mitchch56

Hi. I am new to this forum and new to Mercedes. I am looking for the best vehicle to tow an Airstream Bambi with a gross weight of 4,700 lbs. After test driving the BMW, Audis, etc. I am absolutely sold on the Mercedes GLE. I was surprised to see that the GLE 350 with the 2.0L 4 and the 450 with a 3.0L straight 6-cylinder are both rated at 7,700 lbs. towing capacity. I am trying to make an educated decision on which model to buy for long cross-country trips including mountainous terrains. Will the 350 struggle in the mountains? Will the 450 with more horsepower and torque actually provide better gas mileage when towing? And is the additional cost worth stepping up to the 450? My sales guy was worthless answering these questions so I am hoping current owners can provide valuable insight to guide my decision. Thanks!

GregW / Oregon

I haven't towed with mine yet, but that's a pretty good load and the 41% more power and 35% more torque from the 6 is bound to be a much better match. Turbo fours can make good numbers, but typically the mileage falls of radically when they have to work hard. And it would be working very hard going uphill! With the six you also get the advantages the 48v mild hybrid system brings (instant starts, no belts and torque smoothing).

chassis

Bigger engine with more torque is always better for towing. If your budget allows, go for the higher torque engine. Torque is needed at low rpm when towing so if the engines are close in torque, look at the rpm where it peaks and favor the lower rpm engine for equivalent torque. I have towed many thousands of miles with multiple vehicles and torque is king.

I tow 3,300lbs with a W166 GLE350 M276 722.9 and it is a good combination. In layman’s terms this is the 3.5L direct injected naturally aspirated V6 with 7G-Tronic transmission. The 9G-Tronic has been out for a while so should be fine. M-B’s tow ratings are accurate.

Ninja_Ryan

Definitely go with the 450 as TQ is king when it comes to towing.

mitchch56

Thanks guys. The 273 lb.-ft. vs. 369 lb.-ft. of torque between the two is substantial which was what made me initially question the 7,700 lb. towing capacity of the GLE 350. I test drove the 450 and was amazed by how smoothly the hybrid system made the stop/start transitions unnoticeable. And the cabin is so incredibly quiet. I am loving the emerald green metallic with espresso brown upholstery and walnut trim. One more question. I notice two of you chose the 21" wheels. Was that AMG style preference or performance? Having a hard time finding a review that compares the 19/20/21 inch tire choices. Besides the obvious premium package (and ventilated seats for the wife) is there any option that is a no-brainer must have?

GregW / Oregon

The type of wheel option you get is determined on whether you get the AMG Line Exterior package or not. In my opinion, and many others here, the AMG pkg. is much better looking with the diamond faceted grille and painted wheel arches, and you also get larger front brakes and active exhaust. The 19” wheels have way undersized tires. With AMG you need 20” wheel minimum, so you have two choices, 20s or 21s. Between those two it’s all looks, IMO. There is plenty of tire on either. The staggered tire fitment is also probably more looks than need, but it does look good. I find the 21s plenty comfortable but in your case 20s would be fine.

For towing you should get Airmatic which gives you load leveling, and of course, the tow package. Beyond that, I would recommend: Panorama sunroof, Head Up Display, Premium package. Lighting package, MBTex dash and Passenger seat memory. PM me if you want more info on any of these. BTW, add your location to your profile.

chassis

As a data point, the M276 in the W166 has the same torque as the 2.0L 4 cylinder in the W167, although at different rpms. Also, the 2.0 has less horsepower. While torque is king, power also plays a role particularly at higher (highway) speeds and on long ascents.

If I were considering a W167 I would go with the 450 for towing if it fit the budget.

Caveat emptor on the air suspension. Mercedes has a history with them that you should research before choosing that option.

Ninja_Ryan

Pretty much what Greg said! As for No-Brainer packages trims I would say: Panorama sunroof, Premium package (includes ambient lighting), Tow package, Seat memory. I would say AMG and Night line package but thats just a matter of taste. 20 inch wheels at least.