.
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looking for gls
I ended up going with the 550, I love the look of the body kit and wheels and wow does this thing move. I could not find any evidence of issues with the modern N278 engines. It looked like the early ones had some issues. From my research it seems the suspension is the number one thing to worry about and it's common on all models.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,705
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I ended up going with the 550, I love the look of the body kit and wheels and wow does this thing move. I could not find any evidence of issues with the modern N278 engines. It looked like the early ones had some issues. From my research it seems the suspension is the number one thing to worry about and it's common on all models.
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2017 GLS 450; 2013 Audi RS5; 1990 Porsche 944 S2; 1975 Mercedes 230 W115 /8
while i was strongly considering the 550 for obvious reasons (power, front bumper looks, wheels, equipment) , what ultimately drew me towards a 450 was:
Payload
of which the 450 has Max. total payload
1,798 lbs
doesn't sound like much but when towing , with kids, luggage and a dog, every # helps to stay within legal limits.
Cheers,
Phil
where the 500 , due to its higher engine weight and other items only has 1543 lbs of
Payload
of which the 450 has Max. total payload
1,798 lbs
doesn't sound like much but when towing , with kids, luggage and a dog, every # helps to stay within legal limits.
Cheers,
Phil
where the 500 , due to its higher engine weight and other items only has 1543 lbs of
