GLE 350 vs GLE 400
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 262
Likes: 69
From: Wisconsin
2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
Last edited by SUV John; Jun 24, 2019 at 10:37 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 262
Likes: 69
From: Wisconsin
2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
Gas mileage, even with 50/50 E85 and premium was on par with what most pickup trucks get while towing so no real complaints there.
We haven't taken the camper through any higher elevation areas to see how the performance is, but so far so good.
I will say as far as the weight distribution hitch goes, I want to up the weight shift slightly back to the camper so the car is a little more level. Unloaded it was perfect and not really noticeable over having general cargo and passengers. Loaded with approximately 300 pounds in the camper cargo compartment and perhaps another 100 in the car plus gas and occupants and it sits an inch or so lower than I want it to. Changing the weight distribution should be possible by changing out the shank in our case and setting the hitch back up properly again.
My GLE 350 doesn't have the airmatic suspension so I have to completely balance things out with the hitch which is ok until we upgrade vehicles someday and consider looking for one that also has airmatic on it- all the other options were ok for what was even available in CPO vehicles at that time.
While liking the everyday drive-ability of the GLE 350, I'd like to compare what going up to a 400 or 450 would do for mileage and performance.
Last edited by SUV John; Feb 18, 2020 at 01:38 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 10
2016 GLE 350
Hi,
New MB GLE 350 4Matic owner here.
I bought 2016 model with under 30K miles and CPO warranty (in total 18 months).
The car has factory hitch (option code 550)
I specifically bough this car so I can tow the Lance trailer I purchased (That also 2016).
Trailer is rated 4100 lbs dry and hitch weight of 435 lb. GVWR is 5500 lbs (Way below 7200 for GLE).
Trailer has the "equalizer" stabilizing hitch.
I am driving 1400 miles next week to pick up the trailer
I purchased Curt Echo Mobile Break control (it simply plugs at the 7 pin connector at the back of car).
When I got the car home and plugged in the Echo no power. I called their customer service and he walked me through
measuring voltage and it reads '0' between pin 1 PM and 7PM position.
I read somewhere that MB turns off the power.
1) Is this something I can turn on some option in the car?
2) I read that you have to plug in the actual trailer 7 pin plug into car for it to enable power, is this true?
I can take to local MB dealer but I am afraid I may not get it fixed in time. (I have 3 days before travel).
I did not go through plugging in the controller at front of the car option because the connector for MB can not be shipped in time.
If anyone knows of a procedure on turning on the power, I will appreciate step by step instruction.
Thank you,
Robert
New MB GLE 350 4Matic owner here.
I bought 2016 model with under 30K miles and CPO warranty (in total 18 months).
The car has factory hitch (option code 550)
I specifically bough this car so I can tow the Lance trailer I purchased (That also 2016).
Trailer is rated 4100 lbs dry and hitch weight of 435 lb. GVWR is 5500 lbs (Way below 7200 for GLE).
Trailer has the "equalizer" stabilizing hitch.
I am driving 1400 miles next week to pick up the trailer
I purchased Curt Echo Mobile Break control (it simply plugs at the 7 pin connector at the back of car).
When I got the car home and plugged in the Echo no power. I called their customer service and he walked me through
measuring voltage and it reads '0' between pin 1 PM and 7PM position.
I read somewhere that MB turns off the power.
1) Is this something I can turn on some option in the car?
2) I read that you have to plug in the actual trailer 7 pin plug into car for it to enable power, is this true?
I can take to local MB dealer but I am afraid I may not get it fixed in time. (I have 3 days before travel).
I did not go through plugging in the controller at front of the car option because the connector for MB can not be shipped in time.
If anyone knows of a procedure on turning on the power, I will appreciate step by step instruction.
Thank you,
Robert
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 10
2016 GLE 350
I found the answer...
I took the car to RV dealer and they hooked up RV 7 pin simulator.
That did the trick.
When we hooked up simulator directly to car, I was able to verify right, left signal and breaks.
Next I plugged in my Echo controller in the car and sure enough power is supplied.
I was able to connect to Echo using blue tooth and verify functions.
All I have to do is hook up trailer once when I pick up the trailer and then plug in the Echo break controller.
I took the car to RV dealer and they hooked up RV 7 pin simulator.
That did the trick.
When we hooked up simulator directly to car, I was able to verify right, left signal and breaks.
Next I plugged in my Echo controller in the car and sure enough power is supplied.
I was able to connect to Echo using blue tooth and verify functions.
All I have to do is hook up trailer once when I pick up the trailer and then plug in the Echo break controller.
