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Hey Greg, since you're a BMW owner and have had good success with it, are you considering the 2019 X5? It's beautiful and I am curious how a well-equipped X5 compares to a well-equipped GLE in ride, roominess, amenities, engine smoothness, etc. My buddies X5 is a 2009 and the ride (it does have the air suspension) is a bit firm for my liking. I wonder if the new X5 has improved on the ride quality.
Hey Greg, since you're a BMW owner and have had good success with it, are you considering the 2019 X5? It's beautiful and I am curious how a well-equipped X5 compares to a well-equipped GLE in ride, roominess, amenities, engine smoothness, etc. My buddies X5 is a 2009 and the ride (it does have the air suspension) is a bit firm for my liking. I wonder if the new X5 has improved on the ride quality.
I'm not considering the X5. I've had the first of the last three generations of MLs starting in 1997, and they have served us well. They are my wife's daily driver and our trip cars. The X5 does not particularly impress me. While BMW straight-sixes are very smooth and good (especially the one in my M4!) the new X5 has their run-of-the-mill 335-hp six similar to many others from the past. They also use runflats, except in true M cars, which does make the ride a bit rougher and many have had problems with these tires. Not sure if the latest air suspension is any better, but certainly not equal to E-Active Body Control.
Not terribly fond of the styling either with those huge kidney grilles. Cargo capacity of the X5 is max of 72.3 cf, compared to 80.3 of current GLE (which should go up with new one). Available laser lights on the BMW could be cool. I built the current GLE & X5 online to similar specs and the X5 came out $7k (10%) more. Undoubtedly the W167 will go up, but its price may still undercut the BMW. However, if certain features or looks of the X5 are attractive to you, I would not be hesitant to buy one.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 12, 2018 at 06:24 PM.
I'm not considering the X5. I've had the first of the last three generations of MLs starting in 1997, and they have served us well. They are my wife's daily driver and our trip cars. The X5 does not particularly impress me. While BMW straight-sixes are very smooth and good (especially the one in my M4!) the new X5 has their run-of-the-mill 335-hp six similar to many others from the past. They also use runflats, except in true M cars, which does make the ride a bit rougher and many have had problems with these tires. Not sure if the latest air suspension is any better, but certainly not equal to E-Active Body Control.
Not terribly fond of the styling either with those huge kidney grilles. Cargo capacity of the X5 is max of 72.3 cf, compared to 80.3 of current GLE (which should go up with new one). Available laser lights on the BMW could be cool. I built the current GLE & X5 online to similar specs and the X5 came out $7k (10%) more. Undoubtedly the W167 will go up, but its price may still undercut the BMW. However, if certain features or looks of the X5 are attractive to you, I would not be hesitant to buy one.
Very well said!
I’ve been skeptical about Benz catching up to the Tech from Audi but from a casual observation they are now ahead of everyone-in a good way. Tech to me is only good if it has a real benefit and isn’t too complicated to use. It will be interesting to see the professional reviews. I like what I see, especially the emphasis on safety and ease of use. Now I’ll try to ignore the little nagging thoughts about what happens when one of these components fail.
Hope the 53 isn’t far off or I might be tempted to buy the 450 that is all I really need.
Thanks to all of you that have posted the huge amount of current release deatails.
Hope the 53 isn’t far off or I might be tempted to buy the 450 that is all I really need. Thanks to all of you that have posted the huge amount of current release deatails.
The 450 is all I need, and if the AMG Line Exterior styling is available it's a done deal (really like the front of the 53 and of course the painted flares). Not sure I would go for the 22" wheels - seem a bit much. E-Active Body Control is intriguing - I currently have the Airmatic with Dynamic Handling Package (active front roll control) which is pretty good, but I'm guessing it will be all or nothing on this one. Magic Body Control with Curve function is a $4,450 option (and requires the $2,250 Driver's Assistance package) on the S-Class, so it's pricey.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 12, 2018 at 08:03 PM.
The 450 is all I need, and if the AMG Line Exterior styling is available it's a done deal (really like the front of the 53 and of course the painted flares). Not sure I would go for the 22" wheels - seem a bit much. E-Active Body Control is intriguing - I currently have the Airmatic with Dynamic Handling Package (active front roll control) which is pretty good, but I'm guessing it will be all or nothing on this one. Magic Body Control with Curve function is a $4,450 option (and requires the $2,250 Driver's Assistance package) on the S-Class, so it's pricey.
The look of the large wheel is great but small replacement tire selection and lack of a sidewall are issues. It’s so easy to curb a wheel. There are some real horror stories also. For example: A good friend (with a late model Mercedes) was returning from CA through Nevada when he hit a pothole. Two blown tires and bent rim....he had to leave the car for almost two weeks. As I recall each tire and the wheel were shipped from 3 different dealers, No one had much inventory. Bad luck on the location because they burned up 8 hours waiting for a tow truck and the trip back to a city with capability to make the repairs. Plane tickets, luggage, etc. IMO, 20’s are big enough to look good and work effectively.
"The new fourth-gen GLE, which will be publicly unveiled at the Paris auto show next month and arrive at dealerships in the United States next spring, is the most comprehensive update since the M-class first debuted just over 20 years ago."
"Later, we'll see two AMG models: the GLE53 will get a more powerful version of the inline-six with an electric supercharger, while the GLE63 will be powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 seen in other AMG models. There's also another plug-in hybrid in the cards."
"...an aggressive AMG Line body kit is available."
Curbing a wheel is more a relation of the tire width to rim width than rim diameter. I went from 265mm to 275 on my ML which helps and looks good.
There are some real horror stories also. For example: A good friend (with a late model Mercedes) was returning from CA through Nevada when he hit a pothole. Two blown tires and bent rim....he had to leave the car for almost two weeks. As I recall each tire and the wheel were shipped from 3 different dealers, No one had much inventory. Bad luck on the location because they burned up 8 hours waiting for a tow truck and the trip back to a city with capability to make the repairs.
The Tire Rack has a huge inventory with a Distribution Center in McCarran, Nevada.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM.
Thanks for keeping us updated guys! But I am still curious about the non-AMG V8 and whether it will be available or not.
Going back a little while now this video was posted, and at 3:17 the presenter says "we will get the V8 from the S-Class as a standard model and as an AMG model".
There's been no mention of this anywhere since, unless I've missed it somewhere. Or perhaps it's coming later?
Fingers are crossed because the GLE560 is the one I really want!
Cheers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DRetiMygnU</a>
Last edited by Benz Werd; Sep 13, 2018 at 12:34 AM.
Thanks for keeping us updated guys! But I am still curious about the non-AMG V8 & whether it will be available or not.<br /><br />Going back a little while now this video was posted, and at 3:17 the presenter says "we will get the V8 from the S-Class as a standard model and as an AMG model".<br /><br />There's been no mention of it anywhere since, unless I've missed it somewhere. Or perhaps it's coming later? Fingers are crossed because that's the one I really want!<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
V8s will be later, but not sure how much. I’m guessing within 6 months of initial release.
Curbing a wheel is more a relation of the tire width to rim width than rim diameter. I went from 265mm to 275 on my ML which helps and looks good.
True in general but as the wheel gets larger the depth of the sidewall is usually less and it doesn’t take much of an indirect hit to curb the wheel. Changing a factory tire to a wider one will help but most won’t do that. Finding options for a 22” vs a 20” will be much more difficult depending on how flexible you are. I.e. same diameter, tire type (hwy vs AS), brand, speed rating, etc. I could be wrong and admit I haven’t researched it lately. I had the same thoughts going from 18’s to 20’s and now have 20’s so guess I’m a little wishy washy.
The Tire Rack has a huge inventory with a Distribution Center in McCarran, Nevada.
That’s where I personally buy my tires. Good selection, service and fast delivery. I bough a set of winter studless snow’s and wheels-mounted and balanced free and delivered the next day. His dealer probably assisted him and I think he had 21’s on a C class MB car so it may have been poor service or a hard to find matching tire. My friend is not a car guy and probably just said fix it vs getting personally involved. Some of this same scenario could happen with run-flat tires. No spare and a flat tire-(30-35 mile limit on travel distance) you are a hundred from a town or it’s late evening. No good options! In the middle of a situation a lot of people Probably don’t make good decisions!
I'm not considering the X5. I've had the first of the last three generations of MLs starting in 1997, and they have served us well. They are my wife's daily driver and our trip cars. The X5 does not particularly impress me. While BMW straight-sixes are very smooth and good (especially the one in my M4!) the new X5 has their run-of-the-mill 335-hp six similar to many others from the past. They also use runflats, except in true M cars, which does make the ride a bit rougher and many have had problems with these tires. Not sure if the latest air suspension is any better, but certainly not equal to E-Active Body Control.
Not terribly fond of the styling either with those huge kidney grilles. Cargo capacity of the X5 is max of 72.3 cf, compared to 80.3 of current GLE (which should go up with new one). Available laser lights on the BMW could be cool. I built the current GLE & X5 online to similar specs and the X5 came out $7k (10%) more. Undoubtedly the W167 will go up, but its price may still undercut the BMW. However, if certain features or looks of the X5 are attractive to you, I would not be hesitant to buy one.
Similar here, the GLE is the family car/her daily. I've tried to get her to switch to an X5 several times but no dice and I've given up. Each time, while MB's lease rates were not as favorable as BMW's, we've been able to get better deals from our local MB dealer vs BMW. As for comparing the 2, the X5's have always driven more sporty but the ML/GLE was smoother, and that was w/out the air suspension. The active body control is going to put it in a completely different league. We also preferred the way MB shaped the cargo area as my wife could fit a regular stroller and a running stroller side by side. In the X5, one would be half on top of the other. Today I saw pics of a demo unit X5 w/ the 3rd row and it didn't even look like my kids' legs would be comfortable back there.
The '19 X5 will have the new B58C I6 motor w/ 335hp which should be on par w/ the GLE450. Even though the GLE is rated higher at 362hp, it will be interesting to see what it's actually putting out. BMW's original B58 motor was rated at 320hp but putting down 331 at the wheels. There is also a version of it (B58M) in the X3 M40i rated at 355hp. I have the same original motor in my 340 but w/ a factory tune and rated at the same 355hp but putting down 370. The X5 will also still get a V8 w/ 456hp so that will go against the GLE53 w/ 429. You know there's going to be some trickery w/ the electric motor that'll be in the GLE so this could get interesting. Not sure if I missed it but I haven't seen anything that called out if the US will get the diesel. If we do, that'll be a leg up as BMW announced no more diesels in the US in another year or 2. I think I've expressed many times on here how much we loved our ML350 BlueTec. My wife still talks about it to this day.
V8s will be later, but not sure how much. I’m guessing within 6 months of initial release.
Thanks again, I know my original post #560 was all muddled up with weird characters and it wasn't easy to read, but I have edited it now. I still have no idea what happened there.
But yes, that's usually always the case with all MB models. The entry level/smaller engines come first with the AMG version generally the last to arrive.
However, my question was is there going to be a non-AMG V8, perhaps a GLE550/560? Not a GLE63 or GLE63s. Does anybody have any more information about this please?
Last edited by Benz Werd; Sep 13, 2018 at 08:11 AM.
The 2nd gen ML offered an optional 3rd row seat. With it, the rear side windows (the ones that look like they wrap around to the rear) swung out for ventilation of the third seat, so that may be the case again.
The 4 square air vents, IMO, connect the GLE to the E class, with its 4 round vents. Square means more rugged maybe?
I too hope the thing to the right of the gauges isn't just a fake vent. It's bad enough with the left and right vents not matching.
Also, as to the start/stop, I've read the EPA only allows it to be used for CAFE numbers if the default is "on" every time, so I doubt MB will allow it to be permanently turned off.
Last edited by schroedinger; Sep 13, 2018 at 08:41 AM.
Did anyone notice this in the Car and Driver article? Is that something new? Or has it been posted before?
I cannot firgure out how to copy the actual youtube video (where is a teenager when you need them to show you about technology). But it shows the GLE "bouncing" to get out of the sand. https://youtu.be/g84bUk7ir4k
The 2nd gen ML offered an optional 3rd row seat. With it, the rear side windows (the ones that look like they wrap around to the rear) swung out for ventilation of the third seat, so that may be the case again.
The 4 square air vents, IMO, connect the GLE to the E class, with its 4 round vents. Square means more rugged maybe?
I too hope the thing to the right of the gauges isn't just a fake vent. It's bad enough with the left and right vents not matching.
Also, as to the start/stop, I've read the EPA only allows it to be used for CAFE numbers if the default is "on" every time, so I doubt MB will allow it to be permanently turned off.
I much prefer the square vents over the round ones, hated them ever since I first saw them on the W205. Then as to the fake vent on the right, who's going to be the first to make a template and take a dremel to it?
As a side note, anyone remember at one point on the S-class, the front screen had alternating pixels or something to that effect where the passenger can watch a video while the driver still just sees the navigation? Did that get discontinued?
If this search result is correct then the MB 22” tire and wheel aren’t too radical and there are a few tire options available in that size:
285/40R22 Tires. 285/40R22 tires have a diameter of 31.0", a section width of 11.2", and a wheel diameter of 22". The circumference is 97.3" and they have 651 revolutions per mile. Generally they are approved to be mounted on 9.5-11" wide wheels.
Diameter of 31 less 22 wheel = 9” divided by 2 leaves a sidewall height of 4.5”. Not as good as 5.5” on 20” wheels but marginally adequate. I assume that 22’s will come with the AMG Sport Package.
If I read the info correctly the GLE 450 will accelerate 0-60 in 5.5 seconds....the 2018 GLE AMG 43 is 5.3 seconds only a little faster. Most may not care about drag racing speed but that little extra cushion comes in handy at times when passing.
The '19 X5 will have the new B58C I6 motor w/ 335hp which should be on par w/ the GLE450. Even though the GLE is rated higher at 362hp, it will be interesting to see what it's actually putting out. BMW's original B58 motor was rated at 320hp but putting down 331 at the wheels. There is also a version of it (B58M) in the X3 M40i rated at 355hp. I have the same original motor in my 340 but w/ a factory tune and rated at the same 355hp but putting down 370.
I shouldn't have implied BMW sixes are ho-hum - they are very good engines. Not always perfect - rod bearings on my E46 M3, throttle body actuators and coils on my E92 M3 (F82 M4 perfect for 4 years so far). BMW claims 5.3s 0-60 for the G05 X5, so that's pretty on par with the GLE450. I believe there will be an S58 high-performance version of the B58 coming out soon.
I think I've expressed many times on here how much we loved our ML350 BlueTec. My wife still talks about it to this day.
What did you like about the diesel? Do a lot of highway driving? I considered one last time but thought response a little sluggish. Also, in our area, diesel fuel costs more than premium sometimes, you need to add DEF, then there's the initial cost premium.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 13, 2018 at 10:24 AM.
However, my question was is there going to be a non-AMG V8, perhaps a GLE550/560? Not a GLE63 or GLE63s. Does anybody have any more information about this please?
Aside from the video you reference, no mention of non-AMG V8s so far. My educated guess (but I may be wrong) is that the GLE53 will fill the gap between the 450 & 63 with no non-AMG V8, at least for the US. Your market & Europe could be different.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 13, 2018 at 10:36 AM.
Aside from the video you reference, no mention of non-AMG V8s so far. My educated guess (but I may be wrong) is that the GLE53 will fill the gap between the 450 & 63 with no non-AMG V8, at least for the US. Your market & Europe could be different.
Thanks again Greg, you're always a great source of info and a valuable contributor to this forum!
Yes, I have also found that there's only been that one little mention of it in that earlier video that I referred to. I have clicked on all the links in this thread, and read all the articles and watched all the videos but there seems to be no further talk of a non-AMG V8 at all. However, there has been a few other mentions of two V8s, but that could just be the GLE63 & GLE63s.
It's hard to say what MB will do, guess we'll have to sit put for now. The ML/GLE550 was discontinued in the US around 3 maybe even 4 years ago, and here in Aus in 2016 when the W166 facelift arrived. It was replaced by the GLE43 and the GLE500e. We also lost the GLE400 from the model range at the same time.
Until recently a GLE500 was still available in Germany, and is still available in Canada now as a GLE550 according to their local MB websites. What's even more interesting is you can still build a new W166 GLE on the German site, but only a GLE350d and nothing else. I find that odd because I imagine they've already shut down production of the W166 in Alabama, and are already retooling the plant for the W167.
If by chance they do produce a W167 GLE550/560, it will be just my luck that it won't be available here anyway!
Choices are certainly becoming more limited if you like V8 petrol SUVs nowadays. The new BMW X5 is just about to land here in Aus, but it's still early days so we're not sure yet if the GLE500/550 equivalent, the X5 xDrive50i will be produced, or available here, either.
If not, the only other petrol V8 SUVs available here, aside from a GLE63s or GLS500 or 63 are:
- 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees, either 5.7l in the Overland, or 6.4l in the SRT
- a Nissan Patrol
- a Range Rover
- and an Infinity QX80
There's nothing in that list that excites me much, so come on MB, I hope you're listening!
Cheers guys!
Last edited by Benz Werd; Sep 13, 2018 at 12:53 PM.
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.
