View Poll Results: AIRMATIC on GLE 450 worth it?
Yes
22
73.33%
No
8
26.67%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll
AIRMATIC on GLE 450 - worth hunting for?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 39
Likes: 13
Audi Q5, 986 Boxster
It has: DAP, warmth and comfort, night package, acoustic, AIRMATIC, AMG exterior, Pinnacle, panorama sunroof, 4-zone climate, winter package, 21" AMG wheels.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 11
2020 gle 450
The acoustic package is really nice. Makes it really quiet inside. The 4-zone and winter packages are nice too! 76K still seems a little high for all of that. Probably because it's CPO assuming coming from MB dealer. If you can wait, you could probably find a better deal.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 39
Likes: 13
Audi Q5, 986 Boxster
The acoustic package is really nice. Makes it really quiet inside. The 4-zone and winter packages are nice too! 76K still seems a little high for all of that. Probably because it's CPO assuming coming from MB dealer. If you can wait, you could probably find a better deal.
Unfortunately time really is not on my side and seeing I had such a hard time finding one with options I liked, most likely gonna pull the trigger on this one!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 11
2020 gle 450
If you do, you won't be disappointed with all those features. Mine had the cabin perfume atomizer and power rear window shades which come in handy with the family.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 39
Likes: 13
Audi Q5, 986 Boxster
Yeah no powered rear shades on this one. I'm glad about the 4-zone though because that adds the vents on B pillar for second row.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 20
Likes: 11
2020 gle 450
Nice! You'll like all of them. The GLE 450 is such a nice SUV. I drove a recent Audi Q8 and it didn't even come close to the GLE for comfort/ride IMO,
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
In 2020 and 2021, we drove every suspension configuration available for the 167 chassis.
We owned an E-ABC car but it was a Covid mess, it was brought back.
Our rankings were as follows:
1. AMG ARC (AMG ride control)
2. Steel springs
3. E-ABC
4. Air suspension
I'd put the Cayenne PDCC just behind ARC, FWIW.
The best combination of ride and handling is the AMG ARC.
The air suspension is just too floaty or boat like. Sport mode on the air suspension is better but harsher than we liked. Really disliked the "Curve" function in E-ABC, as a driver.
We owned an E-ABC car but it was a Covid mess, it was brought back.
Our rankings were as follows:
1. AMG ARC (AMG ride control)
2. Steel springs
3. E-ABC
4. Air suspension
I'd put the Cayenne PDCC just behind ARC, FWIW.
The best combination of ride and handling is the AMG ARC.
The air suspension is just too floaty or boat like. Sport mode on the air suspension is better but harsher than we liked. Really disliked the "Curve" function in E-ABC, as a driver.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I like the progressive spring rates on steel, which to me gives better feedback.
Another reason for my steel spring preference is towing. A 750# tongue weight compresses them into their sweet spot, and the car-trailer feels more like a unit, compared to unladen steel. It's personal preference. I only tow trailers under 4500# now.
Don't forget that I spent at least a thousand miles in each variety and choose the AMG ARC.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
I agree that some passengers like Curve, and some don't, in my experience. My wife disliked it as a passenger more than I as a driver. That's a YMMV situation.
I like the progressive spring rates on steel, which to me gives better feedback.
Another reason for my steel spring preference is towing. A 750# tongue weight compresses them into their sweet spot, and the car-trailer feels more like a unit, compared to unladen steel. It's personal preference. I only tow trailers under 4500# now.
Don't forget that I spent at least a thousand miles in each variety and choose the AMG ARC.
I like the progressive spring rates on steel, which to me gives better feedback.
Another reason for my steel spring preference is towing. A 750# tongue weight compresses them into their sweet spot, and the car-trailer feels more like a unit, compared to unladen steel. It's personal preference. I only tow trailers under 4500# now.
Don't forget that I spent at least a thousand miles in each variety and choose the AMG ARC.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Where the E-ABC shines is where the camera can see full width dips or speed bumps/ humps.
ARC reacts better to potholes and small irregularities that affect only one wheel or side of the car. I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I'm going to guess it's accelerometers at each corner.
With EABC I could ignore (reasonable) speed humps and the suspension would cruise right along, undisturbed. ARC behaved like a standard air suspension in that scenario. UNLESS the hump is at a diagonal, where the ARC is softer or more accommodating.
An example in my my weekly drive is a poorly maintained railroad crossing in the middle of a 40 mph corner, where the suspension ignores the imperfections while resisting lean. I'm still stunned when I go around that corner. No wheel hop, no jump to the side.
I think the E-ABC is more predictive, using speed and camera algorithms, where the ARC is reactive. Millisecond reactive.
In short, ARC has a smoother ride in all instances except full width, 90° dips or humps.
It's kind of hard to describe. I hope I helped here.
Last edited by mikapen; Jan 8, 2026 at 02:59 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
In general, the ARC is more compliant (less stiff) than E-ABC in all settings.
Where the E-ABC shines is where the camera can see full width dips or speed bumps/ humps.
ARC reacts better to potholes and small irregularities that affect only one wheel or side of the car. I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I'm going to guess it's accelerometers at each corner.
With EABC I could ignore (reasonable) speed humps and the suspension would cruise right along, undisturbed. ARC behaved like a standard air suspension in that scenario. UNLESS the hump is at a diagonal, where the ARC is softer or more accommodating.
An example in my my weekly drive is a poorly maintained railroad crossing in the middle of a 40 mph corner, where the suspension ignores the imperfections while resisting lean. I'm still stunned when I go around that corner. No wheel hop, no jump to the side.
I think the E-ABC is more predictive, using speed and camera algorithms, where the ARC is reactive. Millisecond reactive.
In short, ARC has a smoother ride in all instances except full width, 90° dips or humps.
It's kind of hard to describe. I hope I helped here.
Where the E-ABC shines is where the camera can see full width dips or speed bumps/ humps.
ARC reacts better to potholes and small irregularities that affect only one wheel or side of the car. I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I'm going to guess it's accelerometers at each corner.
With EABC I could ignore (reasonable) speed humps and the suspension would cruise right along, undisturbed. ARC behaved like a standard air suspension in that scenario. UNLESS the hump is at a diagonal, where the ARC is softer or more accommodating.
An example in my my weekly drive is a poorly maintained railroad crossing in the middle of a 40 mph corner, where the suspension ignores the imperfections while resisting lean. I'm still stunned when I go around that corner. No wheel hop, no jump to the side.
I think the E-ABC is more predictive, using speed and camera algorithms, where the ARC is reactive. Millisecond reactive.
In short, ARC has a smoother ride in all instances except full width, 90° dips or humps.
It's kind of hard to describe. I hope I helped here.
I always experiment with tire pressure to find the best combo for me and that's usually +/-1 psi from the fuel door flap numbers.
Last edited by mikapen; Jan 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 1,201
GLE 580
Thanks everyone!
I finally found one, 2024 CPO pretty loaded MSRP 93xxx w/ 15k miles, listed for $76k. Fair deal? I've literally went through probably 100 listings LOL...
For comparison, I found one 2026 NEW MSRP $97k, similarly optioned except 22 vs 21 wheels, assuming 12% off (advertised by many brokers) that's $85k. Although new has better interest rate but my used car rate isn't too high (4.9) and I do plan on paying it off early.
I finally found one, 2024 CPO pretty loaded MSRP 93xxx w/ 15k miles, listed for $76k. Fair deal? I've literally went through probably 100 listings LOL...
For comparison, I found one 2026 NEW MSRP $97k, similarly optioned except 22 vs 21 wheels, assuming 12% off (advertised by many brokers) that's $85k. Although new has better interest rate but my used car rate isn't too high (4.9) and I do plan on paying it off early.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
‘24 GLE 580
I JUST went through the same thought process re airmatic scarcity in the 450 and just going with 580… 2 days ago I purchased a CPO 2024 GLE 580 for $73.6 out the door. 7k miles. $103.5 MSRP. Had to ship to CA from WA, but you can find one if you keep looking. I found that the list prices for the 2024 580s at $85k are in large part not realistic… too high and dealers ultimately know this but still price them high.
DM me if you want to discuss, I did a ton of searching have a few tips for the 580 search as I literally just spent the last 3 weeks looking for one. If you’re on the West Coast I found a 2024 580 that I passed up on but would have been great too.
DM me if you want to discuss, I did a ton of searching have a few tips for the 580 search as I literally just spent the last 3 weeks looking for one. If you’re on the West Coast I found a 2024 580 that I passed up on but would have been great too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 39
Likes: 13
Audi Q5, 986 Boxster
I JUST went through the same thought process re airmatic scarcity in the 450 and just going with 580… 2 days ago I purchased a CPO 2024 GLE 580 for $73.6 out the door. 7k miles. $103.5 MSRP. Had to ship to CA from WA, but you can find one if you keep looking. I found that the list prices for the 2024 580s at $85k are in large part not realistic… too high and dealers ultimately know this but still price them high.
DM me if you want to discuss, I did a ton of searching have a few tips for the 580 search as I literally just spent the last 3 weeks looking for one. If you’re on the West Coast I found a 2024 580 that I passed up on but would have been great too.
DM me if you want to discuss, I did a ton of searching have a few tips for the 580 search as I literally just spent the last 3 weeks looking for one. If you’re on the West Coast I found a 2024 580 that I passed up on but would have been great too.
I have the best intentions when saying this but the service history on that 580 scared me away - some water pump issue at 7k miles had me concerned. And the cost of shipping across country to NC is a bit much.
Otherwise it is a FANTASTIC deal. Enjoy and good luck!!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
‘24 GLE 580
Very interesting. I think the 580 you bought was the one I was looking at and was very close to buying but decided to get a new 450 instead. It's the one from Bellingham?
I have the best intentions when saying this but the service history on that 580 scared me away - some water pump issue at 7k miles had me concerned. And the cost of shipping across country to NC is a bit much.
Otherwise it is a FANTASTIC deal. Enjoy and good luck!!
I have the best intentions when saying this but the service history on that 580 scared me away - some water pump issue at 7k miles had me concerned. And the cost of shipping across country to NC is a bit much.
Otherwise it is a FANTASTIC deal. Enjoy and good luck!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 39
Likes: 13
Audi Q5, 986 Boxster
Yeah I even got a few quotes on shipping, would be 2000 or more for me. Then all the sudden my sales guy didn't respond to me as quickly and I knew what that meant - car is gone, haha...
