Hello
Are drivers happy or unhappy with the GLE Driver's Assistance Package. I never had it before and most people seem to be ordering the new cars with it. What are the benefits and what are disadvantages? Some say the vehicle swerves from side to side when maneuvering around a turn and doesn’t give a smooth drive. Are insurance rates better having it?
Thank You

 

I wouldn't have a car without it. It can prevent you from running off the road if you fall asleep or have a moment of inattention. It will warn you if you try to change lanes and there is a car in your blind spot. The distronic cruise control helps maintain your distance without input from the driver. If you are a sloppy driver who cuts to the inside in turns and doesn't use a signal when changing lanes, you may find it irritating. The self steering function isn't all that useful as it will only let you go for a short while without demanding that you put your hands on the wheel.

 

On my 2021 (updated through 2022) it was a mess but primarily because the associated “traffic signs” function misread signs at lower than posted. Curves can be an issue too. You can turn off functions that don’t work but some are still working as part of the safety system.
If DAP reads a sign 20 pmh lower than actual-when you have the set speed at posted speed or 5-10 over, then it brakes hard making for a chance of getting rear ended.
That function might work better now…haven’t seen any complaints lately. Like most Tech today, there might be occasional issues.

 

Would you recommend getting it in a new 2024 GLE or skip it and go with standard safety features and save $2000.
thank you

 

I have a 2024 GLE 450. The DAP works fine. You can disable the automatic speed control. It still read the signs and tells you what the speed limit is in the display, but it does not automatically slow you down.

 

I still think those were camera or calibration issues, not defects in the system.

I had the same problem as you until we discovered the problem when I installed a new windshield, and the fogging / outgas issues were corrected by two TSB's.

I have had no problems since those fixes.

I don't like Route Based Navigation, though. I don't normally slow down completely to the caution speed limit on an approaching corner, nor do I slow down a quarter mile ahead of that corner.

And I disable Speed Limit Adoption because, well, I drive more +9mph in many conditions.

Both of those are too much nanny for me, but thankfully it's easy to turn them off.

I also disable Active Lane Keeping Assist but do use Active Steering Assist on freeways, and find it exceptionally good. I just rest my hand on the wheel, I'm able to feel it steering and that's sufficient wheel contact to go for hours without a warning.

 

I’ve got it and I like it on my 2024 GLE 450. I also disable the route-based navigation, and the speed limit adoption for the reasons stated directly above. I really like the way the system functions in stop and go traffic in cities like Seattle and Portland. I disable the lane keeping function on my S Class in town as the correction seems overly intrusive to me. I leave it on in the GLE as my wife has a problem staying between the lines.

 

Over the 18 months they tried everything and found a similar issue with other customer vehicles. I
My camera was recalibrated at least twice...once with a new camera and again after a new windshield. Before the camera was replaced they remove the camera and cleaned things up. By the history it didn't seem related to the Camera anyway...it worked fine for hours and then it started acting up. 80 mph was the worst...about 50% error rate reading as 60. My best guess was that it was MBUX related since those reporting the issue locally seemed to be taking longer trips. I was making a lot of 8-10 hour trips. Corrupt code starting to build, maybe.

 

Interesting.

 

I picked up a 2024 450 two days ago to replace my 2020 450. Both cars are equipped with the driver assistance package. I also drove a loaner EQS SUV equipped with the driver assistance package when my 2020 450 was under service. When comparing the performance of the driver assistance packages in the three cars, I would say the 2024 450 ranks in the middle between the other two, and leans more toward the 2020 450.

The system in the 2024 450 is definitely a step up from the one in the 2020 450. The speed adaptation based on the car in front is much snappier. The braking is much smoother, which is a big improvement. In addition, the active lane change assist feels more natural. If your instrument cluster is set to the Assistance screen, it still only visualizes the car in front of you. It will not visualize the cars in adjacent lanes. THIS IS A LIE because if you check the operator's manual (2024 GLE page 251), it shows that the instrument cluster can also visualize the cars in adjacent lanes.

When compared to the driver assistance package in the EQS SUV, the one in the 2024 450 seems like a generation behind. Everything feels much snappier, more natural, and smarter in the EQS SUV system. I had much more confidence when engaging the system in the EQS SUV. One obvious advantage is that in the instrument cluster, the system can visualize two cars (sometimes more when in traffic) in front instead of just one, the car behind you when in traffic, and the cars in the adjacent lanes. It can visualize whether it's a passenger car or an 18-wheeler. I think the visualization proves the superiority of the system in the EQS SUV. It makes sense that the braking, speed adaptation, and active lane change are much better because the system can "see" more.

Overall, if you liked or didn't like the older driver assistance package, I don't think the 2024 system will change your mind. If you are new to the GLE, I think it's a good option to consider equipping.

 

Interesting comparison.
FWIW the difference in the features you compare, my '21 was a lot better than my '20.

What do you mean by "visualize?"

 

Same observations here. The braking and overall smoothness is much improved on my 2023 GLE63 vs the previous 2020 GLE450.

 

This is displayed when you set the instrument cluster to the assistance screen. The picture below, from the 2020 GLE operator's manual, shows what you can see.


The second picture below is from the 2024 GLE operator's manual. However, as I mentioned, it is INCORRECT because you cannot see any cars in the adjacent lanes. I also checked the EQS SUV operator's manual, and it has the same picture. The 2024 GLE manual seems to have incorrectly copied the one from the EQS manual. Frankly speaking, the 2024 GLE assistance screen appears as though Mercedes simply applied a new skin/colorway based on the 2020 GLE.


The third picture below was obtained from a YouTube video titled "Huge Improvement! The Driver Assistance In The AMG EQS Takes The Top Spot In Our Hogback Trials." It depicts an EQS sedan, and the loaner EQS SUV I drove has the same system.


Before making a purchase, I was hoping the 2024 GLE would use the same system as what was offered in the EQS SUV. It didn't happen, but I'm still satisfied with the 2024 assistance system.

 

Although it might not show on a screen in the car, I'm pretty sure my 2021 can see adjacent lanes.

When I touch my turn signal to initiate an "automatic Lane change left" (actual script on the display), it knows when a car is passing me on the left, and matches its speed as it slots in behind it with the lane change.
Similarly, if I activate the right turn signal before I have cleared the car in the right lane, it maintains signaling until I am clear, at which time did executes the lane change and switches off the signal. That's on Auto Lane Keeping Assist.

On regular Distronic without LKA, if I'm following a car that's slower than my speed setting, and I begin to change lanes to follow a faster car passing me on the left, it will speed up to follow, even though I'm still behind the slower car.

Then, if I change my mind to pull in behind the right hand car, it immediately ignores the faster car and slows to the slower car, even if mine is pointed directly to the left lane car.

Probably just a display improvement. Maybe.

I also saw an EQE YouTube that was bragging about all the fine features of the new car's Auto driving capabilities. I didn't see anything that I don't have on my '21.

 

I'm having GLE 2022 with Driver assistance feature. But really not happy fully with it as i noticed below are the major issues

1. Lane assistance accuracy is only 70% if you are in middle lane in high away then it'll assist OK but it'll not control your steering when if accidentally moved out of late just give a vibration and sound. Due to this high chances of hitting next car is more. I faced this problem multiple times enabling cruise mode and watching it how it goes. But the small cars like mazda,kia etc control your steering properly and pull u back into the lane.

2. Cruise mode which is from 1 to 4 car distance max and if you have a stop traffic in front of you ahead of 10 cars it'll apply sudden breaks based on your settings. But other brands even thought its 4 cards they monitor little ahead like 6 to 8 cars kind. This mode just worst case safety but controlling by us is much better option

3. If you have yellow lane on the road lane assistance will not work as it'll jump off the lane and hit divider. Happened 2 times for me and i'll very cautious if i drive on end lane of highway.

4. When changing the lane if you have car on blind spot and accidentally changing lane , you will hit the next car without doubt as Driver assistance package will not apply breaks or control the steering back to main lane.

5. Only best feature is in high way when u given right / left signal it'll change the lane watching cars behind and front.

6. Worst part having 360 degree camera, when you use left or right indicator it'll not show camera on to the screen just mirror indicator will be monitoring. Paying that much cost that feature was disabled by Benz.

Many drawbacks are there but when buying fully loaded car of 70k worth just adding this drivers assistance pkg for worst case scenario. Those who are taking basic version better save money and focus on road and drive.

Not at all happy with driver assistance package paying and waste of $4k on it. The Midrange car brands are giving better safety feature free of cost

 

I think you'd be happier with different settings.

#1 & #3 - .Turn off Active Lane Keeping Assist, because it doesn't steer anything, it just applies brakes if you cross a line. Sometimes violently. I think it's designed more to protect others against Distracted Driving.

Active Steering Assist is what you're looking for - as long as lane lines are visible, it'll keep you centered. BUT it competes with Active Lane Keeping.

#2. You have control over your following distance with Distronic. Read the manual and use your right thumb.

On your #6, l'd hope you're looking over your shoulder for a lane change, rather than at your dashboard, but the car does beep and flash in the mirrors.

OTOH if you are "accidentally changing lanes," maybe you should just turn on Active Lane Keeping Assist, and put up with the violent braking to keep you (and me) safe.

You can adjust the levels and thresholds of many of these settings. The Manual can be more helpful than this forum to get started. The manual is on your dashboard display, and it's searchable with links.

Try some different settings, learn what to expect with what they do, and I'll bet you're more satisfied. 🙂

 

Food for thought — visualization screen could be a graphics limitation. Electronically, the computer may recognize and react to more vehicles than can be displayed. That could be why it is more smooth in traffic.

 

My mistake. I thought that "visualization" meant the car could see things in adjacent Lanes, which in my experienced it can do quite well. See my post number 16 above.
I didn't think "visualization" was a screen display.🫤

You're probably right about the display limitations. Doesn't seem to affect the performance though.

In looking at my settings I found another one: Active Blind Spot Assist.
That's another setting that might do what the poster wanted.

I didn't know it was there, and it's never been activated. I don't think I'll try it because it sounds like Active Lane Keeping Assist, which I do not like.

It could have been useful for me when I had a broken neck in the 90s and couldn't look over my shoulder to change lanes!

 

I've had this kick in several times on the highway in my 2020 GLE. When you start changing lanes, but the car senses that you're about to drive into someone, it pushes you back onto the original lane. Strange feeling, but saved me a couple of times when the driver on the other lane suddenly accelerated just as I was about to drive onto it.

 

Also should help backing out of parking spaces.

 

Cross traffic alert, or some such name, will lock brakes if it sees a bicycle or pedestrian in addition to a car.
I think it's different from active blind spot assist, because it works and I have my active blind spot assist off.

We need a Nanny Degree anymore.

 

I don't like that MB charges $2k USD for the DAP, especially when the only thing in the package that I really want is ACC.
ACC comes standard in Toyotas and Subarus that cost half as much. Even expensive Porsche charges "only" about $1k for ACC alone (outside of any packages).
(I understand that MB calls its ACC "Distronic".)

[post corrected to $2k USD following next comment, but the gist of my comment remains.]

 

It charges less than 2k for the whole DAP package, $1950 to be precise.

 

sorry, my bad... you're correct
(correcting my previous post)

 

This also doesn't match with my experience, at least in Europe. When you DON'T have Active Steering Assist in your car at all, the Active Lane Keeping Assist works by applying the brakes. I felt this in a car without Active Steering Assist. However, when you DO have Active Steering Assist in your car, the Active Lane Keeping Assist uses the same system and steers, it dosn't apply brakes. This is how it works in my GLE.