Mercedes GLS63 AMG Buyers Guide

Now that I’m a dad, I have to admit that I’m getting more and more interested in SUVs. Sure, I love my Urus and the G63, so that’s no surprise, but what may shock you is how much I’ve grown to really consider the GLS63 a viable SUV option.

It’s a seven seater so great for the whole family, plenty of trunk space so it’s a great grocery item, over 6,000 pounds so it classifies as a section 179 hack , and it’s a Mercedes, so maintenance isn’t as horrible on it as a Bentayga or Urus would be.

Also if you’re someone with small toddlers or newborns it’s not like the G63 it’s lower which means it’s so much easier to get in and out kids out of their car seat than with the stereotypical bus-height SUV we see a lot.

It’s an SUV I’ve seen a lot of members get into over the years, better never one I personally owned, so I borrowed one from Exotics Hunter for the weekend to get a feel for it. My thoughts and all the other fun stuff are below for you to review, and I hope it helps you decide if the GLS63 AMG is right for you.

Because it’s a seven-seater, you might think it’s a boat to drive, but it’s actually quite easy to maneuver.

Plus it’s an AMG at the end of the day so if you still need to assert your dominance and race against another flag football dad after practice to show him who’s boss … you can.

Under the hood, you’ll find a twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 577 horsepower and 561 pounds of torque. Notice how I said V8, given Mercedes’ statements about how they won’t be producing V8s anymore, that means good things for the longevity of this car’s value.

That power gives the 6,000+ pound GLS63 AMG the ability to hit 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and complete a quarter mile in 12.8 seconds with a top speed of 174 miles per hour. That’s crazy for a 7-seater SUV.

Another great aspect of driving this SUV you don’t care about so much. In a Bentayga, Urus, DBX, you’re so careful and hyper aware of your surroundings because a crash or a bump, a scratch or a dent is a huge ordeal to fix with these rare SUVs. But with the GLS63, I felt very comfortable and not nervous when I left the car in a public parking lot to go to dinner with my family.

One of the most notorious issues with the GLS is that oil leaks are common at higher mileage. And it’s not just any oil leak that can leave an embarrassing stain on your driveway or garage floor. No, these oil leaks have proven to be the direct cause of many GLS engine failures directly.

This is a problem that can indeed be identified and fixed before you take possession of your potential GLS if you have a PPI performed on the vehicle. Be sure to specifically request that the engine guard be removed and photos be taken of the cars under the shields to ensure there are no leaks for yourself and keep documentation regardless of the outcome.

There are indeed other recalls that have been issued relating to the GLS range as a whole where certain GLS63 models may have been affected, just be sure to check with the previous owner and run the VIN to ensure that all applicable reminders have been made and if they should not ask why and how they can be done before you take possession.

For a full list of reminders, click HERE

Mercedes SUVs aren’t that expensive to maintain, it’s fair that society talked so much bullshit about Mercedes for so many years when few people who had those opinions had Mercedes either.

Relatively speaking, if you find an independent, third-party shop that is certified and knowledgeable about Mercedes, they will be able to do the job for a fraction of the cost that a Mercedes dealership would charge you.

As a general rule, unless it’s under warranty, never take it to the dealership. Do your research, find a store you trust, and save money while building a relationship with a store that you can use again and again for this hack and others that will definitely come up in the future.