They couldn’t squeeze me in for an Expel front wrap until Monday so I decided to start the Break-in process. It’s been almost 5 months since I sold my GLE 450 so I’m not 100% that some of my thoughts aren’t shaded a bit by Driving our Audi. I drove in Comfort and didn’t try other modes yet. Also didn’t get very aggressive yet.



The 53 is definitely very Sporty but not harsh on bumps or rough roads. I think it’s at least as good as the 450 in Sport Mode. It seems to retain road feel yet take the edge off of small bumps, potholes, RR track crossing, etc. I took a traffic Berm at about 30 and felt the 53 handled it very well. There was no kick on the other side like the 450 but it wasn’t softened as much as C Mode-450. At this point I don’t have a feel for the DDP scanning the Road. If it does it’s subtle and one might have to drive each version back to back to form an opinion.
From what I could tell the Active Sway Bars seem to work very well keeping the car flat even at slower speeds. I took some sharp turns on city corners and felt no dip or sway.
Distronic works very well and seems a little more refined in traffic where your speed is reduced 15mph below the set speed. My 450 was more aggressive getting back to speed. I’ll know for certain in a week when I take a road trip. Using the turn signal to change lanes it pauses but makes the lane change faster than my 450.
Love the Sport exhaust in Comfort, didn’t try the sequence to open it up more. My wife liked the quiet 450 better..she had the nerve to say that the rumble sounded like I had a hole in the muffler.
If I didn’t know better I’d swear that the 53 was a V8. The feeling of big Torque may be deceptive but it has that feel and instant power. It pulls hard and the integration of the EQ Boost, electric Turbo and Gas Turbo are seamless.
The 8 speed is definitely tuned different than the 450 with crisper shifts but not harsh. On one acceleration short burst from a light it held low gear when I let off the throttle approaching the vehicle ahead...the 450 would have shifted up a gear. On other occasions it shifted up when driving less aggressively.
Almost immediately on the first drive I got a low pressure tire warning. It appeared in the center screen and showed all 4 tires plus the temps. My winter tires were a little low at 32 but the 21’s carry more pressure. After setting the pressure back to 36, I reset the normal pressure and the warning went away. I did not need to do anything to reset the different TPMS sensors in the winter tires. Mercedes read the new sensors but it took longer than normal maybe about 5-6 minutes.
There are a lot more switches and menu selections that will take some time to figure out. Some I’ll never use. Reading manuals isn’t my strong suit so this might take some time.
I loved my 450 but the 53 is a much better car for me. So far I have no buyers remorse for not getting a V8 in a 580 or 63S.

 

You go guy!!

 

Sounds fun! Glad you are enjoying it. Now go join the AMG private lounge. Sometimes they run special track days for newbies. I got one when I first joined and you get to use their cars. If we ever get back to normal.

 

I spent more time driving over everything from potholes, RR crossings, a concrete freeway and a series of 8 “traffic calming burms” at various speeds. (Some Highway Dept genius decided to slow down the high school kids with this stupid idea.) I can confirm that the GLE 53 with the AMG Active Ride Control works as advertised to provide an improved ride. Since I haven’t driven a 53 without it I’m basing my conclusion on comments that the 53 has a harsher ride than the 450. A couple of our Canadian members have commented about the ride. In C mode the 53 is as good or better than my 450 was in S mode. For me C mode in the 450 was uncontrolled and “boaty” with the rear bottoming out on a big hit like a traffic burm.
We have a stretch of Interstate built with Concrete and longitudinal lines with a 1/2 mile stretch that creates Tramlining to various degrees depending on the vehicle. My 450 with the same tires had just a slight reaction on this stretch vs the 53 had none. A friends Nissan Murano on this same area gets pretty erratic swerving back and forth.
I drove over the traffic burms at speeds of 20-35. The suspension softened the hit and there was very little kickback on the other side.
On other bumps there is no sharp jolt like you get with shock based suspensions but more subdued similar to my GLE 450 with Air. Some may not like the firmer steering but there shouldn’t be many complaints about the ride of the GLE 53

 

great updates. thanks

 

Thanks for your continuing impressions.
I have driven a plain Jane 53, my former E-ABC 450 and several 450s. I wouldn't say the base 53 was harsh - but it was "less soft." I think the 53 was more controlled and less tippy than any of the 450/350/580 non E-ABC suspensions. For me and my wife, the more controlled 53 (less Chris Craft) was an improvement over the other 450 choices. Even the E-ABC was tipsy, even though it handled oncoming humps and dips much better than other offerings.

It sounds like my expectations for a better ride AND improved handling with the ARC-equipped suspension will bve met.

Now, it's just a matter of whether the multi-contour seats will work as well as well as the 450 seats.

 

Congrats Ron, the engine setup in the 53-series cars is a gem. The way the electric supercharger and mild-hybrid system are paired to the I6 give it a fantastic, almost NA-like feeling in how smooth it is and its pull to redline, and stop start is so seamless compared to my prior cars that I don't need to turn it off. Its honestly been a very enjoyable engine and has some very interesting technology behind it.

Enjoy the new ride! BTW the trans is a 9-speed, not 8.

 

Is there are a Road Scan or not with the AMG Dynamic Plus Pkg?
I’m beginning to think that the vehicle does scan for bumps. Another possibility is it might have something mechanical that releases tension on the sway bar very quickly. I had a Denali truck with GM Magnaride Shocks that had a lever attached to the axle and softened damping on a hard hit.
Recently I noticed that going slow over bumps results in a much softer feel than at speed. This is somewhat normal but more pronounced than with my 450. Also I noticed that on a very small percentage of bumps/potholes the ride is a little harsher. The last few days it’s been wet or raining so the camera might be partially obstructed at times. Or it could be the shape of the bump. The suspension excels at comfort on smaller less severe events and still takes the edge off of more severe ones...normally. I’m still very happy with the ride. It corners like a dream so far. Road conditions aren’t conducive to aggressive driving this week since there is snow where our curvy roads are located.

 

I just completed a 650 mile drive today. Android Auto is back integrated with MBUX better than ever. In July of 2019 my GLE450 touchpad quit working with AA leaving the touchscreen as the only option. Now the touchpad works and also AA is integrated with MBUX in HUD and other buttons. There is now a return to AA selection in the upper left of the center screen and hitting the map button returned me to AA -in my 450 it switched me back to the native Mercedes map. I assume that Car Play is similar. No full screen and no wireless but I did get several Waze type notifications of speed traps and a disabled car.
The car drives like a dream at any speed, even with my 20” winter wheels and taller sidewalls. The seats were comfortable even after 8+ hours. It pulls hard at any speed an seems to get decent economy. The V8 with more torque will tow better but as is, it cruises up steeper slopes in 9th gear with ease. Because of winter road conditions I took the Freeway this trip I so didn’t get into any curves.

An old Gremlin did show up again using Distronic. My Camera and radar were out of Sync on my 450, fixed with a software upgrade. Now my GLE Camera can’t seem to read lines or road signs very well resulting in similar symptoms of erratic results. Most 80 mph signs were read as 60 vs an occasional misread on my 450; Even though I turned traffic sign assist off the car often reacted to a 60 mph read with braking and on a few curves brakes also mistaking a concrete barrier for danger? The camera didn’t read lane markers very well even when they were totally visible. These symptoms seem to be more camera related like it has a dirty lens or maybe it’s just defective. For the cost Distronic is not all that useful to me but maybe it will continue to improve.

 

80 mph! I never knew it fluctuated that much between states.
https://thenewswheel.com/what-are-th...in-each-state/

 

That’s way out of date. Utah & Idaho have had 80mph limits for 3 or 4 years. At 85 there will be a “rabbit” to follow at 90+ if you are inclined to take a chance. I had numerous cars pass me today while I was at 85mph.

 

And my family and I have only been considering Florida to move too recently.

 

I have not seen anything published by MB or others that AMG Active Ride Control has road scanning. Check your manual to be sure. Do you have the stereo cameras?

 

If you have information about AMG ARC determines how to engage its Active Sway bars, we'd love to see it.
There has been much discussion and several posts from Daimler sites about road scanning. Unfortunately no direct reference to the -167 AMG version.
Thanks.

 

Will do. I did read, "The AMG control can adapt the driving status up to 1000 times per second." But, it doesn't say what sensors are used.

This appears to be similar to the manufacturer of the system: https://www.environmentalengineering...-control-1378/





The S65 Coupe is listed as having road scanning with its AMG Active Ride Control, but the system really sounds more like Active Body Control. MB's naming conventions for their technology can be confusing. https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaS...l?oid=30455458

 

You guys probably already saw/know this but in case not I'll share Active Sway Bars Explained - How Active Anti-Roll Bars Work (roadandtrack.com)
They briefly reference the MB 48 volt system but the description is for an Audi.
For cornering it uses steering wheel position as the 'sensor' along with speed. For bumps it may be fast enough to respond as the bump occurs knowing that steering wheel position is 'neutral', but road scanning with cameras would be a significant improvement.. I realize this doesn't answer the original question whether cameras are used or not - but given MB's other descriptions of road scanning and owners perceptions of the reaction time and comfort it's likely.

 

Thanks, Greg - that article was one I had referred to on another thread but couldn't find again.
Yes, M-B naming is confusing, with so many re-cycled names for similar-functioned things, which can be entirely different.

I agree, since it mentions "tilt," it makes me think more of E-ABC. But since it's on an S63 AMG, it might be describing the GLE53's ARC.

 

Curious, are there any packages that you have to add on the 450 that come standard with that 53? (Other than the AMG styling package of course)

 

Airmatic (AMG Ride Control), 20" AMG wheels, AMG steering wheel & pedals, Premium package (Burmester, parking assist), heated front seats, passenger seat memory...

 

Just a quick update. I recently removed my winter tires-20” Michelin PA 5 SUV and installed the factory 21” Conti Cross Contact AS tires back. I had only driven the car back from the dealer with the 21’s so this is the first time I’ve really had them out for a drive. With the 20’s the ride is much much better. At first I thought it was the 1/2” less sidewall on the 21’s but now I’m fairly sure it’s the stiffer tire going from speed rating H to V. Sharp bumps that were muted by the suspension are now a harsh jolt. I actually ran higher air pressure in my 20’s and raising or lowering air pressure makes a little difference in the 21’s but it’s very little. The V rated tire reminds me of run flats in some ways.

There is definitely an improvement between the two tires in road manners. If one was running on a race track the stiffer tire would be the way to go. Some might be the wider rear tires but the car is rock solid on sharp curves at speed.
An H rated tire will replace my V’s when I decide to change tires.

My 450 beat EPA estimates easily but the 53 might be a little lower. Some might be my enjoying the sporty feel and more aggressive driving.

 

Wait, the PA5 (same tire I have) is V-rated as well. What pressure you running the Contis at?

 

I’m away from home so can’t check my M’s but the specs show all M PA 5’s at V so I must have that wrong. They do list two different tires at our 275/50R20 size with identical specs but different part numbers. I wonder why?

The fuel filler tag calls for 38F/33R for the lowest tire pressure setting for 3 passengers. Mine came with the shipping pressures all around of 45 psi. At that pressure the ride was extremely harsh. I started at 38 psi and then dropped the pressure to 35 in front and again to 32 with only a slight change in feel. It’s the front tires with the sharp jolt, the rear is less noticeable. My car hadn’t been washed until yesterday (since I changed tires a week ago) coinciding with a lot of bad weather. That might affect the functioning of the camera and my active sway bars but that doesn’t seem likely. My wife rarely notices anything automotive but she has noticed the difference in the ride.

The ride with my winter 20’s was a perfect balance of sporty handling and decent balance of handling sharper bumps. Now the ride seems harsher than my last truck. Is it just me or do others with a GLE 53 feel the ride is a little too unforgiving?

 

When you purposely change the tire change the tire pressure, do you need to re-calibrate anything in the car's systems or does the car automatically adjust?

 

Both are Mercedes spec and have same load & speed rating, but one is $111.00 more expensive. I'm not positive, but pretty sure the more expensive one has the Michelin Acoustic Technology feature: https://www.michelinman.com/acoustic-technology.html. I have emailed them the question.

It looks like you have those pressures reversed? It is counterintuitive that the front would be higher when loaded and unlike other GLE models (see my fuel filler sticker below). I run 32F/33R normally, raising the rear when more loaded.

 

It will be unfortunate if you are forced to go that route.