WSABlue430

Hi all! I'm a newbie here. I am getting out of my 2020 GLE350 4-matic with AMG sport line white with mac interior into a new 2024 GLE. The confusion I am having is the dealer has an amazing equipped GLE350 with the way I want it - AMG sport line exterior, white with mac beige, a sweet brown walnut trim, tons of options and packages, illum star, trailer hitch, and the spoiler on top of the standard one.
Do I go for it OR Do I choose the 2024 GLE450 that they can get for me with a swap - it's faster and smooth (which is what got me as my 350 is sluggish). Its white with mac beige (my ideal), grey wood, AMG line, sweet options but no star or and no spoiler and no hitch - ugh! The interior has a black headline on mac beige, which is odd and hopefully nice.

Waiting for the 450 to arrive in 2 more days but keep thinking about the 350 and how its equipped. HELP! Opinions please on what you would do. Do I go for the 450 or bite the engine and go with the 350 the way I want it. By the way Im early 40s and a female. Oh and the dealer is buying out my lease and giving me $12k towards the new car so I can't order and wait for a new one to be equipped. Thank you for your opinions, I appreciate them!

js_cls

I personally prefer the 450’s I6 to the 350’s I4, but it seems since you’re upgrading your fine with the 350’s power and engine, plus for MY24 it gets the smooth start stop system (ISG) of the 450, making it a much smoother engine.

Illuminated star is not a big deal, so that’s an easy loss. Spoiler looks nice, but not as noticeable, again easy loss. What you’ll have to decide is whether the trailer hitch is something you really want. I also assume the 450 spec’d is more expensive.

If you need the hitch, easy decision, go for the 350. If you don’t, and don’t mind dropping some extra cash, the 450 engine is the superior choice.

shotgun_banjo

If you were fine with the 350 before then the new 350 should be better for you. The 450 is meant for people who are always loading the vehicle to the gills. Just be careful testing the 450 as when you feel the power difference you might not want the 350.

wildta

Adding an after-market or the OEM hitch is not easy... So if that's important then get the 350. Adding an illuminated star and spoiler are both easy.

stephencs601

450

WSABlue430

Thank you js_cls! I don't need the hitch at all but thought it's good for resale down the road. Its only $6k more than the 350!

WSABlue430

The problem is I test drove the 450 and couldn't go back to the 350, you are so right! Plus my current 2020 GLE350 has such a lag.

WSABlue430

Hitch really not needed, Im not towing anything I just wanted to have the option on there as I have now. The dealer said I can get the llum star afterwards so that's its easy... and the spoiler - something about it looks so finished! Just a pain to do it all myself - ordering, painting and having someone install. Do MB dealers do this? Thank you for your reply!!

Ron.s

The 450 I 6 engine is so much more refined and smoother than the 4. Test drive a 450 if you haven’t yet. You will enjoy the engine every day you drive. The other features are subjective so it’s your personal opinion vs ours. If someone wants a trailer hitch “someday” it doesn’t seem relevant now since one can be added later.

BlueYonder

That illuminated star will cost you the loss of many of the advanced features in the Driver Assistance package. Not a good trade off in my mind. If you already think that your existing 350 is sluggish, a second GLE 350 will have you regretting the decision not to get the 6 cylinder.

wildta

Yes anything can be added later... sometimes at a hefty price. With the trailer hitch, for example, you'll pay many multiples of the factory cost and that won't include any tow hitch programming into the software because I don't think there's anyway to do that.

mikapen

I agree that the inline six is a more refined engine than the four. I.e the 450 has a better engine than a 350.

However, for the OP, comparing the V167 350 I-4's capabilities to the old 166 V6, the four moves a 167 (heavier car) with more authority than that 3.5L gasser. Lots more, especially when passing, over 85mph. From a performance standpoint, the 3.0L four is stronger than the 3.5L V6, but it's burdened with turbo lag. (I bought 164 and 166 Diesels because the 3.5 just didn't move the car well.)

Now, add the EcoBoost to the new 2.0L, you've eliminated the turbo lag, and I'll bet the four blows the doors off the 166 V6! (Haven't driven a new one, but I have spent a thousand miles in a 2020 167 four, at 5,000 - 12,000' elevation (loaner). Surprisingly capable, until passing speeds above 90mph are needed. Then is when I felt I wanted my 450.

My point is, that moving from a 166 V6 gasser to a new 167, either four or six will be an improvement.

Plus, add 6-8mpg with either one, compared to the old one. (The 450 has a +1-2 highway mpg advantage over the 350 BTW.)

PLINYELDER

are you really passing people above 90 mph?

WSABlue430

Im not racing with 2 small kids in tow that's for sure!

Sweet car by the way PLINYELDER!!

mikapen

Sometimes. But it's always nice to have some reserve.

I think 85 is where the car runs into a lot of air (drag). I go 9 over on Interstates - right where the drag starts to increase. You can watch the increased power demands (and mpg drop) on various displays.

btshep

The odd part as you put it is that the vehicle will be built with either a Beige or Black headliner if you choose the Macchiato interior. As far I know you also cannot choose which one you would rather have in Netstar when the vehicle is being configured. I guess this most likely comes down to what is on hand from the vendors at that particular moment. It is also reflected in the DOG under the interiors chart.

btshep

Even though this true; There are a lot GLE's out there without the DA2 package or the illuminated star. i would think there is a disproportionate amount built without DA2 then with honestly.

djgiovanni

I have to disagree.
From personal experience, there's absolutely no comparison between the "166 3.5 V6" and the "167 3.0 I4", passing, speed or otherwise. When I traded my W166 for a V167, I fooled myself into believing that because the I4 was smooth at idle and quiet at highway speeds, that it was just as smooth and powerful as the outgoing V6. Boy was I wrong!
Long story short, 3 weeks later I traded that for the V167 450 (very hard to come by at that time). I tried with all my heart to keep the V167 350, but in the end I had to come to terms with the reality that I had made a mistake (coming from a smooth and powerful V6).

The I4 does not belong on a V167 platform. The GLE is too heavy for it and the driving dynamics are very demanding for such a motor. It makes this truck feel and drive like a 4-cylinder Toyota Sienna which is exactly how I felt when I had it, especially under hard acceleration. Is it a bad motor? Perhaps not for a GLA/B/C.

To the OP, with confidence, go with the GLE 450. It is a completely different vehicle. You will not look back, believe me.

BlueYonder

Texas has speed limits as high as 85mph.

manbeing

Definitely 450. For spending $70,000-$80,000. you would prefer buying a 4 cylinder engine car?

WSABlue430

Thank you for this.. I needed to hear this exactly.. the GLE 450 is in!!!! Going to see it tomorrow!!!!!

djgiovanni

Pictures are welcomed.

W205C43PFL

That lag shouldn't be present as for reasons mentioned by other forum members, the facelift GLE 350 has a 48V mild hybrid system for smoother starts and stops.

W205C43PFL

Perhaps when it comes to the GLE 350 facelift, the 48V mild hybrid will help a little? A bit?

W205C43PFL

Nice, let us know your thoughts, if you do have a chance still test drive the facelift GLE 350 if the 48V mild hybrid helped at all compared to the lag and experience you have with the pre-facelift GLE 350.