spotify / pandora integration? engine performance?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
none
spotify / pandora integration? engine performance?
I'm currently looking at both the X5 and GLE 400. i have a couple of questions... I've owned bmw for the last 5 years so i am familiar with their features, and want to see if MB has something similar.
1) on bmw, you can control spotify and pandora from the idrive --- not just pause and skip, by complete integration via bluetooth--- is there anything similar?
2) it appears as though the gle 400 doesnt have the most pep for an suv (subjective), does MB have a performance increase package? i'm not interested in an AMG --- i've gotten sick of buying tires all the dang time.
1) on bmw, you can control spotify and pandora from the idrive --- not just pause and skip, by complete integration via bluetooth--- is there anything similar?
2) it appears as though the gle 400 doesnt have the most pep for an suv (subjective), does MB have a performance increase package? i'm not interested in an AMG --- i've gotten sick of buying tires all the dang time.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 806
Likes: 247
Soon: 2020 G63 Currently: 2016 GLE63 SUV + 97 F250HD, Before: 2013 G550, Range Rover Sport, 1984 CJ7
1. No - they do not work in any advanced capacity in the GLE right now (not like bmw where you can star songs etc). You can use carplay but it sucks switching back and fourth from apple to benz systems.
2. I am sure you can add a kit to boost the HP a bit. Plenty of aftermarket ones for the ML. I thought the 400 was solid pep. But still opted for the AMG because I am shallow.
2. I am sure you can add a kit to boost the HP a bit. Plenty of aftermarket ones for the ML. I thought the 400 was solid pep. But still opted for the AMG because I am shallow.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
none
I'm coming from an M5 so i'm sure anything will feel sluggish.... I did see iheartradio integration so maybe it will be added ? BMW is just now adding it for 2017 on more mid range models.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 806
Likes: 247
Soon: 2020 G63 Currently: 2016 GLE63 SUV + 97 F250HD, Before: 2013 G550, Range Rover Sport, 1984 CJ7
You are coming from an M5 Mango? That car is AMAZING isnt it? All around I think it is the best car ever made all things considered. It can compete on every level. If I could have a car and not an SUV i'd be in an M5 no question. Perhaps a RS7 tho ;-)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
none
Yeah it's amazing --- another kid on the way so it's time for a bigger car for a bit!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 451
From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
I have iheartradio now, I don't use it because it's is so slow, but I think it's a part of the mbrace packages. Hence why it is sooooooo sloooooowwww. I have noticed that my wife's iphone will connect much easier and play pandora. Hers will show the songs and length, but you cannot skip of thumbs up or down with the mb system. Unless you connect through carplay and then you see everything but like another said, it is a pain to jump back and forth between the systems. And you have to use a flippin' wire to connect. My android connects about 75% of the time for Pandora but I usually have to get my phone out and start Pandora, unlike the iphone. And it doesn't show anything about the Pandora app other than my phones "name."
As for the "pep." I haven't drove many BMW'S but I've been pretty impressed with the 400. I had an AMG and drove a lot of them. I cannot hear any turbo noise and them seem to come on very quickly and strong. I have a BMW buddy that rode with me and he was impressed with it for an SUV. One thing I do not like though is there is hardly any engine noise or exhaust note. So if the room is not a deal killer, go with the coupe so you get the performance too. (I needed all the room I could get in a mid size SUV)
As for the "pep." I haven't drove many BMW'S but I've been pretty impressed with the 400. I had an AMG and drove a lot of them. I cannot hear any turbo noise and them seem to come on very quickly and strong. I have a BMW buddy that rode with me and he was impressed with it for an SUV. One thing I do not like though is there is hardly any engine noise or exhaust note. So if the room is not a deal killer, go with the coupe so you get the performance too. (I needed all the room I could get in a mid size SUV)
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
I'd say get the X5 based on what you are looking for. I have a F80 M3 also and compared to my wife's GLE, the BMW integration with apps in general is much better than MB. MB has a couple of apps built-in but my experience is that it is so so slow that you may as well just use your phone. It's essentially useless imho and not sure why MB bother to put it there.
To be brutally honest, I don't have much good things to say about my GLE400, given that I categorize myself as more or less the nit picking auto enthusiast crowd, if that helps.
To be brutally honest, I don't have much good things to say about my GLE400, given that I categorize myself as more or less the nit picking auto enthusiast crowd, if that helps.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 13
From: San Francisco, CA
'16 GL550, '12 C350
Just an observation but it's absolutely mind boggling that someone would choose a car based on app integration. Really?? The GLE, and pretty much every other Mercedes product, trumps BMW by leagues - BMW's horrible sales, dated designs, Toyato mentality, and an almost unstopple brand erosion that they cannot climb out of, is proof of this. And btw, apps are on their way out. They're yesterday's news and open APIs and text and chat bots will replace most of what is experienced today on smart phones.
Last edited by Count Laszlo; Apr 15, 2016 at 01:22 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
Just an observation but it's absolutely mind boggling that someone would choose a car based on app integration. Really?? The GLE, and pretty much every other Mercedes product, trumps BMW by leagues - BMW's horrible sales, dated designs, Toyato mentality, and an almost unstopple brand erosion that they cannot climb out of, is proof of this. And btw, apps are on their way out. They're yesterday's news and open APIs and text and chat bots will replace most of what is experienced today on smart phones.
Imho, I would take a look at the new Q7 if technology is the main key buying decisions since the virtual cockpit and app integration is just incredible.
