I did move on to another vehicle. That forum is fine. And?

 

Old Merc and myself are the only ones in this thread that owned both cars. I’m not saying everyone else’s opinions are useless, but they really are. I don’t agree with old merc, but to each their own. The only thing the GLE did better was rear seat legroom imo. The only question I have for old merc is why would you trade a 2021 for a 2020? That’s going backwards.

 

I don’t see your name on Bimmerpost Oldmerc. Did you post under another pseudonym or didn’t bother?

 

LunaTheBlue on Bimmerpost.

TLDR: I returned to a GLE for the suspension - otherwise I would’ve kept the X5.

I do think the X5 is a better vehicle in most areas. The build quality was better. The ownership experience was nicer - BMW dealers are better from what I experienced. I’ve had less pleasant interactions with MB dealers and MBUSA. Also, BMW technology was more user friendly overall.

I’d recommend an X5 for most people who just want something nice and comfortable that works with minimal inconvenience. They’re (mostly) more reliable based on my service experience with both. The PHEV 45e is a fantastic powertrain - MBUSA dropped the ball not optimizing an I6 w/ plug-in option with 40mi of range like BMW has. It sounds great, is surprisingly sporty, and covers most city driving.

My main problem was I came from an ML550 with Active Curve - and when you get used to the stability and lack of head toss that comes with active roll bars on long trips, it’s hard to be happy with regular anti-roll bars. It was obvious to me after my first two long drives. A fully optioned Mercedes is just a better cruiser.

While the X5 can be optioned with 48V active anti-roll bars, it couldn’t be ordered in the US on a 45e. Only on higher trims with a V8 - which I didn’t want. I bought the X5 for the PHEV powertrain and then realized I cared more about the suspension than the powertrain.

For me, it’s specifically the highway stability of a Mercedes that BMW can’t replicate. A Mercedes is just easier to drive over very long distances (11-15hr drives). I didn’t like the steering effort at highway speed in the X5, though steering assist helped. Sounds silly, but a Mercedes is easier to drive in a straight line because of their steering box design.

The GLE I purchased can’t be ordered in the US anymore - they discontinued Burmester High End and eABC, which were options I wanted. I didn’t want a GLS - where those can still be ordered. I wanted the best highway mileage with the most comfortable suspension - and I like the I6 in the Mercedes almost as much as the BMW. It’s quiet and gets the job done.

 

Thank you for the in depth response! Obvioulsy we all have different prefernces and tastes which is why there isn't just one car available, so I figured I'd respond to a few things from my personal experience. First of all, I know a ton of people who love iDrive. I used to, but for some reason I never felt super great about ID7. I always felt i couldn't only use the screen with touch or only with the wheel. And I thought there was too much black and felt it was too much like widgets and not like apps for me. I felt way better with MBUX. May have just been what I spent more seat time in. Both very good systems, but I'm an MBUX person through and through. I think ID8 is a slight downgrade from ID7, and MBUX 2 is a slight downgrade/neutral vs MBUX 1 specifically on the GLE.

I agree with this on the base end - the base GLE has a lot of plastic and needs to be upgraded with the MB-Tex dash and door trim for it to feel trully luxurious, which the B<W essentially has standard. However if you option the cars up the wazoo, I think it becomes a lot more even EXCEPT for the lower cup holder area which is far nicer on the BMW. But yeah, the MB NEEDS the one $350 simple option to copete with the BMW, but if you get it, I think they're neck and neck. Both fantastic.

One note: to get the massage seats, the upgrades needes are the same. Both need the upgrade from pleather to leather and the vebtillated seats to get massage. On the MB leather was $1,620 and ventillated seats $450. On the BMW you had to get Vernasca, also about $1,500, and the luxury seating package bundled the massage with the ventillation. I think it's harder to see because so many more BMWs have the Vernasca upgrade then MBs do, so it feels like it's less significant. But both have the same upgrades to get there. The other difference though is you can get just the multicontour without massage on BMW, and for only $750, while in MB they come together.

Also - in my opinion, the old Sensatac on 2019-2022 X5s felt much more rubbery and lower quality then MBs MB-Tex which to me actually feels nicer then the step up leather. I think BMWs Vernasca and MBs leather feel similarly mediocer and MBs Nappa and BMWs Merino feel similarly lovely. So worst to best I would rank:
BMW Sensatac
Tie MB leather/BMW Vernasca
MB MB-Tex
Tie MB nappa/BMW Merino

HOWEVER BMW on the 2023s came out with their new Sensafin and it's AMAZING. Feels like the nappa and Merino. Absolutely fantastic job BMW. So now it would be from Worst to Best
MB Leather
MB MB-Tex
Tie MB nappa/BMW Sensafin/BMW Merino.

All in my opinion of course.

 

J

 

Curious, what exactly went wrong with the transmission, what came to the conclusion for the dealership to replace the valve body, were there stored trouble codes in the car's computer that the dealership identified if so what were they?

How common was the shifting issue and I am guessing it was easily duplicated by your dealerships to help diagnose it?

A valve body as you know is like a brain of the transmission (other than the transmission control unit). So it is a big deal when that gets replaced so was curious what made them decided yup the valve body is the issue and fixed it for you?

 

I had the same hard downshifts that others have complained about with the newer 9 speed transmission. My local dealer had a mechanic who knew how to duplicate it. After several attempts at changing the shift points with software modification, the engineers decided to replace the transmission valve body. It took several months for one to arrive from Germany. This resolved the problem and 50,000 miles later, I traded the GLE 550e for a new GLE 450

 

I see, sounds like you met the right person (tech) for the job, good for you. Didn't know the 2018 GLE 550e had the 9G though. I always thought it was a 7G, I was wrong then.

 

A rare thing. In my experience the rule is simple: If there is no code, there is no problem. "Sir, your transmission, while admittedly not smooth, is operating within acceptable parameters."

 

It was the 7 speed. I think they are very similar to the 9 speed.

 

The biggest factors for me:
-most room for back seat passengers in its class
-inline 6 turbo engine
-Mercedes quality
-air suspension

 

sigh...

 

never mind so it was the 7 speed, anyways thanks for your reply to my post.

 

A generation newer

 

Yes supply chain is a factor. On the 2024 X5, you can't order air suspension, Executive package, and I don't think the top end Bowers Wilkins is available now on any X5's. If you move to the X5 50e, it comes with air suspension due to the weight and you can order the executive package. I think smooth inline 6 on both. Agreed, more room and more comfortable seats for back seat passengers; it happens to not be much of a factor for us personally.

 

Simple choice for us. 2 rear facing car seats. Fit a lot better for the front row in the GLE than the X5.
Car seat test right at the dealer. Both cars had the front seats set up for the same driver at daily position.

 

I originally ordered a 2021 GLE back in 2020 and it was supposed to be delivered December of 2020. It got delayed for almost 3 months so I was shopping the X5 and 5 series. If the salesman and manager of the dealer would have stopped trying to rip me off, I would have leased an X5 or a 5 series instead of my current GLE. For reference, the X5 he quoted me at the time was almost $1,200 per month (I believe it was with some money down) on a demo X5 and for a new 5 series I was quoted around 700 a month with money down. Safe to say after we yelled at each other and him telling me to never step foot inside a BMW dealership ever again, I will always view BMW in a negative light. On a side note, their new stuff is UGLY AF!

Besides that terrible experience, I did test drive the X5 at another dealership and I did like that it was faster than the GLE, but the seats and drive were not as comfortable as the GLE. The windshield is not steep enough and I am 6'4 so it was hard to see traffic lights. Also the headlights on the X5 do not light up the road as much as my GLE with the lighting package and even the standard GLE headlights.

 

Interesting story.
Hard to believe dealerships of luxury brands would let a deal go south in such a manner, let alone, engage in confrontation with potential lifetime customers. I myself have a short fuse and tend to be very difficult at dealerships when negotiating. Safe to say, I have made close ties with my local dealers and sales teams where mutual respect is not absent. They know who they are dealing with.

 

Yeah I was pretty surprised how it turned out and ashamed of the dealership. After my lease I had about 3 other family members who had leases coming due and we all ended up staying with Mercedes because we have excellent relations with them. Some were considering BMW but because of the awful experience I had they steered clear.

It was all because I kept requesting pricing for the lease quote. He kept saying it was confidential information and would not give me any sort of breakdown or a quote sheet to even look at. He would only tell me the monthly price, total due at signing, and that maintenance and window tint were included. I had no idea what discounts or fees were calculated in that price. It was sketchy to say the least, but my best friend did buy 3 or 4 used cars from him.

 

You certainly did the right thing. When information is not being provided willingly or on demand, chances are you will be stiffed. Best thing to do is walk.

 

Wow, they even pulled that, it is just not right to expect a customer to pay a monthly fee for a car of which the customer doesn't know how it came to that, residual, discounts, dealership add-ons, money factor etc. etc.

imagine buying a car not knowing the horsepower, what features, safety equipment, options, cargo space, head room and leg room etc. etc. and only know that a monthly payment of $ is due.

 

I bought an X5 4.4i after losing my E320 in Hurricane Isabel. I went to the BMW dealer in Dover Delaware already knowing that BMW had a $3000.00 rebate available on the car. The salesman and manager both denied any knowledge of the rebate. I went to the dealership in Annapolis and the first thing out of the salesman's mouth was "there's $3000.00 cash back on this car!" Needless to say, the Dover dealer did not get my money.

 

Doug DeMuro bought a Mercedes as his personal driver.

BMW's infotainment system is outdated junk.

BMW has cheap black plastic switches.

And on what planet does BMW have a higher fit and finish?

I have an X5 right now, with so many problems and creaking noises.

 

To be fair, with his considerable resources Doug has purchased many vehicles over the years. Unless I'm mistaken, his 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 is his daily driver. I personally find the Defender has a lot of appeal, but I stayed away out of reliability concerns. Ironic that my GLE has been so problematic.