jonpom

Two weeks ago I traded my 21 GLC43 Coupe for a 24 GLE53 SUV. Driving the smooth-shifting 53, made me realize how unpleasant the 43 was to drive: the bucking when coming to a stop, and then jerking when accelerating off-the-line. The 43’s shifting to/from 1st gear was pretty annoying. I tolerated it for two years by telling myself this is to be expected from a high performance car. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the 53’s engine/tranny combo.

The one thing I do miss is the 43’s exhaust note which is decibels louder. I’m not sure if Mercedes purposely toned down 53’s performance exhaust, but I’m hopeful 53’s voice will mature over time.

Unhappyglc63s

The only thing I don't like about my '20 GLC63S is the transmission's indecisiveness and general lack of smoothness under anything less than full throttle. I kept hoping that Mercedes would come up with a software patch, but I guess since this model is no longer around they figured it wasn't worth the investment in time. I was always surprised that MB or AMG let this car out of development with that awful trans tuning. None the less, I'm buying it out of my lease at the end of the month because there will never be another MB like it!

jonpom

all I can say is shifting in the GLE53 is super smooth. Maybe MB learned some things over the years. I previously had a 20 GLE580 and the shifting was not so great either, but not nearly as jerky as the GLC43 when shifting to/from 1st gear.

Unhappyglc63s

My '17 GLE63S had the seven speed trans and it was about the best at knowing what I wanted and when. Should have bought that one out of my lease but figured I would downsize with my move. From what I understand all the MB's that use the V8 with the 9 speed they developed have the same issues. Such a shame for such a fun car. I usually keep it in Sport or Sport+ and it seems to act better if not feeling a little more frantic around town. Can't beat the sound of that 4.0 though, AMG makes the best sounding exhausts in the business.

BlkSVT

I'm curious, does the GLE53 start in 2nd gear or 1st during normal driving?

This memory might be quite old, but MB used to program their transmissions to start in 2nd for smoothness unless you really wanted quick off-the-line acceleration. Getting in and out of the GLC63's 9 speed's 1st gear smoothly in casual driving must be quite the transmission-control challenge with no torque converter to mask the ugliness. I think 1st in the 9 speed is 5.xx:1 and 2nd is in the 3:1 range. With a 3:27:1 final drive those are some overall really low ratios to try and sync up on shifts.

Personally, I like the idea in the AMGs of always providing whatever performance potential is there (ie. always start in really low 1st for max acceleration), but it requires acceptance of some intermittent balking and bucking on a clutched transmission

Unhappyglc63s

Starts in 1st, even in comfort mode. The only difference in the modes are the shift points and quickness of the shift. Comfort mode is really lazy with awkward timing and slow shifts, while race mode, it's bang, bang,bang! I had a 1993 500E and hated that the trans would always start off in 2nd, but when you floor it, it would drop down into first.

W205C43PFL

For what it is worth, forum member Frenetic had shifting issues (jerk, clunk) with their GLE 53 being selling it for a different MB, so it is inconsistent really, it is wide spread on many MB models, it is not that being the main reason the GLC 43 is less clunky than the GLE 53 although it could be. Glad to hear yours is working properly.

mr inkredibul

I think there is more sound insulation in the 53. I went from a 43 to a 53 with the Acoustic Package and the ride is SO quiet. At higher RPM ranges, my Performance Exhaust is louder than my 43 from the exterior, and sounds much deeper on the interior.

W205C43PFL

That and also the fact they do have different engines GLC 43 had a V6 the GLE 53 has a inline-6, the 48V system in the GLE 53 also mutes the sound somewhat. The E being executive class also means they want to tone the sound down a bit. If you watch exhaust clips on youtube the sound is clearly different and milder from the outside as well. You can argue it sounds more refined as well.