makiii

I am thinking of getting a 2020 or 2021 GLE 350 with less than 35,000 miles for my wife. Currently she still drives her 2010 ML350, with 81,000 miles - it has been a fantastic vehicle, virtually no issues in the 14 years we've owned it - but it is 14 years old. Since it is older we have been using my 2017 E400 wagon for trips and have racked a ton of miles (78,000) on. In the last 4 years the ML350 has averaged 1935 miles a year, yes not a typo its one thousand nine hundred & 35 miles - even if we used it for trips, it still would be under 8,000 a year - so spending for a New car is just absurd for how little the car is driven. we might just keep the ML as it has virtually no value left. Interest rates are awful, bought the wagon with cash, not going to do that again. haven't had a car payment in over 10 years. I am at a loss on what to do, any advice?

W205C43PFL

Hmmm, do you like the the idea of the ML 350 shape and form? If so you could get a 2019 GLE 400 with the very reliable M276.

Other than your needs of a newer vehicle and probably becoming your daily apparently while the 2017 E 400 will get less miles when you have this new vehicle (btw same engine in that thing, M276).

What are your other needs? Do you want a more recent vehicle hence why you considered the V167, or you want a more tried and true for many years to come with the 166?

AMMBGLE

It depends on the vehicle generally better to get newer 2021 it’s second year of production for that body style. I have the 2020 GLE 350 and it has been relatively trouble free, just some recalls which were corrected and has over 40000 miles on it. Check the carfax and if you can get 2021 for your price point go for it. However if your budget dictates a 2020 and the carfax checks out should be fine too. Mercedes dealerships have preowned vehicles with warranty they sell but you’ll get better deal privately. I’d look for ones with extended warranty cause anything on these trucks costs a lot to fix.

makiii

"What are your other needs?"
We love the space the ML gives, love the tech of the e400 wagon, Mercedes change the center console on the MLs in 2012 and wife really dislike the change thought it looked cheap and she likes the "hidden" drawer in the 2010.
Needs - Both kids (39 &41-kids?) do not live near us but to close to fly so we find we are always hauling stuff to them, so space is the only major need. As I do all the driving comfort and shoulder space is important.
Looking at 2020 &21's because their depreciation has made them doable, price, the issue with price comes down to the miles the car is used, outside of the 400/500-mile trips ( 3x a year) car only gets driven about 40 miles a week - and my number OCD can't justify 70 to 80 grand for new.

what issues should I look for?
if a Mercedes dealer I will request the Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI), look for gaps

W205C43PFL

I see, then the GLE seems like the right vehicle for you.

VMI is a good start for sure, the CPO process is a mix bag, I still recommend a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified shop but if you don't want to, you still have the very limited CPO warranty, I forgot what it covers but definitely not the same as new car warranty.