kajtek1

To start, I am diesel fan and just found on Copart lovely 2016 GLE 300D with OM651 engine that I highly admire having it in E and Sprinter.
My friend just bought GLK with this engine and loves it, so having some cash loosing its value in bank, I am thinking about bidding high on GLE, even having E, I don't really need it, but with aging knees - SUV are getting more and more appreciated.
But those vehicles are so rare that I can't find one close enough to sit in it, while I noticed that is has the same body model # what ML.
So is it rebadged ML, or different platform?
We used to have ML on W163 platform, so are familiar with the class, but technology took afterburner speed in last years and it is hard to stay informed about new models.
I see the car has lane assistance, but can't figure out if that is active, or just warning.

chassis

GLE changes from ML on the W166 platform are mainly cosmetic. Think of the change as a facelift and nomenclature.

Interior and exterior appearance changed. COMAND was probably changed every few years. I think 2017 was the first year for Apple CarPlay, but it could have been optional for 2016 models.

W166 is a fairly large departure from W164, which was a departure from W163.

E55Greasemonkey

So you want to buy a MB diesel, and a wreck? I can't think of two worse ideas combined.

kajtek1

Judging from your handle - it is obvious that you have tunnel vision.
Take a W210 E class from late 1990's.
Diesel was the cheapest option, when E55 cost like 50% more.
At present time for the price of 1 well kept W210 diesel - you can buy 3 E55 AMG. from the same era
When diesels had bad wrap in last years in USA, I can only imagine how 60 mpg cars will gain value comparing to 20 mpg cars, once the gas hits $10 a gallon.
The car I am considering has broken headlight and dented edge of the hood. I can deal with that.
Anyway, I scroll thru the section and don't see anything bad about those models and the above confirms that.
Thanks for the explanation guys.

E55Greasemonkey

MB hasn't built a good diesel in the U.S. since 2006, and your logic is flawed. If gas is $10, then diesel will be $13. Coupled with the excess repairs and associated loss of time over a gas engine, it's a losing proposition. There is no reason to own a modern diesel engine in a passenger car in the U.S.
No wonder MB no longer sells them!

kajtek1

In Las Vegas premium is 25% more than diesel.
Than how many gasoline engines you see with 600,000 miles? And yes, MB sells diesels in US in huge numbers. Only sedans have issues with passing EPA certifications and with small numbers of those, MB has no incentive to spend the money for tests.
Tunnel vision is tunnel vision.

E55Greasemonkey

Just wait until you're 200 miles from a dealership and the adblue system fails (it's just a matter of time) and your cluster reads "5 starts remaining" while hundreds of gasoline cars pass you by....no thanks!
You're in denial.

whitewagon

are you planning to put 600,000 on your diesel MB?

FWIW, I've had a few MB diesels from 80's and 90's... back before DEF and all the green rules...

had one with over 250k miles...
MB doesn't make cars that last that long anymore for the US market.

kajtek1

I don't drive a lot lately, but the GLE I am biding on has 113k.
Would that be a gasser, the mileage would be a concern, but that diesel just broke-in, so it is not a problem.
This year my Sprinter broke HP fuel pump near Flagstaff, where dealer did not have qualified mechanic and butchered the repair.
When new parts cost me a lot, the Sprinter had 260k miles on it and I bought it cheap enough to make economical sense even with such tragic event.
Some might want to learn that MB USA offer free roadside assistance.
Now E55G, would you dare to calculate how much fuel money the 25 mpg Sprinter saved over 260k miles comparing to gasoline model?
The auction ends in 3 days and so far I am winning bidder.

chassis

I'm a fan of the Otto cycle. I ran a TDI Touareg for 238k miles and enjoyed the fuel economy. Anything touched by DEF broke and was expensive to me personally. VW bought it back from me, thankfully.

The Mercedes OM engines work perfectly, or near enough, in Europe. They work miserably, or not at all, in the US. It's just how it is. There is no conclusive "a ha!" reference guide for this, only that consumers have experienced misery (read this site), and that VW and now Mercedes have settled claims and are paying cash for their messes. One claim in the story is the US diesel fuel quality is not the same as European diesel fuel quality.

Are you saying with a straight face that you pledge to put 600,000 miles on a wrecked vehicle? That means nearly 500,000 more miles than the vehicle has today? That seems like a stretch. With you not driving many miles, per the post above, how long do you expect it will take you to add 500k miles?

I would not buy a wrecked MB Bluetec diesel with 100k+ miles.

E55Greasemonkey

With 113k on the GLE expect to make some repairs. On a good note...will it qualify for the free diesel recall retrofit and a payout to you for $3300 as the new owner? 🤔
On the other hand, if it wasn't serviced properly the engine could be sludged, and soon to seize.

kajtek1

The seller did AEM already, so no kudos for me, but I will have the 4 years extended warranty.
So how about that calculation E55G?
As I mention above, I don't plan to put lot of miles on the car, but I buy it for money saving at gas pump and reliability when extended warranty is bonus.
There is plenty of Sprinters with 600k miles on those engines and they work at least 50% harder in those buses.
Somebody outbid me... time to go.

kajtek1

BTW. There is also 2015 ML250 bluetec on auction with 215k miles. I would consider it backup bid, but this auction ends before GLE auction, when GLE has nicer interior.

E55Greasemonkey

I don't care about sprinters. The passenger car diesels are junk after 2006. There's no money to be saved after the repairs and downtime.

BlownV8

OK, I did the calculation in another thread with gas vs diesel version of the GL. My 164 GL runs great on regular unleaded. With the cost differential of gas vs diesel and not even including the extra cost of running a diesel, the gasser won. Oh, my gasser has over 250k miles, my E55 has over 210k miles, and my GL63 has over 100k miles while my GLE 350 is just a baby in comparison. The gas version of the GL has been unbelievably cheap to maintain and has run on regular unleaded for around 200k miles. Let me be clear, my E55 will not run on regular and I don't dare do it in the 63 either but the smiles per gallon far exceed anything an MB diesel will do.

kajtek1

The 2015 ML diesel with 215k miles "sold" for $11,800
Black 2016 GLE gas with 90k miles got $ 32,000
Nice 2016 Land Rover with 130k miles got $17,700 bid
None of the above meet the reserve, so sells are not final.
What's the sticker price on 2016 GLE? Looks tome that 6 yo vehicle with 90k miles is still getting 50% of sticker?
Comparing the pictures, the only exterior difference between ML and GLE is running board and different wheels?
Than GLE have more interior gadgets?
My auction ends tomorrow, so see what GLE diesel will sell for.

chassis

All of the ML vs GLE questions can be answered by our friend Google. It’s the same chassis, different cosmetics and small changes in gadgetry. Good luck with the auction.

sub786sub

As the new owner of GLE 2018, I do not see any big or ground braking difference. I checked ML before buying 2018. I like the Infotainment system of ML as it is inside the dashboard so no sun reflection. Nowadays all vehicles are coming with the infotainment system on the dashboard rather inside. I believe it also comes with the reliable V6 as 2018 may be a few poneys difference.

kajtek1

Thanks for good wishes.
Unfortunately google is no help in this case. Lot of pictures are cross-posted, when google will not list cosmetic differences.
I am comparing datacards, but with lot of add-on options can make lot of confusion.
I assumed GLE have running boards standard, till I run into 1 without them.
I am still stumped howcome the black 2016 GLE got $32k bid, when at the same location they have gray model with actually less miles with "buy it now" $24k.
Must be something I don't see.
I am seeking exclusively white cars and dark color in Las Vegas has very limited use.

chassis

You need to learn the standard vs optional features. Google for the sales brochures. It’s normal MB stuff.

Running boards are not standard on GLE.

kajtek1

The GLE I was bidding on sold for 23,400, what was more than I was willing to pay. Still did not meet reserve, so I don't know what the commercial sellers think about the value.
Last think I compared between ML and GLE was gross vehicle weight.
ML has it about 530 lb higher than GLE, so looks like they come with different suspension.

kajtek1

The seller DID NOT APROVE the bid not meeting the reserve, so the car is back at butcher block.

chassis

The seller is dangling a hook with a worm on it. They are setting a reserve above the market and seeing how high people will bid.

Which specific models ML and GLE are you comparing weight ratings?

kajtek1

I see 2015 ML and 2016 GLE with the weight difference.
I doesn't really matter to me anymore, but looks to me like ML are build for hauling, when GLE more for lighter duty.
kbb gives the car $19k value, when Copart should be discount auctioneer.
The $23.4 k with all the fees will make $25k before taxes, so very strange things are happening lately.

E55Greasemonkey

The 166 ML and GLE are the same car. It was renamed along with all other models around the same time by MB to make more sense of their nomenclature. G refers to SUV body styles...in different levels (cheap vs. expensive)
GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS. As you can see the ML doesn't fit.
Now the cars; A, B, C, E, S...
2 seaters; SLC (formely SLK- doesn't fit), SL, SLS