GLE350 does a lot of things well - I see why people buy them. I thoroughly enjoyed my 2020 GLE350 - but it was neither fast nor refined considering the $72K sticker on mine. (In stock unit, I would not have bothered with the third row seat which adds like $2K to the price and removes the spare tire.) I'd buy another 350, but if I had the opportunity, I would order a 450 with airmatic.

 

If you drive a 450 and a 350 back-to-back, you will definitely prefer the 450.

 

Also consider that $7,800 premium as an investment of sorts. You will get some - maybe most - of that money back in additional resale value. You also aren't really giving up anything in terms of fuel economy.

 

450 easily. Inline-6's are some of the smoothest and most balanced engines you can buy and MB makes a great I6 with a fantastically smooth start stop system.

 

great inputs from the group. I am tending towards 450 but the heads up on maintenance and potentially redundant extra power are still making me think a bit. I will post my final call to the group and more importantly - will update after I get to the moment of truth - after I receive the car and used it enough.

 

We had a 63 on order... forever. Then at the last minute the $tealership backed out and required a $5000 ADM when none was promised. We settled for a 450 from another more "honest" $tealership. In short, nice car, but wish it had more. It's not that it isn't quick, but it's not fast. As to the 48v, well I'm leaving that to Mercedes for 150k miles. Creeping up on 20k on the odometer and can not complain at all otherwise.

 

I assume that you had a signed contract with a deposit to make it legal. How were they able to deny a legal contract?
At least you can take advantage of +10mpg on the 450 vs. the 63. Probably more.