Better to worse engine models for a general over landing build. Specifically G55 2011 vs 2014 G63 ?

[Jwestpro]

Here is an opinion I found on Reddit. I wonder if someone like @DUTCH can help or point me to more info.

Quoted:
G63. M157 AMG



@Chthonian121

3 months ago

Here are some corrections (NA Market Only): 1. M113 Came in 2002 - 2008 in the G500 - Very reliable 2. AMG M113 (no supercharger) came in only 2003 - 2004 in the G55 - Very reliable, but very uncomfortable due to the stiffer AMG suspension



3. AMG M113K (with Supercharger) came in 2005 - 2011 G55 (identified by the 'Kompressor' badge) and from 2005 - 2009 it was pretty much the same car, but 2010 - 2011 got some updates - Very reliable as well and there isn't much of a difference in maintaince costs compared with M113 other than additional pulleys needing replacing, and a premium price on AMG specific parts. These years also reverted back to the more comfortable G500 suspension



4. M273 came in 2009 - 2015 G550 (new engine + new name), and these aren't as reliable as the M113. They aren't bad, but they do have timing chain issues, but they're definitely not a BMW engine. I'd personally go for the G55 of the same year



5. M157 AMG came in the 2013 - 2018 G63 - Not very reliable... early ones are known to burn a lot of oil, and same can have compression issues which totals the engine. These also are the first g wagons with twin turbos, and there have been some reports of the turbo's failing. Overall would not recommend..



6. M176 came in the 2016 - 2018 G550's and G550 4x4. not too unreliable.. but not as reliable as the M273. 7. M120 AMG V12 came in the 2016 - 2018 G65. This is a very reliable engine and there are no known issues with these engines (coil pack issues been resolved from the earlier versions), however, expect high maintenance costs since there isn't a lot of room to work on these cars, and high parts prices on AMG V12 components. Overall, my favorite is the 2010 - 2011 G55 AMG. Great interior quality, better tech than the early ones, terrific reliability, and great performance (some say its just as fast if not faster than a G63).

 

[Jwestpro]

To be clear, I am only considering the engine and transmission issues I read about in the above post.

I am not concerned with limited wheel size of 18” on the 2014 G63 being that an 18” aftermarket is plenty with a 35” tire in my experience even deflated to mid 20’s. I have experience using 18/34” BFG KM2 on my 2007 Land Rover LR3 with strut lift and other mods for almost 20 years now with it.

I want the G for its gutter mounting, ball swivels, boxy body, and many other aspects.

I’ve driven most models since the 2005 G500.

I understand the limitations of oil coolers in G55 bumper if you want t a winch bumper etc. My biggest bother with all of them is a less easy way to have a large 2nd battery set up (my lr3 has an Odessey 2150 on driver side engine bay plus an air compressor there as well)

Anyway, the G55 engine as well as 5 spd sure sounds like the way to go but maybe the G63 engine issues are overblown as my LR3 air suspension was “supposed” to fail but never did in 230,000 miles now. I finally got over that worry.

I also know that annoyingly with the late G55’s they dropped the factory hitch but they you can install one. It’s incredibly obnoxious though IMO. Then it returned to all US models for 2013.