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I have been configuring vehicles online to get an idea as costs for comparably GLE 450, X5 and Q8 - Q7 and in every model variant across those lines, BMW comes out a lot less expensive. Any thoughts on why? BMW seems to think their vehicles are comparable in the class but if price is any indication, maybe they are not in the same class as MB and Audi.
Depends on what market you are located in. For example, when I configure these vehicles in Canada, they are all at the same ballpark in terms of price. However, the packages they have are not identical so it makes it harder to cross-shop like cars.
I have been configuring vehicles online to get an idea as costs for comparably GLE 450, X5 and Q8 - Q7 and in every model variant across those lines, BMW comes out a lot less expensive. Any thoughts on why? BMW seems to think their vehicles are comparable in the class but if price is any indication, maybe they are not in the same class as MB and Audi.
For some reason I always seem to have problems with on line configurators. When I was shopping for a new vehicle back in February 2019, I looked at the Q7, XC90, X5, and GLE. I went to dealerships and had them configure what I wanted. I then went home and tried to duplicate the configurations and could not.
Depends on what market you are located in. For example, when I configure these vehicles in Canada, they are all at the same ballpark in terms of price. However, the packages they have are not identical so it makes it harder to cross-shop like cars.
Interesting. I am located in South Carolina where the X5’s are made so makes sense they would be less certainly than in Canada. But, the GLE 450 is made in Alabama so would think they should be closer in price.
The GLE and X5 are comparably priced IMO. It’s almost impossible to cross shop because of standard vs optional equipment and then the packages that include differing options. Actually with my personal build I thought that the Mercedes was less with the X5 second and the Q8 was most expensive. Also MBUX is more advanced and has the potential to stay up to date with OTA updates. Does one value advanced tech and EQ boost that have a cost or is this something you don’t need or want. Run Flat tires👎? Lots of subjectivity involved in a decision.
Each of those 3 vehicles have some major advantages or disadvantages depending on your perspective and desires. To me the BMW offered only better performance vs the GLE is a well rounded Luxury car. Decent performance, more comfortable, more practical, more Lux type features and with decent handling and decent performance. Nothing wrong with the BMW and if I was younger the performance might sway me. The Audi has the most options for a “drivers car” but is underpowered in standard Q form and seemed pricey in comparing the package features.
Edit-Manufacturers have generally taken factory location out of pricing decisions by standardizing freight charges. You are more likely to see pricing differences between Large Car Markets vs small markets that have less competition.
The GLE and X5 are comparably priced IMO. It’s almost impossible to cross shop because of standard vs optional equipment and then the packages that include differing options. Actually with my personal build I thought that the Mercedes was less with the X5 second and the Q8 was most expensive. Also MBUX is more advanced and has the potential to stay up to date with OTA updates. Does one value advanced tech and EQ boost that have a cost or is this something you don’t need or want. Run Flat tires👎? Lots of subjectivity involved in a decision.
Each of those 3 vehicles have some major advantages or disadvantages depending on your perspective and desires. To me the BMW offered only better performance vs the GLE is a well rounded Luxury car. Decent performance, more comfortable, more practical, more Lux type features and with decent handling and decent performance. Nothing wrong with the BMW and if I was younger the performance might sway me. The Audi has the most options for a “drivers car” but is underpowered in standard Q form and seemed pricey in comparing the package features.
Edit-Manufacturers have generally taken factory location out of pricing decisions by standardizing freight charges. You are more likely to see pricing differences between Large Car Markets vs small markets that have less competition.
Hmmm? Interesting. I have been using the respective manufacturer’s online configurators and taking into account as many of the variables as possible. Consistently, the BMW X5 iterations come up 10-15 thousand dollars less than the GLE 450 and 12-16 thousand dollars less than the Q8 versions. It isn’t that big a deal since my interest level in the X5 is pretty low primarily because I don’t care for the styling plus the reviews are not great. Just curious more than anything.
I'm curious how you get this, based on what I researched before purchasing the x5 and GLE were toe to toe on the pricing and it make sense since they are directly competing
I'm curious how you get this, based on what I researched before purchasing the x5 and GLE were toe to toe on the pricing and it make sense since they are directly competing
Assume you are directing this at US owners., X5 much dearer after adding options in UK, base models comparable. E.G 450 in UK 7 seats standard, X5 extra.
I'm curious how you get this, based on what I researched before purchasing the x5 and GLE were toe to toe on the pricing and it make sense since they are directly competing
Just using the “Build” configurators on the website’s of the 3 manufacturer’s and trying to equip all 3 (4 including Q7) as similarly as possible. I have also visited our local dealership for each brand as well and perused strictly the sticker prices. I can’t image BMW being that much less in South Carolina just because they are made here.
In the UK to fully spec a GLE450 you add 4 packs/options, to fully spec an X5 4.0 you have to add 17 packs/options
I wish it was that easy here in the States! Both MB and BMW are ala carte with many options and configurations possible. Audi is much simpler and is considerably easy to configure.
Hmmm? Interesting. I have been using the respective manufacturer’s online configurators and taking into account as many of the variables as possible. Consistently, the BMW X5 iterations come up 10-15 thousand dollars less than the GLE 450 and 12-16 thousand dollars less than the Q8 versions. It isn’t that big a deal since my interest level in the X5 is pretty low primarily because I don’t care for the styling plus the reviews are not great. Just curious more than anything.
How about posting with build configs for us to compare? Since the drive X5 has the same MSRP as the GLE450 I have a hard time seeing a $10-15K difference when spec'd. Certainly never have at the dealer...
Generally, I think the X5 and GLE start at similar prices in the US and base models or low equipped cars are very comparable, but the higher end options on the GLE such as Air suspension, 3rd row,
adaptive cruise (especially because you need leather and massage seats), heated armrests, multi zone climate, top spec audio, etc. are quite a bit more, and the GLE has some really high end options like the EABC that there isn’t a comparison to with the BMW. So where as a low specked X5 40i and GLE450 might both be 60-65K, a top spec X5 only goes to around 80K, and a similar GLE might be like 85-87, but then you can further equip the GLE to 95-98K (in the USA).
Hmmm? Interesting. I have been using the respective manufacturer’s online configurators and taking into account as many of the variables as possible. Consistently, the BMW X5 iterations come up 10-15 thousand dollars less than the GLE 450 and 12-16 thousand dollars less than the Q8 versions. It isn’t that big a deal since my interest level in the X5 is pretty low primarily because I don’t care for the styling plus the reviews are not great. Just curious more than anything.
$12k - $16k cheaper? I'm not sure how that's even possible, unless you weren't comparing comparable trim models and option choices. Before we settled on my wife's 450, we cross shopped the X5 and when we built the X5 4.0 and the GLE 450 and choose our options....pricing was within $1,000 of each other.
If you were that far apart, you were choosing far more options on the GLE than on the X5.
Here are the numbers I came up with on a BMW X5 40iX, Q8 and GLE 450 comparably equipped like I would want (although in the MB I would add the E-Active suspension). X5 - $79470, Q8 - $90990 and GLE 450 - $88450. Again, equipped as similarly as possible. My higher end numbers previously did include options not even available on an X5.
Here are the numbers I came up with on a BMW X5 40iX, Q8 and GLE 450 comparably equipped like I would want (although in the MB I would add the E-Active suspension). X5 - $79470, Q8 - $90990 and GLE 450 - $88450. Again, equipped as similarly as possible. My higher end numbers previously did include options not even available on an X5.
The EABC is what gives you your biggest price difference on the GLE. If your X5 example has the air suspension, which is available stand alone, in the off-road pack, or if you get the third row seat, you can cut out $6500 from your GLE to have the true “comparably equipped”, and $8200 of the X5 was ok base suspension.
The Q8 meanwhile is more trying to compete with the GLE coupe and X6, almost a little more upmarket. The Q7 comes out a few thousand cheaper for the same spec iirc.
The EABC is what gives you your biggest price difference on the GLE. If your X5 example has the air suspension, which is available stand alone, in the off-road pack, or if you get the third row seat, you can cut out $6500 from your GLE to have the true “comparably equipped”, and $8200 of the X5 was ok base suspension.
The Q8 meanwhile is more trying to compete with the GLE coupe and X6, almost a little more upmarket. The Q7 comes out a few thousand cheaper for the same spec iirc.
Perhaps I wasn’t clear; in my examples all 3 configurations were identically equipped with same types of suspensions, no 3rd row seats, etc., similar sound systems, driver assistance systems, etc.
$12k - $16k cheaper? I'm not sure how that's even possible, unless you weren't comparing comparable trim models and option choices. Before we settled on my wife's 450, we cross shopped the X5 and when we built the X5 4.0 and the GLE 450 and choose our options....pricing was within $1,000 of each other.
If you were that far apart, you were choosing far more options on the GLE than on the X5.
in those circumstances, I had indeed spec’d the GLE with more equipment.
I have been configuring vehicles online to get an idea as costs for comparably GLE 450, X5 and Q8 - Q7 and in every model variant across those lines, BMW comes out a lot less expensive. Any thoughts on why? BMW seems to think their vehicles are comparable in the class but if price is any indication, maybe they are not in the same class as MB and Audi.
Based on my early (1 year ago) investigations I wasn't buying this, so did a brief comparison and put it into this spreadsheet. The Mercedes "build" feature was not working, so used the January DOG pricing. I found the BMW "build " feature did not seem to keep track of my choices and thus the total pricing; could be just my unfamiliarity of how to use it. But this is as apples-to-apples as I could make it:
The BMW pricing does not include Augmented Video, as Mercedes does. M Sport includes a sport steering wheel which Mercedes pricing does not. BMW comes stock with run flats.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Apr 15, 2020 at 07:32 PM.
Based on my early (1 year ago) investigations I wasn't buying this, so did a brief comparison and put it into this spreadsheet. The Mercedes "build" feature was not working, so used the January DOG pricing. I found the BMW "build " feature did not seem to keep track of my choices and thus the total pricing; could be just my unfamiliarity of how to use it. But this is as apples-to-apples as I could make it: what
The BMW pricing does not include massage nor Augmented Video, as Mercedes does. M Sport includes M suspension and a sport steering wheel which Mercedes pricing does not. BMW comes stock with run flats.
This reflects what I have seen during several dealer visits. Thanks
This reflects what I have seen during several dealer visits. Thanks
That is a great comparison.
But my impression is that with BMW, the Executive Package, which contains 16 options is a phenomenal deal. Mercedes does not have a similar package which i why when you go nuts with the configurator you end up being at $5-10k more expensive with the Benz. That said the Average Selling Price is probably the same between the brands.
But my impression is that with BMW, the Executive Package, which contains 16 options is a phenomenal deal. Mercedes does not have a similar package which i why when you go nuts with the configurator you end up being at $5-10k more expensive with the Benz. That said the Average Selling Price is probably the same between the brands.
I think that’s a bog part of what makes it so difficult to configure truly equal comparisons between the brands. Between the various packages and the fact that there are some options on one that just isn’t available on the other (E-Active Suspension for instance), it probably does boil down to the average selling price.
My biggest gripe with the GLE and GLS has been the lack of exclusive nappa Interior options. Lackluster offerings on the MB while BMW has some standout full merino leather packages. At least there are some good options on the MY21 AMG’s and hope that filters down to the whole line-up
My biggest gripe with the GLE and GLS has been the lack of exclusive nappa Interior options. Lackluster offerings on the MB while BMW has some standout full merino leather packages. At least there are some good options on the MY21 AMG’s and hope that filters down to the whole line-up
Agree.
Last edited by stealth.pilot; Apr 16, 2020 at 09:38 AM.
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