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Got the GLE300D for the day

Local dealer has bunged me the keys to a 2019 GLE 300D AMG Line.

Waiting to collect but does anybody want to know or see anything in particular?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...21cbe7296.jpeg

Got the GLE300D for the day

Oh what a great initiative!

I think you are in the UK as I see a RHD.

So I presume you are going to test nearly the same GLE as the one I ordered (except that mine will be a LHD).

That's great because I didn't have the chance to test drive it so far. So, indeed, any thoughts you may have would be particularly interesting for me. I would be very interested to have your thoughts on the steel springs. If the cabin is as quiet as for other models (350, 450,...).

Do you have the Tech Pack Plus and the Premium Plus Pack? If so, I would also like to have your comments on the head-up display, the MBUX, the nappa leather, the Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim, the parking package (does it work well?), the memory package (is it easy to use, I mean in the Audi you have to shut the engine to change the memory, that's not easy), the multibeam (one of your compatriot said it was "brilliant" LOL), the air-balance package (not too much smell), the Burmester sound, the massage seats, the four-zone thermic, the driving assistance (not those from the package please), the augmented navigation,...

Sorry, that makes many subjects. Anyway, any feedbak you could share will be welcome!

Thanks in advance.

I’m keen to see some photos of where the front wheel arch meets the side steps at the bottom, as there is a small but noticeable gap on mine, and I want to see if it’s a general issue, or a build quality issue with my GLE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggis (Post 7747465)

When did you place your order for your GLE 300d and when did you collect it?

Hi all,

To put some perspective on the matter I currently drive a 17 plate Cayenne SD V8 and my wife has a 19 plate C43 facelift Cab.

I will change my car in about 6-12 months and am ideally after an AMG but wanted to gauge size, spec, tech etc as still got my eye on the new Cayenne Turbo!

The vehicle I have is a 19 GLE300D Premium Plus with driving assistance pack.

I believe it is in Hyacinth red but please correct me if I am wrong!

I will hopefully try and answer queries below and took a good selection of pics I will upload later today.

Engine and ride

The engine feels very refined, smooth and is actually quite punchy. On the move it feels deceptively quicker than on paper,however, it does feel a tad sluggish in my view from standstill. It can be a little raucous when in sport and accelerating hard but then it is a 4 pot diesel so to be expected. General driving it is actually very quiet and picks the relevant gears to minimise cabin noise.

The ride is compliant and not too bouncy. It drives like my Cayenne on the air in Comfort mode with standard ride height. It doesn’t feel too wallowy in corner but does have some roll as to be expected.

Interior

I immediately noticed some of the poorer quality plastics on the lower panels which is a shame as the rest of the cabin feels well built and finished to a high standard. I particularly like the trim and stitching around grab handles and climate control.

The display is crisp and clear and very easy to use. The buttons feel solid and make a nice click when pressed.

The nappa leather is soft (not quite as soft as my Porsche) but the seats for me did not offer enough bolster or lumbar support. My wife felt they were very supportive but I am much larger than her so maybe that’s the problem? Also I have sports seats in my Cayenne and the Performance seats in the C43 so a tad unfair to compare?

On the seat front...I fitted in the third row with my wife in front and I am 6 foot! My head touched the roof lining so could only do a short journey in there!

I was not sold on the ash trim. It looked good until you touch it. It feels very cheap and has a plastic sound when you tap it. If it was my choice I would have carbon (not released yet except on 53) so would stick with gloss black or alu.

Memory seats are very easy to use and worked when driving, I have not tested comfort access. The massage seats felt strange to me but never had or used before, not something I would use on a daily basis.

The air balance package was not overpowering or overwhelming. It was noticeable in the cabin but pleasant. The energising bits etc on the tech I could not see myself using in reality. Massage relaxing etc...

The 360 camera was fab but the sensors were
overly sensitive (maybe you can change this) I found I tried on my eyes over the red areas and beeping!

No HUD on this model

‘Hey Mercedes’ was a show stopper. Intuitive, quick and precise. Navy was easy to use and augmented view a great addition.

I did did not use parking systems unfortunately as had no need to. I do like the blind spot assistance but other driving features I generally turn off.

I was surprised with the Burmester As have heard criticisms. I have this as a £4K upgrade in my Cayenne and it was in my view just as good. It is worth any extra cost purely for the speaker grilles!!

Overall its a great car and in the 300D form would be more than dynamic for everyday driving. For me I would want air ride and larger wheels along with more supportive seats so would have to be an AMG for me not just an AMG Line. But for a very practical family suv with lots of tech it is perfect.

Wiggis- on the driver side the arch had a prominent gap which could be pushed shut and not on the other so seems it is a defect? I have some pics for you I will upload later!

I have the car for another hour or so just do ask if you would like to know anything else :-)

Thanks a lot for this great review.

Did you try to use the smartphone integration package? If so, does it work well with Waze?

Also some comments:

You have a four-way lumbar support in the GLE. Did you try it?

To me the trim is not ash but oak. Only available choice in the UK for all versions (except the 53 not yet on sale).

If you want the Airmatic (basic price) and larger wheel (option - 22') you'll have to chose the 350d or the 400d.

Smartphone connectivity worked perfectly. Waze worked fine also.

I played with the seats but couldn’t find settings sufficient enough to provide the side bolster support I am used to.

The dash trim looked considerably nicer than it felt to touch.

I am holding out for the 63 when released :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggis (Post 7747465)

Drivers side

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...289baca4c.jpeg

Pushed in...!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5f24170c5.jpeg

Passenger side
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e383ae6b2.jpeg

Awesome - thank you. Mine is the same, so this must be some kind of a general build quality issue.

Will raise it with the dealership when I'm next there.

Appreciate the photos. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaznik (Post 7747604)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaznik (Post 7747599)

I promise I will only touch it with the eyes https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

Thank you very much for this indepth review :y

On your photos I didnt't notice the build quality issue I saw between the bonnet and the grille (see photos with the blue circles). Did someone else see this issue on a GLE?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...31f8106f39.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c31de56d3.jpeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico49_75 (Post 7747536)

Also standard on 450.

Are any European owners receiving their cars and how does date compare with promised delivery date, mine is due 13th June and hasn't moved backwards for a couple of weeks.

Another question, if you can answer to it. How did you find the Stop and Start. A guy on a video said he hates this this system but found it unnoticeable on the 450. This may be thanks to the EQ Boost. The engine of the 450 stopped a few meters before the car stopped and then it turned on completely smoothly so that you couldn't notice it. So, I'm keen to know how it works on the 300d...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico49_75 (Post 7747784)

Cannot say that it caused me any issues whatsoever. Certainly not noticeable or annoying.

It didn’t from recollection do the ‘coast’ that my Cayenne does. IE cuts out before totally stopping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaznik (Post 7747810)

Cannot say that it caused me any issues whatsoever. Certainly not noticeable or annoying.

It didn’t from recollection do the ‘coast’ that my Cayenne does. IE cuts out before totally stopping.

Thank you very much for your comments.

So far, everything is beyond my expectations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico49_75 (Post 7747821)

Thank you very much for your comments.

So far, everything is beyond my expectations!

No worries. Glad I can be of assistance!

On my test drive of a 300d the stop/start was noticeable but not as much as on my GLC43, the engine was fine and I could live with it but prefer the smoothness and power of the 450. The voice commands of the MBUX are brilliant and you don't have to say Hey mercedes, just Mercedes will do. I wasn't too keen on the augmented navigation that to me was a gimmick., wasn't keen on the anthracite oak trim but no other option in UK. Would also prefer 5 seats but non 450 only 7 seats available which leaves very little room under boot floor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philamg (Post 7747752)

Also standard on 450.

Are any European owners receiving their cars and how does date compare with promised delivery date, mine is due 13th June and hasn't moved backwards for a couple of weeks.

Mine departured from US yesterday. But the estimated delivery date delayed from 31st May to 4th June.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philamg (Post 7747846)

Thanks for the feedback Philamg, much appreciated.