Hello! I am looking for some insights for choosing my next MB which I think will be a GLC or GLE… Wanted to have your advice please:
My wife and I own a CDI E350 coupe 2009 AMG. Love it. We have been driving the car for years mainly on motorways in Europe and our visits to weekend countryside. Have driven it on dirt roads as well. Most reliable, handsome, powerful and looks good everywhere..
now we are looking for something more comfortable to get in and out as we get to our late 40s…
GLE is great but it is too big for us as it will be only two of us in the car. GLC is the right size but it is C series and not that good as E series I keep hearing. That’s why we drive E class now, rightly or wrongly biased to E series…. GLE in Europe and UK is a big car in narrow streets and parking lots as one of my friend bought it and his wife hates parking in the mall. On the other hand we love performance in E350 and a strong engine is always great for us especially when we are driving long distances in Europe (we crossed Europe from France to Greece and back to UK and Germany many times. Driving in motorways comfortably and even having a nap to break the journey in the car is what we do.

we are looking for a second hand. I like 2019 onwards GLE dashboards (the new dashboards) but reliability comes first.

any thoughts? Thank you.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum! I have both a GLC and GLE. From what it sounds like, size is important so I would say the GLC is what you should get. They're both nice vehicles but the GLE does up the ante due to being an E class. Suggest you find one of each and see how they ride and go from there.

 

The GLC class is being redesigned, as I recall the new Gen will be available as a 2023 in the US…maybe mid year 2022. If that makes a difference, you might check to see when the European models are available. New Gens run the higher risk of issues but will have some nice updates.
The GLE drives “small” but sits higher so will be more difficult to exit. There are a lot of Senior Citizens driving them so it’s not an age issue but more of what you prefer.

 

Here's some info...

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...ts-165075.html

 

@SethK You have posted 3 or more threads on this site, with the same question.

The 2020 and newer GLE has been problematic and many believe it to be unreliable. I am one of those people. Read the posts and form your own opinion. My comment is: strong avoid, do not buy.

The 2019 and earlier GLE is one of the most reliable M-Bs in the last several years. You stated that reliability comes first, on another of your threads. If you prioritize reliability first, buying a 2020 and newer GLE would be the wrong thing for you to do.

You also mention vehicle size as a potential issue for you and your roads. The GLE is not a small car. The GLC is a smaller car that you likely will not have problems with in car parks or country roads. On long trips, however, the GLC will be less comfortable than the GLE, and the GLE will be more enjoyable.

 

Thank you. Sorry for sending the same question three times. A newbie mistake. Thought it was not published when it was going thru a moderation …

thank you for your answers. Clearly I won’t go for 20+ new GLEs.

the issue with comfort on motorways with GLC and noise as someone mentioned is a slight worry though….

 

Based on your initial post (last sentence), 2019 MY maybe V167 platform in EU. Previous GLE is W166 platform for which last MY in EU might have been 2018.

Actually X253 GLC rides more like a car vs. SUV ride of W166 GLE. Unless you require utility and room, GLC might be a better choice for you.

 

I wouldn’t be any more concerned about a GLE now than any other car. By the time you would get one now they will be almost 3 years in V167 current generation. The Pandemic isn’t over in many countries that supply components. Every brand has had more than usual issues. None of us on this Forum have information on the percentage with issues but the GLE is a high volume vehicle. There are lots of happy owners.

 

@SethK We have both - a 2019 GLC and a 2021 GLE. We came from a 2014 ML (former name of the GLE, on the W166 platform).
The W166 chassis was an awful platform. It wallowed, the body creaked, and it was, basically, unacceptable. We had it because it was a diesel and we wanted the towing capacity for our 6,000 lb. RV. It replaced a 2010 diesel on the W164 chassis, which was also worlds ahead of the successor W166 chassis and suspension (GLE).

In contrast to the W166, the '19 GLC was a refreshing improvement. Even though it's smaller, not by much - the wheelbase of 113.1" approached the W166 114.9" - the chassis / suspension was also worlds ahead.

We have taken long trips in both, and the GLC is very nice. Visibility is good, entry is just fine, back seat space is great for its class, and it's quiet. Handling is quite good. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 3,000 mile trip, IF the cargo space is adequate. It's marginal for us, but only because I must take a bunch of Oxygen equipment on long trips. Even so, we've taken a few 2,000 mile trips with the GLC.

Now enter the V167 chassis, the new GLE. Our 2020 was problematic, and although the quirks were worked out, my Wife didn't trust it so we now have a '21. (I expect that most quirks have been worked out with any used '20 model, either through technical bulletins or over-the-air fixes.)

The 167 chassis is Worlds Ahead of the previous GLE / W166. The body structure is solid, the ride is improved, and most of all, it is a good handling vehicle. Our AMG improves on that handling, but the improvement over the previous iteration is a big step ahead for Mercedes. They have entered the fine, supple handling realm that Euro vehicles are known for, and exited the LuxoBarge path they were following.
Interior space is exemplary, and a trip to the lumber yard isn't out of the question. It's that big. It doesn't turn as tight as the old W166 (the AMG with big brakes adds another 1.5' to the turning circle) so I'd get it with Surround View if I plan on a lot of tight city driving.

My Wife loves her GLC, and is hesitant to take the GLE downtown, but she hasn't had much practice, so that might evolve if she "had to."
Sometimes I'm jealous of the nice compromise that her GLC is - pretty, compact, nice rice and handling, and spacious inside. Comfy seats, too.

On the other hand, I have spent a lot of time in just about every version of the new GLE. 350 4cyl, 450 6cyl, while our '20 was in the shop getting fixed, and now the AMG hotrod. I've driven steel sprung, air, E-ABC, and AMG ARC suspensions, about 4,000 miles total before our AMG. They are all impressive, compared to the competition and especially the W166.
And to note - the 350 and 450 get amazing fuel economy. In fact our best was in the 450! 30mpg + on the highway is the norm.

So, to answer the first question - you aren't sacrificing much with a GLC, and if a big cargo space isn't important, the GLC might be the best for your area. On the other hand.............

 

Traded in a 2018 GLC for a 2021 GLE. The GLC was great and never had a problem. The new GLE rides much bigger , my wife who is on the shorter side finds it a bit uncomfortable getting in, it is noticeably taller and I didn’t purchase the running boards , shame on me. I did not consider the 2021 GLC, it was basically the same as my 2018 and I never buy a new car that looks almost identical to the one that I am trading in. Once inside the new GLE , there is a world of difference between that and the GLC, the interior of the GLE is the nicest part of the vehicle, naturally IMHO.
Sounds like you are not that concerned that the current GLC is going to be given a major redesign, I am concerned about that when considering any new vehicle. In your case the GLC seems to be a better fit , literally, less money and proven reliability. BTW, my GLE has been reliable as well. Whatever you decide hope you and your wife enjoy many happy and carefree miles ahead.

 

I live in UK and moved to GLE from GLC, a bit daunting with the size at first but you soon get used to it. The GLE is a step up from the GLC, I have had my fully loaded GLE450 since June 2019 and have had no issues, it is a great car .

 

GLE step up from GLC…? Can you explain please having driven both? I see the interior is better quality but not that much…. How about noise, composure on the road, agility etc? Well, parking can be an issue at tesco’s but there is more trade offs to go for in a 2016 version of GLE450 or so? Thank you.

 

Just to clarify. This is the (new) V167 GLE board that this conversation is taking place on. The replies above regarding GLE vs. GLC are from people with V167 GLEs, which are a significant step above W166 GLEs in ride (all other staff aside).

As per your post #6 above, you are no longer considering V167 GLE (reasons are irrelevant), but instead older generation (obviously used) W166 GLE (if so your answers are in post #7 above).

 

I was comparing the GLC AMG43 2017 with a 2019 GLE 450, the ONLY thing I liked more in the GLC was the engine noise, yes the GLC is more agile but that is because it is a smaller car, I shop at Tescos and have no issue parking but I am careful where I put the GLE, same as I was in the GLC.

 

Since you' in UK, is your 2019 GLE450 V167 or (older, previous generation) W166? In the US 2019s were still W166s, while V167 did not start until 2020 here. Normally US is one MY behind.

 

The V167 came out in 2019 but was designated model year 2020 in UK, odd but that's how it happened. In the US cars built in 2019 were v167's, makes sense since all GLE'S are built in the US and they got the new model first, not sure if they were designated 2020 model year..

 

^^^Obviously when mentioning a year, one should refer to MY not calendar year. This is what I refer to. In the US GLE450 was a new V167 2020 MY (even though they hit showrooms in 2019 calendar year, just like in UK as you've said). All I'm trying to point to the OP (that is IF the OP still NOT considering V167 GLE, but W166 instead) that all (I think including yourself, please correct me if I'm wrong) above comparing GLC to GLE are referring to V167 GLE while I think OP is trying to compare it to W166 GLE (OP mentioned this in post #6). Maybe OP should continue in W166 board where the same topic was posted. My hunch is, and I know I am repeating myself, that OP is not aware that those posting regarding GLE are referring to the car OP no longer considers.