Jason B

Remember, in 2013 the G wagon interior was severely updated inside.

jenz

For her needs, G is the worst choice. Doesn't drive like a car nor as practical as the full size SUV, it's a jack of all trades master of none except for style points.

rtaheri

Can't help you with the GL-S comparison, but FWIW, we got an S550 a month ago after I got sold on the safety and high-tech features. But it's my wife's daily driver (I drive the Leaf to work to use the car pool lane!), and at first she was uncomfortable putting the grand daughter's carseat in such a nice car. But so far it has worked out really well. We put a towel under the carseat to catch the 2 year old's messes and help protect the leather. Her stroller fits well in the trunk. It'll be interesting with the second carseat when granddaughter #2 arrives in March (I can imagine Gottlieb Daimler spinning in his grave thinking of 2 carseats in his flagship sedan :-) )

Coming from an Acura, and let's face it, this was my dream car!, she was at first a little apprehensive with the size and power of this car. But she loves it now. Drove down to the coast last weekend and took the long, scenic route home, and we were both surprised at how relaxing and fun it was; no fatigue. This is a car to be driven!

Cheers,
Reza

AppleFan1

You got that right! This car is meant to be driven. That's why I already have 13,000 miles on it since I bought it in April.

jenz

OP is long gone

Subatomic Power

My wife and I have raised a crop of kids that now have their own cars. We always drove Escalades, but GM WRECKED the Escalades with the new design that they can't build properly yet and GM was almost a year late past our promised delivery date. So we decided to try out Mercedes. Like you, we didn't like the GL at all. Then we tried the ML550 with the AMG appearance packages and the designo leather interiors.....and WOW! We were hooked. We can haul a most of a whole volleyball team with equipment in classy comfort with absolutely incredible power. Agree that they are "common looking "- but the ride and power make up for it. We got one in Palladium and one in white diamond, both with chestnut brown designo interiors and AMG appearance packages. Hopefully GM WILL FIX their escalade design and production problems, but I can't see myself going to an Escalade now. That would be like going from fine dining to greasy pizza. The ML550 is just a really fine machine that is always a pleasure to drive. We will be replacing them with the AMG versions in a couple of years. Will,probably get the kids GLA's as well.

hyperion667

haha, no kidding

dje.s550

Hi,

I am also a long term lurker and first time poster. I decided to post a reply because I noticed that you stated you are getting rid of the Range Rover due to reliability issues.

I have had several MB in the past. One of my favorites was the S55AMG. Loved that car and super reliable.

The new 2014 S550 however I think is not the best for reliability. I have had AC issues, LED lighting issues, air intake issues. Now, I have high speed (80mph or so) brake judder in the front brakes. So totally unacceptable for a new S550 with 12,500 miles on the clock. Plus this thing has rattles in the back seat area which drive me crazy. I hate my dealer now, not because they are bad, rather they treat me very well. I am just tired of seeing them!!

Further, the tech is pretty neat at first, then it just becomes a PITA after a while. Simple functions require too many steps in the command center.

The engine and trans are very smooth and powerful. But no more so than many other MB and even other brands.

This S550 will be heading down the road soon. I like a lot less of it than I like.

Just a different perspective. I would go for the GL. Skip the S unless you like your dealer.

emilner

I couldn't disagree more. My S has been perfect so far, not one single issue. And I find the command system to be the most fluent, easy to use systems of all the cars I've owned. It BLOWS away my GL....

dje.s550

Take a look at Consumer Reports before you buy one of these. They show the dump in reliability in the new S class.

In our business, we have 4 new S550's for the partners and one Equus Ultimate. Out of the 5 cars, all are 2014. We have two cars which are problems and always in the shop. Both are S550's. The other 2 S550's are too new to tell. Problems on both of the troubles cars began about 8k to 10k miles.

Funny enough, the Equus Ultimate has the best back seat of the 5. I have the full rear seat package in my S550, which reclines, cools, heats, etc. But the Equus is more comfortable, which I would have NEVER imagined.

As for the tech, I am sure there are those that love it. I am just not one of them. In fact, I just use the Navi on my iPhone instead of screwing around with the command center.

I am not saying that the car is awful. I love the power, the audio system and the command screen is ultimately clear.

But for my $130k, I am less than impressed. Thats all.

UrBusted

We haven't had a single issue with our S Class. It has been modified in many different ways and the only problem was with roundabouts being displayed as normal roads which Mercedes fixed happily for us. Heck, the car has had a lot of its interior panels replaced for parts of the Burmester 3D and there still hasn't been an issue with it. Could the two cars have been part of a bad production line/range?

icebeam

Just a quick thought on the above statement. Don't let the fact of everyone having one distract you from maybe it being best choice for you. If I lived in the hamptons in new york and everyone had a Rolls Royce would I not get one because of that... no. I would just realize we are all very rich and could have any car we want and this is what we pick because its the best car for what we would need (image and luxury). Make your choice based on what YOU want and not what other people have in their driveway. You will make a better choice that way trust me..

But you are correct the GL is not as nice on the inside as the s class. If you could wait I would hold out for the S class suv http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...630-zsr5t.html

Jason B

Link not working?

icebeam

It works

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...630-zsr5t.html

jenz

The GLS is just the current GL, there are new interior photos floating around about the redesign but don't expect S class level interior on the GL, at least not this iteration.