Hello guys,
I've had my 22' GLE 53 AMG for less than 6 months but unfortunately I have a problem and the dealership cannot solve it.

When I start the car every morning the car drives perfectly - no errors, great handling and very comfort ride.
I can change the handling modes (conform, sport, sport + .. etc) - no errors everything is fine until I stop the car and turn the ignition off.

After turning the ignition on the message "suspension malfunction, please drive with maximum 80 kmh" pops up on the display and the car has very bad ride, it is very uncomfortable at all.
If i click on the (i) button - the bigger screen shows the following - E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL malfunctioning, please consult a workshop
Restarting the car doesn't clear the error.
The only option which clears the error is when the car is turned off for 4-5 hours.
If the car is stopped with ignition off for such a long time after turning the ignition on there is no sign of the problem and the car can travel 600-700 kilometres without any problem (unless stopped with ignition off and then turn on again). The car can goes over bumpy roads, it can be lifted and all driving modes are working perfectly.

The car has only 14500km, the dealership decided to change the rear stabiliser bar, but this didn't solve the problem - we have to wait for the spare part for 14 days.
The service told me that it is impossible to access the "suspension module" and now they are waiting for further instructions from Germany once again.

Any help or advice will be appreciated!
Thank you in advance!

 

A number of people have reported ARC failures. This is a recent one but sounds like it may have been temporary: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8603149. Haven't heard of one occurring as you describe. You may have to wait for the engineers to figure something out.

 

@Wolmark it wasn't clear from your original post if you have AMG ARC or just GLE 53 air.

I'm only aware of two other ARC failures, Ron.S and mine. They were also temporary, and mine was caused by abuse at the racetrack in 109F temps. My shop hasn't seen any other than mine.

I'm interested in what you find out.

One other thing about turning off your ignition to reset your warning.
Sometimes the car wants to see ignition off -> door open -> door closed -> (maybe a lock) -> restart, to reset. Try that.

 

It appears he is not in the US, and he reported this, "If i click on the (i) button - the bigger screen shows the following - E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL malfunctioning, please consult a workshop." Is the GLE 53 offered with E-ABC in other countries? It would seem so. @Wolmark, please add your location to you profile.

 

I saw the E-ABC reference, and also wondered if that could be a generic display for a suspension problem, in whatever country.
I'd be curious, because I wouldn't think E-ABC is in-character for the 53.

 

Yes, could well be ARC. I’ve had “starter battery” warnings on my 450 even though it was referring to the 12V. Seems like this would not be difficult to make more precise.

 

MB Bulgaria offers the GLE 53 with AMG Active Ride Control, with the 48V electric torsional actuator in each of the front and rear stabilizer bars.

 

I think we were wondering if E-ABC is available on the AMG 53 elsewhere in the world.
I would be surprised if they didn't offer the AMG ARC in all markets. It really makes the car.
Just like the most recent version of E-ABC "makes" the 450.
edit: The reason I wondered if E-ABC is even available in a 53 was his OP about an E-ABC message. I think that would be a strange application.

 

Hello guys,
The car is equipped with AMG Ride Control + which is a standard option, but it is without the E-Active Body Control, because the car was ordered from German dealer (German edition).
The location of the vehicle is Bulgaria.

In my oppinion the problem comes from the suspension module and that’s why the car says E-Active Body control malfunction (it could
be a general warning that just shows suspension module problem)

 

Hello Wolmark
Did you find any solution to the problem, because I have the exact same problem, and the dealership could not find the solution as of now

 

When mine failed it was after pushing it hard through a lot of curves…maybe over 5+ miles. From the floppy front end it was obviously the front ARC & I assumed it was that the front motor overheated. Mine did not recover over the next hour but was back to normal the next day. Same response from the Dealer Service Dept…nothing found and no TSB’s.
Porsche uses a similar system but I haven’t seen a single failure reported. Thermocouple?, relay? By now Mercedes must be getting some idea…there can’t be that very many possibilities.

 

MB updated my ARC software after a failure after 20 laps at the track, 2021. Caused an off track excursion. The rear toe was knocked out. We weren't sure which caused which.

I don't know if it was overheating, but the suspension just quit, on Rock Hard. Yours was floppy - different failure mode.

Towed in. Updated. That was 20,000 miles ago. Nothing since, but the ARC felt softer, less precise.
Still more precise than the Cayenne with PDCC, rear steer and 21 inchers I spent an hour on my favorite twisties, as part of my 53 decision. The rear steer was great.
I was really surprised, because I never drove an AMG that could move that well.

Maybe Mercedes dialed in too much active sway for 5,200 lbs at .9G.

 

There must have been something wrong with the Porsche you drove if your 53 handled better.

 

Nope. They called me in to drive their nomination for the best-handling Cayenne. A 2020 Cayenne S, spec'd for occasional track work, just traded in for --- a 2021 Cayenne Turbo!
2.9TT (MUCH better than the 3.0TT), PDCC, ceramics, rear steer, no pano roof, Sport Chrono, etc.

All in all, pretty similar spec to my 53. Both on 21's.

AMG turn-in was more direct, flatter, the whole experience was crisper. Less recovery roll.
The AWD seemed to assist cornering better in the AMG. Where there was loose gravel, the AMG regained composure quicker. I felt less confident pushing the Cayenne at the same speed.
I liked the rear steer. It was kind of like trail braking but without the braking - it just rotates at the rear, but the front still washed out a bit. I'd get the rear steer.

My Cayenne drive was VERY surprising. It was better than my 2015 Cayenne, which had 20's. Already had the AMG so recent experience probably jaded me.

I spent a lot of time in several makes. This was my biggest car purchase ever, and I had been saving like mad. As you once said, Mr. Market was kind in 2020, and my checkbook was fuller.

I like my car. Although the Porsche dealer did bid my 53's ACV at $69k earlier this year.......

 

2021 GLE 53 $100k vs 2023 Cayenne GTS $150k
Either there was something wrong with the Cayenne you drove or it might have been the different “feeling” of a Torque Vectoring rear end and Rear Wheel steering. I’m still not used to the ease that the Porsche handles corners. It feels different because the rear end corners effortlessly reducing lateral side force. Both vehicles are perfectly adequate for spirited driving except that you can no longer option the 53 with Active Ride Control.
I can’t compare a 2020 S to my 2023 GTS so maybe there were tuning changes made. My Cayenne sits at least an inch lower than the 53 in Normal mode and is at least as comfortable in daily driving. The Porsche suspension and engine tune in Sport+ are much more aggressive changes than with the 53. 0-60 time is 1 second less if that appeals to anyone. With the Porsche Sport Chrono pkg. you get a “fun button” that increases Boost (and power) for 20 seconds. The Cayenne can be a very special vehicle with lots of customization options…that aren’t cheap. A base model is not so great.
The Cayenne S is a V8 for 2024 and the GTS isn’t scheduled to build yet…probably not until MY 2025.
I prefer the looks of the GLE over the Porsche Cayenne. The exterior “fit and finish” and the interior quality of the Cayenne are a cut above, as it should be for the price point of each vehicle. There are very few places to (safely) utilize the capabilities of either vehicle, so to each his own, as they say.

 

No ARC means no AMG, period. Unacceptably floaty and harsher at the same time.

I prefer Porsche's 2.9 V6 over the 4.0 V8, but it's NLA except Macan and Hybrid. Now the base engine is the 3.0 V6, which discredits the brand, IMO. 0-60 unimportant, but 40-95 is for me.

I haven't experienced torque vectoring, but without, the Cayenne just felt lazy compared to my 53. Yes, I was way over the 45mph limit, but I know where corners are unsighted on that road. (Yes I know. Stupid.)

Edit: I'll add that this was before I started track work, so I didn't have any 'at the limit' familiarity with either cars.

Only the Turbo gets my juices flowing, but no way I could afford one. Plus I don't trust myself in one - too addictive.

The '20 S wasn't the only Cayenne that I hustled on my test route, but the sporty options listed above DID make it crisper than others.

To me, maybe for my style of driving, the 53 just performed better, with less waiting for grip. Maybe it was tires, but I don't think so.
The '20 S was on Michelin. I wear Conti's. Both 21 inchers.

It also may have been the AWD programming. I didn't feel it assisting on the P car, but for sure it feeds in instantly with the M car.
I think they use the same source for mechanicals, but the programming isn't as helpful.

Maybe it's personal preference, maybe it's something else. 2024 would be a new dilemma, but I like my 53.

I agree that, generally, the P interiors are a cut above, but with the Premium Diamond Napa leather, I prefer mine. I don't like the lack of switches and hard buttons on the console. I think it's a safety hazard.
And I generally like Porsche's color pallettes better. Except for Obsidian Black, which I bought, or Emerald Green.

Long response.
They're both great cars.