markaj1

Hi all. Working on getting a GLE450, Just want to see current 2024 owners opinion on this. If the only option I care about on pinnacle is the advanced lights option then is it worth upgrading to it and pay the price difference (along with being forced to get leather) ? Are the standard headlights adequate along with exclusive package. Appreciate any feedback.

shotgun_banjo

Please make sure to get the airmatic with this vehicle.

BlueYonder

Once you get used to using the HUD you won’t want a car without it

Elvisfan0108

Why is that so important? My 450e rides fine without it.

Elvisfan0108

The massaging seats are very nice. In addition to the HUD.

vincheung

In reference to your post, regarding the lighting, I think the difference between advanced and "standard" is the addition of curve assist and active high beam. I have a 2020 580 with advanced lighting equipped (curve assist wasn't built in or available I believe). If you don't care for or need the active high beam assist then the standard LED should be just fine. Curve assist I have equipped on another MB model and I like the feature, would I pay 6k+ to have it? Probably not. Leather, it's nice but having had MB tex on my w166 I always thought MB tex was perfectly fine considering it'll be my jeans in contact with the seat, for $2000 I would probably opt for leather these days but its not a deal breaker.

As for the above referenced options mentioned by others:
HUD - If I never had it I wouldn't miss it, now that I have it I would opt for it.
AirMatic - If I never had it I wouldn't think about it. I now have had it in 4 MBs (2 previous, 2 current) and will always have it equipped in the future. System is fairly reliable and standard repairs are only slightly more expensive.
Massage Seats - It's at the very bottom of my list, if its in a package ok I'll take it but if it were an a-la-carte option its a hard pass. At best its a Brookstone/Sharper Image level massage pad, just a novelty. I have it in my S class and GLE, both meh in my opinion.

markaj1

thank you so much for the detailed reply. The standard lights come with “adaptive high beam assist” so it’s basically just no curve functions ?

earlvolfan

Except you can't see it with polarized sunglasses. I had it in my 2020 GLE, but left it off my 2025 GLS order.

BTW, the massaging seats are great for long trips, had in on my GLE, ordered it on my GLS, my wife loves hers on her GLE 53.

Elvisfan0108

When I bought my C300, the HUD was a $1500 option. Now it’s part of a $9000 package. But it is more sophisticated.

vincheung

For my 2020 GLE, just took a look at my window sticker, it was equipped with the advanced lighting package which consists of "LED Intelligent Lighting System, Advanced LED headlamps w/ ultra high range, Adaptive High Beam Assist" from my understanding the Active Curve was not available that year (maybe a DOT issue?).

I actually thought it was included and functioning until one evening I drove my other car confirmed equipped with it (S63) and then drove my GLE. Its a subtle function but somewhat noticeable that its not there especially if you are coming from a vehicle equipped with it and frequently drive on roads not very well lit.

If the current standard lighting you are considering is equipped with "adaptive high beam assist" it sounds like you'll have pretty much the set-up I have equipped in the 2020. Considering you only really care about the lighting aspect of the pinnacle package, and the other features you see as just fluff (along with the force fed leather package). If I were in your shoes, I would opt-out because its essentially 10% of the MSRP/$7,500 for active curve, NO THANKS.

markaj1

my thinking too, thank you much for the feedback. Will shoot for the exclusive and AMG exterior and if I get lucky with the airmatic package.

vincheung

The features equipped standard in the new build are pretty comprehensive. The AMG ext & exclusive package are a great combo, both give it a noticeable bump up. Forgot to mention earlier, If you were considering adding wheel locks with your order, skip it, there are tons of good used sets on ebay for $40 - Search part number A0009909819

shotgun_banjo

You are missing one of the greatest features of owning a high priced mercedes without an airmatic. That thing defines luxury. It is like comparing margarine (spring) vs pure butter (airmatic). There are a lot of reasons why one should have airmatic on the GLE namely, wont be bouncy, you literally can have soft (city and highway use) and hard suspension (spirited and twisty roads), for looks you can have the suspension drop or raised without forking new springs and struts, my all time favorite which is if you load the truck to the gills or even pull a trailer the vehicle will never squat as it will automatically level it for you.

shotgun_banjo

Also the get the intelligent lighting package. Even if it will be the dumb version (aka not fully intelliegent as the features are locked by MB USA) you will get active LEDs that you cannot get on standard LEDs. Also it looks better to be honest.

Massage seats are a meh. Dont bother with it. HUD is so so as well as the GLE already have a HUGE colored screen in front of you. But if it is package why not.

One of my favorite option I miss is the SOFT CLOSE DOORS. With all of the cars I owned my wife, kids and whoever always will not push the door enough to close it properly and I have to call em out and ask them to reclose it. When I had that option on my 450 I never have to ask anyone how to close the door and when they figure out it closes by itself you wont hear any door banging....peace and quiet.

shotgun_banjo

Another thing to consider is not to go with black or tan interior. Go with the brown interior as it looks so much better. Even in MB text version it looks more expensive. If you will go leather go with the expensive designo leather and not the regular leather as the regular leather is so-so.....it will wear out faster than the MB text and the designo leather is thicker and softer.

Also do not go with beige headliner and make sure you have the trailer hitch!!!!

maplesyrup

The massaging seats and HUD are both panned and praised here. I like both. The HUD is useful in an unfamiliar busy city environment. I keep it off otherwise.

The massage seats are useful for long travel days.

The combination is good for the long travel days that leave you in an unfamiliar busy city environment.

Bryce1023

I have the Exclusive package and I don’t feel that I’m missing out on anything of significance . Granted, I don’t have a basis of comparison, and furthermore I am not a die hard automobile enthusiast, however, if you’re spending more money just on one component of the Pinnacle package perhaps your money can be better spent. My lighting is quite adequate. In any case, best of luck with your new vehicle.

wildta

As weak as the massage seats are, I definitely would get this option again. They help a lot during road trips, even 5min drive to the grocery store. I'm a keyboard warrior for some parts of the work week so I'll take the weak massage over no massage. I also turn it on after leaving the gym.

PeteInGilroy

This is why I order my prescription glasses without polarization.

chassis

Have you ever owned a car with air suspension for 2 years or longer?

Eurocar11

We have a 2024 GLE450 with the Pinnacle package. We wanted (and enjoy) all the features included with Pinnacle, except the "air balance - fragrance" thing. Easy solution. We never installed the scented liquid bottle in the glove box.

Since we have Pinnacle, can't speak to the adequacy of the standard lights. I suppose if you don't travel on dark roads much then the advanced lighting may not be worth it to you.

As far as opting for Pinnacle or not, it obviously comes down to personal preferences and/or budget. You could also look at it this way....years from now, will you regret not opting for the Pinnacle package?

Elvisfan0108

On an $88k car, I wouldn’t worry about the $120 difference for new wheel locks. Also, I would prefer not giving the EBay seller my address so they can take them back and sell them used again.

Elvisfan0108

Never had them. I have heard stories about them failing. I bought the 450e CPO. I was lucky to get the exact color combo my wife wanted. No airmatic.

vincheung

I always try to save a few bucks (in this case a tank of gas) where I can. Also when buying, all the little nic-nacks, like wheel locks, mats, jacket hanger, first aid kit, etc. adds up to a few hundred bucks very quickly.

As for an eBay seller coming to steal back wheel locks, if the guy flies from San Diego to my weekend home in PA, tracks me down in NYC, and accesses my garage, just for their wheel locks back from a lease they returned and don’t need anymore. At that point I’ll just give it back to them. eBay isn’t a scary place, don’t worry too much about shopping there.

vincheung

Airmatic is one of those things where after you have it for a while you grow a preference for. Aside from airmatic there are the MBC equipped vehicles but it’s essentially another ‘it’s nice if you have it but not a bad thing if you don’t.’ Doesn’t fail frequently, if there is an issue it’s typically a single component, slightly more costly but nothing exorbitant.

Had and currently have two airmatic equipped and enjoy(ed) them. With that said, I had a w166 that was not and found it quite comfortable.

All in all, nice to have, would I say it’s a deal breaker, No.