So I guess anyone that doesn't know or care about Upton Sinclair is a troll? Don't respond if you don't like my answer. I agreed with your point, all I am saying is there are exceptions. In this case, bad QC and fast production seem to be working in hand.

 

At least you're a reliable and predictable troll.
I always look forward to the creative ways you bash the brand. Few of which make sense, but sometimes good for a chuckle.

 

Not really bashing the brand. I've had pretty good luck with most all of my MB purchases. I just find the GLE to be lackluster in the quality department, as well as the brand's entry level offerings. Dilutes a great legacy.

 

Great point.
I made the comment to the service advisor the other day dropping mine off.........again. “I guess after 9 Mercedes I was bound to get a $hi11y one.”

 

Identical thing happened to my 2020gle350: with only 2500 mikes on it... I was on Florida highway, going between 75-80, and lost power: went to 80, 75, 65......lower

i escaped barely with my life, car was shaking, no power, unbelievable experience

had car towed to dealership, took 4 days to fix: no idea why

showed codes:p030085, and code p030485

invoice was very vague on what they did: actually, just appears, visual inspection, can’t duplicate, bla, bla
hope it’s last time

UPDATE…….misfire happened again, and vehicle has been in garage for a week, supposedly, talking with Mercedes, opened a Mercedes ticket, trying to get input from Mercedes expert…..very scary, very dangerous to lose power when you need it…….I’m at a loss of what to do: I don’t want to take on trip, when I get it back: Lemon Laws are very vague, I can’t believe this is an isolated problem….I’ll keep you all informed

 

It's interesting that the "quality" issue seems to be so variable, which is of course, lack of quality control. I can see how in the last year the pandemic has wreaked havoc throughout many industries, but that can't be accepted as an excuse. I've had the first of every model ML/GLE starting in 1997 and after two years with this one I'd say it is the best of the bunch.

 

I'm right there with you Greg, I took delivery of my 2020 GLE 450 on Nov 1st 2019 and the car has been flawless and big improvement over my 2105 GLE 350.
I have had one visit back to the dealer for A service after 12 months ownership!

 

To the top for @chriss9

 

The blaming game that's being played for American built GLE has everything to do with the dealers inability to fix new cars.

Usually they are seriously built. These new cars come out of the factory with a long laundry list of nasty pre-existing issues from the get go.

When you contact a case officer at MB-USA they'll swear "you are the first one", "They are investigating it", "Dealers are independent"... giant waste of time for nothing!

The killer problem you are experiencing is called LIMP MODE. It's a staple of MB cars triggered when the engine/tranny computers literally quit responding.

The MB vehicles have been disfonctioning the exact same way for almost a decade. When you show up at the dealer's desk and hear "they could not replicate"... it's a practical joke on you!

Before you get yourself in an accident get this fixed. Buy a good scanner to troubleshoot with usual sources... or if you're a Florida lawyer, then message me directly about the problem/solution.

I am a seasoned systems engineer open for consulting. It's taken me over 7 years to address this design flaw found across the MB product lines.
Ultimately MBenz GMBH can benefit by saving serious capitals.

 

Purchased my GLE V167 (1) month ago...view my youtube video...POS

 

So you have some parts on the tailgate that aren’t a perfect fit? What about the other parts that actually matter to the car being a good vehicle? Do they work?

 

As a person whom has been in the motor industry for many years..including as a wholesaler in the USA car market.. I find your comments condescending to say the least.If the rednecks in Alabama can't put together a Mercedes-Benz properly or that Mercedes-Benz Germany cannot run their assembly plants to produce high quality vehicles at premium prices then they deserve to be outed...and just for your benefit this car is $158,000 Australian Dollars ...so for that money not only does one expect quality ,but demand it ...simple as that.

 

One of the issues today is the tolerance for poor quality. To find any of this acceptable because other parts are working or well assembled is ridiculous. Perhaps owning the brand is all that matters to you but for most people that pay a premium to own the best or nothing this is a complete failure.

 

Woah!!! $158K AUD? That’s $124K USD according to a quick search. I’d be irate too. I’ve had my fully loaded GLE 450 (we top out in the $90K’s USD here for the 2021 models) for a few weeks now. Although I haven’t experienced any quality issues (yet), per se, there are a few things that REALLY annoy me that I take full responsibility for not vetting upfront.

 

$158,000 Aus. is about $123,000 US. You must have some huge tariffs...that’s the AMG 63S price range in the US.

For what it’s worth, the CR June 2021 Magazine rates the GLE 450 last among SUV’s $55-75,000. Surprisingly the BMW X5 is first. Predicted reliability is worst rating, fit & finish is best rating. A few % points might separate top & bottom and as always CR is just a source of info-not necessarily accurate. For example 0-60 of 6 seconds is not even close.
I’m not sure what Usability is and no Tech ratings so IMO not really a very good source.

I cut off the bottom left but it is the last vehicle listed and it’s the GLE 450.

 

We fall below the RR Sport? 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

FWIW I consider a poor Consumer Reports grade a Badge of Honor, since they have been the least accurate auto reporters for decades, and getting worse.

 

Meantime, nothing drives like a Mercedes. Prior to my GLE, I’ve owned an X5 and Q7. The X5 turning radius is huge and as a result hard to park in small spaces and drives more ”trucky”. The latest version is a little too aggressive looking. The Q7 on the other hand presents a great standard package with impeccable fit and finish. Handling is not quite as nimble as the GLE but this makes it a close contender. I tried my hardest to like the Porsche Cayenne but the ride didn’t come close to being quite as luxurious. All the CR choices are good to say the least and I’ve always thought their ratings to be suspect. I can’t imagine comparing the Lexus to the MB; the Lexus really being based on luxury and not real autobahn driving.

 

I find some of the reliability info useful when shopping for a new car. There isn’t really any one good source of vehicle reviews since advertising money seem to keep magazines from being very critical. JD Power and Forums are other good sources. I loved both my 450 & 53 but there have been numerous quality issues with both vehicles. The drive train, handling, Tech & looks will keep me coming back but Mercedes could do a better job with Q.C.

 

The small turning radius of the GLE is one of the first things that really jumped out at me. So much so that I had to go back and see if it has rear steering. Very impressive…

 

Love being able to make a quick “u” turn. Never could in the X5 unless the street was particularly wide. All cars have quality issues; take your pick but drive the one that gives the most pleasure.

 

Watched your video. Understand your concerns, yes the vehicle should not have been delivered like that. Somebody dropped the ball.

The MBUX system is built in Germany, and they have had issues on the 2021 models due to COVID and the semiconductor chip issue. It doesn't make it acceptable, but it happens. I'm guessing the MBUX supplier used the chips they could get and pushed them out the door to make a quota. MB is paying the price, and will have to fix it.

The fuel filler door is another item that can be fixed, and was...but yes that was a quality issue that should have been caught and corrected before it was delivered to you. On the two side trim pieces, the one on the right looks normal (they do flex slightly), the one of the left is abnormal...make the dealer fix it.

As for the misaligned tailgate, make the dealer fix it. Yes, that is poor fit and finish, regardless of the price point.

That said, get these issues fixed and put it behind you. Once corrected, try and enjoy the vehicle, there are things to like about it.

 

It sure has gotten more difficult. Mergers and acquisitions among car media, cars rated based on reviewer's appraisal of the color of their tester, and shock that the average car sold is now $38k.

I just got my first JD Power survey in decades. It's online but the link doesn't work. Now in an email exchange to get access. Confidence dwindling, but they sent a $dollar.
I am waiting to see if the survey asked the same insipid questions they did when I got earlier ones. They were, is essence, "was the car what you expected?" so if you spent a lot you expect more etc. $35,000 buyers "expect less" and therefore the "initial satisfaction" is higher. We'll see if it's the same (that is if JD Power can get their "best or nothing site" to work....).

Edit: Well, the JD Power survey was even more inane than I remembered. Most of the questions were about the color of the paint, did I like the color of the paint; did I have cruise control, did I like the Cruise; what color interior, what material - did it like the leather; did I have an upgraded radio and did I like it; did I have touchscreen – liked; was the NAV good; what kind of phone; did I prefer Google nav to onboard; were the windows easy or hard to operate; could I see out F&R; what is my internet provider – like or not; do the doors close easily; wind noise; favorite thing about the car (A-J and had to check “other” to enter “handling”).
And THIS is what people rely on for info?

There are some independent online services, one of which I used to use, that are much better at actual repair type and frequencies plus actual mpg.

 

Perhaps you should have bought a car produced in Australia instead of by "Rednecks in Alabama". You do have your own cars don't you?

 

No WE DON'T..CARS ARE NO LONGER MADE IN AUSTRALIA!!!