Hi all,

I’m in the market for a 2025 GLE450. I currently drive a 2021 BMW X3 M40i and absolutely love her but I’m starting to really rack on the miles. Absolutely love the look of the GLE but I’ve read so many issues, mostly in the older GLEs, and I’m a little nervous.

Those of you who own a newer 450 or GLE in general how has the ownership been so far? Any pros and cons?

Additionally how annoying is the camera opening sound at lower speeds? I test drove one last week and didn’t notice because of the chatter in the car and listening to the sound system but I’m going to go back and drive it again this week.

I appreciate the feedback.

 

I have a 2024 GLE 450. It doesn’t have the rear camera issue that others complain of. You can hear the camera come out, but it only comes out when putting the car in reverse, or in a parking situation. It doesn’t come out every time the cars slows as others say their GLE does. The car is solid, has no rattles or squeaks. The interior leather looks good and is fitted well. I did have a rough downshift issue, but this was quickly resolved with the standstill adaptation procedure. I have the air suspension and the car is quiet and comfortable on long trips. i have the Michelin tires on the 20” wheels. I find them a little noisy, and will probably change to the Pirelli when the time comes. I have 25000 miles and the tires are wearing well.

 

Which software version is this?

 

I greatly appreciate this write up! Thank you

 

I am a BMW guy but try to be objective. I have a 2025 X5 40i with 2 axle air and my wife has a 2025 GLE 450 with airmatic. We live in SE PA with lousy roads. I went for comfort. While an X3 40i with adaptive is firm it is tolerable. Too firm for me without adaptive but I am comfort first these days.

First, as to your question, yes there are horror stories on the GLE. We had a 2020 GLE 350. Car drove badly but we did not have a huge number of reliability issues. There were a number of recalls and a few issues addressed but nothing that made the car undrivable. The X3 and the GLE different classes so really not apples to apples. No reliability issues at all on the 2025 in 7 months and 7k miles. Earlier I posted on the comparison between the X5 and GLE. It is below. I will say that the more I drive the two vehicles the more I prefer the X5. GLE 450 is still a fine vehicle. But the differences in drivetrain response are more evident every time I drive. So if you are looking into a GLE 450 you owe it to yourself to drive an X5, if for no other reason than to take it out of the running.Review:

I drive a 2025 X5 40i (in service date 8/24) and my wife drives 2025 GLE 450 (in service date early Nov. 2024). This is my 5th BMW, her 4th MB GLE series. My previous vehicle was a 2022 X5 40i, her’s a 2020 GLE 350. Both 2025s were ordered with smallest wheels and air suspension and respectably, but not lavishly, equipped otherwise. Hers’ has air suspension, exclusive package (radio upgrade, vented seats), winter package. Mine has air suspension, premium, DAPP, rear air/heated seats and multi contours without massage or vent. My car has a few more toys and listed $2k higher. I offered her the Pinnacle package when ordering her car. She does not like the HUD (which I cannot live without) so that meant foregoing a number of items I would have preferred were it my car. We live in SE PA where the roads have been poor for a very long time so ride matters to us. There are few opportunities to test Msport/AMG level handling and we wanted comfort and power in the city, suburbs and on the highway. I am trying to be as objective as possible and provide info since I am living with two very comparable vehicles.

Interior Quality: I think the construction quality is very good on both vehicles. There are some design questions in GLE where something appears a little off, but I think that is simply designed that way as opposed to not being constructed well. Both vehicles are fresh but I hear no rattles or squeaks in either. Both have the “pleather” provided by their respective manufacturers. Both are durable feeling. BMW is slightly softer and more upscale. While MB seemed to make an effort to use nicer materials when they did the LCI on the e-class (unlike the 5 series where there is a general feeling of noticeable cheapening), the materials on the LCI GLE are exactly the same as on the 2020. They are a noticeable step below the X5. When both are redesigned in a few years, hoping MB ups their materials game and BMW does not decide to do what they did to the 5 series.

Seats/Adjustability: I have the softest multi contours on the X5 since there is no vent or massage. The basic package to get a decent radio in the MB requires ventilation so not really apples to apples. I would say both seats are comfortable. I suspect if I had ventilation the seats would be closer as they would be firmer. As it is I prefer the BMW seats due to being softer but the MB seats are very supportive and highly adjustable. BMW seats are highly adjustable as well. You cannot get the GLE with the seat upgrade without the Pinnacle package which was not always the case. I suspect those seats would be very comfortable but have never sat in them in a GLE. The range for the steering wheel adjustment on the MB is better. It comes out farther and can be adjusted lower.

User Interface: Unlike BMW MB kept the same user interface with the LCI. To me it is dreadful. It has the Acura/Lexus-esque track pad and is as unintuitive as I believe an automotive interface can be. Newer MBs have the full screen based system. I suspect it is better but MB seems to make it exceedingly difficult to find functions. Attention is away from the road too much for things that should be easier. For someone who has had Idrive 6, 7 and 8.5, 8.5 is less intuitive than 7, and has a lot of functions to learn, but is fairly user friendly. Eyes off the road more than Idrive 7 but light years ahead of the MBUX in the GLE. I am also annoyed that MB took away some driver display options that make it harder to see the speed you are driving (no HUD remember). BMW HUD is awesome and the digits are now larger so they are easier to see. I think BMW voice controls are better. Neither is perfect but I make up certain commands hoping it will tell me pound sand and surprisingly the BMW gets it. MB is better than the 2020 but behind BMW in voice recognition.

Audio: I am far from an audiophile. Both the HK and Burmeister are pretty good. To me the Burmeister has a slightly richer sound.

Safety Stuff: Both comparably equipped. I think MB does a better job on blind spot monitor both on sensitivity and effectiveness. I think the rest is a draw.

HVAC: BMW slightly stronger on heat. Everywhere else MB by a mile: quieter fan, A/C that is ample for very hot weather and vents that can easily direct copious amounts of air where you want. When doing the LCI BMW answered an HVAC question nobody asked and LCI owners are worse for it.

Room: Hands down MB. BMW should be ashamed a vehicle this large has a back seat this small. We are not an exceptionally tall family so the X5 is fine. But if your family is comprised of 4+ 6+ footers, MB is better for you. And the two vehicles are roughly the same size so there really is no excuse.

Brakes: A draw. Feel is different but both solid for what they are.

Steering. Both have zero feel. The MB is a bit quicker and has a slightly tighter turning circle which I appreciate. But surprisingly bumps are often felt through the steering wheel. BMW numb, slow, precise but solid and no kick through of bumps.

Structure: While the BMW is a more aluminum intensive structure (and weighs a few hundred pounds less) it feels more solid over bumps. The MB does not feel like a 1986 Yugo but it does not have that feel of a 1972 MB 300SEL either. When diving them back to back the BMW feels more structurally solid.

Noise: That being said, they both have more road noise than they should at an average transaction price in the $80k + range. All of my BMWs had wind noise issues. This one is no worse or better. MB also has some wind noise issues but I think it is very slightly superior on the highway for wind noise but I tend to drive the X5 5+ mph faster. Both allow way too much exterior noise in through the side glass. Acoustic glass should be std. at this price. At least MB lets you pay for it. Shame on BMW for taking it away (like the rear door sensors).

Everyone buys an upscale medium/large crossover for a different reason. Some it is the name/prestige, some features, some the drive, power or comfort. My wife wanted MB because she liked the name and the look. She could care less about multilink suspensions or rear drive handling. Her car, her choice. For me BMW is about drivetrain, comfort (now with 2 axle air), rear drive handling and I prefer the look.

Ride/Handling: Here is the surprise for me, the BMW rides better. I have the 20 inch wheels with 275/45 tires. She has 19 inch wheels with 275/55 tires so that is a BIG sidewall. But the BMW absorbs and cushions bad roads simply better. Does the MB ride poorly? Absolutely not. It rides well. But I was very surprised that the BMW air suspension was noticeably better at blunting our crappy roads than the MB, especially considering the tire differences. I will note that her car came equipped with Michelin Cross Climates which may be firmer riding than the Scorpions I put on my car (non-run flats). But the BMW seems more adaptive than the MB which feels more like a decent steel suspension. The ride on her 2020 GLE was horrible. I did not test drive the 2024 GLE 450 that my wife did (no air suspension), I was a passenger. From the passenger seat I thought it rode (on 20 inch wheels) much better than her 2020. Honestly ride on our air suspended GLE 450 does not feel better (from memory) than the 2024 GLE 450 tester with steel springs. And it seems to act like a steel suspension in that I do not perceive it adapting. For better or worse I feel the BMW change the damping. I was expecting an S-Class ride with the air suspension (or at least what I read about the new e-class) from the GLE air suspension. Thus far it has not been that way (always in comfort). The worse the road, the bigger the difference in comfort between the two vehicles. The MB also occasionally loses contact with the road bumps and gets knocked off track. Both cars have their tires at the lowest PSI listed so I was a little surprised at the MB. Both cars are meant to be driven on the highway at 70-80+. The MB has a very, very slight wallow but not enough to feel unstable. Neither likes crosswinds on the highway and both are more than stable at well above posted speeds. When I highlight these differences it is a matter of degree. Both are nice driving, comfortable, cruisers. I would say handling is a draw in comfort mode. I do not drive these vehicles in Sport. These models (as opposed to MSport or AMG) just do not seem right for sport mode. Although on the forums it seems many people have the Msport (which you can again get 2 axle air on the 40i if you so choose) so maybe ride is not really an issue for X5 buyers. For me, in our area, ride was paramount.

Drivetrain: While the differences in most areas are a matter of degree, the difference in drivetrain are more noticeable in several areas. The auto start stop on the MB is much better. You do not need to turn it off (we do and appreciate that they left the button to do so); it’s that good. On the BMW they finally brought back the *** off button in Idrive and it is helpful. *** works better in the LCI than in my 2022. But MB makes it seamless. Even with the *** disengaged, there is an occasional soft bump when you let off the brakes in the X5.

That is really the only negative for the BMW drivetrain. In almost every other way the drivetrain on the X5 is noticeably superior to the GLE 450 in my opinion. While the GLE 450 is amply powerful, with the BMW there is a noticeable stronger feeling of power, responsiveness and acceleration at all throttle openings. Both are smooth inline 6s. Not a huge difference there. When it comes to the smoothness and responsiveness of the transmission and interaction with the engine, the X5 is in a different league. There are times when the MB is smooth. There are other times it is jerky and tentative (in comparison to the X5 which seems to anticipate needs far better). This is not a small difference but very noticeable. MB needs to fire their transmission engineers. This has been an issue with every MB yet and there are innumerable posts in most of the different MB forums. Yes there are some software updates that may help with harsh shifting. This is not about that. This is poor calibration. While the ZF 8 speed is a great transmission, it is how it is tuned by BMW engineers that makes the difference. They have done stupid stuff elsewhere, but no one can doubt the talent of the engineers who calibrated the B58/ZF combo. I have not yet driven a better all around combination. When you consider the size of these vehicles both get pretty good fuel economy which seems comparable.

Overall we made choices that worked for us. My wife cares nothing about driving other than the vehicle gets her where she wants to go and has the right name on the front. I was the driver in options and models. She knew her GLE 350 drove poorly but would have gotten another one because she was used to it and did not want to change (after driving the X5 and admitting it drove better to her). After driving the GLE 450 she will not go back to a the 4 cyl., though After picking up her car I am very glad I made my choice. I notice the factors discussed above and feel the X5 better suits my wants and needs. It makes me feel good when I get behind the wheel and when that big lease payment comes out of my account each month.

Ideally the best thing to do is to drive vehicles with all of the options you are considering. In 2024/2025 with less cars on the lot with different options (in 2020 both vehicles would have been available to test drive with air suspension and acoustic glass I bet) these forums at least provide perspective to at least hear other opinions (and no doubt some people will disagree with my perceptions). I hope this post provided some objective (as I could be) info to help others get the right vehicle for them.

 

@pmrob you can just turn the Head Up display off on the MB. No need to avoid the package you (she) wanted.
There are three ways to do it, one of which is to say "hey Mercedes turn off head up display."
If the trackpad is a bother, just don't use it and use one of the other two methods of inputting commands or requests.
It sounds like your BMW bias caused you to order the wrong MB options for her.

Although I've spent less than 100 mi in an X5, I just don't like the car. (I was a big BMW fan in the '80s.)
The handling and suspension of the X5 turned me off. I find the X5 just doesn't handle very well. The front tires don't grip, so you end up with too much steering input leading to the rear losing grip.
I think the iDrive is a mess. I could go on and talk about Chris Bangle....

It's a good thing you have a BMW because I don't think you'd be happy with anything else.
I wonder how your Wife would have written a comparison. Next time let her order her own car. With her own biases.

 

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I know the HUD settings are saved to your profile so I bet if he were to set it to ON for himself and OFF for his wife, this would also be saved to the profiles.

Regarding the track pad, you almost have 3 other methods for input if you count the voice assistant too (steering wheel and touchscreen). I don't like the track pad either and mostly use the screen. I use the track pad for changing tracks a lot though.

@pmrob did you use the gas flap guide for tire pressure set up for "Normal load" on the GLE? It sounds like you did but wanted to make sure.

 

Honestly I did not even consider that as an option as I love the HUD in my last 4 BMWs and never even considered just turning them off. Certainly would work but seems like a waste to pay a nice chunk of change for that feature and not use it. She seemed rather uninterested in the other items even though I personally would have appreciated the fancy seats.

As far as the other methods of managing the vehicle, I find them less intuitive and harder to manage than iDrive. IDrive 8.5 is definitely less intuitive than iDrive 7 but, while there a lot of widgets in iDrive 8.5 there I find the things I am looking to adjust in an orderly manner. I have been unable to find similar functions in MBUX as easily (or at all). For instance, in two quick taps I can find the actual air pressure for teh tires in my car. I know MBUX has that but I could not find it. I can ask the car and it will tell me that the pressures are not low, but won't tell me what they are. Again, personal preference and for those who prefer MBUX, Audi, etc. I respect your decision. There is no wrong answer here, just preference. I would never fault someone for liking a GLE 450 better as they may prioritize the things I do not. If I was not getting the air ride, I think the base GLE 450 that I was a passenger in rode better than the base X5. But, for me, if you live in a place with crappy roads like I do, I think the X5 with air cushions better. It could be vehicle specific. I would, however, defy anyone to drive the two cars back to back and tell me that the responsiveness and smoothness of the GLE 450 drivetrain is as good as the X5. Even my non-enthusiast wife admits there is no comparison in engine/transmission smoothness and responsiveness. But, others may differ. That is why there is chocolate, vanilla and tutti frutti (if there still is tutti frutti).

But I did review all options for my wife with her. I would never presume to make choices for her. While our choices are different, this is her vehicle and she is an intelligent person with her own preferences. In this house I am the car guy and I provide the options. But her car, her choice. She is the doc and I always defer to her on medical decisions (however, I never disagree since she has the knowledge base). I was simply explaining the relatively comparable builds so someone reading understands we are not comparing a GLE 350 to and X5M or another apples to orange comparison. That would not be fair. These two vehicles are fairly closely equipped so someone seeking a comfortable mid/full size upscale SUV may find the comparison helpful from someone who drives both vehicles regularly.

As far as the tires go, I get you. Given how the dealers keep the tires over inflated on the lot to avoid flat spotting, the first thing I ask them to do during prep is to drop the pressures. And then I check them myself cold at home. They are on 32 lbs all around. Interestingly BMW suggests both higher pressures and lopsided pressures. I actually use a few pounds less since I do not use the run flats.

 

You are correct. My wife never actually does reviews. But for her the outcome would be different, definitely. Despite agreeing on certain aspects she likes the familiarity of the GLE and that is why we got it for her. And given your preferences the X5 clearly would not work for you and I respect your choice. Great minds can differ and these are luxuries, not necessities, so we should get exactly what we like. And next time the data points may change. By the time our respective leases are up there will be a new GLE (I suspect) and a new X5 (I know). Maybe BMW will mess up the interior like they did on the 5 series? Make it really fat. Hire MB transmission engineers (:-) Maybe the GLE will improve the transmission and clean up the MBUX so it feels more intuitive to a technophobe like me. I would never discount buying a different vehicle. While overall I have preferred the BMW styling and driving I was actually looking forward to the new GLE thinking it would be more comfortable for me. It is a fine car but I still feel better with my X5 as do you with your GLE. But the one thing we can all count on to stay the same is change.

Cheers.

 

The new straight six in the GLE 450 is every bit as smooth and powerful as the BMW engine. BMW was smart because they buy a transmission from ZF instead of trying to build their own like Mercedes. The Mercedes transmission can be clunky and is inferior to the ZF product. I looked at the X5 before I purchased my GLE. My major complaints were the small back seat room, the lack of an air suspension option, and the ergonomics of the dash design. The instrument display is not integrated and looks like they realized at the last minute that they forgot to include a display and just tacked it on.

When it comes time to replace my GLE, I will be back comparing the BMW and Mercedes again. Maybe Porsche too. If Audi ever gets rid of all the shiny black plastic, they could be a player too.

 

Audi? unlikely just look at the new Q5, they introduced even more of that.

 

You just don't know how to find simple things on the MB. For instance, just set the display to show tire pressure all the time. From the rest of your comment, it may be a mental block because of a heavy bias against MB.
IMO you have done your Wife a dis-service by advocating for/against various options, Mr. "Car Guy."
Yes, I've driven both cars back to back, on my chosen 20 mile test drive. The BMW rides hard, doesn't steer well, and hangs shifts. Ride and handling were so bad that I stopped and checked tire pressures during my drive. Equivalent tire sizes.
You even removed the RunFlats but still love BMW tires. No, dealers don't leave the cars overinflated to avoid flat spots. A "Car Guy" would know that.
Biased review all around. Welcome to your 5th (next) BMW.

 

If you download the Mercedes Benz app to your phone, it will show you tire pressures.

 

I love my '22 450. No issues except minor stuff like a blown fuse for rear seating power.

Pros: engine, comfort, tow capacity, fuel economy, timeless looks, quality, wow factor, safety, perfect HMI, large screens, dealership service

Cons: parking far from the mouth breather simps to avoid jealous and intentional door dings.

 

I don't know about you but the further I park, pickups always find the desire to park next to me.