I am also new to the forum and MB brand. I’ve been researching the GLE Coupe for over a year and finally pulled the trigger in late September and placed my order. I pick up my vehicle on Friday and am very excited. Thanks very much to everyone who contributes to the forum. The information is extremely valuable and I hope to be able to contribute going forward.

My GLE Coupe config is:
Polar White
Wheels: 21-inch AMG twin 5-spoke
Illuminated brushed aluminum running boards
Multicontour front seats with massage feature
Black leather
Natural Grain Brown Ash wood
Premium 2 Package
Multicolor ambient lighting
Heated and cooled front cupholders
Laminated acoustic front door glass
Rear Seat Entertainment system prewiring
3-zone climate control
Cabin-air purification system
Parking Assist Package
Magic Vision Control

One question I have is around purchasing the tire and wheel protection. There are many different opinions on this subject and while I am risk averse I want to be practical as I live in NJ. Also, I have a very good friend that has a ’16 C400 and the cost to repair just one wheel and a set of tires was over $1K when he damaged it last winter without a warranty. With the GLE wheels and tires being much larger I am thinking it may make sense. Does anyone know what a decent price would be for the GLE Coupe for the First Class Wheel and Tire Protection and any of the other add-on warranties? I’ve seen some pricing for these in the E series forum, but I am not sure if the costs vary widely depending on the vehicle. I would like to be prepared before I pick up the vehicle on Friday. Thanks in advance.

And yes, I will definitely post some pictures after I pick it up!

 

Congratulations on the new Coupe. We have had ours for a month and a half and it exceeds our every expectation. The multi contour seats were a deal breaker for us and they are amazing. My wife uses the massage all the time.

The extended warranty is a definite consideration if you plan to keep the vehicle for any length of time and if you put high miles on. (Also, the NJ Turnpike can be hard on vehicles.) The full extended warranty in Canada was around $3,600 and I'm not sure about wheel coverage.

Enjoy the new ride...sport plus mode is great.

 

gqstyle,

Congratulations on your new acquisition! Can't wait to see the pics. I ordered my 2017 AMG GLE43 Coupe (build attached) on 11/1/16. Estimated delivery date is late Jan/early Feb. I hope you don't mind, but I'll be picking your brain once you take delivery on Friday.

Since you're concerned with your wheels and you live in NJ, you may be interested in paint protection film as well. I'm formerly from PA, so I know about NE winters. See my post (also in this thread) about Expel Ultimate. This stuff is amazing! Unfortunately, I have no experience with wheel protection treatments. However, I can give you two pieces of advice. Always wash off road salt ASAP. Always use your 360 degree cameras and external rear-view mirrors (pointed down) when parallel parking.

You may be interested in mud flaps as well. I'd hate to see that pretty Polar White body destroyed by road salt and gravel. Yes, they mix gravel in with the road salt to stretch it. Believe it or not, MB doesn't make mud flaps for the GLE43 Coupe, only the SUV (W166). I contacted MB Customer Support and they advised me that they have no plans to ever produce them. But, where there's a will there's a way. I found these online. Both look to be the exact same model, just from two different sellers. The installation does NOT require wheel removal. They use the GLE43 Coupe's existing screw holes, so no drilling is necessary.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4pcs...8.4.158.rBvecH

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....ht_6715wt_1144

I've compiled a list of instructional videos that should help familiarize you with the GLE43 Coupe's main features. I also included a link to the PDF Owner's Manual and Command Manual. I know you'll get the printed versions once you take delivery, but there're advantages to using the PDF versions. You can do a "word search" and instantly locate any specific section within the manual. You can also create "bookmarks". I'm not sure if the free version of Adobe Reader has these features. I use Foxit Reader. It's a full-featured free PDF reader that allows you to edit PDFs and even input signatures.

Happy motoring!


Foxit PDF Reader: https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/pdf-reader/


https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...lass=GLE-Coupe

 

I was told by a MB salesman that the U.S. GLE43 comes with an ashtray because it's a German vehicle. That's funny. On the MB Germany website the GLE43 comes with a storage compartment in place of the ashtray and a 12V outlet in place of the cigarette lighter.

If there are any non-smokers out there who would like to replace the ashtray with this storage compartment, I got the part no. from my Service Dept. They refer to it as simply "Insert". You can order it here:

https://mercedespartscenter.com/part...&siteid=215720

I plan to replace the cigarette lighter with one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Now I'll have to see if I can do the same for the ashtray on the back of the armrest console.

 

Thanks very much for all of this info. The PDF version is a fantastic idea!

 

Very nice config. I really like the 22" wheels! Thanks for all the info!

 

You're quite welcome. Thanks for the compliment. The only thing I'm wavering on are the seats. I absolutely LOVE ventilated seats. I have them now and use them constantly. They're not available with the Porcelain/Black Nappa leather seats. Whose idea was that? I worry that I'll miss this feature. The one thing I know I won't miss is trying to apply leather cleaner and conditioner to the seats without plugging up hundreds of minuscule holes.

If I could get multicontour, massaging, ventilated seats in Porcelain/Black Nappa leather, I'd be in heaven. MB, are you listening?

 

gqstyle,

I hope you're enjoying the new ride. I know you'll probably spend the next few weeks exploring all of its features. That's why this is no rush. At your leisure, can you please answer a few questions for me? Many thanks!

Did your GLE43 Coupe come with an ashtray or the insert pictured?

Does the Dynamic Select knob retract to flush like in the GLS500 pictured?

Is there a way to "manually" open/close the rear hatch? I need to do this to test the clearance in my garage.

Is there a first aid kit included in the rear cargo area?

 

GLE43 Sube , If I may offer the following. Hopefully the CDN and US models are similar.

 

AS705,

Thank you. In looking at the CDN and U.S. websites, there are some differences in how they're equipped. I may have to wait and see about the ashtray. The one on the dealer's lot had an ashtray, but that's no guarantee they're still being shipped like that. They could have made a change mid-year. Both versions are shown in the owner's manual, with no explanation.

As far as the rear hatch, when I said "manually" I meant the entire process of opening and closing. E.g. physically lifting the hatch and moving it through the entire range. I know with some rear hatches you can completely turn off the power assist and open/close it like the old style.....manually.

Thanks again for the info.

 

With my ML550 coming off lease, I drove a '17 GLE43 with the thought this would be my next vehicle. I could not believe how much I hated it. The droning sound from the exhaust and more rapid downshifts than my E63S made it unbearable. Fit and finish is very nice though.

My ML550 sounds better, is much faster, and if it had warranty after April, I would keep it. Really disappointed but I think it is because all my other vehicles are V8's. It looks like I am going to pick up a leftover GL63 even though I don't need three rows.

Glad you enjoy yours...

 

I'm not sure about the cost for the GLE Coupe wheels & tires insurance, but I was quoted $1800 for the GLC43 AMG.

 

No need, just park your car, open the rear hatch (underneath or use your key), then when the hatch reaches the height you want press the red STOP button on the hatch. Release and then long press to memorize the position. Done.

 

What I need to do is open the rear hatch "manually" with NO power assist to see if it will clear my garage door. Is this possible?

 

The cost is very expensive to justify getting it.

 

Yes, I won't deny it is not cheap, but you don't have to get all of those sections covered. I would suggest the front bumper, front portion of hood and headlights at minimum. I buy, not lease, and I keep my vehicles for a long time. This is something you only consider if you plan on keeping the car for a good number of years and want it remain new looking.

Obviously, this is not for everybody. I just wanted to put the idea out there in case not everyone was aware there was such a product.