Considering a GLE
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2020 GLE 350
Thank you for all the replies. I guess I should have given a little background. Not as much with technical depths but I have been a car guy for a few decades. We have owned cars from Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, and BMW. We change cars more often than the average. This is for the wife replacing her RX. We thought the new RX would be due this year but it seems like it will be another year or two. Plus she wants to try something new. We almost signed the paper for a GLE350 then I decided to do some more reading and ended up in here. 
So we backed out. The interesting part was when asked why, I gave my honest answer and the salesman didn't bother to defend it. Since that day, like some of you, we keep seeing new GLE everyday and wonder why people buy them. I understand all cars have issues, some more some less and online posters tend to post issues. I've been on other forums as well. But here I've seen new owners with cars towed away. That's what bugs me. In the end, it's my decision. It's not the main family car so it's not a big deal if it breaks. It's the hassle to deal with esps during this pandemic that we're concerned.
So we backed out. The interesting part was when asked why, I gave my honest answer and the salesman didn't bother to defend it. Since that day, like some of you, we keep seeing new GLE everyday and wonder why people buy them. I understand all cars have issues, some more some less and online posters tend to post issues. I've been on other forums as well. But here I've seen new owners with cars towed away. That's what bugs me. In the end, it's my decision. It's not the main family car so it's not a big deal if it breaks. It's the hassle to deal with esps during this pandemic that we're concerned.
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We much preferred the GLE's styling inside and out. While the X5's interior is generally nice (other than the abhorrent gauge cluster) the exterior is not as gracefully styled as its three prior generations, the new kidneys just look too cartoonish and too many jagged lines all over the place. We've had 25+ years of BMW's in the family and find this era of design to be worse than the mid 2000's Bangle era. The other large downside was the back seat space, which was as big as the wife's prior GLC, the GLE's backseat is much larger while still retaining competitive cargo space. Last was the color, my wife saw the Emerald Green Metallic and couldn't say no, BMW's color pallet is very bland in comparison.
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I don't rely on forums for reliability info for obvious reasons. I tend to consider publications and places like J D Powers, and even then it ends up being MY decision!!! I will say this, I have had by GLE 350 for over 26 months now and I am generally happy with it. My wife has a 2017 Lexus RX 450h (our 3rd one). Quite often when she is in the GLE with me, she comments that her RX has a much smoother ride. I have to agree.
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The BMW is the better handling car, although even by BMW standards it is pretty poor and not fun to drive. If you want a fun to drive mid-sized SUV, the Porsche Cayenne is the best in class, albeit pricey. As you can tell from my signature, the wife and I have had a number of BMW's, mainly fun models such as older 3-Series, Z4 M, and the new M2 Competition, and my son currently has an older X3. I've driven a lot of the new BMW's extensively, and the new BMW's (other than the M2) are not fun to drive anymore, and sadly haven't been since maybe 2012. My last BMW was my least favorite of all, a '17 540i which I inherited, which despite being fully optioned, handled like a Buick and was numb to the touch, especially compared to my father's older 5-series (he's had every generation from the 80's to mid-2000's). When I read a comparison test of the E43 and BMW 5-series in Car and Driver I had no MB and doubted the handling superiority, but a test drive of the E53 and CLS 53 turned all that around and changed my opinion, and since then have become an MB owner, and even convinced the wife to get a GLC, which she traded for GLE to get more space. The GLE is still fairly competent in handling, but don't expect it to inspire joy unless opting for a GLE 53 or 63, but that wasn't the point of getting this vehicle for us as we have fun cars to drive. The GLE is basically our practical workhorse from long trips, to home depot run, and carrying our very car sick prone dog, and it excels at its job.
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2024 GLE 450 4matic
Take a look at my impressions of a 450 i received as a loaner while my 350 was in for some maintenance.
Thoughts on GLE450
Thoughts on GLE450
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2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
I think this system is likely to remain only on the top models, but with V8s gone next year I’m not sure.
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After keeping paying attention to the GLE on the road, I think the design has grown on me. Can someone comment on 20" vs. 21" ride? Are they significantly different? What are the tire sizes on these? Thanks.
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
20 vs 21 wheels/tires
I have the 21s, but also run 20's for Winter use. The ride is not appreciably different, IMO (I have E-ABC, but regular Airmatic would probably be similar). 20s are 275/50 F&R, but with different offsets, so are not rotatable w/o dismounting. 21s are also 275 width (45 aspect ratio) front but much larger 315/40 rear. Obviously the 21s are more expensive to replace, but look meaty.
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I have the 21s, but also run 20's for Winter use. The ride is not appreciably different, IMO (I have E-ABC, but regular Airmatic would probably be similar). 20s are 275/50 F&R, but with different offsets, so are not rotatable w/o dismounting. 21s are also 275 width (45 aspect ratio) front but much larger 315/40 rear. Obviously the 21s are more expensive to replace, but look meaty.
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
RFs
Thanks. That's good to know. Are these both non RF? Do you (others) feel any difference in RF vs. non RF? I thought x5's 21" rear looked fatter and less rubber but actually the same width with less rubber. 45/40 is perfect. I feel 40/35 is a bit too skinny esp for rough roads.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Aug 27, 2021 at 11:38 AM.
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From: Apex, NC
2022 GLE 450, 2024 Volvo XC 60
Thanks. That's good to know. Are these both non RF? Do you (others) feel any difference in RF vs. non RF? I thought x5's 21" rear looked fatter and less rubber but actually the same width with less rubber. 45/40 is perfect. I feel 40/35 is a bit too skinny esp for rough roads.
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Interesting and good to know. I've read bmw folks don't seem to complain about 21" RF's ride quality. Are non RF standard on GLE 21"? I will need 3rd row option because my wife wants to be able to recline the second row. Thanks.
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From: Apex, NC
2022 GLE 450, 2024 Volvo XC 60
It is my understanding that if you order third row seats, you get RF. If not, regular tires. Not sure what you meant about reclining seats. Are you suggesting that if you get 3rd row seats your wife can recline the second row? Didn't think that mattered. I would certainly check with your dealer or this forum before you order.
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It is my understanding that if you order third row seats, you get RF. If not, regular tires. Not sure what you meant about reclining seats. Are you suggesting that if you get 3rd row seats your wife can recline the second row? Didn't think that mattered. I would certainly check with your dealer or this forum before you order.
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2022 GLE 450, 2024 Volvo XC 60
I am not qualified to answer this. Others on this site can probably answer, but I'm sure your dealer can respond.
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2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
You will need the 3rd row pkg to get the power 2nd row seats. NO spare option with 3rd row pkg. RFT only
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
21s with 3rd row tire type
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
No issues, I enjoy driving my GLE. Spoke to service manager and he said GLE has become a very reliable vehicle, perhaps early 2020 vehicles had some issues that had to be worked out. Mine is a 2021 350, some owners do garner enjoyment from talking about what is wrong with their car, and that is alright, I prefer to accentuate the positive. I don’t know of any vehicle that doesn’t have a few lemons produced, there are laws in most states that protect us against getting stuck with one. Buy it and enjoy…….
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GLE450
just curious, isn't X5 / X6 also equipped with a 48v system since 2021 ? In fact all car maunfacturers order their electronic modules from a handful of OEMs, if 48v technology is bad then it shall apply to all cars having this design.
i tested both X6 and GLE450 and finally I ordered GLE.
i tested both X6 and GLE450 and finally I ordered GLE.
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
just curious, isn't X5 / X6 also equipped with a 48v system since 2021 ? In fact all car maunfacturers order their electronic modules from a handful of OEMs, if 48v technology is bad then it shall apply to all cars having this design.
i tested both X6 and GLE450 and finally I ordered GLE.
i tested both X6 and GLE450 and finally I ordered GLE.
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BMW started introducing 48V back in 2019. They have on most of their models now. Not sure how close their uses are but BMW owners don't seem to complain about this issue. There's on incident on a 2021 X5 reported on bimmerpost but not many follow the discussion. So maybe it's an isolated case.
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The 3rd row with 21 and 22 inch wheels does NOT come with RFT, rather a tire sealant kit and air compressor. The 19s and 20s have RFT. The only other way to delete spare tire and mandate those downgrades was the high end 3D stereo, because a subwoofer took up that space too.
And while the base seats are fixed, ie no recline or sliding, the power second row doesn’t actually recline much farther. It’s only able to recline less then the regular position, which is only really useful if you have people in the third row or lots of bags in the back and need the extra few centimeters. I’ve heard the sliding forward is great for golf clubs though.
And while the base seats are fixed, ie no recline or sliding, the power second row doesn’t actually recline much farther. It’s only able to recline less then the regular position, which is only really useful if you have people in the third row or lots of bags in the back and need the extra few centimeters. I’ve heard the sliding forward is great for golf clubs though.
