I'm glad to see it's already out in Europe. Yet, it's still new for the US from what I can gather? I'd rather have an engine that has been tried in the wild before plunking down over $60K for a new GLE. I do hope you're right about this being the entry level power plant in the GLE.
Well Germans embrace new tech all the time, that is their thing. A new engine has to be broken in at some point. They can't stay with that 3.5L n/a V6 with everyone else using turbo V and I 6's. The current GLE350 V6 is simply outdated. Yes the engine will be new for the U.S., but again it's on the road now in Europe. Any early bugs will likely be caught there, well some of them.
I seriously doubt that there will be a V6 in this car since the I6 has been out for a while now. You can pretty much bet the GLE450 will be the first model out the gate with 362hp and a GLE53 with 429hp. I don't know why you keep saying the new I6 is slowing them down when the engine is already in production a several cars already, there is really no evidence of that.
M
It is hard to conclude if MB will put the old v6 into the gle. It happened for the s class but not for the cls. I m just hoping that they completely phase old the old v6
Having a lot of time to do research and read about other cars can be a dangerous thing. I've been reading about the Alfa Romero Stelvio Sport TI? The articles and test videos I've read and watched so far, have me quite intrigued. With the weight of the car and twin turbo all Italian engine, it goes zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds. I think it's quite sexy looking. Has an unmistakable Alfa Romeo engine sound too. It doesn't have all the tech a MB has, but nicely optioned, you get a lot of safety systems and the interior is pretty cool looking. If you option it out to the max, it comes in the low $50,000's. I may just have to test drive one. Have any of you looked at the Alfa and if you have, what did you think?
Definitely sexy looking. I’ve mostly read about the Quadrifoglio. Brakes sound touchy. Main thing I’d be concerned with is reliability. Alfa’s reputation is not stellar. I would steer clear, myself.
Definitely sexy looking. I’ve mostly read about the Quadrifoglio. Brakes sound touchy. Main thing I’d be concerned with is reliability. Alfa’s reputation is not stellar. I would steer clear, myself.
The Stelvio has been out a year now and I haven't been able to find anything saying reliability is an issue, but this is the first year on American roads. I do worry about whether Alfa will make it in the US this time around. I know a guy who has the sedan. He bought it immediately after it came out and actually traded his Benz for it. It now has 15,000 miles on it and he said it's been incredibly reliable and has required nothing other than the first service. I'm going to test drive one, just to see, but it will likely still be the GLE in my future. I'm having a difficult time with the waiting and lack of real information.
The Stelvio and GLE are in different size classes, if that’s important to you. This is one take on that: “With its relatively small cargo hold, the Stelvio trails its rivals when it comes to utility. This crossover provides just 18.5 cu.-ft. of space with its rear seats in place and 56.5 cu.-ft. with its rear seats folded. This feels miniscule when compared to the cargo capacity of rivals like the 2018 Acura RDX. That crossover provides 26.1 cu.-ft. of space behind its rear seats and 61.3 cu.-ft. with those seats lowered.
If cargo space is of critical concern to you, it’s a wise idea to skip the Stelvio.”
The Stelvio and GLE are in different size classes, if that’s important to you. This is one take on that: “With its relatively small cargo hold, the Stelvio trails its rivals when it comes to utility. This crossover provides just 18.5 cu.-ft. of space with its rear seats in place and 56.5 cu.-ft. with its rear seats folded. This feels miniscule when compared to the cargo capacity of rivals like the 2018 Acura RDX. That crossover provides 26.1 cu.-ft. of space behind its rear seats and 61.3 cu.-ft. with those seats lowered.
If cargo space is of critical concern to you, it’s a wise idea to skip the Stelvio.”
Actually, cargo space is not important. My primary reason for going with the GLE over the GLC is on the GLC you can have Comand OR Apple Play, but you cannot have both. I would likely have already placed an order for the GLC if I could have both options. The C class for 2019 now includes Apple Car Play /Android Car Play as standard, and you still add Comand if you want it. The C300 Cabriolet that we ordered is now locked in the build system and we should see it in August and it will have Comand and Apple Car Play.
Consumer Reports rarely sways me, but I do have to consider the reliability of Alfa. Still, there's something about this thing that calls to me enough to at least make me want to test drive one. Fully loaded, it will come in significantly less than a GLE optioned as I'd want. But it also doesn't seem to offer some options that I find important, like ventilated seats. Hello. I live in Florida. Ventilated seats are just about mandatory. TBT, I was born without the patience gene. If I could just get some concrete information on the GLE, like options, WHEN we might start seeing them etc., I might be able to simmer down. At any rate, if I test drive a Stelvio, I'll let you guys know my impressions.
Still, there's something about this thing that calls to me enough to at least make me want to test drive one. Fully loaded, it will come in significantly less than a GLE optioned as I'd want.
The new Alfa's are intriguing IMO but the Stelvio competes directly with the GLC rather than the GLE so the price is gonna be significantly less than a GLE.
The new Alfa's are intriguing IMO but the Stelvio competes directly with the GLC rather than the GLE so the price is gonna be significantly less than a GLE.
Yes it does compete with GLC. And as I've mentioned, I'd have already ordered a 2019 GLC IF I could have Comand and Apple Play, but sadly, even if you pay over $60,000 for a nicely optioned GLC, you can have one or the other, but not both.
Consumer Reports rarely sways me, but I do have to consider the reliability of Alfa. Still, there's something about this thing that calls to me enough to at least make me want to test drive one. Fully loaded, it will come in significantly less than a GLE optioned as I'd want. But it also doesn't seem to offer some options that I find important, like ventilated seats. Hello. I live in Florida. Ventilated seats are just about mandatory. TBT, I was born without the patience gene. If I could just get some concrete information on the GLE, like options, WHEN we might start seeing them etc., I might be able to simmer down. At any rate, if I test drive a Stelvio, I'll let you guys know my impressions.
I hear you but Consumer Reports has become much better at testing. They have their own test track, have auto professionals testing, buy vehicles from a dealer and are one of the few independent testers. Also like JD Power they survey owners. The Auto Mags need advertiser dollars so never seem to be very critical.
i just finished watching an Auto Week review of Luxury Compact SUV’s. It airs on the Public Broadcasting channel as episode 40, Season 37. It’s just another review but they ranked the Stelvio in the bottom 3 of the 8 tested. Even more interesting was a brief review and explanation of the 48 volt Borg-Warner E Boost system that seems to be coming on some Luxury vehicles from Audi and Mercedes to eliminate turbo lag.
I hear you but Consumer Reports has become much better at testing. They have their own test track, have auto professionals testing, buy vehicles from a dealer and are one of the few independent testers. Also like JD Power they survey owners. The Auto Mags need advertiser dollars so never seem to be very critical.
i just finished watching an Auto Week review of Luxury Compact SUV’s. It airs on the Public Broadcasting channel as episode 40, Season 37. It’s just another review but they ranked the Stelvio in the bottom 3 of the 8 tested. Even more interesting was a brief review and explanation of the 48 volt Borg-Warner E Boost system that seems to be coming on some Luxury vehicles from Audi and Mercedes to eliminate turbo lag.
Probably little chance I'll risk buying an Alfa. I still think I'll drive one for the fun of it. But Mercedes treats me so well and my cars have been so reliable, it's not likely I'll stray. I'm just becoming increasingly anxious for news. If I could place my order now, I would do so and not look back.
Thanks for the pics. Kind of odd looking in a way. It looks kind of like Mercedes glued a landscape iPad on the dash, but I know the MBUX system will be pretty darn tootin' cool!
I thought I'd start a new thread as this gets closer. With prototypes testing on public roads since late last year, I would guess the new model should be on track for Summer '18 release with deliveries starting this Fall. The US Dealer Ordering Guide for the W166 was released on June 11, 2011. I'm hoping this one follows the same schedule as I'm dying to replace my '12, but there may be a possibility it's not out until early '19. I'm looking forward to the new turbo straight-six with mild hybrid and 48v electrical system, which will appear in the CLS first. And the -53 AMG series should be kickass!
After suffering through the first model year (2016) of the GLC, I'd say wait a year or two before getting the new GLE.
After suffering through the first model year (2016) of the GLC, I'd say wait a year or two before getting the new GLE.
We have a 2016 GLC and it's been nothing short of stunning in every way. We've had not a single service issue. I'm guessing you've had issues with yours? The GLC is the trade for the 2019 C300 Cabriolet coming in just a few weeks now. We need a SUV, which is partly why I'm so anxious about the GLE.
We have a 2016 GLC and it's been nothing short of stunning in every way. We've had not a single service issue. I'm guessing you've had issues with yours? The GLC is the trade for the 2019 C300 Cabriolet coming in just a few weeks now. We need a SUV, which is partly why I'm so anxious about the GLE.
Brake squeal. Took 2 tries. Don't know if it's fixed now (after 1st fix, took a few weeks to come back, and squeals mostly in cold weather). One parking light coming on randomly when parked at night. Satellite radio wouldn't work sometime (shutting engine off, walking far enough away so car and fob didn't communicate, then starting again seemed to fix), eco start/stop stopped working, Clattering behind left air vent for first 20 sec or so when started cold.
Most of them seem fixed. Will have to wait and see if brake squeal and clattering noise return when it gets cold.
My plan is to get a GLC43 when my lease is up in Jan (unless tariff has been put on imported cars); I'm hoping all the bugs will have been worked out after 3 model years.
Brake squeal. Took 2 tries. Don't know if it's fixed now (after 1st fix, took a few weeks to come back, and squeals mostly in cold weather). One parking light coming on randomly when parked at night. Satellite radio wouldn't work sometime (shutting engine off, walking far enough away so car and fob didn't communicate, then starting again seemed to fix), eco start/stop stopped working, Clattering behind left air vent for first 20 sec or so when started cold.
Most of them seem fixed. Will have to wait and see if brake squeal and clattering noise return when it gets cold.
My plan is to get a GLC43 when my lease is up in Jan (unless tariff has been put on imported cars); I'm hoping all the bugs will have been worked out after 3 model years.
Sorry you've had issues. Our GLC300 has been incredible, without any issues whatsoever.
What does everyone think about the Porsche like grab handles? Is it possible that this is something other than the GLE like the 63? Personally I don’t care for them but that wouldn’t stop me from buying the car.
What does everyone think about the Porsche like grab handles? Is it possible that this is something other than the GLE like the 63? Personally I don’t care for them but that wouldn’t stop me from buying the car.
Not in love with them. I can see hitting the drivers handle every time I want to adjust something via the controller. And no, if they are there, they won't stop me from buying the car.
What does everyone think about the Porsche like grab handles? Is it possible that this is something other than the GLE like the 63? Personally I don’t care for them but that wouldn’t stop me from buying the car.
Kind of like the previous gen ML, but with a kink in them:
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.
