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Should I order AIRMATIC on a new GLE 450? I live on the Atlantic Coast of Florida; I drive mostly on well-maintained, straight, flat roads, with the occasional off-ramp or on-ramp for excitement. Cost is not a factor; just enjoyment; i.e., will I enjoy the benefits of AIRMATIC or not really be able to tell the difference. My current GLE does not have AIRMATIC and handles pretty well. Would it handle better with AIRMATIC? Your thoughts?
You’re probably right; although a blogger in another MB thread traded a 350 with AIRMATIC for a 450 without AIRMATIC and said he really didn’t notice the difference. I could find a 450 with AIRMATIC to compare with my 450 without AIRMATIC; however, it’s valuable intel to hear from those who have owned both.
To answer do I need airmatics. I had 2020 gle450 with airmatic and 21in wheels and now I have a 24 gle450e without airmatic with 21in wheels. I like without airmatic here on gulf coast of sw fl. Given 450e is heavier (battery) but it drives/rides nicer and no wobble as compare to 20gle450
save your money and do nor order the airmatic shocks
My 2020 GLE450 did not have airmatic, my GLE63S does. Airmatic gives you neat options like the ability to raise/lower or tighten up the suspension but with the airmatic suspension in comfort mode, the ride is very similar to a car with standard springs. If it wasn't an included feature, I would probably pass on the airmatic suspension.
One huge benefit of airmatic is the ability to adjust the suspension based on load so the ride should feel the same fully loaded vs single driver. I've also read some users complaining about body roll and bottoming out feeling. Hopefully you'll get to test drive the two for a real comparison.
There are many threads asking about AIRMATIC on this forum, I’d highly recommend going over them. If you’re happy with steel in Florida, that’s all that matters.
Personally, air suspension was a “must” for me and I wouldn’t accept a car without it. So far, I’m happy with it.
To answer do I need airmatics. I had 2020 gle450 with airmatic and 21in wheels and now I have a 24 gle450e without airmatic with 21in wheels. I like without airmatic here on gulf coast of sw fl. Given 450e is heavier (battery) but it drives/rides nicer and no wobble as compare to 20gle450
save your money and do nor order the airmatic shocks
What drove you to go with the 450e? Are the transitions between gas and electric seamless?
I had the previous model GLE 550e, with 20" wheels. The ride was not good with the steel suspension. My new GLE 450 has the AirMatic and I am very happy with it. I live in SW Florida. You don't need mountains and twisty roads to appreciate the better ride with the AirMatic suspension.
Should I order AIRMATIC on a new GLE 450? I live on the Atlantic Coast of Florida; I drive mostly on well-maintained, straight, flat roads, with the occasional off-ramp or on-ramp for excitement. Cost is not a factor; just enjoyment; i.e., will I enjoy the benefits of AIRMATIC or not really be able to tell the difference. My current GLE does not have AIRMATIC and handles pretty well. Would it handle better with AIRMATIC? Your thoughts?
If cost is not a factor, I would not hesitate to check the AIRMATIC option box. I have a GLS450, which has it standard. And I've been enjoying AIRMATIC on S-classes, since 2005.
Along the way, we had a 2007 R320 with AIRMATIC (loved it), and then a 2012 R350 which was sadly not even special-orderable with AIRMATIC by then. The difference is worth it.
I enjoy the auto load leveling, especially if I ever want to tow. I enjoy the ability to raise/lower the suspension. I enjoy the ability to select my default ride height, via coding (I like the "comfort" suspension setting, but I prefer the "-1" ride height). If you choose to pay someone like @BenzNinja for special coding, you'll only have that functionality if you have AIRMATIC.
I don’t have the GLE to GLE comparison you are looking for, but I’ve had four MBs equipped with airmatic.
s500 (sold at 320k) with strut replacements and valve block replacement at 200k, e63 (sold at 120k) that was lowering overnight during the winter due to condensation freezing in valve block. No major issues leaving me stranded or begging for repair money.
Currently an s63 and gle580. Will there be parts that need replacement? Yes, just like standard suspension needs replacement/service. Does it cost a little more money to service? Yes but nothing that is out of the ordinary as some would describe. When it’s time to move on to my next MB, I’ll be getting it airmatic equipped once again.
For our Gle my wife had initial complaints about the car being floaty in comparison to her previous Steel suspension macan s. Adjustments through coding and I haven’t heard a peep. Personally, I liked a softer ride and even had my s63 suspension settings changed to the specs of 550/560 while in comfort.
If money isn’t a factor, go for it, ability to change handling characteristics with a flip of a switch is nice to have. I also had a non-airmatic w166 ML350 and didn’t regret not equipping it so whether you go standard or airmatic, I don’t think there’s a right/wrong choice.
Should I order AIRMATIC on a new GLE 450? I live on the Atlantic Coast of Florida; I drive mostly on well-maintained, straight, flat roads, with the occasional off-ramp or on-ramp for excitement. Cost is not a factor; just enjoyment; i.e., will I enjoy the benefits of AIRMATIC or not really be able to tell the difference. My current GLE does not have AIRMATIC and handles pretty well. Would it handle better with AIRMATIC? Your thoughts?
Don't be stupid get one WITH!
Had a ML350 with airmatic then a 450 without and back to a GLE 43 with airmatic I can feel a HUGE difference. Get airmatic for these cars.
AIRMATIC for sure! We got an early '22 GLE 450 after trying to find one for months when dealers were ****ing everyone with ADMs (even last minute on orders). Supply was nil but found one with everything she wanted (everything) less AIRMATIC. Settled for the steel suspension and it's the only regret with the car. Floaty and bottoms out often on the freeway due to being WAY too soft. Shame for an otherwise perfect car.
Don't have it, don't miss it. Besides, it feels like just about every sophisticated piece of hardware on my car is glitchy (plus a bunch of unsophisticated ones). I don't need yet another source of headaches.
2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Great timing for this thread. I plan on upgrading to a V167 soon, probably the new GLE plug-in hybrid. Coming from a W166 (2013 ML350 BT) with standard steel springs, the ride is extremely comfortable. I suppose the GLE will be quite similar with the steel springs? I live in Ontario and travel mostly on rural roads that can be quite rough so the airmatic suspension would help, but I like to keep my vehicles for a long time (My W166 is now at 300k km) and I know airmatic suspension is prone to fail sooner or later and they cost a lot of money to fix. I do all of the maintenance and repairs myself, so I'm still debating on this. I would go for 19'' or 20'' wheels as well for a better quality ride.
I would go for 19'' or 20'' wheels as well for a better quality ride.
Don’t do 19’’… They will look too small for the car AND have shorter sidewall than 20’’ ones. The only benefit 19’’ provides is a square setup allowing for normal rotation but I don’t think it outweighs the look and sidewall height.
Another thing why to consider airmatic is when you tow, load the car at the back, have bikes on a bike rack (heavy ebikes) it would not squat as it levels itself. The steel springs of the GLE is floaty just like on the previous generation. You will not realize the difference until you try them both back to back. My wife and kids did complain the first time they rode at the back of our ex-450 with steel springs. I hear them saying "why too bouncy?". If you will keep the vehicle for only 4 years, no brainer go get it. If beyond that you need to get extended warranty or prepare for the expense as they will fail eventually and it is not cheap. It is one of those luxury things you should be aware of that will cost you money but that is the price to pay for such comfort and tech. If you don't load the car and careless about how it looks and handle (stiffer when you drop it) then stick to the steel springs. It is one of those options that makes a MB special and not a lot of vehicle can have it. Be warned that once you try it you will never go back to a steel suspension again.
If I would go for another V167 again I would get the 21" option then airmatic. You get the looks and the comfort all in one package.
Don’t do 19’’… They will look too small for the car AND have shorter sidewall than 20’’ ones. The only benefit 19’’ provides is a square setup allowing for normal rotation but I don’t think it outweighs the look and sidewall height.
I also vote for the 20" wheel option. The 20" is a square setup allowing for normal rotation. It's the 21" and above that become staggered.
.......Coming from a W166 (2013 ML350 BT) with standard steel springs, the ride is extremely comfortable. I suppose the GLE will be quite similar with the steel springs?.........
I think I can help make a comparison here.
I had a W164 and a W166 with steel springs, and then a V167 steel sprung loaner for 2 weeks that I put about 1200 miles on throughout Colorado. (While my 167 with E-ABC was in the shop, ironically. Not suspension related.)
IMO the worst was the 166, which was too soft and luxurious and mushy for me, then the 164 which was great off-road and I thought was a pretty good mix of Ride Comfort and handling.
Then comes the 167. Huge difference in the chassis.
If you like the steel sprung 166, I believe a you will find that comfort, handling, and load carrying are improved with the 167.
Having said that, I'd get the air suspension, for its ability to accommodate varying loads, plus - the clincher - Sport and Sport+ add more stability and a lot more fun. The car feels more nimble and smaller, even though it's bigger.
For long-term ownership, I would buy a breakdown insurance policy that covers the suspension parts of concern, with an appropriate deductible.
The 20” tires are the same size front and back. The wheel offset is different. To properly rotate the tires, you have to remove and remount the tires.
Ok, I believe I'm suffering from true ignorance here. I'm not familiar with wheel offset. Does that mean that the 20" wheels themselves have some sort of different measurement, from front to rear (if so... are they marked?), or is it something on the vehicle that's different, front vs. rear?
I was under the impression that, since the tires are 275/50R20 (front/rear), normal tire rotation was possible... But now it's clear that I'm missing some critical understanding. Thanks in advance for your help.
It has to do with the distance the wheel sits from the mounting bolts. The 20" tires are the same, but the wheels aren't and can't be swapped from to back. They might fit, but the alignment will be incorrect.
The front 20" wheels on the GLE have an offset of ET 57 and the rear are ET 44.
Thank you, @BlueYonder, for the clarification... you taught me something new!
I went back and reviewed the DOG, to see what it had to say about my particular 20" wheel/tire setup:
Since the numbers after the "ET" are the same front/rear (62.5), can I safely conclude that my offset is not different (i.e. OK for rotation)? I guess Mercedes decided that the X167 didn't get wheel offsets on the 20's, whereas the W167 did.
Anyway, thanks again!
Last edited by mercedesbuff; 12-28-2023 at 11:10 PM.
12-24-2023, 06:48 PM
