Wolfy90503

Has anyone test driven the new GLE and did it make you want to upgrade from the ML?

SafariDan

Have had a 2014 ML350 for about 6 weeks at this point, and it's in the shop at the moment so they gave us a 2017 GLE350 as a loaner. Gotta say, I don't think it's a huge change at all. Other than the Comand interface with Apple CarPlay being pretty neat, it's got all the same bells & whistles as my car. Even with the Airmatic suspension & customizable drive settings, I don't think I'm missing very much, and I didn't find the ride to be much more comfortable than my standard shocks. The passenger seat still doesn't have a lumbar setting, nor does the driver's get remembered with the memory buttons anyway. Cabin feels otherwise identical, with maybe a few minor tweaks here and there.

shotgun_banjo

Hold a sec...your front passenger does not have it's own lumbar support? That is odd....I never saw a newer ML without one.

SafariDan

Nope, it does not, either on my 2014 or on the loaner! I was a bit surprised too... only the driver has it!

The G Man

The 2014 ML does not have passenger lumbar support, I think the 2015 does, funny that Mercedes took it away again in the GLE.

SafariDan

It's possible I didn't feel in the right place. Will have to look at the seat itself when I next get in (my wife normally drives it so I don't always get to see it!)

pjw1967

MY 2014 ML350 CPO came with the orig window sticker. Says Power Front Seats with Driver Lumbar support. None of the options mention the pass seat except as part of the heated ventilated option.

SafariDan

confirmed, there is no such button on the passenger side.

MannyS430

I have a 2014 ML bluetec... my father just got a GLE bluetec...

The new automatic transmission on the GLE is amazing, the sports mode is insane compared to the ML. I hate my ML now.

DanD.

Currently have 2014 BT, had car in service and dealer provided GLE350 2016 as a loaner.
No Apple Play, just HD screen.
One noticeable difference was Sport mode, GLE was very -very quick but MOG went down to 14-17.
At this point don't see any reason for an upgrade at all.

mikel212

Own a 2013 350BT with 50k miles. Drove a GLE petro loaner a few times.

Response time on the pedal is much faster than ML diesel, but the "pull" feels stronger. The GLE feels faster, probably due to the louder engine and down shifts two gears, vs. one on the diesel.

Suspension is tighter on GLE. Then again I was comparing a car with 1,700 miles vs. 50k miles. I feel and hear the road more in older car. Not sure if its different tires or older suspension. Also, more cabin noise in older car.

Reverse camera is much faster on GLE.

Same lag on both car when going from drive to reverse. Transmission takes its time changing gears.