GLE 450-Some Random Thoughts & More
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 112
Likes: 17
20 GLE on order, 17 GLC 300 4M, Ducati 1299R
I have the air freshener system in my current vehicle and like the extra filtration it provides, the agarwood scent flacon smells good too. The vehicle does smell much fresher than the same car without the system, no musty smell from the A/C when it starts. I will have it on my GLE when MB is good and ready to ship one my way.
I have MBtex now and have found when it is hot it doesn’t seem to get hot spots like leather and it cleans up easy too, that said I am getting leather next to get the massage feature in the seats. I will say the MBtex shows almost no wear and has been very durable thus far. If I could have the massage feature with MBtex I would do that again.
I have MBtex now and have found when it is hot it doesn’t seem to get hot spots like leather and it cleans up easy too, that said I am getting leather next to get the massage feature in the seats. I will say the MBtex shows almost no wear and has been very durable thus far. If I could have the massage feature with MBtex I would do that again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Option questions
A lot depends on your personal preferences.
In my opinion, yes. It gives you the ability to control ride firmness and height. Downsides are more cost, and more things to go wrong.
I got the Dinamica (synthetic suede)/MB-Tex. Straight MB-Tex wears really well and is a good choice if you have kids. The standard leather is not particularly pliant. If I had it to do again I would get the Nappa. All the color choices I find very uninspiring and limited.
No experience with that
The augmented video nav feature is kind of cool, but not a must have. I think the 360-degree cameras are great for close maneuvering and give you rear cross-traffic alert and other niceties.
Can anyone advise if the Airmatic suspension is worth getting or is the basic suspension sufficient?
also is the base MB-Tex interior sufficient or is the leather much better?
Any input on the air purification/air freshener
...and MBUX enhanced navigation and or surround view feature.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Aug 29, 2019 at 09:07 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 304
From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
Nappa leather is very good, air freshener system is ok but not having a great sense of smell I don't notice it but wife does, air suspension very good, augmented reality just a gimmick and much easier using normal navigation system.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 354
Likes: 122
2020 GLE 350
Hello
Can anyone advise if the Airmatic suspension is worth getting or is the basic suspension sufficient?
also is the base MB-Tex interior sufficient or is the leather much better?
Any input on the air purification/air freshener and MBUX enhanced navigation and or surround view feature.
thank you for any thoughts.
Can anyone advise if the Airmatic suspension is worth getting or is the basic suspension sufficient?
also is the base MB-Tex interior sufficient or is the leather much better?
Any input on the air purification/air freshener and MBUX enhanced navigation and or surround view feature.
thank you for any thoughts.
I had no need for the Airmatic but I loaded up on other extras. The HUD was a must have for me. I use to think it was a toy until I had one in my 2018 Yukon Denali. I'll never have another vehicle without one. (The one in the BMW X5 is truly awesome!). Cameras were another must have for me. The enhanced NAV is cool but not necessary. It really impresses passengers (As does just about everything else on that dash!!) I wanted the massaging seats so leather was mandatory. I am a retired electrical engineer and a ham radio operator, so I am gadget oriented. The more the better in my book.
When you do decide and then take delivery, learn how to do manual map updates for your NAV. The voice files that go along with the map data files do not update automatically if you just rely on the auto update feature.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 17
From: Near Nashville
'14 E550, '14 911 C4S Cab, '12 ML350
I've heard that polarized sunglasses make the HUD hard to read. True? Is the HUD available as a stand alone option or only as a part of a package?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Head up display
[QUOTE=Electric Lizard;7841027]I've heard that polarized sunglasses make the HUD hard to read. True?/quote]
True.
No, only with the DA0 Technology Package, unfortunately.
True.
Is the HUD available as a stand alone option or only as a part of a package?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 446
Likes: 134
From: Montreal, QC
2020 GLE450 4Matic AMG-Line
If I tilt my head one way or the other, the HUD gets brighter or dimmer. Again, not a deal breaker, just a nice extra gadget.
The HUD's brightness adjusts automatically during the day as well as at night. It's pretty nice overall as there is a lot of information that is packed in the small area.
In addition, the HUD image sharpness is clear, without bleeding edges, even for small fonts.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 189
Likes: 40
From: Northeast
2025 AMG GLE 53
Hello
Can anyone advise if the Airmatic suspension is worth getting or is the basic suspension sufficient?
also is the base MB-Tex interior sufficient or is the leather much better?
Any input on the air purification/air freshener and MBUX enhanced navigation and or surround view feature.
thank you for any thoughts.
Can anyone advise if the Airmatic suspension is worth getting or is the basic suspension sufficient?
also is the base MB-Tex interior sufficient or is the leather much better?
Any input on the air purification/air freshener and MBUX enhanced navigation and or surround view feature.
thank you for any thoughts.
thank you
Last edited by AMMBGLE; Aug 29, 2019 at 01:06 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
I have those 3 options and like the leather a lot. Haven’t seen the Napa so might like it more. After having the Pano I could do without. Without the dash option they look cheap in comparison.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 444
Likes: 125
From: New England
2020 GLE 450 AMG exterior
The panorama sunroof sold my wife on the car. She sat in the back on the test drive and she loved it. I think it looks fantastic. I think others have noted here that it adds some weight to the car, but unless you're a real performance enthusiast or street racer, I imagine the difference in the driving experience would be negligible.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 354
Likes: 122
2020 GLE 350
I wear prescription bifocal sunglasses and have no problem with the HUD in my GLE. It was very hard to see the HUD in my GMC Yukon, so there must be something different about the MB implementation.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 354
Likes: 122
2020 GLE 350
For me, the ventilated seats were a must. For some reason I find that my back gets hot with the MB leather seats, so I use the ventilation a lot. Never had that issue in any of my previous vehicles. Maybe it's an age thing! I got the pano roof for my wife. I do not like sunroofs (I don't like the light coming in over the top of my glasses.) I keep the cover closed but it is a nice filtered light that comes thru, which is nice as compared to the total "blackout" in my previous vehicles.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Short update! I just completed the first leg of a trip to Colorado. I averaged a little over 23mpg for about 800 miles calculated and about what the system calculated. My average speed was almost 80 with a lot of elevation changes and a gain from start of over 3000 feet. Actual speed was mostly 85+ with a slight headwind or crossing wind. Very pleased, I am running 37psi which helps economy.
As I mentioned in another thread, I’m convinced that I have the kinked AC lines getting my electrical components wet. Appointment next Monday to find out. Today Distronic worked fairly well except that the lane change function would not work no matter how I used the turn signal. In heavy rain it worked very well. After using steel wool on the windshield the wiper chatter was nearly gone...a little as the rain almost stopped so not much lubrication. The ALKA stayed on for a 30 minute period after we stopped for lunch. Just the one time...it’s never stayed on more than a few minutes in the past. There was the usual experience of some random things that did work today with some other new issues. I’m still impressed by the thoughtful integration and usefulness of MBUX. Debugged it will be tough to beat.
Edit: I now have 5200 miles.
Edit: At that level of economy my range calculated was about 550 miles.
As I mentioned in another thread, I’m convinced that I have the kinked AC lines getting my electrical components wet. Appointment next Monday to find out. Today Distronic worked fairly well except that the lane change function would not work no matter how I used the turn signal. In heavy rain it worked very well. After using steel wool on the windshield the wiper chatter was nearly gone...a little as the rain almost stopped so not much lubrication. The ALKA stayed on for a 30 minute period after we stopped for lunch. Just the one time...it’s never stayed on more than a few minutes in the past. There was the usual experience of some random things that did work today with some other new issues. I’m still impressed by the thoughtful integration and usefulness of MBUX. Debugged it will be tough to beat.
Edit: I now have 5200 miles.
Edit: At that level of economy my range calculated was about 550 miles.
Last edited by Ron.s; Sep 8, 2019 at 06:55 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 304
From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
Can't believe the mpg that you guys are getting, I have covered 1500 miles and mpg is uk 23 which is 19 US mpg. Have a day trip to Belgium planned on Wednesday over 400 miles round trip mainly motorway, will be interested to see mpg.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Phil, I get that or better in city driving and with 10% Ethanol content. Could it be fuel quality? A friend that’s a Chevron Dealer tells me that the Octane rating is calculated at the factory so our higher elevation Refineries with 91 Octane are comparable to 2-3 point higher fuel at Sea Level Refineries like California & Texas. I think you use a different calculation in the UK but don’t know how it compares.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 446
Likes: 134
From: Montreal, QC
2020 GLE450 4Matic AMG-Line
Perhaps if your two countries did like the rest of the planet, and switched to metric, things would be simpler.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 304
From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
And as for metric, no thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 304
From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
Phil, I get that or better in city driving and with 10% Ethanol content. Could it be fuel quality? A friend that’s a Chevron Dealer tells me that the Octane rating is calculated at the factory so our higher elevation Refineries with 91 Octane are comparable to 2-3 point higher fuel at Sea Level Refineries like California & Texas. I think you use a different calculation in the UK but don’t know how it compares.
Would be interested to hear what mpg other UK 450 owners are getting, if there are any on here..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 151
Likes: 41
From: Paris
2020 GLE 300d
