2020 V167 GLE
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 89
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2020 GLE450
@shanelewis79 Nice! The AMG w/night package looks amazing with the polar white, along with the wheels. I may have to update my order, hah!
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 17
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Lexus GS350
@shanelewis79 Nice! The AMG w/night package looks amazing with the polar white, along with the wheels. I may have to update my order, hah!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
E-ABC
Personally, I’m dying to hear your most objective view on whether or not you think EABC is worth the additional $6K over and above the Air Suspension. Of course we don’t want you to have any buyer’s remorse if you say, “It’s ok, but maybe not work $6K.” I put a deposit down on a 450 with EABC, but as you know many of us can’t even get an allocation for a car with EABC. At least not yet.
It sounds like we’re all anxiously awaiting to hear all the details of your new acquisition. Feel free to indulge us with all your observations, reactions, likes & dislikes. You’ve got our full attention.
It sounds like we’re all anxiously awaiting to hear all the details of your new acquisition. Feel free to indulge us with all your observations, reactions, likes & dislikes. You’ve got our full attention.
Is it worth $6,490 more than Airmatic? Hard to say; probably "no" for most people but I have no experience with the current Airmatic system, only my '12. I think the ideal cost/benefit system for me would be what is coming on the GLE 53, which is Active Ride Control, Airmatic with active antiroll bars they call Ride Control. I had the hydraulic version of this called Active Curve on my '12; the 48V version should be even better. It gives you good comfort when going straight and roll control in corners for a reasonable cost. That would be a great option to split the difference.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; May 1, 2019 at 10:25 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 86
From: Dallas
'20 GLE450; '06 CL65
Not to be contrarian or a know-it-all, but I'm a bit of an audio geek. As speakers are mechanical structures, often comprised of stiff materials that move, they do benefit from some break in. That's been my experience anyway. That being said, it should sound a little better as you put more music through it (I often break my speakers in with continuous hours with a combination of music and white/pink noise before I really judge them), but it should not sound distorted, really. I had that system in my GLC 43, and felt meh about it. It was serviceable, but don't expect great things. It is comprised of, after all, fairly cheap asian market speakers with only the tuning done by Burmester; there are no actual Burmester components in there, or at least there wasn't on my GLC.
On my new GLE order, I sprung for the Burmester 3D at the expense of the AMG exterior package (mutually exclusive), and am hoping I didn't make a $5k+ mistake. So the take away is, for me, the base Burmester was not impressive. The lack of bass you mention should get a little better with time as the woofer is the largest mechanical moving structure in the system; it takes a little longer to loosen up. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though. Opinions on audio quality are highly subjective, and if you look at the audio system that is in my signature below on my old E63, you can see I'm probably a bit jaded. Most auto manufacturer audio systems to me are just okay, the Meridian system of Rover maybe being an outlier. It is really impressive. However, for the money you spend for the high end manufacturer systems AND its integration with the operating system of the vehicle vs. an aftermarket system, its overall value cannot be understated.
On my new GLE order, I sprung for the Burmester 3D at the expense of the AMG exterior package (mutually exclusive), and am hoping I didn't make a $5k+ mistake. So the take away is, for me, the base Burmester was not impressive. The lack of bass you mention should get a little better with time as the woofer is the largest mechanical moving structure in the system; it takes a little longer to loosen up. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though. Opinions on audio quality are highly subjective, and if you look at the audio system that is in my signature below on my old E63, you can see I'm probably a bit jaded. Most auto manufacturer audio systems to me are just okay, the Meridian system of Rover maybe being an outlier. It is really impressive. However, for the money you spend for the high end manufacturer systems AND its integration with the operating system of the vehicle vs. an aftermarket system, its overall value cannot be understated.
Last edited by Skizz; May 1, 2019 at 12:40 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 18
From: Santo Domingo, DR
2020 GLE 450
I need more time with the system, as I've only had 2 days and about 70 miles. I cannot really compare with the S-Class MBC because I have no experience with that, but for an SUV I think the ride is pretty luxurious (would probably be even better with 20" wheels instead of my 21s). How much Road Surface Scan helps again I am not sure - it doesn't make bumps go away but the ride is pretty plush; caveat, my daily driver is an M4. When you want more precise handling you can switch out of Comfort mode to Sport or Sport+. However, in those two modes Curve and Road Surface Scan are not active, which is really a shame.
Is it worth $6,490 more than Airmatic? Hard to say; probably "no" for most people but I have no experience with the current Airmatic system, only my '12. I think the ideal cost/benefit system for me would be what is coming on the GLE 53, which is Active Ride Control, Airmatic with active antiroll bars they call Ride Control. I had the hydraulic version of this called Active Curve on my '12; the 48V version should be even better. It gives you good comfort when going straight and roll control in corners for a reasonable cost. That would be a great option to split the difference.
Is it worth $6,490 more than Airmatic? Hard to say; probably "no" for most people but I have no experience with the current Airmatic system, only my '12. I think the ideal cost/benefit system for me would be what is coming on the GLE 53, which is Active Ride Control, Airmatic with active antiroll bars they call Ride Control. I had the hydraulic version of this called Active Curve on my '12; the 48V version should be even better. It gives you good comfort when going straight and roll control in corners for a reasonable cost. That would be a great option to split the difference.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 189
Likes: 12
2018 GLS 450, 2018 GLE 4matic
sound
Not to be contrarian or a know-it-all, but I'm a bit of an audio geek. As speakers are mechanical structures, often comprised of stiff materials that move, they do benefit from some break in. That's been my experience anyway. That being said, it should sound a little better as you put more music through it (I often break my speakers in with continuous hours with a combination of music and white/pink noise before I really judge them), but it should not sound distorted, really. I had that system in my GLC 43, and felt meh about it. It was serviceable, but don't expect great things. It is comprised of, after all, fairly cheap asian market speakers with only the tuning done by Burmester; there are no actual Burmester components in there, or at least there wasn't on my GLC.
On my new GLE order, I sprung for the Burmester 3D at the expense of the AMG exterior package (mutually exclusive), and am hoping I didn't make a $5k+ mistake. So the take away is, for me, the base Burmester was not impressive. The lack of bass you mention should get a little better with time as the woofer is the largest mechanical moving structure in the system; it takes a little longer to loosen up. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though. Opinions on audio quality are highly subjective, and if you look at the audio system that is in my signature below on my old E63, you can see I'm probably a bit jaded. Most auto manufacturer audio systems to me are just okay, the Meridian system of Rover maybe being an outlier. It is really impressive. However, for the money you spend for the high end manufacturer systems AND its integration with the operating system of the vehicle vs. an aftermarket system, its overall value cannot be understated.
On my new GLE order, I sprung for the Burmester 3D at the expense of the AMG exterior package (mutually exclusive), and am hoping I didn't make a $5k+ mistake. So the take away is, for me, the base Burmester was not impressive. The lack of bass you mention should get a little better with time as the woofer is the largest mechanical moving structure in the system; it takes a little longer to loosen up. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though. Opinions on audio quality are highly subjective, and if you look at the audio system that is in my signature below on my old E63, you can see I'm probably a bit jaded. Most auto manufacturer audio systems to me are just okay, the Meridian system of Rover maybe being an outlier. It is really impressive. However, for the money you spend for the high end manufacturer systems AND its integration with the operating system of the vehicle vs. an aftermarket system, its overall value cannot be understated.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 86
From: Dallas
'20 GLE450; '06 CL65
If you're a musician, you're used to what live music sounds like. No matter how much you spend on audio reproduction and playback, the best you'll ever get is just kind of close, and that's the absolute very best you'll get. You made the right choice in my opinion.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 189
Likes: 12
2018 GLS 450, 2018 GLE 4matic
Actually, as a musician (pianist, vocalist), I agree with Glen Gould. Being at any live music performance, including the symphony, is a fun experience from time to time, but give me the beautiful recordings that I can sit in a small room listening, with or without headphones on, and it's a better way to lose oneself in the music. (try Yo Yo ma, Emmanuel Ax and Itzhak Perlman, Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 49,66 for a lovely experience with your new system.)
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 86
From: Dallas
'20 GLE450; '06 CL65
Actually, as a musician (pianist, vocalist), I agree with Glen Gould. Being at any live music performance, including the symphony, is a fun experience from time to time, but give me the beautiful recordings that I can sit in a small room listening, with or without headphones on, and it's a better way to lose oneself in the music. (try Yo Yo ma, Emmanuel Ax and Itzhak Perlman, Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 49,66 for a lovely experience with your new system.)
Last edited by Skizz; May 1, 2019 at 02:56 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Dinamica/MB-Tex
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 81
Likes: 16
GLE
The burmester on mine sounds not that bad. Compared to my C300 with burmester I find too much bass that I needed to lower the bass to -3. I enjoy it since day 1 and haven’t experienced any distortion. I put my iTunes library from CD-era in and the 1996 Hotel California live sounds as good as I expect on the road. The details are there at 20 miles jam, window closed, thanks to the quiet cabin.
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 10
2020 GLE450
Here in the US the answer is unfortunately no. There is no portal we mere mortals can go to. The MB order system is called NetStar and your salesman has access to it, but we do not. In Germany (maybe other areas, but Germany, for sure) buyers do have an app which they can check the status of their builds. For every car I've ordered, I've set expectation with my salesperson that I would appreciate regular, timed updates on the status of the build.
Also - did anyone who order have to place any deposit? I didn't but there were a few dealership that wanted a deposit for a custom order, which I thought was strange. Guess it's at dealers discretion.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 330
Likes: 70
2020 GLE
I put down $3k. If you’re a frequent shopper there, they may wave the deposit.
That's unfortunately. Hopefully my salesperson keeps me informed of the status.
Also - did anyone who order have to place any deposit? I didn't but there were a few dealership that wanted a deposit for a custom order, which I thought was strange. Guess it's at dealers discretion.
Also - did anyone who order have to place any deposit? I didn't but there were a few dealership that wanted a deposit for a custom order, which I thought was strange. Guess it's at dealers discretion.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
New Land Rover I-6 w/ electric assist
Land Rover new mill is pretty close to Mercedes' M256.
https://autoweek.com/article/car-new...n=awdailydrive
https://autoweek.com/article/car-new...n=awdailydrive
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
E-ABC by Bilstein
I guy on the MBCA forum just replied to my thread there saying he works for Bilstein and they made the E-ABC system. I'll try to find out about supply issues, etc.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 18
From: Santo Domingo, DR
2020 GLE 450
I was looking at the GLE 450 on edmunds.com and found this:
I think someone here had mentioned really noticing downshifts. What have the people who are driving this feeling with the transmission?
Cons
- Options quickly drive the price up
- Midgrade Airmatic suspension feels too floaty
- Transmission shifts are more pronounced than we'd like
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
