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Forgive me if I'm wrong. But isn't the Q8 more in line with the X6 and GLE coupe?
I think that’s right but the Q8 is not quite as much Coupe (rear taper) and the only equivalent Audi to a GLE. For me it’s between the Q8 and a model of the GLE. Besides run flats there are a few things missing on the X5 for me. but BMW is worth a look.
I’m short on patience but at these prices, hope to make the best decision even if it means waiting until they are available for a test drive. Pricing and options may get better a few months into launch.
I think that’s right but the Q8 is not quite as much Coupe (rear taper) and the only equivalent Audi to a GLE. For me it’s between the Q8 and a model of the GLE. Besides run flats there are a few things missing on the X5 for me. but BMW is worth a look.
I’m short on patience but at these prices, hope to make the best decision even if it means waiting until they are available for a test drive. Pricing and options may get better a few months into launch.
Audi's SUV sizing has always been a little different - the Q5 is smaller than GLE, but Q7 larger. The Q8 is a five-seater like the GLE. I haven't found any interior volume/cargo capacity numbers yet. Both the X5 & Q8 are humdrum in the power department with 335-hp sixes for the base model. The Q8 does have 48-volt electrical but it is from a belt driven motor alernator that in the US is essentially just a start/stop assist. The GLE's sandwiched motor/alternator adds 20 hp to an already superior 342 hp, before we even talk about the AMG GLE53 (of couirse there will be an SQ8 coming at higher price). And the 48-v electrical does away with all belts.
The Q8 is a striking design (love it or not) but priced up with the GLE Coupe and X6. At this point I don't see anything swaying me from ordering a GLE as soon as they are available (already put in pre-order). I had the first W163 & W164 in Oregon; had to wait on the W166 for the Lighting & Handling Packages. I hope the initial offering on the W167 is fairly comprehensive.
Audi's SUV sizing has always been a little different - the Q5 is smaller than GLE, but Q7 larger. The Q8 is a five-seater like the GLE. I haven't found any interior volume/cargo capacity numbers yet. Both the X5 & Q8 are humdrum in the power department with 335-hp sixes for the base model. The Q8 does have 48-volt electrical but it is from a belt driven motor alernator that in the US is essentially just a start/stop assist. The GLE's sandwiched motor/alternator adds 20 hp to an already superior 342 hp, before we even talk about the AMG GLE53 (of couirse there will be an SQ8 coming at higher price). And the 48-v electrical does away with all belts.
The Q8 is a striking design (love it or not) but priced up with the GLE Coupe and X6. At this point I don't see anything swaying me from ordering a GLE as soon as they are available (already put in pre-order). I had the first W163 & W164 in Oregon; had to wait on the W166 for the Lighting & Handling Packages. I hope the initial offering on the W167 is fairly comprehensive.
There’s more to it than just HP. My wife’s 2018 SQ5 has that little motor and does weigh 500 lbs less than the 2018 GLE 43 but is night and day better handling and a few 10ths quicker 0-60. We also compared the smaller GLC and liked Audi better. For about $800 you can add a piggy back that boosts HP to 410, I did it to ours.
The Q8 will be Level 3 SD capable just not in the US at launch because of all the different state regs. One thing I like about Audi is the ability to configure and change configurations with an $80 OBD Eleven tool. People added LKA , Traffic Sign recognition and other features that were not available at launch. Lots of minor capability such as turn off seat belt chime, beep # on locking and many more personalized options. I added a warning when 10 mph over the posted speed for example.
Audi tech in SUV’s has arguably been ahead of Benz in several ways and may still be...Got that from a long time Benz salesman. They also sell Porsche and get to drive Audi’s at their training sessions. Making buying decisions based on specs and brand loyalty may be shortsighted, IMO. There are no bad choices so it’s not a losing game among the German vehicles.
There’s more to it than just HP. My wife’s 2018 SQ5 has that little motor and does weigh 500 lbs less than the 2018 GLE 43 but is night and day better handling and a few 10ths quicker 0-60.
Of course you are correct. Part of my enthusiasm for the new powertrain, beyond numbers, is the glowing review it's received (in CLS form) in the press, including this I posted from Car & Driver earlier this month: ""The refiring of its new 3.0-liter inline-six, which goes virtually unnoticed in stop-start operation, is likely the Mercedes-Benz CLS450'S most endearing quality. Yet the seamlessness of this most casual of operations is but a prelude to the engine's full performance. It is a sweetheart of a thing: part fluid, intuitive response; part effortless motivator of steel and aluminum. Some cars have reactors under their hoods. Some simply have engines. This one has a just-right selection of bits that move in facile unity to get you where you want to go. We're not idle flatterers of every new engine, but this one-this return to six in a row for Mercedes is something genuinely special."
As far as handling, the optional Magic Body Control would seem to be something the competition can't touch (though I'm not sure I want the complexity likely involved over the long term).
You are entirely rational in fully comparing the options. I just know the ML/GLE has suited my wife & my needs for the last three generations and I know every nuance of the brand, so maybe I'm being more emotional/practical. And, there is a dealer nearby I can trust.
Of course you are correct. Part of my enthusiasm for the new powertrain, beyond numbers, is the glowing review it's received (in CLS form) in the press, including this I posted from Car & Driver earlier this month: ""The refiring of its new 3.0-liter inline-six, which goes virtually unnoticed in stop-start operation, is likely the Mercedes-Benz CLS450'S most endearing quality. Yet the seamlessness of this most casual of operations is but a prelude to the engine's full performance. It is a sweetheart of a thing: part fluid, intuitive response; part effortless motivator of steel and aluminum. Some cars have reactors under their hoods. Some simply have engines. This one has a just-right selection of bits that move in facile unity to get you where you want to go. We're not idle flatterers of every new engine, but this one-this return to six in a row for Mercedes is something genuinely special."
As far as handling, the optional Magic Body Control would seem to be something the competition can't touch (though I'm not sure I want the complexity likely involved over the long term).
You are entirely rational in fully comparing the options. I just know the ML/GLE has suited my wife & my needs for the last three generations and I know every nuance of the brand, so maybe I'm being more emotional/practical. And, there is a dealer nearby I can trust.
There's a lot to be said about plunking down your hard earned cash with a brand that has satisfied you, via a dealer who has your back. This is one reason I remain loyal to MB cars. They just suit me and my driving needs and my dealer couldn't treat me better in any way, shape or form.
I have good friend that owns a 2009 BMW X5 with a 4.4 V8. He always wanted one and searched for many months before pulling the trigger on this CPO that was 1 year old. He services his X5 regularly and keeps it in his garage and rubs it with diaper. However, he now says he would never buy another BMW. Why? Because his X5 has left him sitting on the side of the road three times, all due to electrical problems. He also owns a Mercedes S Class and says MB is the only brand he will ever buy in the future.
I have good friend that owns a 2009 BMW X5 with a 4.4 V8. He always wanted one and searched for many months before pulling the trigger on this CPO that was 1 year old. He services his X5 regularly and keeps it in his garage and rubs it with diaper. However, he now says he would never buy another BMW. Why? Because his X5 has left him sitting on the side of the road three times, all due to electrical problems. He also owns a Mercedes S Class and says MB is the only brand he will ever buy in the future.
Someone will have bad experiences with any brand. I have owned the last three generations of the M3/4 and have never been stranded by one, though there have been significant issues with a couple. My W163 on the other hand stranded us a couple days on vacation once when the key fob stopped communicating with the vehicle and we didn't have the second fob with us. One thing that is nice about BMW is they do provide 4 years of maintenance included in the price - remember when Mercedes used to do that?
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 11, 2018 at 12:33 PM.
He now says he would never buy another BMW. Why? Because his X5 has left him sitting on the side of the road three times, all due to electrical problems.
And let's not forget about their spontaneous, mysterious car fires. Just watch the videos below. BMW now admits they know the cause. However, A REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE! Yikes!!! If you buy one, for God's sake, don't park it in your garage.
Wait, they're showing a 3rd row? If so, I hope it's optional like in the X5. I don't want seats I have absolutely no use for taking up space and adding weight. Surprising this little tidbit has not been mentioned before. Now we know why they added 80mm length.
Disappointing to hear LA Show (11/30-12/9) is now said to be the launch - makes more sense than Paris, though.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 11, 2018 at 02:15 PM.
Wait, they're showing a 3rd row? If so, I hope it's optional like in the X5. I don't want seats I have absolutely no use for taking up space and adding weight. Surprising this little tidbit has not been mentioned before. Now we know why they added 80mm length.
Disappointing to hear LA Show (11/30-12/9) is now said to be the launch - makes more sense than Paris, though.
I noticed the 3rd row as well. If I was waiting for the GLE and the 3rd row was standard, it would nix it for me completely. I rarely have rear seat passengers, so having even more room for phantom guests in my car would be utterly, totally worthless. I would imagine it will be an option as this could lose many buyers who don't need or want 3rd row seating.
Wait, they're showing a 3rd row? If so, I hope it's optional like in the X5. I don't want seats I have absolutely no use for taking up space and adding weight. Surprising this little tidbit has not been mentioned before. Now we know why they added 80mm length.
Disappointing to hear LA Show (11/30-12/9) is now said to be the launch - makes more sense than Paris, though.
Video says "A New Space Concept": what does that mean, I wonder?
and says MB is the only brand he will ever buy in the future.
Our ‘18 M550i is a blast to drive and other then a few little quirks we like it. But.....it is not as refined as a MB and for an everyday car we will probably only buy my wife an MB from here out. The BMW having almost all maintence and stuff covered is a big selling point and probably what ultimately got us (or the fact that at $80k you actually got a V8). And the fact that we could take delivery in our backyard at the Performance center and get to take it to the center a few times a year.
Now this GLE. Is there any special shows that are going on today? Or are we just waiting on some type of GLE press release?
Now this GLE. Is there any special shows that are going on today? Or are we just waiting on some type of GLE press release?
The 2019 (minor revisions to 2018) hasn't even gone on sale yet - that will be a short model run. The 2020 is rumored to debut at the Paris Auto Show at the beginning of October, or perhaps more likely, the LA Auto Show at the end of November. First deliveries are likely late Winter or early Spring next year.
The 2019 (minor revisions to 2018) hasn't even gone on sale yet - that will be a short model run. The 2020 is rumored to debut at the Paris Auto Show at the beginning of October, or perhaps more likely, the LA Auto Show at the end of November. First deliveries are likely late Winter or early Spring next year.
Being curious, I wondered when a car can go on sale at the earliest for the next model year and found this:
In the United States, for regulation purposes (such as VIN numbering and EPA emissions certification), government authorities allow cars of a given model year to be sold starting on January 1 of the previous calendar year. For example, this means that a 2019 model year vehicle can legally go on sale on January 1, 2018.[3] This has resulted in a few cars in the following model year being introduced in advertisements during the NFL's Super Bowl in February. A notable example of an "early" model year launch would be the Ford Mustang, introduced as an early 1965 model (sometimes "1964½") in April 1964 at the World's Fair, several months before the official start of the 1965 model year in August 1964.
Confirmed here for the paris auto show and early 2019 deliveries.
"The new Mercedes-Benz GLE will be presented to the public for the first time at the
Mondial de l’Automobil in Paris (4 to 14 October 2018). It will be in the
dealerships in early 2019 (USA and Europe), and in spring 2019 in China."
Car and Driver is reporting that the U.S. market will get a GLE 350 with a 255hp I4. I say BOOO to that. Underpowered. It should at least be the new I4 from Europe with 299hp. Goodness.
Edit: Not market specific. Likely Europe only.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; Sep 11, 2018 at 07:01 PM.
Still not liking the interior much. At least the photos are clearer and you can see the bits and pieces are high quality. I guess it's the new design language from the A Class, but the long iPad screen still should be better integrated ala E and S class and I suspect the grab bars will be an annoyance overall.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
