S550 vs. GL550 as a Mommy Car
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
Guys, you miss a point she says her GL's interior never attracts to her in a few words . G Wagon sounds a cool choice but I doubt the op would like it considering GL and G's interiors are almost same and on down side G's display is like a knock off one as some of modern MB cars
Turning circle is also very poor given that it's size more than 13 meters as I recall and that's a Cadillac Fleetwood territory
Turning circle is also very poor given that it's size more than 13 meters as I recall and that's a Cadillac Fleetwood territory
#27
#28
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
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
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
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
#31
Member
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.
#32
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2012 CLS63
#33
S550 - Not sure reliable
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.
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.
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
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.
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.
#35
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.
#36
Super Member
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.
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.
#37
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
Last edited by icebeam; 12-08-2014 at 04:13 AM.
#38
MBWorld Fanatic!
f you could wait I would hold out for the S class suv http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/m...630-zsr5t.html
#40