mzcloud

Which one would be a better engine? In terms of reliability. I know the 550 is probably awesome as its seen on so many models. 450 engine are only available on a few vehicles. Are they an older design?

QuadBenz

When we had a GL450, we had nothing but issues with the engine. It eventually needed to be replaced and MB ended up buying the car back from us. The 550 cars we've had have been nothing but perfect. Not only that, but the GL450 is SLOW. The 550 will have more get up and go, not to mention nicer styling.

mzcloud

Thats exactly what I thought. My S550 had issues with the engine and was rebuilt by mercedes benz. At least its better than the 450

sang55

Owning GL550 a month ago, all I can say fast, solid, and stylist that's all we need for SUV . If you're looking to buy GL class and money is not issue I say get from 09 550 which have techology upgrade .

mzcloud

Do you mean the 2010 GL550 has no additional upgrades, hence not necessary?

pateljb

Agreed with previous posts. I've had an 07' S550 with no issues and currently have an 09' S550 and a 09' GL550 for the wife with no issues. You can't beat the power and performance for the 5.5 liter engines. They are rock solid in opinion.

sang55

2008 had button behind the sterling wheel, reg comand head unit, smaller and round side mirrows. wire headset for RSE , insert DVD only under seat of passenger , 7" LCD screen

2009 had paddle shift, 40GB hard drive and Sandish memory slot on comand , bigger side mirrows, wireless headset for RSE, insert DVD behind center console and 8" LCD screen .which same 2010 model

get 09 GL550 you save thousands instead to get 2010 .

StevethePilot

Are they still too small to be useful when towing?

Devil Red

"bigger" he said but still undersized. Also any 2008 and before did not have rear door child-safety locks.

mzcloud

I am leasing the vehicle, so i think 2010 will give me a better residual value. If I would to buy, definitely 09 would be a better choice. Any idea if we will see any significant changes in the 2011 model?

StevethePilot

That's not technically correct. I have a 2007. With the doors locked, the rear doors cannot be opened (without quite a lot of effort on the locks, if at all - not perfectly sure of that). If I set my key to two clicks to open all the doors and I open just the driver's door with the key and the other doors with the lock/unlock button, the driver or front passenger can exit without unlocking the rear doors. If the key is not set to requiring two presses of the button to unlock all of the doors or two button presses are used to open the doors, either front passenger exiting will unlock all the doors.

Clear as mud, yes?

BeanCounter

Regarding which is the better engine I guess that is relative to what you are looking for. Is the 550 faster than the 450, yes. It was posted a while back when the 550 came out, the 0-60 times were 6.5 seconds for the 550 and 7.2 seconds for the 450. Having driven both, to me the difference was not that noticeable. In any regard I am not sure how half a second equates to the GL450 being "slow". The 450 engine is a newer engine design and my guess is that it shares the same block as the 550 it just has smaller pistons but maybe I am wrong. Regarding engine issues, I have had none with mine and I am at 42,000 miles. I do like the look of the 550 especially the fender flares and wheels but don't particularly care for the grill (I prefer the simpler two cross bar look) or the split exhaust pipes (little too Pontiac to me). With all that said, if you are looking to get a fully loaded GL, I would think the 550 would be the way to go because most of the goodies come standard versus optioning out a 450.

BlownV8

With a 0.7 second difference to 60 between the 550 and 450, I'm not sure how someone can say that the GL450 is SLOW in comparison. I had a 625+ HP 745+ lb/ft CL600 with Renntech ECU/TCU before the GL450 so quickness is relative. Compared to my old CL600, the GL450 is SLOW but I would not make the same comments about the comparison between the GL450 and GL550. OK maybe I will. They are both SLOW. Then again, the guy in the twin-turbo Viper will say that the Renntech CL600 is SLOW.

Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the comparison between the GL550 and GL450.

QuadBenz

IMO, it's mainly in the butt dyno. The extra torque in the 550 helps it feel quicker at least. If I were in the market for a GL, I'd go for the 550 just for the looks only, not the extra power. The 550 looks mean.

StevethePilot

Geez, for great "butt dyno" and torque, try the 320! Add the really, really nice MPG to it and the 320 starts to look even nicer. But if the 550's looks and freeway (plus) passing speeds are more your style, go for that!

I've whined and b1tched and moaned about my GL, and I've had so damned many problems I'm certain this one was built on a Friday by a left handed guy borrowing someone else's tools from a different manufacturer, but I still love the stupid thing through and through. I just want to take it out in the desert and light it on fire a lot of the time, is all.

STP

lkchris

The 350 (gas in ML) 450, and 550 are all the same engine, same design (M272/273), the V8s with simply more cylinders. The 450 is only available in GL in USA. The ML450 simply has the number bumped up to indicate the power added in addition to the 350 V6 by the hybrid motor.

johntylego

If you have no money problems go with the 550. I will have to say the engine and the feel inside is a lot better. The 21 inch tires just make me sick in the wallet. (and stomach) The tires cost almost 400 a piece.

aggst1

Good advice... Just about three years too late though!