What % are you guys getting off MSRP for 450 that are being ordered. My dealer stated they would take off 2.5%

 

 

 

 

For your first Mercedes purchase and the GLE being a new model, 2.5% is a very good discount. As you develop a relationship with them you will likely get even bigger discounts in the future.

 

I previously attached my build sheet but once the MB website was available I contacted my dealer and made some changes. Here is the new build and don't worry, no more changes

 

Until your order is locked you can make all the changes you want and feel free to post your updated build sheet. BTW, a good friend only buys black-on-black vehicles so he would no doubt love your selection. What is your est. production date?

 

My expected production date is set for June. This is based on my current lease, which is til the end of September but they will take it in early.

 

This is a screen shot of NetStar showing the status of my build. I highlighted the areas of interest and erased personal info:

 

Has the DOG been updated since the February update?

 

We drove a 350 today and were not impressed at all - power and handling were lackluster compared to our 350 BT. Even the interior was not as impressive as we'd expected.Walked over to the neighboring BMW dealership and test drove an X5 - I was sold immediately, but my wife still wants to drive the 450 and see if it changes her impression of the vehicle overall. Certainly wasn't the test drive experience we were expecting...

 

I assume you are aware of the BMW issues! They are well documented on their Forum. Member Shrimpking just dumped his new X5 for a GLE...you might PM him for specifics.

 

I actually had a similar experience after test driving an absolute stripper GLE 350. It didn't impress my wife much but the drive and the MBUX was impressive. Anyway, a week later my wife and I went to the local BMW dealer to test drive the new X5. They had a fairly loaded X5 in Carbon Black with a Coffee leather interior that was beautiful but it cost $33,000 more than the GLE 350 so I was expecting to see a lot more as well. The salesman was very patient while I ask numerous questions mainly about the new iDrive 7 tech. Then off we went. I liked how it drove and thought the ride was comfortable. Then I tried to activate and set the cruise but it wouldn't work. The salesman tried to set it, still no go. So I just ignored that part and keep on driving. Earlier before we left for the test drive he demonstrated several gestures that control the radio. They seemed to work well in the parking lot but during the drive they stopped working and he couldn't explain why or get them to work again. When we got home I was excited about maybe buying our first BMW but my wife calmed me down and suggested I research the glitches. Wow, I found pages of complaints about the new iDrive software being buggy in the new X5. And as Ron pointed out, one owner just sold his new X5 and bought a GLE. So Ron is giving you some valid advice, PM him as to why he made that decision before jumping into the X5. It appears to me that BMW rushed it to market without properly testing and debugging the software. I'm sure you wouldn't want to buy such an expensive SUV and have annoying issues right off the bat. As for the GLE, you should both seek out and test drive a well equipped GLE 450 before you make your final decision. I found a fairly well equipped 450 at another dealership and it made all the difference. In the end its your hard earned money and whatever makes you happy is the way to go. Just hope these comments give you some help in making that decision.

 

Not that I'm aware of but its possible. Ask your local dealer to be certain.

 

Thank you and Ron for the heads up regarding the X5 issues - I will certainly research some more before making our decision. I remember when my wife and I first sat in the ML350 at an auto show - without even first driving it, we both immediately felt an attraction to it, which we did not feel today with the GLE. We were really looking forward to seeing/driving the GLE, but sadly it did not live up to our expectations (perhaps because it was a “stripper” and neither the exterior or exterior colors were what we would’ve selected, but I still can’t get over the lackluster driving experience). Anyway, hopefully we can find a 450 to drive soon, but we’re going back for another look at the X5 on Sat. and my wife is reconsidering the Q8 which we’d driven back in Nov. It’s good to have choices...

 

The Q8 was my second choice. If there was an SQ 8 it would have been a harder decision. Like you said there are good choices!
Are you OK with run Flats?

 

The $90K X5 we test drove had a regular steel spring suspension but the ride was very good in comfort mode. I'm curious what their air ride on both axles must fell like. I've not test driven the Q8 but it looks interesting. And I understand audi40's desire to test drive the X5 again. It is a beautiful looking SUV, inside and out. That said, a properly equipped GLE 450 in colors that suit your eye with upgraded 21" wheels makes all the difference. The 350 tester was a black on black stripper which looked like a Mennonite vehicle (if you live in the Northeast you'll understand). The 450 we drove was Polar White with Macchiato MB-Tex and the AMG Line Exterior and 21" multi-spoke wheels and still came in at $20,000 less than the X5 we drove. We have an almost fully loaded 450 on the way ($96,835) that will have segment leading tech like a Mild-hybrid, Interior Assistant, and E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL. But the main reason we're sticking with MB is build quality and reliability. In the end we need our cars to start and get us where we need to go with no glitches or surprises. A great looking car sitting on the side of the road waiting for help isn't exactly what anyone wants from a luxury purchase.

 

Just ordered...expected delivery in early June.

 

Mine just finished production today. Hope to have here on the West Coast in about 3 weeks.

 

Very nice....hope it’s sooner.... We need some owner feedback while we wait...and wait!

 

VPC: Long Beach

Is that in Oregon or some other state?

 

That's the California port for the West Coast, Like Baltimore is for the East. fabbrisd1 said there is a marshaling center there that distributes US made cars (in addition to the VPC for those coming in from abroad), though my sales guy says they come by train direct to Portland. I tend to believe the former.

 

Very nice build, Greg. I'm anxiously awaiting your comments, especially on real world, real owner/user E-ABC experiences, as mine will be about a month behind yours.