Tested my first GLE - a 53 AMG. Harsh ride?
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Tested my first GLE - a 53 AMG. Harsh ride?
I got to test out my first ever GLE, a 53. On some used car dealer lot where I would never ever buy it, but I couldn’t find a well specced one at Benz dealers (they mostly have GLE350 or coupes, and I don’t like the GLE coupe at all).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
Last edited by starfly; Oct 13, 2025 at 07:08 PM.
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I got to test out my first ever GLE, a 53. On some used car dealer lot where I would never ever buy it, but I couldn’t find a well specced one at Benz dealers (they mostly have GLE350 or coupes, and I don’t like the GLE coupe at all).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
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Comparing to a Cayenne with air suspension, even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode it still felt pretty smooth. My Q8 in Dynamic mode (it has adaptive dampers) noticeably firms up, but still isn’t as rough on the GLE 53.
Which options would make the ride smoother?
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I got to test out my first ever GLE, a 53. On some used car dealer lot where I would never ever buy it, but I couldn’t find a well specced one at Benz dealers (they mostly have GLE350 or coupes, and I don’t like the GLE coupe at all).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
Nice car overall, responsive drive train, not much turbo lag, gears down quickly when you need it. I did have it in Comfort mode the whole time and feel like the ride quality was pretty harsh compared to my Audi Q8. I could feel every vibration on the road, whereas the Q8 just glides over it.
Is this the norm for the GLE AMG trims? I did see a review by savagegeese on the GLE and they too mentioned ride quality wasn’t the best.
Do like the spacious and functional interior, lots of storage nooks and such. The Q8 is severely lacking in that department (thankfully I don’t usually need to store much in my car).
Which rim size on Q8? And on the 53?
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2025 GLE 450, 2022 AMG GLE 53
No idea what the tire pressure was. I did notice the used car dealer put the cheapest possible tires on it, some no name brand. Probably overinflated as well, but again, I didn’t check the tire pressure. All I can tell is that it felt really busy on the road.
Comparing to a Cayenne with air suspension, even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode it still felt pretty smooth. My Q8 in Dynamic mode (it has adaptive dampers) noticeably firms up, but still isn’t as rough on the GLE 53.
Which options would make the ride smoother?
Comparing to a Cayenne with air suspension, even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode it still felt pretty smooth. My Q8 in Dynamic mode (it has adaptive dampers) noticeably firms up, but still isn’t as rough on the GLE 53.
Which options would make the ride smoother?
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I did also tested a SQ8, and in Comfort mode it's just way smoother than the GLE.
Last edited by starfly; Oct 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM.
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So unless there is a special suspension option that one should get to really smooth out the ride, I guess the GLE AMG is not for me and I'll have to concur with the savagegeese review where they compared the GLE 53 with a Kia in terms of ride quality.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Well, I was curious what the GLE would be like, as I had never driven one and never really considered a MB before. I also tested performance versions of a Cayenne (GTS) and a SQ8, and those do not at all compromise ride quality for performance, and they handle extremely well in their most aggressive suspension settings, while being very smooth in their comfort/normal modes. The MB felt worse in Comfort than the SQ8/Cayenne felt in Sport modes. It's just surprising, as I always equated MB with comfort, and would have also expected their AMG versions to be like that. Even the X5 M50/M60 which I also tested felt softer, suspension wise.
So unless there is a special suspension option that one should get to really smooth out the ride, I guess the GLE AMG is not for me and I'll have to concur with the savagegeese review where they compared the GLE 53 with a Kia in terms of ride quality.
So unless there is a special suspension option that one should get to really smooth out the ride, I guess the GLE AMG is not for me and I'll have to concur with the savagegeese review where they compared the GLE 53 with a Kia in terms of ride quality.
Sport mode in the VW Group cars is roughly equivalent to Comfort in the AMG53. That was true of the X5, but I haven't driven one in the last four years.
Most used car dealers (and tire shops, for that matter) don't know that the door post pressures ARE NOT the correct pressures. They are the max pressure those tires are rated for.
I always take a tire pressure gauge with me when test driving cars. They're seldom correct.
I don't know what's gotten into SavageGeese recently, but they Hate on Mercedes cars more than others. They're just in bad moods, and seem to be in a contest between each other as to which can make the most derogatory comments about the car they're testing. With diminishing insight into the cars themselves. They were reliable in previous years.
Now they don't know much of anything about their cars, and they're really poor drivers on the track.
Edit - yes, the AMG ARC, AMG Ride Control, gives better ride than Comfort in all cars mentioned above, and superior handling.
Porsche PDCC, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, is a similar option.
Last edited by mikapen; Oct 14, 2025 at 02:54 PM.
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2025 GLE 450 Coupe
Thanks for the feedback. I have had AMG vehicles and currently drive a 2025 GLE 450 Coupe. I love this car.
It has Airmatic and 21" wheels. I am now 66 years old and was finding less and less satisfaction with stiffer rides and stiffer seats of the AMG's..
I ordered the 450 Coupe to get more comfort. It has exceeded my expectations. It is not a perfect car (there are a few small things that drive me stupid ) But I am impressed by the comfort and drive of this car
My AMG's were all SUV's and never a true AMG (no 63's). But I drive my GLE 450 in Individual mode with everything except suspension set to Sport. I know... This gives me more than enough performance AND the comfort my old bod desires.
You'll find the right choice - just keep driving....
It has Airmatic and 21" wheels. I am now 66 years old and was finding less and less satisfaction with stiffer rides and stiffer seats of the AMG's..
I ordered the 450 Coupe to get more comfort. It has exceeded my expectations. It is not a perfect car (there are a few small things that drive me stupid ) But I am impressed by the comfort and drive of this car
My AMG's were all SUV's and never a true AMG (no 63's). But I drive my GLE 450 in Individual mode with everything except suspension set to Sport. I know... This gives me more than enough performance AND the comfort my old bod desires.
You'll find the right choice - just keep driving....
Well, I was curious what the GLE would be like, as I had never driven one and never really considered a MB before. I also tested performance versions of a Cayenne (GTS) and a SQ8, and those do not at all compromise ride quality for performance, and they handle extremely well in their most aggressive suspension settings, while being very smooth in their comfort/normal modes. The MB felt worse in Comfort than the SQ8/Cayenne felt in Sport modes. It's just surprising, as I always equated MB with comfort, and would have also expected their AMG versions to be like that. Even the X5 M50/M60 which I also tested felt softer, suspension wise.
So unless there is a special suspension option that one should get to really smooth out the ride, I guess the GLE AMG is not for me and I'll have to concur with the savagegeese review where they compared the GLE 53 with a Kia in terms of ride quality.
So unless there is a special suspension option that one should get to really smooth out the ride, I guess the GLE AMG is not for me and I'll have to concur with the savagegeese review where they compared the GLE 53 with a Kia in terms of ride quality.
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W167 2021 GLE63S, W223 2022 S580
Coding
Thanks for the feedback. I have had AMG vehicles and currently drive a 2025 GLE 450 Coupe. I love this car.
It has Airmatic and 21" wheels. I am now 66 years old and was finding less and less satisfaction with stiffer rides and stiffer seats of the AMG's..
I ordered the 450 Coupe to get more comfort. It has exceeded my expectations. It is not a perfect car (there are a few small things that drive me stupid ) But I am impressed by the comfort and drive of this car
My AMG's were all SUV's and never a true AMG (no 63's). But I drive my GLE 450 in Individual mode with everything except suspension set to Sport. I know... This gives me more than enough performance AND the comfort my old bod desires.
You'll find the right choice - just keep driving....
It has Airmatic and 21" wheels. I am now 66 years old and was finding less and less satisfaction with stiffer rides and stiffer seats of the AMG's..
I ordered the 450 Coupe to get more comfort. It has exceeded my expectations. It is not a perfect car (there are a few small things that drive me stupid ) But I am impressed by the comfort and drive of this car
My AMG's were all SUV's and never a true AMG (no 63's). But I drive my GLE 450 in Individual mode with everything except suspension set to Sport. I know... This gives me more than enough performance AND the comfort my old bod desires.
You'll find the right choice - just keep driving....
"You have a AMG 222, you love the car and it's power but the Comfort mode feels to stiff in your eyes ?
Get the Exclusive, by BenzNinja designed Airmatic coding conversion on Comfort mode
changing comfort only to a luxury smooth suspension as the regular S580 S550 S50
Your S mode is maintained"
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
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No idea what the tire pressure was. I did notice the used car dealer put the cheapest possible tires on it, some no name brand. Probably overinflated as well, but again, I didn’t check the tire pressure. All I can tell is that it felt really busy on the road.
Comparing to a Cayenne with air suspension, even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode it still felt pretty smooth. My Q8 in Dynamic mode (it has adaptive dampers) noticeably firms up, but still isn’t as rough on the GLE 53.
Which options would make the ride smoother?
Comparing to a Cayenne with air suspension, even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode it still felt pretty smooth. My Q8 in Dynamic mode (it has adaptive dampers) noticeably firms up, but still isn’t as rough on the GLE 53.
Which options would make the ride smoother?
