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Having moved from CA to VA, we'll trade our DD (not a winter car) for an SUV instead of the planned AMG GT C or R that I wanted as a garage mate to our GT3 and because we loved our AMG GTS. I can't give you driving impressions with the GLE 43 coupe, but I did spend time on the MBUSA website a couple months ago. I compared the specs for a GLC Coupe vs. a GLE Coupe (originally two 63s, but today I did the comparo for the two 43s). I was amazed at how much quicker the 43s are compared to the 63s in both the GLE and GLC. Also, the specs, esp. wheelbase and width, are very similar although the GLE coupe is taller. In the 63s, the C Coupe is 9 inches wider than the E coupe - an error? I saw a GLE coupe side-by-side with a GLC coupe on a visit to EuroMotorcars in Germantown, MD about 3 months ago, and I felt the GLE looked really big in the butt but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The current "regular" GLC SUV is as big as an ML350 that we had in Boston about 7 years ago. Ordered with active curve and dynamic suspension mounts that car was great to drive and it would go anywhere in the snow/ice even when the weather was really bad. Good luck with your choice. Let us know.
Can’t speak to the 43 Coupe but I do have an ‘18 GLE 63 S SUV as my DD, love it. As far as I can tell, the 19’s are unchanged from ‘18. Aside from body shape, differences between the coupe & suv are relatively minor. (You can get 22” wheels on the coupe and I would expect the handling to be slightly better w/ a lower CG than the SUV.) Had it through 2 NH winters now and found it exceptional in all weather. The drivetrain is biased 60/40 R/F which seems to be ideal. I did put winter tires/wheels on it as the summer performance tires on 21” wheels would have been no bueno here in snow. Pirelli scorpion winters (NOT all seasons) on 20” wheels, very close in appearance to MB wheels pictured, $3K from tire rack delivered to dealer.
Black on black w/ grey stitching, CF/black piano trim. Comfort level in the cabin is outstanding. 5.5L Bi-turbo, 577hp, 561 lb/ft tq. Sport exhaust is a must have & is very entertaining. Coupe and SUV are both heavy at 5300 lbs but still quick. I run mine in sport+ all the time as I don’t care for the softer settings. You don’t have an exhaust button as in the GT, baffles are controlled w/ C/S/S+ selector. You do have a body lift/lwr button, body will lwr automatically w/ speed if left raised.
Only options I didn’t get are the B&O sound + heated steering wheel (you lose the alcantera sport wheel w/ heat). Sticker was $124K.
As far as deals go, I know you want a coupe but MBportsmouth.com is still sitting on an ‘18 63S SUV, sticker $121K...with the 20’s out I’d think you’d have quite a bit of leverage if the deal is your priority. Otherwise, herbchambers.com has 30 43coupes and 7 63coupes.
Best of luck w/ your search.
The Michelins are the OEM tires, Pirelli’s and OZ wheels are my winter set up. I did put MB center caps on as I thought “OZ Racing” a bit hokey. The advice I got was taller sidewall/narrower tire would perform better in snow, they were right. We have everything from deep snow to freezing rain here in southern NH and the pirelli’s have been great for me. They’re fairly quiet too. (That said, the pirelli scorpion zero all season is a totally different animal and worthless anything but rain.). If I were driving in very deep snow all the time I’d probably get Hakkapeliitta’s and deal with the noise. Very happy with Tire Rack, that price includes TPMS & mount/balance.
I forgot to add, summer wheels are the optional OEM 21” MB wheels, the ‘18 MY didn’t offer 22” on the SUV, only on the coupe. Not sure what the ‘20 SUV has available. I do like the refresh on the ‘20 SUV, the rear end got some much needed attention, like the interior changes as well.
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