I think without running boards. With and without night package both look great.
I would have chosen no running boards, for looks sake, but at 5ft 1 inch, I am reluctantly still getting running boards. I notice getting in and out of both
SUVs that climbing in without them (on purpose to see if I can do without them), is not as comfy.

 

Thanks....I actually think the running boards gave it a better look. Just me.

 

Not sure what site MBUSA is looking at?!

 

Thanks Greg for the update. I guess they are using a different version of MBUSA not known to all of us!

 

Have any of you been told that the technology package is delayed, or the interior assistant on the builds that haven't gone into production yet? I'm not sure if I've misunderstood that.

 

As per the last DOG, the only things that have been delayed are some trims.

 

Actually I was just able to talk to the exact same person now about "driver assistance package not reflecting in the build or price if you try to add after adding Energizing comfort package" . They were able to confirm this conflict on their side as well and passed the info to their MBUSA team. Hopefully this will fix it.
Didn't know up until now that they have "live chat" option.

 

They finally see the light!

 

Who is doing all the changes on the orders - dealerships or above them?

 

Thanks Greg. MB should send you a $500 Customer Appreciation gift for helping them fix their GLE configurator glitches.

 

I received a call from my salesman last week that our GLE was in fact not yet finished and has been in B4 status since 2/27/19. They do not know why its being delayed and even called Distribution for some answers, but no reason was provided. Greg is in the same boat, stuck at B4. I wonder if the delay is due to E-AUTOMATIC BODY CONTROL. Greg and I both have included E-ABC on our builds. I found a few 450's with AIRMATIC in inventory so I know that isn't holding up any builds. It may have nothing to do with E-ABC but something is delaying our builds. Normally once a car hits B4 status, it should be completed within 2 days. My build changed to B4 status 20 days ago and it's still at B4 today. If it doesn't ship within the next two weeks, we may be moving on.

 

Now I’m depressed! Hate that our 2 potential user “evaluators” are getting delayed and concerned mine will be too. But like everyone said....better wait for one that’s right. BMW is probably regretting their hasty release of the X5.

 

Our GLE450 with the AMG package and Airmatic is well underway from the original start production date of March 3 without any delay so I assume its the E-ABC that might be delaying you cars??? I would be impatient too but definitely would rent a nice SUV until this one comes out. Shouldn' take too long. As long as Mercedes are producing the GLEs properly. Too many issues on the new X5 which scares me. I had bad first year BMWs before and I cannot do it again ever.

 

Same on the Canadian side, I was told 2nd of March for delivery and now my sales said he does not know when it will be completed. I also have E ABC.

 

I know that the DOG doesn't restrict the technology package and neither does the mbusa site. My question is, has anyone who's order is later than the people who got the first spots heard from their dealer that the tech package won't go in netstar order at this time.

 

Well, I tried to post and it disappeared. Here goes again.
I know that the DOG and mbusa site both don't restrict tech package. My question was, has anyone who's putting in orders now heard from their dealer that
Netstar won't let an order have the MBtech package until further notice.
Thanks!

 

1. Tech Package - Well... "partially" true - the full MBUX Tech code DAO for $1600 includes Head-Up-Display + Augmented VR Nav (+ "wave-your-hand-deal" (Assistant) - and THAT Assistant has issues - so there is a 2nd/non-configurator "Tech Package 2" DQ1 can be entered for $1300 for HUD + Augmented Nav (without Assistant)
To be entirely frank of the Tech Package - and yes I have used the features - the Augmented Nav is really neat to me - the Head-Up-Display I do like but frankly with the size and what the 12.5" cluster can do Head-Up has a kindof-cool feature but is "dwarfed" by the 12.5 Cluster - I have attached two pdf's to give you backup on my perspective.

2. Factory Production Has Ground To a Halt -For The Moment - yes - the factory does go in and adds descriptions to prior line/option items that had no descriptions in the factory order before - and that shows in VII as "changes" when it really isn't changing the rig.
The fact is - production has ground to almost a full halt - and it literally impossible to chase down one order and find out the reason why - and frankly whatever on a particular order is hanging up on for that particular GLE really doesn't matter - the fact is everyone will feel a LOT better off when each/their order ships.. if I had to "gu-estimate" this will be very constricted for the next few weeks..

 

I've been on this forum for the past six years and have owned two GL's and a GLS, all 550's. But today my wife I traded our GLS for a BMW 50i X7. We never owned a BMW but I've always secretly wanted one. The tech is a bit overwhelming so I have a lot to learn in the coming days and weeks. If anyone is looking for a fully loaded GLE 450, contact MB of Lancaster and ask for Matt (the sales manager). It should be delivered to the dealership in the coming weeks and will likely be one of the most loaded GLE 450's in the country.

To Greg and Ron, thank you both for all the incite, advice, and support. I'll keep watch for when rigs arrive. Enjoy your new GLE's when they arrive!

 

[QUOTE=JoeMa;7710806]I've been on this forum for the past six years and have owned two GL's and a GLS, all 550's. But today my wife I traded our GLS for a BMW 50i X7./QUOTE]

Congrats...big surprise here. Seems like losing a family member.😩

 

If it's ok to ask, what was the determining factor in getting the bmw vs. the gle? I'm stuck waiting till june at least for a build, which I guess means delivery august for the finished product.

 

Will miss you! I’ve owned BMW cars since my first new 2002 right out of college in ‘73. They are for the most part good drivers. If my GLE doesn’t get shipped soon I may be sniffing around the BMW dealer!

 

[QUOTE=Ron.s;7710811]Thanks Ron, feels the same for me as well.

 

It's a good question Beth. I've been very pleased with my last three MB's and was certain we were ready to downsize to the GLE. When they first revealed the GLE the first thing that struck me was the interior looked a bit underwhelming (plain looking dash design and the seat covers are somewhat plain). While it's fully functional it didn't have that 'wow factor' I've came to expect from MB. But I put those feelings aside and focused on the overall design including MBUX. Early reports stated MBUX would support wireless Apple CarPlay which is important to me personally. When the GLE finally was available for testing and I learned they are not (yet) supporting wireless CarPlay I was disappointed. In the past I've generally focused on a the car I wanted and didn't really look at the competition so this time around I decided to get an up close look at the new BMW X5, a direct competitor to the GLE. I was very impressed with how far BMW had come since their 1st-gen X5 which was the last one I test drove. But the 2nd row leg room was still not as generous as the new GLE and that is very important to us. So the test drive confirmed for me that the GLE was still the better choice for our needs. A week or so later the BMW salesman called me to let us know they received their first shipments of three X7's and would I like to take one of those for a test drive. I couldn't resist. When I saw the X7 for the for the first time I felt that 'wow factor' and when they opened it up and I saw that beautiful interior my heart began to sway. But the test drive really did me in, it's such a fun vehicle to drive, very quiet, and very composed. Their new tech package is equally impressive. But the one thing I feel BMW got right was the dash design. It's just beautiful IMO. And the seats are beautiful and very comfortable, remind me of the designo seats in our GLS. They loaded it with tons of impressive tech throughout. Again 'wow factor' all over the place. The 2nd row leg room is as generous as the GLE with the powered 2nd row moved all the way back. The reason they powered that 2nd row is the same reason I feel MB powered the GLE's 2nd row when you opt for the 3rd row seating, so you can move the 2nd row forward to make more leg room for people sitting in the 3rd row. And it supports wireless CarPlay. For me this is a huge plus. Now when I get in the X7 my iPhone pairs with the head unit and CarPlay is instantly available without me even touching my phone. This means I can make and receive phone calls, text messages, and listen to the music on my phone completely wireless. I can call up Waze or Google Maps in a flash. And when I get out of the X7, no need to unplug my phone.

The GLE I had on order is nearly fully loaded and I'm sure it will offer some wow factor also. Whoever ends up with that build will no doubt be happy. But I realized at $96,000 for the GLE, we could own a loaded 40i X7 for the same exact money. We ended up buying a 50i X7 (V8 engine) with a MSRP of $106,000 because of the great deal they offered us, 5% off MSRP and $65,000 for our GLS and we get 3 years of included maintenance. We just couldn't pass up that offer. As I said in my post last night, I've always secretly wanted to own a BMW, the previous generation X5's just didn't quite do it for us. Their new X7 checks all the boxes. For those like you Beth waiting for a new GLE, you can always give the X5 or X7 a look. It will either confirm your decision to buy a new GLE or give you something else to think about as it did for me. The more we know the better off we are.

As for BMW reliability, that is a concern for us and if it turns our the X7 is not reliable, we'll simply trade it on another car in the future. I can say the Mercedes we owned were very reliable and the dealership was great to us. The guys at the BMW shop were equally impressive to deal with but we'll see how that goes in the coming years.

I know I've been rambling on but I wanted to provide a reasonable reply to your question Beth.

 

Thanks Greg, you've been a wonderful resource. If you haven't yet checked out the new X5 and X7, give them a look and let me know what you think.

 

Thanks for the detail. My wife and I have been on the verge of ordering a new GLE but have held off as I see NetStar making adjustments to orders. We're hoping that smooths out. We don't need a third row and would rarely even use a second row, but want a quiet, smooth riding car to travel in. We'll have to drop by the BMW dealership to check out the new X5 & X7 I guess.