Hi All - I'm in the market for a used 2017-2019 GLS 450. Have been tracking the market pretty closely last few weeks. I was originally looking at the new Palisade but I got so fed up with these dealers trying to charge markups on them when theres a refresh next year smh. Looks like prices are coming in a little and can get something in the mid 40's-mid 50's. Trying to keep costs low just bc I think we'll switch to a full EV family SUV in a few years when more options come out. Had a question about the 3 zone climate control. Given we have a 1 year old, my wife is in the back a lot + occasional parents/in laws and we're thinking about having another one god willing in the near future, was thinking given how big the truck is the 3 zone climate control is pretty important. We had it in my 15 Range Rover Sport and came in handy. Was curious if anyones opinion who have it and don't have it who think it is a necessity for a family? I'm thinking we prob need it, but maybe I'm overrating the effect it actually has? Same question for the drivers assistance package. I have adaptive cruise control on my 2018 BMW 530e and abs love it, but wasn't sure how the GLS version is. Would love everyone's feedback. Thanks!

 

It's a big enough car where I feel the 3 zone climate control is actually worth it. We have a baby in a rear facing car seat and we do like to be able to warm him up or cool him down quickly, and there is that vent in the roof right above him to help as well. My wife is cold a lot so she definitely keeps her zone a few degrees warmer than me, so that's another benefit.

The adaptive cruise is SO nice. I love how it helps with the steering, as well, it almost drives itself (you can take your hands off the wheel completely but it knows and starts alerting you to put your hands back on the wheel within a few seconds). It's a fantastic system, we did a 12 hour road trip to Park City a few months ago and I really liked it, made the trip more enjoyable for sure. Massaging, ventilated seats were nice, too

 

Agree with FWP!'s notes and would add that the LED lighting upgrade is a MUST. Good luck. Steve

 

You can easily seat a couple of 6 ft. tall adults in the third row, but, having the cooling control (most important IMHO...) for the third row is critical for them. Many adults (of course children too) can easily become car-sick back there if you can't get enough fresh cool air. Very few things can ruin a drive more quickly than having someone get car-sick. Once that sensation begins it is VERY difficult to control it.

...and I'm always being impressed by the DISTRONIC driver's assist system.

 

We just went from a 2015 GL450 with no 3rd zone and no driver assistance package, to a 2018 GLS550 with both the 3rd zone and driver assistance package.
-when we bought the GL450, it was also in short supply back then, and we had to settle for one that's "relatively well spec'd" but in reality "spec'd to a price point."
-it did not have the 3rd zone climate control, and the 3rd row does get uncomfortable (according to my daughter who refused to sit back there). We are in New England so it is not exactly all that hot here.
-therefore the 3rd zone climate control became a "must have" for our next car

As for the driver assistance package, a year ago we got an E-class wagon that has it, and it works fairly well in that car. Therefore we added that to our list as well.

It has been a challenge finding a GLS450 with both features. We ended up with a GLS550. To be honest the driver assistance package doesn't steer as well as the E-class, but I'm still very glad we have it. And no complaints about temperature in the back yet, but it also has not been hot.
Hope this helps!

 

thank you all for the feedback!!! Yeah as I suspected I think the 3 zone climate control seems to be a necessity given my family. No idea why they didn’t make that standard on such an expensive vehicle. I agree it’s really really hard to find a GLS 450 unit that has both. It’s been like trying to find a needle in a haystack for a unit that has the options I want (heated steering wheel, pano sunroof, 3 zone, drivers assistance, etc). And if they do have it they’re usually overpriced. Makes me think maybe I should just go for the 550. @KatanaPilot how has gas mileage been on the big hoss, maintenance expenses, etc?

 

Not to sound too much like a 12 year-old but every time I see a 450 I'm really glad I got the 550. The 550 just look a better to my eye with the subtle fender flares and the more aggressive front fascia. Ours has the 'Night' package with the dark accents around the windows, black roof rails and almost no chrome. The 550's seem to come optioned better as well. If I had purchased a 450 I would cringe every time I saw a 550. Either way, they're great vehicles.

 

Hah you're def right it looks better, looks phenomenal. If it were my daily driver it would be a no brainer, but it's for my wife. Who would prefer the calmer, more relaxed ride and is very emissions conscious. Of course i'll be the one driving the long distances on trip and prob be paying for most of it but...happy wife happy life. But at the end of the day as mentioned before man it’s hard to find a loaded 450 so alas the problem at hand!

 

@sol56 , we've just taken delivery of our GLS550 10 days ago, so it is too early to tell. Based on the computer, we are seeing a 12.5% increase in fuel consumption so far (18 vs. 16mpg). Assuming 10,000 miles/yr city driving, $4/gal gas, the difference is $278/yr.
The pre-paid maintenance package price has gone up dramatically (or perhaps it is the price difference between a V6 and a V8....) My 2 most recent data points are the E400 and the GLS550. The difference is about 25% ($440), spread out over 3 years, so <$150/yr.

Responding to your other post, as for the "Calmer, more relaxed" aspect, please find a GLS550 to test drive. The 450 needed to run the engine harder, while the 550 just feels effortless. The 450 feels more jittery, while the 550 feels very planted. (but I do have to note that our 550 has Active Curve)
The two vehicles felt surprisingly different.

Finally, if you find a 550 that meet your needs, but your wife is still hesitant, show her these 2 features: 1) massage seats, and 2) soft close doors. The soft close doors is awesome for not waking up sleeping babies. And the heated massage seats - if she enjoys it, that will seal the deal!
Both features are standard on the 550, but impossible to find on the 450

 

3 zone = not a deal breaker, for me any way.. Driver assistance = YES. If you can find one with Active Curve, even better.

 

Active curve is honestly the hardest. I found ONE in the New England area and that's at a non mercedes used car dealership. Would love to have it though. The fact that these were so customizable makes finding a used one such a pain the a$$!!!!