c4004matic

My 580 finally arrived. Ordered in July​​​I hope that most of the early production kinks have been worked out. Our 550 has bee mostly defect free.

chassis

Congratulations. Pics!

c4004matic

Shiny🙂

iridium18

Congrats ! Will be following to read your impressions of the 580 vs your 550. Thanks in advance.

c4004matic

The E ACTIVE body control is AMAZING. Compared to our previous 550 the handling of this thing is like a Ferrari. The curve mode is cool but the great news is that you really never need it! It handles like a champ in comfort mode! No bobbing or lean at all in any mode. Sport plus is incredible dare I say its like my E43 but with a better view! In sport plus it feels immensely powerful and the handling is razor sharp. What a ride! One thing that they don't mention enough is that the price of the active suspension includes the 22 rims and the high performance Contis, a big upgrade that works spectacularly with the suspension. I doubt that the 63 handles any better. I can only imagine that the powers on the AMG must be beyond insanity given that the power on the 580 is downright crazy. Every time you bury the accelerator the torque of electric motor provides whiplash. The power delivery is totally linear and smooth, also much better than the 550 which could be rather abrupt at low speeds.
An amazing upgrade to the 550 at all levels. More comfort, more speed, much more refinement, categorically better handling, and, finally, bleeding edge tech. The 550 seems crude in comparison.
Im in love!😍

335X-ray

Congrats! An absolutely amazing color if I do say so myself. Glad you like it!

Emerald Green, the new cool color.

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c4004matic

The E ACTIVE body control is AMAZING. Compared to our previous 550 the handling of this thing is like a Ferrari. The curve mode is cool but the great news is that you really never need it! It handles like a champ in comfort mode! No bobbing or lean at all in any mode. Sport plus is incredible dare I say its like my E43 but with a better view! In sport plus it feels immensely powerful and the handling is razor sharp. What a ride! One thing that they don't mention enough is that the price of the active suspension includes the 22 rims and the high performance Contis, a big upgrade that works spectacularly with the suspension. I doubt that the 63 handles any better. I can only imagine that the powers on the AMG must be beyond insanity given that the power on the 580 is downright crazy. Every time you bury the accelerator the torque of electric motor provides whiplash. The power delivery is totally linear and smooth, also much better than the 550 which could be rather abrupt at low speeds.
An amazing upgrade to the 550 at all levels. More comfort, more speed, much more refinement, categorically better handling, and, finally, bleeding edge tech. The 550 seems crude in comparison.
Im in love!😍

iridium18

I hadn't given much thought to the E Active option until reading your commentary ..... now .... hhhmmmm. I tow an 18ft enclosed cargo trailer (6,000+ lbs) with our '18 GLS 450 and it stresses the 6 cylinder 450 quite a bit. Have been looking at the new 580 with the significant increase in hp and torque. Again, thanks for your commentary. Steve

c4004matic

The 550 towed very well my guess is that the 580 with over 600 ft/lbs will be a monster. The electric motor adds 120 some pounds to the already powerful 516 of the 550.

iridium18

c4004matic - just want to cycle-back with this question - the MBUSA configurator does not specify that the E Active BC Package also comes with the upsized 22" rims / tires ... would you confirm from your paperwork that it is the case. Thanks again,

c4004matic

You got me, I'm not entirely sure but I'm pretty sure since I don't remember ordering them separately. I did my configurator at the dealer in July no clue where it is😐 I do remember that another thing included with the active suspension was an underguard but I have not looked yet.

335X-ray

I can confirm you can get the E active body control with 21” wheels. We order my wife’s 580 that way and it arrives this week. E-ABC AND 21” wheels from the night style package. If you want 22” wheels that is still an up charge.

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wolds

This echos a lot of my exact sentiments about the vehicle, except I haven't owned any previous comparable vehicle.

One thing that stuck out to me is your mention about power delivery and I agree it is super smooth and linear. At first I misread your comment about the 550 at low speeds, you were referring to acceleration, but one thing I HAVE noticed with the 580 is that it can be what I might describe as clunky decelerating at low speeds if you don't come to a full stop then accelerate again and similar related scenarios. This is most noticeable in sport mode I think for obvious reasons, but just thought I'd share.

c4004matic

I have heard of tjat but I havent noticed it yet my impressions are based on the 150mile drive from the dealer. I dont do a lot of city driving.

c4004matic

I have been checking my biological "RAM". You are correct I did order the 22s not for the size but for the style and color match with the paint. 👍

iridium18

Thanks !

wolds

Gotcha. I've taken exactly one road trip 6 months ago and it was excellent in every way, so I get it. Even gas mileage was surprisingly great, especially after how surprisingly bad the city mileage seems to be compared to the rating. Your usage pattern sounds like it's in the sweet spot. It really doesn't bother me though as I'm usually only in sport mode when riding by myself and kidding around.

c4004matic

Second day impressions. I always slather my new cars with Meguiar ultimate fats finish as soon as they arrive, fabulous protection in 15 minutes or less👍. The paint, interior and exterior fit and finish are FLAWLESS. As it should in a 120k vehicle, note that I did not order the rear executive seats nor the optional Burmester which would have added another 10k 🤯
I was surprised to find out that the oil dipstick is history. The only maintenance holes I could find were the oil, coolant and wiper washer. The brake reservoir must be under a cover somewhere.
The underguard is about 1/8 in steel and covers everything from the front of the vehicle to the middle where it ends at a massive 1/4 of an inch gauge aluminium cross member. Its seems more than up to task of light off-road duty. My vehicle does not have the off road package but the active body control includes the guard. Beyond that all you see are the ridiculously fat exhaust pipes which are flush with the front protector and the side rails. In all Its very well finished, and with race car aerodynamics.

js_cls

Congrats on the new GLS! Beautiful color too, emerald green is super underrated.

JoeMa

Hey @c4004matic, I haven't checked this forum for many months but wanted to send you a congrats on your new GLS 580. Love the Emerald Green. I've been waiting for a GLS 580 to show up at my local dealership but none yet. Interestingly, they have sold a two GLS 63's and while they're beautiful, the cheapest was $139K. I don't care for the bottom seat bolsters they put in the 63's, the seats in the 450 and 580 and more comfortable. I'm sure they'll get some 580's eventually. I don't think I would go back to the GLS but I would like to test drive a loaded 580 before making another purchase.

c4004matic

Yes its weird that 63s are showing up before the 580 which was released before6 mths previous to the 63. I think they had manufacturing issues or part problems. The 580 is a beast! If you can't find one to test simply drive a 450. Aside from a lot more thrust they drive identically. I can't recommend the E active suspendion enough. It is what makes the vehicle truly special. With the regular suspension it drives very well but the E active is something to expirience, a three ton SUV that can go from controlled plushness to real sport sedan moves. Not hype, it really delivers.