Have put a whole 350 miles on the GLE350 in 3 weeks, 2 days. As wife and I put it, "Banking miles for when we can get on the road and go somewhere distant."

The good, the bad, the ugly.

It definitely lacks zip. Despite the warnings for break in period, I do throw it into S mode when entering these short NY/NJ highway ramps.
Do I mind it? Not really. Did I want to spring for the 450? Yes. Did wife want to spring for the 450? No. Do I wish I had sprung for a GLE53? You bet. Would I prefer a GLE53 or the month I'll be spending in Africa next summer, pandemic willing? So a little self-restraint in order.

19" tires. Looks silly with such a large wheel opening, obviously designed for larger tires. Do I wish I ordered 20"? Yes. Will I spend the money to replace wheels and tires? No.

Fit and Finish. Perfect. Hats off to the Vance team.

MBTex - After only having leather seating in vehicles for years, don't mind the MB Tex at all. In fact, the leather in the 2018 GLC300 puckered.

MBUX - Wife is totally befuddled by it. But she's an accountant and I am a tech professional. Software bug in radio which does not tune to the last station. Defaults in my case to TuneIn Radio. Burmester sounds better than in the GLC but I suspect that is just due to vehicle acoustics. I love the ability to custom configure displays and the voice command is accurate. Didn't get the interior assistant since wife talks with her hands. God knows what that might make the car do.

Drive - Wife and I agree that it handles nicely and rides comfortably. Yes. Airmatic in a 450 would have been better.

Forgot to order the rear chrome protective sill. Dealer told me it was only a $100 or so part plus an hour labor. Well, the part was over $200 and they had to take the bumper off the car to install it. So, $500 for a $150 item if ordered with vehicle. My bad and I deserve it. But I was forgiven by the CFO.

No other options that I regret not ordering.

Dealing with MBFS for lease end and inception of new lease-- smooth, courteous and even so helpful that when it was dubious whether new car would arrive before termination of lease, they noted the PO of the new car just to make certain I would not be charged the return fee. And the inspection process was very lenient. GLE arrived day before GLC lease maturity and took delivery day of maturity.

Speed aware distronic-- On I-80 west at Patterson NJ exit, there is a 35mph construction sign at an exit. Car sees it and when crusing at posted speed or a bit above (I tend to set 68 in a 65 zone), it abruptly slows car to 35. And I tested it in the right lane with no traffic on a Sun AM. It holds that for several miles until the next exit and 65mph speed limit sign. So I know when driving there immediately to override. I should turn it off but wife actually thinks the feature is cool.

Comfort-- both of us are on the slim side and the GLC seats hurt respective tushies. GLE seats feel more comfortable.

Head Up Display-- Glad I got it.She was skeptical but now loves it.

Dealer - first time I've ever bought two cars in a row from not only the same dealer but the same sales rep. Second time, didn't even check another dealer. I knew price would be right and service highly personalized. There is something about dealing with a sole proprietorship instead of the AutoNations of this world to forge relationship with rep, sales mgr, finance mgr (whom I already knew) and owner. Even if the price were not the best, relationships have value.

Color - Designo Cardinal Red Metallic. When I went to pick it up, several other sales reps were admiring. We totally love the color.

Summary-- only minor regrets. Hope the vehicle is trouble-free (car before last I knew every ceiling tile in the BMW service waiting area). It was worth all of the angst of trying to order a car amid COVID shutdowns and shortages.

 

Nice report. Don't feel too bad about the 19" tires - whether they are 19 or 22, all of them are the same overall diameter, and fill up the wheel well the same. (viewed from the side)

 

For a tech professional, you write a great report. 👍

glad you’re enjoying the car.

 

Yes. Just enjoy. 450 envy will dissipate with time when you’re in Africa.

 

Thanks... technology journalist in TV and motion picture techie stuff. Anything from the lens back.

 

Thanks...very nice & detailed report! I agree with your opinion that the 20-inch or larger tires look better. I went with 21-inch.
As for the chrome sill guard, I think your dealer overcharged for labor. I too bought my sill guard for just over $200 from my dealer BUT it did not require bumper removal for me to DIY install on my GLE350 4Matic.

Just clean & prep surface then peel off liner on adhesive tape.

 

I find it offensive that a dealer would tell you that the bumper cover had to be removed for the sill to be installed and charge you $300. It literally takes less than 5 minutes and does not require any bumper removal. I would be back to the dealer for a refund.

 

Not really - 19s are undersized in comparison.

• 255/50-19 - 29.1"
• 275/50-20 - 30.8-31.1"
• 275/45-21 - 30.7"
• 285/45-22 - 32.1"

The difference is very noticeable to me. You could easily go up an aspect ratio or two (255/60-19 = 31.1"), which is what I'd do when replacing.

 

If the dealer told you they had to take the bumper off, you got hosed. It installs with pre-applied adhesive tape. I installed mine in a few minutes after delivery an it's been secure for over 1 1/2 years.

 

My SA told me that it was merely attached with adhesive. He as well was surprised when service dept told him they had to remove the bumper.

 

The previous X/W166 protective chrome strip is held in place by integrally molded clips, and the bumper cover needs to be removed to install/remove the chrome strip. Maybe the service advisor was uninformed, not surprising. My service manager doesn't know that the torque converter needs to be drained on the 7G-Tronic when doing a WIS-specified fluid replacement.

Adhesive tape is the same method used by the VW Tiguan. My son's Tiguan didn't come with the strip, so I bought it and installed it. Not difficult, but measure three times and be careful when peeling the release film, because you really only get one chance at a clean installation.

 

If you paid for bumper removal (sounds like you did), I would ask for a refund for the excess labor. Should only be 1/4 hour.

 

Wife says leave it alone. Bigger fish to fry. I am personally more than a little disappointed with the service dept which, up to this point, has been flawless.

 

Even if it only takes 0.25 hours to do the install, flat rate charges include fetching the car, waiting at the parts counter, logging your procedure into the system, and returning the car back to the lot. Probably 0.5+ hrs for the associated activities. Mechanics DO get paid for the entire procedure, no matter where you go.

 

Great review, i have found 3 things that could be better in he car..
1. The reverse camera stay on way too long.. it should go off as soon as the car goes into drive.
2. when using the indicator stalk, i tend too activate the windshield wipers
3. hey Mercedes is useless most of the time...next time ill just go without the navigation and use google....

 

Agree on reverse camera. I haven't as of yet activated wipers with the indicator stalk. I only use Mercedes Me for fun and to entertain passengers in our "bubble." My main critique now is the rear corss traffic warning. Totally inadequate