Placed order 3/14, just got the call today that it’s in. Picking it up tomorrow.

GLE 350 with Premium 1, 3rd row, driver’s assistance, standard 19s and standard suspension.

-Terry

 

I was wondering what kind of tires I'd be getting... they are Bridgestone Alenza run-flats...I believe their "Sport A/S" model? (19s.) Having only driven it back from the dealer (and then around town), they are not bad at all so far in terms of comfort and feel.

Also the 2.0 could definitely be described as "adequate." Would I like more power...sure, but I probably won't really need more than this for regular commuting and road trips.

-Terry

 

Is there a way to see where the new GLE 450s are available now? As I search different dealerships, most say available on request but I can't tell where they are currently located. We ordered last November and are still waiting! We have a VIN and our sales person says it is in production.

 

I'm not sure how useful/accurate this is, but if you go to https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/inventory/ you can search by model & dealership and contact the dealer directly from the page.

 

Clocked this at my local dealer today...the 400d!

 

Any that I've found, are pre-sold units, and they show up as inventory when they first come in to the dealership.

 

Here's the latest. Only change seems to be a delay in availability of the D11 Roof Spoiler. Not sure when this will quite being "Preliminary"! Data like curb weight and cargo capacity still missing even though it's been published elsewhere.

 

Anyone know about how long before your build start should you get your VIN assigned?

 

The VIN is assigned at the start of production.

This was mine (though "production" took 6 weeks):

 

Thanks.

 

Welcome to the club..... Ordered in November, been in "production" since 3/13/19...

 

We also ordered in November and at least we now have an ETA of June 28. Salesperson says it is being transported now.

 

I ordered mine March 15th, no word yet on when I'll get it, other than, it's been delayed! GLE450.

 

All I can say is hang in there guys you’ll love it when it gets here

 

Not a glowing review. To get the price up to $85k w/o AMG pkgs. it must have had E-ABC, but they don't really say anything about it. No way handling is "floppy" in Sport or Sport+. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...enz-gle-class/

 

UPDATE....as of as 6/17/19 told new build date is now 6/30/19 ...another Sunday

previous Update:
Ordered 3/13/19...initial build date 6/10/19...then 6/14/19 ...today (6/3/19) it is now 6/23/19..... 6/23/19 is a Sunday....wonder if they are working 7 day weeks ???? Told by SR to be aware that it may change again...

 

It’s interesting that they give ETAs on some vehicles, but not others. My March 19 order still has no listed ETA, as far as I know, despite being in B4 status.

 

Such a joke on how MB is running this show. Size of the company with another quarter almost finish still can’t figure it out.

 

And they compared the 53 version (50i) apparently since the 40i is 5.3 0-60. It’s unusual to see much negativity in a magazine review. I’m doubtful anyone objective will like the inferior BMW Infotainment better. No mention of the issues reported by users.
I thought the review was unusually poor and not because I’m a fan boy. They either didn’t take time to figure out the GLE or were looking at it more like a Sports Car than a Luxury hauler....or both.

 

Skizz, so what's your opinion of the Burmester 3D?

 

Well, I was giving it a little while to break in before I made any real review (I already made my statement about speakers being mechanical structures/break in in the quoted post above). Also, please consider that I have had very nice home systems and also elaborate car systems, some competition level. But so far, I'm just kind of meh on the 3D, considering the cost; if it were half the price, or $3k or so, I'd probably be more jazzed, but it is just plain expensive. I had the lower grade Burmester (the $850 one) in my GLC, so I can compare fairly accurately. The 3D definitely plays somewhat louder, and bass also goes a little lower, although not as low as I would have expected for a separate sub/amp, although further break in may help this a bit. Overall, the regular Burmester and 3D systems have the same tonal qualities, which to me are just okay, with a somewhat exaggerated midrange. I usually tone it down somewhat with the eq. The bass does not go very low, probably useful to the 80-100Hz range (actually probably not even that low) but rolls off sharply thereafter; it would probably benefit from an aftermarket sub/amp combo. But after spending $5,400, why the need, MB? As far as the 3D processing and effects go, I don't think it is all that great, and I have just left it on the "live" option and fiddled with the eq and the VIP seating option. I feel the 3D system is similar in tonal quality to the Volvo's Bowers & Wilkins system (although the B&W has a little warmer balance), and I have not heard the Lincoln's Revel systems or BMW's systems to compare. I will say that from a manufacturer audio standpoint, to me, the standout is the Rover's Meridian system (haven't hear the Meridian in any Jag, so don't know about that). Man, that Meridian system is head and shoulder's above the other's I've heard. Even the 825 watt version has a better tonal quality than the Burmester 3D and is darn near as loud. The Reference Meridian is just in another league (and I'm not a rover fanboy; they have their problems). Of course, this is all just my opinion, and should be taken with a grain of salt.

So, the bottom line for me is that I'm not sure I would pay $5,400 for it again, but I might, just because it is somewhat better than the base Burmester. $4,550 better? Nope, but it depends on where your priorities are and how much money you want to spend on audio in your car. You can buy a whole lot of other options for that money. So, for most, I would say it is probably not worth it. If it were even a $3,000 option, yeah go for it, but it's almost five and a half grand, so the value is questionable. Is it twice as good as the base Burmester system? Not really. Then why does it cost over 6 times more? If you want more than the base Burmester and don't mind spending the money, the 3D is probably cheaper and less hassle than trying to retrofit/integrate/upgrade the base Burmester with aftermarket gear to get there. On the other hand, the front door tweeters in the sail panels and in the roof near the B-pillars are trimmed in the LED lighting package, so there's that.

 

I'm no audiophile, but the base Burmester in the GLE sounds much better than the Bose in the Audi Q7. That's all I got.

 

The base Burmester is better than any of the Bose systems I've had in my Avalanche, Tahoe or previous base Bose system in my E63. So that kind of follows my point that the base Burmester ain't bad, and that the 3D system sure as hell isn't six times better.

 

I am glad to read that I made the right choice not to shell out the extra for the 3D. As I said, I'm no audiophile, so I probably wouldn't even have noticed a difference. The one thing we didn't get that I would have liked is the driver assist package. Went with the AMG Line Interior instead. We'll see if that was the right call once I finally take delivery.

 

With audio, as with many other things in life, once you get into the higher priced items you reach a point of diminishing returns. So just because it is six times more expensive you can't expect it to be six times better. However, I am interested in something you said:

So you think to get to the level of the 3D system it is cheaper paying for the 3D system than installing aftermarket parts to the base Burmester?