Hi all,

I am a 1st time MB buyer, have been driving BMWs sedans in the past. My current drive is 335i.
I am considering buying new GLE350 or GLE450
I am in the bay area and have many dealerships in the area (closest MB stevens creek).

My plan is
1) This weekend , test drive GLE 350 and GLE 450 at closest dealer (MB Stevens Creek)
2) Based on test drive, decide which one (350 or 450) to go for and which color I like in-person
3) Send emails to dealers within 100 mile radius and hence deal thru internet sales mgrs.
4) If possible, Prefer car on the lot or close to production else place order

Few ques
a) Does the above plan look good, thoughts/suggestions?
b) Test Drive :

• if i approach a nearby dealer, will I be locking myself to a sales rep on the floor?
• What to focus on GLE test drive apart from pickup, road noise, handling?

c) which dealers in the bay area offer detailed test drives (> 30 mins)?

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
rawnak

 

Your plan above looks good, but first I would go on MBUSA.com and check out the options and features and build it online so you can have an idea of what you may want. Then go on auto trader and check to see who has inventory with what you want. That way you can go test drive each model that will be exactly what you want or it will be the closest possible (this may force you to do numerous test drives at various dealerships). Be sure to drive both and try to not let the salesman talk much so you can focus on the car. If you are close with a salesman/dealership, see if they can let you do a test-drive by yourself. Finding one on the lot right now will probably be very hard so you may have to order one.

When you do the test drive, do not discuss pricing. Once you decide on the model and the options, then reach out to the salesman and see what they can do. Since you will most likely have to order one it is best to figure out what exactly you want so you can tell the sales man. Since they will get your info when you go and test drive the GLEs, they will put you into their system so you will likely be dealing with that salesman. I am not sure if Mercedes has internet managers. They may require a deposit from you to order the car. As far as discounts and incentives, I cannot say because people are paying MSRP and above MSRP for the GLE even though I personally would not pay that for a mass produced car, I digress, whatever discounts and incentives and rebates are available will vary by your location. Also if you have a lot of dealerships in your area and immediately surrounding you (like maybe 2-3 hours away) then contact them all and have them compete.

For things to focus on, make sure if you see a feature online and you plan on buying or ordering a GLE, make sure it has that option. I made this mistake when I ordered my GLE. The GLEs I test drove all had the augmented reality option, which lets you have a full screen map in the instrument cluster/dash. At the time I ordered mine, I assumed that ALL GLEs were able to have the full screen navi map in the instrument cluster/dash, and when I got my GLE, I found out that since I did not have that option, the navi screen in the instrument cluster/dash is a small square and won't go full screen.

 

Read about the 48V system on this site. If you plan to own beyond the warranty period, consider avoiding the 48V system. Even if you lease/own the vehicle only during the warranty period, the 48V system may cause you inconvenience because of things which owners on this site have experienced.

Caveat emptor.

 

First, make sure the dealer actually has something for you to test drive. A lot of stores don't have any 450's and quite a few don't have any 350's.
Mercedes doesn't really do internet managers, a salesperson is just as good.
Right now good luck getting a discount. Even in CA.

 

Huuuummmmm. I’d wait.

 

If you want a car right now, be prepared to pay and be prepared to accept what is available. Or order with uncertain delivery times or even if you can get the equipment you want.

 

Your plan looks good but from what I've been reading, it'll be difficult to find what you want and get a good discount on it.

I also recommend going to MB site to build one and become familiar with all the options available. There are tons of options so it's good to know in advance what you want.

Good luck!

 

If you can wait a year you'll get a better deal and a better car. MB is still working through the bugs on this model. Newly delivered 450's are breaking down, although the 350's seem to be getting better lately.

 

What seems to be the issue with 450’s breaking down? The only diff between the 350 and 450 is engine and 48v battery?

 

Thanks for detailed guidance.

--rawnak

 

48V battery seems to be the main complaint. Other posters have reported a litany of complaints. Read through the posts in this section of the site.

 

Yes there are many complaints but most (not all) are for issues with MY 20 builds. I had a glitchy sensor in my ‘21 (May ‘21 build) 350 4matic but otherwise it has been a very solid car. I don’t have the 48V battery and just standard steel suspension so there’s less to go wrong. The ride and transmission are very smooth and Mbux is great.

I do wish I had more hp but the 4 cylinder is really impressive and honestly more than adequate for my driving needs.

I feel bad for those who’ve had a multitude of problems but that has not been my experience so far. Good luck with your search!

 

One of the other differences is the AWD system, the 450 has a better one. The details are on the MBUSA website.

 

The 48v batteries are still failing on newly delivered models. This leaves the car unable to start.

 

Your plan sounds good in a buyers market. Try using Truecar but it is a seller's market and huge markup's from the list price are the norm. Don't shy away from the 450 if you like it. There are thousands of customers that have never had any problems.

Worried about breaking down buy a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. I owned Nissan Muranos for 13 years and never had an issue. Overall highway comfort is a different story that is why we bought the 450. You can't kill our Toyota Avalon Hybrid and on a bad day, it gets 39 MPG.

 

I didn’t add the 4matic as a difference to the 350 as I have never once read or heard anyone complain about that feature. Outside of a bad batch of batteries, I don’t see much of an issue with the 450. Hope that’s correct. I have 22 on order and hoping they will “undelete” the AR by the time they begin mine in late Sept. I heard from a good non-auto source supply chain manager for a very large international company that chip makers are prioritizing automakers for late summer deliveries. He is confident that the chip issue for autos will ease significantly within two months. Hoping that has a positive impact on my order.

 

I was unable to read anywhere why AWD was any different in the 450 vs the 350. Can you point me in the right direction? I assumed they would be identical for both models.

 

4MATIC all-wheel drive GLE 350

1. In any season, on any road, 4MATIC® all-wheel drive adds to your confidence and control. Always engaged and optimizing torque to every wheel, 4MATIC integrates with ESP®, our standard Electronic Stability Program, for maximum effectiveness in corners and slippery conditions. It also incorporates our 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS®), which monitors for the first sign of wheel slip and responds to ensure torque is sent to the wheels with the best grip, even if that's only one wheel.

4MATIC® fully variable all-wheel drive GLE 450 https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/mo...specifications

A newly engineered version of 4MATIC® can automatically send from zero to 100% of the engine's torque to either axle, front or rear. A transfer case with a multi-disc clutch can vary the torque distribution based on the driving conditions in the moment. While this allows for precise response to varying surfaces and individual-wheel traction off-road and in inclement weather, it can also enhance handling in any season by favorably influencing the vehicle's rotation.

 

Doesn't it seem that the 350 has so many downgrades (relative to 450 and up) that it's really a budget-minded vehicle? I mean, it has the undersized 19" tires, no 48V mild-hybrid system, the old version of 4MATIC, etc. I'm sure there are others. Now I know there are folks on the forum happy with their 350, and you can option up the 350 like any other model, but for me it just seems like it's not the full GLE experience.

 

I was wondering when the facelift model will be available.
Maybe it shall be more solid. I think...

 

I have been trying to verify if there is a difference in the 4Matic between the GLE350 and the GLE450. The description you quoted sounds like the description of 4Matic+, which is the version on the AMG vehicles.

A couple years ago during intro, it seemed like the V167 boasted the "new" 4Matic as differentiated from the previous 40/60 version in the W166, and was the same in both 350 and 450.
Can you clarify that it's not the AMG 4Matic+ that's different?

 

They describe specs different for the transfer case-

350-4MATIC® permanent all-wheel drive
450-4MATIC® fully variable all-wheel drive
53-AMG Performance 4MATIC+® all-wheel drive

 

Perhaps but you could say that about most
entry level models relative to their upgraded versions. I would love an extra hundred HP in my 350 4 matic (21” tires) but honestly don’t know I would’ve splurged for the “full GLE experience” as you’ve outlined.

 

At the expense of exposing my stupidity, can you put this explanation into real world explanation, or… In other words, 350/440 4Matic For Dummies?

 

I can help a little. Think of it as similar to traction control (limited slip) rear differential. If one rear tire slips power is transferred to the other rear wheel. Now apply that concept from power delivery to both the front or rear. The 350 has a fixed power delivery split of 40/60 (I think) whereas the 450 can vary the amount of power front to back as conditions warrant. This can improve handling on slick roads but also dry. Think of the different feel of accelerating and turning with a front wheel drive car vs a rear wheel drive.
That’s the way I understand it…just an improved version of 4 wheel drive.