So I test drove one today. My impressions are mostly positive, at least for the money. It is sexy outside for sure. Inside is a pleasant place to hang out but can't match a Mercedes interior. The controls are upscale plastic made to look like metal. But they aren't. The nav and backup screen are tiny in comparison to our cars. In terms of controls, one wouldn't really need to spend much time with the owners manual. The systems are pretty simple and easy to navigate. The A/C was a disappointment. It just didn't seem to cool the car adequately - a definite issue since we live in Florida. Seats are comfortable and the Italian leather has a decidedly upscale feel and look. But they only adjust up and down as you can't adjust the angle of the seat, even if you get the Sport seats. And while you can get heated seats, you cannot get ventilated seats, which again living in Florida is a no for me. Visibility out of the rear with the heavily raked back window is rather limited. Now the reason to buy this car is that engine. This thing has amazing get up and go. It has a nice throaty sound and if you mash the pedal you're up to 60 really fast. I had read the breaks were mushy, but I found them to be just fine. Even on broken pavement, the car was nicely controlled and there wasn't even a hint of a rattle. One other thing. Those paddle shifters. They're H U G E. Outrageously huge. What were they thinking huge. And you have to reach behind the left shifter to use the turn signals. One can imagine getting used to them, but why even have to train yourself to avoid taping one or the other?

They so tried to get me to buy one, which I told them from the get go wasn't happening today. I know I could have likely gotten one with every single available option for close to $40K, making this thing a great value. But it's not a Mercedes and I'll be waiting just as anxiously as I have been for news about the new GLE.

 

I found this today. It's not much but there are a few interesting comments, like this statement: Mercedes says the GLE’s cabin is going to feature “ambient lighting like never before.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/2019-merc...103933582.html

 

My MB Salesguy was hoping he sent me the new build guide for the new GLE. All it is is an updated 2019 GLE guide (updated June 25th) and now they've updated the engine to be the 400 as opposed to the 350 and the base price of the GLE400 is $55,000. I hope this isn't a hint of the base for the W167 as once you start adding options, it's going to get real pricey. The file is too large for me to upload here. Does anyone have a way for me to shrink the size to something I can upload here?

I saved it as a Zip File and it is now included

 

Thanks - a link to this was posted in #19 on 4/3.

 

No Greg. The link I posted is an updated build guide published on 6/25/18. The one posted on 4/3 still shows the GLE 350. For MY 2019, the GLE 350 no longer exists and has been replaced by the GLE 400, which the link I posted shows.

 

 

About $3,000 and some more ponies!

 

The fact that it went from 3.5L NA to 3.0L turbo is a fairly significant - had not picked up on that before. A 1-year combo. The torque bump is especially nice. Not enough to make me not want to wait for the 167.

 

It is a fairly significant upgrade. I'm just so totally confused at the moment and don't know what I want to do.

 

Whoa! the GLE a better value than the X5! For the all new 2019 X5:

"Prices have also increased, with the xDrive40i model starting at $61,695."

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2019...-starts-61695/

 

The ML/GLE price increases over the years have been moderate. My 2012 had a base of $48,990 6 years ago; the 2018 is $54,700 (4MATIC).

 

9 Speed Auto also new for 2019 W166. Didn't expect to see that.

 

Even if the 2019 is going to be short lived, it will be a nice upgrade over the 2018 and should be a fun to drive SUV.

 

This engine/tranny was lifted right out of the E400, which makes it fairly easy.

 

Just got the word from my sales rep -- the 2019 GLE350 is being replaced by the GLE400, with the 329-hp turbo 3.0 L V6 and 9-speed automatic. I had decided to get a GLE350 this fall, as my current least ends in Jan, but this is exciting news -- the turbo V6 and 9-speed for just $1000 more than the 2018 GLE350.

 

If you look above a few posts, I posted the 2019 GLE Dealer Build Guide (updated on 6/25/18) showing the GLE 400. Remember this will be a short lived model as the new GLE will be announced in the next few months and will replace the current GLE around the first of the year.

 

Sorry, I missed that. I had a DOG for the 2019 that came out earlier, and it still listed the GLE350.

 

 

They typically won't update the online order system until like September.

 

So today's adventure was to drive this: Jaguar F Pace 30T

All I can say is, it's simply fantastic. It's beautiful inside and out and that 3 Liter Turbo with about 300 Horses pushes that thing like crazy. Inside, you're enveloped in a very luxurious cabin. The seats are sublimely comfortable and the electronic dash, and infotainment screen quite nice. The only thing the Jaguar is oddly missing is Apple Car Play/Android Auto, which is high on my list of priorities. But this thing really nicely optioned, comes in at about $65,000 and I think it's a bargain. Jaguar's come with 5 Year 60,000 Mile Warranty standard. And.........NO RUN FLATS! Oh I forgot to mention all scheduled service is included for 5 years 60,000 miles too.

It's going to stay on the list of contenders till I can learn about the new GLE options and pricing.

 

GLE Dashboard Partially Revealed In Spy Video: https://motor1.com/news/251551/2019-...dashboard-spy/

 

 

I would not expect the coupe to arrive at the same time.

 

 

So now I'm SO confused. I spoke with the sales manager at my MB Dealer this morning. He's saying he honestly doesn't expect to see the new GLE until late in 2019 at this point. He says the GLS is going to appear before the GLE and the GLS will be out in 2nd or 3rd quarter 2019. I don't feel like waiting until late 2019. So, I'm just completely confused as to what to do........

He also said MB has 2019's sitting at the port waiting to be released and won't be released until it's determined how the Trump Tariff's will affect pricing. Even though the cars are made in America, he says they'll still be subject to the Tariffs. Harumph to the max.