I have a 2014 ML350 that I am very happy with. I have 106k miles and it has been maintained by my local MB dealer. Although I had some minor issues, I am thrilled by the vehicle and I am considering trading in my ML and getting a 2021 GLE. One of my concerns is if the 350 has enough power for my needs and what kind of issues might present themselves with the 450 such as the Battery failing and not being covered by warrantee or some other problem with the 48volt system. I do a lot of long distance highway driving, usually loaded up and towing is limited to helping my brother with his boat or utility trailer should it be necessary. I haven't tried driving either one yet but will in the next few weeks. Also, I prefer to order one with the things I want and was wondering how long it takes for delivery. Any information or suggestions on either choice would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps it might be better if I just kept my ML350 since I am very happy with it and just replace my wife's E350.

 

Both models are great but the 450 is the way to go, IMO. Lots of people with the 350 love them too. The 450 will work better for towing and the EQ Boost makes it more refined. Fuel economy isn’t much different unless you drive aggressively. The 48 volt battery life is an unknown at this point. You could hedge against long term reliability with an extended warranty.
Time from order to delivery is any ones guess right now. My guess would be 4 months unless you can get a Dealer car already in process that can be modified to meet your needs. The Dealer can give you an estimate but some are optimistic while others the opposite. It’s always a good idea to ask if they have an allocation available and if they have orders ahead of you without allocation-because that factor could add more time.

 

FWIW, I ordered the 350 because after driving one, the power is adequate for me. Ordered in June from a vehicle dealer already had in allocation. Initial production date was end of August and now pushed to end of Sept. The 2021 GLE's are starting to flow so hopefully there won't be any parts shortages that slow down delivery.

 

This coved is really messing things up. I would have liked to pick one up before the winter when I head south but after talking with the dealer, even if I ordered it now December would be the best estimate at this time. Since the dealer options the ones they get with most of what I want (except black headliner) I think if I do decide to pull the trigger I may have to get one from their inventory. If not, I may just wait another 6 months and use my ML for the winter months

 

There are two camps on this. I agree with Ron.s on the 450. The powertrain with the 48V six is so smooth and responsive. The 4-cylinder, while it has enough power in most conditions, seems a little crude for the price.

 

If you're worried the 350 isn't enough probably good idea to go 450

 

I’ve had my 4-banger since April and have enjoyed every minute with it. Here on the East Coast, it is by far the most popular configuration. I really wanted a 450 but there just weren’t any to be found with the options I wanted. They were with over or under optioned which is the way MB rolls unless you custom order. I finally caved and had 450 envy for a short time until I took my first road trip. I don’t tow so I can’t comment on power in that instance but the 350 is definitely adequate for everyday driving. It does sound a little rough at first but it really settles down once at highway speed.

 

To put things in perspective, at 250 HP, the turbo 4 has the power of a 1990s V-8. It is mated to a 9-speed automatic, so acceleration is good. The 450 is more refined and has another 100 HP, but it is more expensive. If you have an unlimited budget, get the 450. If you don’t and need to hit a price point, you can get more options for the same price on the 350. You need to drive both and decide if the higher refinement is worth less options...assuming you have a target price point.

 

It’s interesting to me that with all this back and forth about engine options including AMG, a high-volume dealer I recently spoke to said that about 80% of their sales volume is in 350s. Not because that’s all they can get but because that’s what people want to buy.

 

Probably due to the base price difference.

 

For sure, but mostly because the niceties of engine selection are lost on many people, like me. The four-banger coupled with the 9-speed are a very satisfying mix. The people who post on forums or write reviews for car magazines don’t represent the market the car manufacturers are trying to reach.

 

Go with the six, four banger for a 4600 pound vehicle is underwhelming.

 

Advice from people who own one is useful but of course a little skewed toward the model they own. Advice from people who don't own one is worthless. Test drive it and decide for yourself.

 

I have driven my 350 4 matic since May. Have about 5,000 miles on it, 2400 of those miles back and forth from NJ to Florida. Flawless performance. Excellent MPG.

This may sound like a commercial but I like the 4 banger so much that I ordered another one for Florida. If the dealer is correct about timing, it will be between 3-4 months for delivery.

 

As I stated previously, I only wanted the 450 but there just weren't any available with the options I was looking for. Being that the 350 is most common, I also figured it would be best for resale value on the other end with tried and true technology. As far as power, you have decide on your own by test driving; mpg is pretty much the same for the 350 & 450. I feel your pain but I also wouldn't hesitate to purchase another 350 as stated by the previous post.

 

Priceless.

 

As a mechanical engineer, I will tell you that 6 cylinder engines are perfectly balanced and inherently refined. No question about that.
But as a GLE350 owner who went to the dealership to buy GLE450, I will tell you that GLE has such a well insulated cabin and the 4 banger in 350 is very smooth. so much so that I thought it was 6 cylinder during test drive.
I "know" there is a difference, but as a customer I could not feel it. Others might.

Case for 450 is if you can tell the difference, willing to pay for it and most importantly, if you need the extra power, which seems likely if you are going to tow.
Another thing to consider - My GLE350 was $64k. (20" wheels, running board, topstitch, 3rd row etc. ) A nicely optioned 450 would be ~70k. Another 10k and you could get a GLS.

 

Both vehicles with the same equipment, the 6 cyl is 6K more. Unless you really need the power, the 350 is the better deal. It wasn’t that long ago that MB V8 was 300 hp. This four cyl has 255hp with more torque and a better transmission to get power to the wheels. My daughter is looking at the GLE and she has a budget and also needs the size. She is trading in a Acura MDX gas guzzler. I told her this Is the perfect family car and she won’t notice a power difference because this car is lighter and HP per pound will be the same. She saves on the purchase price and on the fuel consumption. This a no brainer win, win. That’s why it’s the most popular GLE. A lot of people will put the difference in luxury options that will do more for them than unnecessary power.

 

It pains me to say this, but places is correct this time, at least based on my preferences, test drives, and owning the 450.
I test drove the 350 and 450 quite a few times, on the highway etc and I felt the 4-banger is not strong enough.
My 2 cents

 

Agree with you, however the best advice to the OP was given in post #13 above.

 

Perfect. Hard to legislate opinion; this can be argued forever. Best thing to do is formulate your own opinion by test driving the 350/450 back to back & come to your own conclusion. Alternatively, test the 350 and if it seems acceptable and you like it, don't go any further unless you have doubts. And never look back ...

 

Agreed. Buy what feels right. Or, these days, buy whatever you can get.

 

I just traded a '14 ML350 BlueTec, with 102,000 mi, for a CPO GLE450 with <1,000 miles. It has had a problem with the TV cameras (service bulletin) and I wanted some other work done, so we have a GLE350 a a service loaner for a week.
In both cases, the new GLE chassis is worlds ahead of the '14 ML. Stiffness, suspension, quiet, handling, braking - you know, all the stuff that really matters for a chassis. 20" tires on both BTW, but e-ABC on the 450 vs steel springs on the 350. The steel springs were surprisingly nice. Also the Aero is much better on the V167 vs the W166 - quiet, and wind resistance >90mph is noticeable. (Truth be known, I actually liked our 2010 ML350 BlueTec W164 better than our '14.)

We put about 500 miles on the 450, including @ 300 miles on two lane mountain roads with plenty of curves and slow traffic to pass. Over two big Colorado passes.
Yesterday we went Aspen viewing in the 350, over Cottonwood pass at 12,000', and back along two-lane twisties and another Pass, with some traffic and passing duties/opportunities.

The 450 is smoother, quieter, and is a comparative rocket ship. There is plenty on tap for passing, and the immediate throttle response with the electric boost is noticeable and confidence-inspiring.
The 350 isn't noisy or harsh - it just isn't as refined as the 450. (Or as refined as the almost-same 2.0 Four in an E-Class.) And it did very nicely at those high elevations, with some reserve power. Around town, or simple single-file driving along everyday roads - the 350 is fine.
But when you want to have a little fun, or if you get in a bind and need an extra 100 hp, the three liter straight six is worth the premium. Or when you want to do some long cross-coutry driving - the added smoothness of the six is hard to beat. Or just city driving, with the elimination of turbo lag.
So I'd say if you just want a Utility Vehicle, get the 350. If you want to have a bit of fun, or want to put some serious cross country miles behind you, get the 450.

We used our '14 Bluetec for towing, so the choice was clear when we went to replace the '14 ML. I don't regret the $$$ paid for the 450 at all, towing or not. I can't report on gas mileage comparisons, since I haven't filled the tank on either.

 

Thanks for the information. I am hopefully going to get a chance of driving a 350 in a week or two but the dealer doesn't have any 450's for me to try out. I do a lot of highway driving so that makes the decision harder. The incremental cost between the two is not an issue I was more concerned about all the electronics with the 48 volt system since my experience with problems mostly involved electronic components/sensors

 

I hear you about the electronics. I am cautious, too, and I violated my "Never buy the first year" mantra. I was going out of warranty, needed tires and windshield, had 102k miles, and this CPO 450 showed up with unusual options, like High End Burmester, so we bought it instead of facing the uncertainty of ordering.
I have good faith in our Dealer's service, which removed some of the trepidation.