I am looking to purchase a 2020 GLE350 4matic with the below specs for $37k + tax. I am upgrading from a 2018 GLC and the kids just need more space and im on the brink of hitting 100k miles.

What kind of issues, if any, can i expect going forward and should i really look at purchasing the warranty?

- White on Black
- 43k miles
- 2 Owners
- No Accidents
- AMG Package
- Airmatic Suspension
- 3rd Row

Premium 1 Package, AMG Line Exterior Package, AIRMATIC Package, Night Package, 3rd Row Seat Package, Parking Assist Package, MB-Tex Upper Dash and Door Trim, 21 AMG Multispoke Wheels with Black Accents, Air Balance Package, Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood Trim, Burmester Surround Sound System, 4-Zone Automatic Climate Control, MBUX Multimedia System, Black Fabric Headliner, Heated and Ventilated Front Seats, Heated and Cooled Cupholders, Power Rear Side-Window BlindsC

 

Read up on M264 Cylinder head replacement / failure. Also an identified issue on the similar M260 engine equipped in A/GLA/GLB models.

Your referenced vehicle is nicely equipped, if I were you, I would purchase an extended warranty (some sponsors here offer plans from reputable companies w/ excellent rates). OR scrap the 350 idea all together and look for a 450. I've driven the 350 and did find it quite robust but the reports of cylinder head failures is concerning.

 

I don't know if Airmatic was offered in the 350.

 

For what it is worth, I heard cases of reports that even new car warranty and extended warranty (especially the latter) didn't cover certain cylinder head failures but that was mainly true for the M274 engine so not on the V167 GLE, which the latter has a M264. I forgot the details on why. I recommend getting the V167 GLE 450 or maybe you can get away from using good gas + ensuring the vehicle cools well + using LSPI prevention oil + shorten OCI.

The ABC is indeed the thing to look out for and when it does fail it does get expensive.

 

Please note that Airmatic is not e-ABC.

From a suspension perspective, you could have the standard "selective-damping" suspension with the double-wishbones in the front and multi-link in the rear, with coil-springs etc.
Then there's the Airmatic
And finally the e-ABC, which uses the Airmatic and 48V functionality to do a lot more things.

My E450 All-Terrain comes standard with the Airmatic, and the Selective damping suspension is not even an option that one can downgrade to. For long term ownership, I personally prefer the FAR less complex, but equally dynamic "Selective Damping" suspension.

For my GLE450, I made sure that I edited OUT, the Airmatic and the e-ABC etc., from the options list, since my intent is long-term ownership, and not just rent/lease it for a few years, and move onto a different product.

 

I know that. e-ABC is e active body control, which is the technology used in MB's free driving assist.

I mean Airmatic in general, air suspension in general can get costly when it needs to be repaired.

 

Yes, certainly. Too many things to go wrong in the airmatic, including the air-chambers, the air tank, the pump that keeps the 4 air "springs" primed and activated, the sensors etc. And when they do fail (probably close to a 100K or thereabouts), it will need expensive fixes.

The E-ABC takes all of that to a whole another level of complexity.

Long-term ownership will need simplicity, not complexity. The fundamental multi-damping double-wishbone/ multi-link suspension of MB, will go on for ever. MB is really good at that. Stick to it, if you intend to own the car for the long haul. Skip the airmatic (which is still palatable) and avoid the E-ABC like the plague.

 

So far no issues with my E-ABC, same with a friend who has somewhere around 65-75k miles by now.
Knock on wood, hopefully no issues. I did buy an extended warranty even though this hydraulic system is simpler than previous versions. Better to be safe afterall.

 

Ya exactly.

Oh good to hear

 

I am certain MB has extensively tested the system, with typical German thoroughness, and it will exceed the lifespan of any such complex electro-hydro-mechanical system, before requiring repairs or extensive maintenance - as long as you sensibly use the car, and not abuse it. I cringe when I see some of these videos put out by car reviewers, where you see them "testing" (severely abusing) the E-ABC system.

Repairs are where the MB ownership becomes a financial burden, while a Honda would not - especially when it comes to esoteric items like the e-ABC. And if you have that aspect covered, I would just enjoy the car.

For long-term ownership (10 years+), if I am starting out now, I would skip these complex options, and deliberately choose the WAY over-engineered, multi-damping double-wishbone/multi-link suspension, which would literally go on for ever, without needing any additional outlay (my prior ML320, which had a predecessor of that double-wishbone suspension, was donated at 245,000 miles with ZERO problems other than typical wear items like brake-pads, wiper blades and tires). And that approach is exactly what I adopted in my new GLE450, which I intend to keep for 10+ years.

And if i am buying a used car (which I am personally not) I would seek out the standard multi-damping suspension. And of course if I am a leasor (I personally never lease) I would not care anyway, and just go with whatever makes you happy.

PS: Interestingly, Honda resisted adding an Air suspension in their products, including in their highest performing products, for decades, till they succumbed fairly recently, and added it to their MDX Type-s with the higher performing 3.0L Turbo DOHC engine. And we are talking an airmatic type deal that they added to the MDX Type-s, and not anything more complex. Typical risk-averse Honda, who try to stick to the tried-and-true, and de-risking via such an approach.

 

Don't do it.

2020 was the nadir of MB's "difficulties" during the "difficult time".

Do an exhaustive search of this site focused on year 2020 and 2021. You will convince yourself.

First year of production on a new platform is generally to be avoided across all brands and models. For V167, 2020 would be the year to avoid, together with 2021-2024 for any four-banger MB and any MB with a 48V system.

 

It (the dancing) was a fun party trick, although this never made it to production (other than the free driving assist in the video):

Edit: Found the dancing part of the video (which never made it to production):

 

 

For me, it's engine output, comfort, and driving dynamics. While I wouldn't be happy to spend extra money on repairs, I also want to enjoy the moment. Longevity would be nice but it's less important to me than advanced features. And we all know longevity and advanced features don't go hand-in-hand.

 

And then Porsche met them on the dance floor:

 

True, I forgot porsche stole the idea from MB as well on the panamera.

 

Unless we don't count that Audi had it first:

 

Yeah, agree. But believe you me, you would not miss a beat, if you do opt for the supple, multi-damping suspension of MB, with the double-wishbones in the front, and multi-link double-wishbones in the rear. The longevity is just an added plus.

Having both the airmatic and the multi-damping standard suspension, in the 2 MB products I own, I have no ride preference, for either option. Both drive/ride equally well, as far as I am concerned. The non-airmatic version has better mileage, but that was just a pleasant/surprise discovery I made, after the purchase.

 

Can it dance at the rate of the GLE?

 

I don't doubt that driving in "comfort" mode in both systems is supple.

While I mostly drive in comfort, around 25% of my driving is in the other modes: Sport +, Curve, and occasionally off-road. I've become fond of the versatility in driving dynamics that the more advanced suspension systems offer. When I had an airmatic-equipped GLS 450 rental for 3 weeks, it was extremely comfortable as a family hauler but outside of comfort mode, I didn't feel a significant difference in the various drive settings so going air vs springs probably would not "miss a beat" as you say. To me, airmatic Sport mode felt just a hair different than Comfort. Personally though, I'd still tick the airmatic box because it adjusts to the load and that's helpful as a family hauler/utility vehicle, even though the daily solo driving probably isn't much different as you state in your experience owning both systems.

Regarding my experience with E-ABC, Sport/Sport + really buttons down the 5000 lbs vehicle, suspension lowers and stiffens up, mimics sway bars to reduce roll--the car just stays flat all the time whether around curves, braking, and WOT in all the modes besides Eco. The E-ABC suspension is even more pronounced off-road, making ruts and washboard-riddled dirt roads nearly disappear.

It's like the other addictions that Mercedes offers: soft-close doors, HUD, massage seats. I've adapted to these features and now it's hard to kick the addiction. Woe is me right?

 

The E-ABC is less complex than a standard air suspension, so I'd expect it to be more reliable. Simpler than the VW/P/Audi solutions, and much simpler than previous MB versions.
The knuckles, bushings and links are also more robust than a standard GLE suspension, as are those on AMG Ride Control. The turning circle is even a bit bigger.
I'd be more concerned about the potential expense of a Honda window winder than an E-ABC suspension.

But I wouldn't own either without some sort of Service Policy or Extended Warranty. For when that ILS burns out or similar.

 

Across brands and models, air suspension is miles more comfortable than non-air suspension, all else being equal. A driver with an average level of discernment can notice this.

It's physics - ride comfort comes from low spring rate and resultant damping setting. Nothing else. Remember the Fleetwood Brougham and Lincoln Town Car? Same principle.

Steel spring suspension is a compromise from a spring rate point of view - there is only one spring rate available, and it must serve all conditions. Adaptive, "multi" or adjustable damping cannot overcome the built-in limitations of a steel spring suspension, and match the ride comfort delivered by air suspension. Damping (shock absorbers) plays a secondary role w.r.t. ride comfort.

Ride comfort is about low spring rate. Air suspension delivers the lowest possible spring rate, lower than a steel spring suspension.

 

Coil springs have progressive rates. They are soft when unladen, and the spring rate increases with compression AKA bigger load.
They don't have "only one rate."

 

I still own a GLB and I read the GLB forum it seems like the people there are covered.

 

Some didn't get it covered, reason unknown maybe they didn't follow factory scheduled intervals on their M260 vehicles.