Mercedes-Benz was to move the goal posts when it transformed a military-esque off-roader into a street-savvy performer. In fact, the G55 AMG was probably one of AMG’s most iconic creations and was rapidly snapped up by celebrities and diplomats alike.
- Fuel Economy
-
11/13 MPG
- Model
-
G-Class
Today, some of these vehicles have turned into a real bargain on the used car market and owners can take advantage of their massive supercharged V8 power, timeless design, and undoubted prestige. Why should the G55 AMG be on your shopping list?
Related
Only Three Brands Are Still Selling Series Production Supercharged V8s In The USA
That addictive whine has always been the sound of horsepower, especially laced with a V8 soundtrack, but this engine type is dying out.
We take a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG performance SUV, which is now available on the used car market for less than $40,000. We look into the history of this remarkable vehicle and discovered what it’s like to own one today. The figures in the table relate to a 2008 G55 AMG.
What the G55 AMG Costs to Buy Today
|
2008 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Specifications |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine |
5.4L supercharged V8 |
|
Transmission |
5-speed automatic |
|
Drivetrain |
Full-time 4WD |
|
Power |
469 hp |
|
Torque |
516 lb-ft |
If you scour the major listing platforms around the country you’ll come across quite a few good examples of a 2008 G55 AMG, with a price tag between $35,000 and $40,000. This is certainly attainable territory for a used luxury SUV, so you can acquire one of the final year models of the G55 AMG on a reasonable budget.
The Mercedes G-Class is a serious off-road SUV which can trace its roots back to the 1970s. It was born out of military necessity as a joint project between Mercedes-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch and meant to handle punishing terrain rather than something as sanitary as Rodeo Drive.
Related
Driven: 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63 Makes No Sense Until You Drive It
No other company makes anything quite like the G-Wagon. But they should.
Still, Mercedes-Benz identified a clear market segment by the late 1990s and decided to give the G-Class a luxury makeover. This would turn the rugged utility vehicle into more of a status symbol and AMG joined the chat for further enhancements.
The G55 AMG Shifted the Conversation
In 2003, AMG revealed the G55 AMG, which was the ultimate performance variant of the G-Class. Initially, it would appear with a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8, but would soon receive a supercharged version of that same engine in 2005. This M113 E55K AMG 5.4-liter V8 produced 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Remarkably, this would propel this 5,500-pound brick to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, which was shockingly quick at the time for a tall and upright SUV sitting on a ladder frame. The company mated the engine to a five-speed automatic transmission, leading to a full-time four-wheel drive system. It had three fully locking differentials and was very handy off-road, in addition to its indecent turn of speed.
Related
This Is Your First Look At Mercedes-AMG’s Porsche Taycan Hunter
The sleek fastback is rumored to be an all-electric successor to the AMG GT four-door coupe.
From the outside, the G55 is hardly aerodynamic, as virtually all the lines – including all glass panes – are straight, and its design has barely changed since the 1970s, despite a 2018 redesign. However, there are many AMG-specific styling cues like bigger bumpers, wider fenders, side exit exhausts and lovely alloy wheels. Within, you’ll get leather seats, real wood trim and a Harman Kardon audio system. It’s a predictable blend of old-school Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship and high-end materials.
AMG Creates its SUV Legacy
AMG is well known for building performance variants of Mercedes sedans and coupes, but this was the first time it had turned an SUV into a true performance machine. Certainly, you could point to the ML55 AMG from 2000 as being a previous attempt, but this didn’t come anywhere close to the G-Wagon in terms of sales success. In fact, consumers absolutely loved the G55 AMG and this paved the way for an entire lineup of SUVs from the tuner. This project also happened to be the last standalone AMG project before Mercedes formally acquired the company in 2005.
Driving the G55 AMG
Today’s SUVs tend to be highly polished with plenty of sound deadening and comfort before anything else. By contrast, this SUV feels more raw and mechanical, and you will certainly hear the roar of that V8 through the side-mounted exhaust. The steering tends to be a little vague and the ride may be rather stiff, but surely that’s part of the charm.
Related
Mercedes G-Wagon Looks Perfect For Beverly Hills After A Carbon Fiber Shower
Here’s the best way to make your luxurious SUV stand out in Hollywood.
In this vehicle you’re not isolated from the road, but you feel part of the experience. As such, you’re in command of this tank, and you’ve got plenty of speed beneath your right foot. Just remember that it’s going to corner like a brick as well, and although it may take a bit of effort to stop, that’s all part of the fun.
What to Think About as an Owner
The G55 AMG is now affordable to buy, but you’ll need a good budget if you want to run it. Parts and maintenance are not cheap, and fuel consumption will hover around 13 mpg combined. Consumables like brakes, tires, and fluids are all performance grade, so you’ll typically have to pay more for replacements. Also, be aware of some common issues like supercharger oil leaks, worn suspension bushings and rust around hinges, doorsills, and the underbody of cars coming from the Rust Belt.
Stacking the G55 Against the Competition
To be real, don’t expect to compare the G55 AMG to a modern G63, as they are very different beasts. In many respects the G63 is more like a luxury cruiser than an off-road performer, and it also features air suspension and a fully digital cockpit, with a price tag north of $150,000.
Related
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Generations: Key Updates Across All Model Years
Here’s how Merc’s brawniest SUV evolved.
However, if you want to compare apples with apples in the price bracket, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Range Rover Sport Supercharged as fair rivals. The G55 will certainly hold its own in terms of build quality and that all-important street cred, and it certainly has a character all of its own.
The G55 Had its Moments in the Spotlight
There was something about the G55 AMG that resonated with the Hollywood set. You’d often see it rolling up at red carpets or featuring in reality shows, and Arnold Schwarzenegger helped popularize it in California. At the same time, the original G-Wagon was still a working vehicle across the globe, featuring in military operations and transporting tourists on safari, which just underlines the G55’s cross-sector and unique appeal.
In Today’s Market, $40K is a Steal
Think of what you could buy for $40,000 today. For example, would you want a well-equipped Toyota RAV4 or a full-blown hand-assembled AMG V8 SUV instead? If you want to stretch your budget a little more, you could probably find a pristine model with less than 80,000 miles and full maintenance records for around $50,000. And remember, there is growing interest among collectors, which could lead to higher prices in future. Today’s AMGs are certainly more tech-driven and less mechanical compared to the G55’s timeless shape, low production numbers, and increasingly analog appeal – and this could mean that price rises are on the horizon.
This Segment Busting Brick is for the True Enthusiast
Don’t look at the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG as just a used luxury SUV, but instead as one of the most distinctive performance vehicles that you’ll ever see. And remember that it represented a milestone in AMG history and redefined a segment to leave rivals scurrying in its wake. At a price below $40,000, it’s a rare opportunity to own something that will always turn heads, sounds like a muscle car, and delivers plenty of fun. In fact, the G55 AMG is just as bold today as it was twenty years ago.
Sources: Bring a Trailer, Mercedes-Benz.
