Hey all, While I continue to fully enjoy my 2021 GLE 450, I think all the crypto and other issues has introduced some nice used GLE 63's to the market so I'm trading in my 450 for a 2021 GLE 63 with every possible option I wanted this week. Throwing in some cash but I'm psyched. Same Selenite grey to boot. Will update with impressions

 

Nice.

 

Daso - Congrats. The guys in your garage will be excited - that is going to be a fun ride... even just to park!!

 

Congratulations. You'll love the 63. Hands down the 63 is the best car I've ever owned. Have put almost 6k miles on mine and the honeymoon is still strong and ongoing. A phenomenal vehicle.

 

Thanks. I can’t wait. I do have to drive to VA from NYC to get it next week. My only big issue is (and I’ve run into this one before) the 22” wheels with summer tires. I currently have the 21’s on my 450 and that’s been fine. I’m a bit apprehensive about the 22’s. They are going to put the Pirelli Zero all seasons on for a fee which I thought were discontinued. Going to have to drive extra careful here in the city.

 

Wanted a 63 instead of the wife's '22 450. However, got tired of dealers playing games. I don't do ADMs under any circumstances for any car. Wife "settled" and is pretty happy with it. I'm sure you will enjoy!

 

You'll definitely enjoy the extra power, and YES, watch out for potholes in that city with 22's

 

Happy I didn't try the Nitto's. Thanks

 

So in response to what you guys have written, I am the proud new owner of a GLE 63 S Coupe 2021. Got it out of Chicago with 1k miles on it loaded with literally every option. So the heated steering wheel story is a hoot. I was trying very hard to get one of these in before 12/31/22 for tax purposes. All of these dealers around the country were getting deliveries of 22/23 units that had NO HEATED STEERING! That's insanity for here in the Northeast. I live north of NYC and it gets cold. I keep speaking with different sales guys and they either had no clue (which I can appreciate), or they would tell me "you can't get this car with heated steering wheel, period". To which I would think "you're out of your mind". So I tried hard to do some research and all I could come up with was an article from earlier this year about how MB was having problems with heated wheels and their safety system knowing your hands were on the wheel. I think they basically dumped heated wheel option for awhile and just built everything else around it until they could fix the issue. But there's a crap-ton of vehicles delivered in NE that have no heated wheel. 130k vehicle and no heated steering? You have to be kidding me. It looks like now when you do a build online you can only get heated wheel with nappa leather, not the other two options. I prefer all leather anyway. But the whole thing is so crazy, so many sales guys don't know what the heck they're talking about, especially some guy I won't name at MB Manhattan. What a nightmare talking to him. At any rate, I now have a beautiful blue GLE 63 S coupe 2021 loaded with everything, for a decent discount. And about tires - well this is another journey. This car came with the 22 inchers and yokohama tires. No way! I cannot do winter here in those. So I asked the dealer there in Chicagoland (Hoffman Estates) if they could find a tire and wheel package for me, They were able to get a full 21 inch tire/wheel AMG winter package for 5k. Beautiful wheels. So now I have the 21s for winter and 22s for summer. No runlets at these sizes unfortunately. I loved those tires at 20 inches. I'll wait to post my flat tire story another day and we can talk about spare tires. I'm in the midst of this journey too! BTW, this car is insane and all of the power under the hood scares the crap out of me. I love it!

New Ride

 

Congrats and enjoy!

Btw another common reason these dont come with the heated wheel is because MB wont offer the AMG Drive Unit (the two extra buttons on the steering wheel for drive mode and other settings) with it.
I personally ordered my 63 with the alcantara wheel and AMG drive unit. Been living in NYC for all my life and never felt the need for a heated wheel.

 

I’m in NYC as well and while I had the heated wheel on my 450, I might have used it a few times a year if parked outside on a really cold day, the alcantra and drive units in my 63 are far more useful to me as well. Ultimately , either way the car is a blast

 

I would have been fine either way with alcantara or leather for the steering wheel. My thinking was since I ordered the warmth and comfort package with rapid seat heating function, heated armrest and center console. I wanted a heated steering wheel as well. Since I drive in comfort 98% of the time anyways not having the drive unit wasn't a big deal for me. During the winter months I use the heated wheel everyday. To each their own.

 

Yes, I totally forgot a dealer in PA told me that could be the one thing that would be throwing off the heated steering, thank you for the correction. Crazy to me they can’t get this all in there. But then you look at all the electronics going through the clock gear/ribbon thingie and you realize there’s a lot happening there! I actually prefer my wheel without those dongles. I’m coming from a 21 GLC 43 before those were in vogue. Not to insult anyone but the dealer made me laugh when he referred to the AMG drive unit as a pair of *********. ;-)

But still these guys who don’t know about the expensive cars they’re selling, just crazy. And how are you NYC guys living without heated steering?!? I drive into the city 2-3 days a week and no way in the winter. But I guess this year there’s not much winter around. It’s like extended fall into spring.

 

Yes I agree, everyone can enjoy their preferences! I have this funny thing about these cars, after years of having cars missing options (dummy buttons and all that), now that I can finally afford decent cars I want all the options! No more dummy buttons. But that heated steering wheel is a must, especially after a day of skiing.

 

Although I thought the same, but chose the Dynamic Plus Package anyway, expecting the "dummy buttons" to be simple marketing gimmicks. I wanted the Suspension and Brakes.

I'm glad I made the choice, because the DPP transforms the car.

Surprisingly, I use those Dummy Buttons regularly, on every drive. They are very configurable and actually pretty Smart!

Together with Head Up display, I have full control of my car - everything is within my Field of Vision. So, I'll add that they contribute to safety also.

 

Oh no I meant dummy buttons where there are blanks instead of buttons to press! I love a million buttons that do all sorts of things in the cars. Enjoy all your button, I play with mine all time (like most guys).

 

My mistake. I thought you were talking about the tradeoff between the heated steering wheel and the AMG buttons.
I don't really miss the heat part as much as I thought I would. The Alcantera seems to be a somewhat reasonable alternative.

 

I have been using steering wheel heat every day and am so happy I didn’t let anyone talk me into just dealing with living without. People are so silly. My kids get annoyed I’ll say to them “see I’m using heated steering wheel right now!” And eye roll.

 

Lol - I joke with my kids when we get in and take off when the car is cold. I tell them if anyone's hands are cold and if they feel frostbite coming on they can touch the heated wheel. I get the proverbial eye roll as well.