tkelley.EClass

Hi everyone, currently own an 18' S560 and a 14' E350. Looking to trade in the E class and snag a non-coupe GLE. Had a couple questions that I'm hoping folks might be able to answer:

1. Is the 9g transmission worth it? IE: getting a GLE400 or 43 versus the 350? I used to have the 7g in my 15' S class and it was fine. The 18' has the 9g which I LOVE. I wonder if I would feel the same about this platform.

2. For options, I think the must haves are the pano roof, P1 (most have this anyway), headlights, and harmon kardon sound system. This is proving to be easy versus other car options I have shopped for in the past. Anything else I should consider to be a must have?

3. Anything to consider when picking a year? From what I can tell, the 17/18/19 MY's are all the same minus a few very small tweaks.

4. Would also love to hear what people think after owning one of these for a while. I test drove one over the weekend and I was really impressed with the cabin isolation and overall ride. Reminded me of my S which I didn't think was possible in a bigger SUV.

Thanks in advance!

CincyMBGuy

I regret not getting a W166 every time I drive one.

The GLE 350 is the "right" car for most. The 43 is a lot of fun but you have to give up things like the comfortable suspension for it. Even in comfort mode it is still significantly rougher than the 350.

tkelley.EClass

Sounds like the GLE400 might be the happy medium...

whitewagon

Have loaded 2017 43. Great vehicle. In comfort mode rides great. In sport+ mode with a tune, handles firm and taunt, blast to drive without expense of the 63...

Plus you get some AMG upgrades not available on 350 or 400

chassis

2019 GLE400 4MATIC is the best preowned MB available in my view. Close second is the 2019 GLS450. Both use the same M276 3.0 TT V6 that is very reliable.

The W166 chassis (body, interior, electrics, brakes, steering, suspension) is rock solid without hesitation. It's a great towing platform, if you need that. I tow a 3,000lb boat in the summer and the GLE is awesome.

I have the GLE350 with 3.5L NA V6. It's good for a base model. Power is adequate, fuel economy is so-so. It has been reliable. I have owned it for 4.5 years and have put 90k on it. It's a good overall vehicle.

I have the 7G-Tronic. Not the best box I have owned. It works well when you flog it but try to be smooth and it clunks and balks. That's true for most MB transmissions. Plenty of complaints about the 9G in the W222 but probably no worse than the 7G.

Strong recommend for the 2019 GLE400. Get the P3 with Designo leather if you can find one, these will be unicorns. That spec will be at the higher end of whatever price range these are going for these days. AMG appearance package (front fascia and wheels) is desirable.

ron104

I own a 18' GLE 350, bought new, and has been totally trouble free.
Everything works and all that i do is have the recommended services performed at an M-B dealer.
Great vehicle.

Sindelfingen77

I’ve been an S class guy for decades, now have a CL550 and GL450. Will order a GLE63S coupe when they become orderable again. My #1 option is the acoustic package for sound deadening. But that’s me.others don’t care so much about road noise etc

tkelley.EClass

Thanks! This is really helpful. Leaning towards a GLE43 or GLE400 at this point for the engine/transmission alone. That air suspension in the "AMG" is also very enticing. I'm not happy with the prices I'm seeing but this is the market...

chassis

The engine and transmission are the same in the 43 and 400. The difference is tuning.

AMG suspensions tend toward harshness. If ride comfort is high on your priority list, I would test drive the 43 before buying.

Otherwise the vehicles are nearly identical from a reliability point of view.

tkelley.EClass

any feedback on lowering springs to combat some of the body roll? Seems like folks on here are having good luck with H&R, haven't seen anyone comment on the Eibachs yet. Ideally, I'm not doing any camber adjustments so I'm leaning towards the Eibachs. I had them on my 2015 X5 and they helped body roll a lot, could also align the car and balance the tires fine with no issues.

chassis

Good question. I am a stock/OEM guy so others will need to chime in on mods.

CincyMBGuy

I'd like to correct myself. I drove a 43 today for the first time in months and the suspension feel was a lot softer than I remembered. Not 350 soft but certainly livable.

threeMBs

That is one way of putting it. I however would say that AMG suspensions tent toward driving enjoyment, confidence inspiring handling (especially in corners, something that can not be said about non-AMGs), while providing for more road feel experience. The fact that 350s mostly ride on 19s with touring tires, 400s on 20s, while 43s mostly on 21s summer tires absolutely contribute to their respective ride/handling characteristic. IMO 43 on 20s with airmatic set to "C" is not harsh at all. Moreover those lucky few 43s (as are all 63s) equipped with Active Curve absolutely provide for much more controlled (not at all bouncy) ride over bumps vs. 350/400.

whitewagon

I agree with this... my 43 has active curve and in comfort mode, it's a great smooth ride, even with 21's...that's how my wife drives it
I drive in sport + with a Dinan tune set to race mode... it's like two different vehicles in one

kajtek1

Just beware that lot of members opinions will prize the set they have, without giving good comparison.
In my driving years I had lot of different setups. Had to sell couple of vehicles, including W163 ML55, only becouse I made the mistake (it was learning curve years ago) of putting low-profile wheels on it and my wife refusing to ride in it due constant shaking.
For couple of seasons we had 2 W210 sedans in family stable, when 1 was on factory 16" wheel, when other had 18" with low-profile rubber.
When it is true that sport suspension is driving enjoyment, it is also headaches creator.
Unfortunately can't have it all.
Comparing gear boxes. I don't see much difference. Did not have 9G (yet) but had several models with 5G and 7G in the same class.
When 7G is nicer dropping to 6th without any sensation, it will hunt the gears a lot, especially when towing.
5G makes pretty noticeable drop to 4th, but than it will pull a lot without future downshifting.
Reliability is about the same, but 7G+ require more frequent service.

Bill Baird

I've had them all. GLE 350, 43, and 63.

The 350 is the all-around best for daily driving. The 43 has a weird quirk of downshifting often at 85mph on the interstates. The 63 is lucky to get 15mpg. I think my average is14.9mpg. The 350 and 43 both average over 21mpg. All ride about the same. Both the 43 and 63 are fast but the 350

2018 GLE350

is OK.

tkelley.EClass

Ha! Too funny! We bought the GLE43. Its coming from WA (Im in RI so 3000 miles). Its been sitting at the dealer waiting to get a carrier assigned for 10 days!!!

Bill Baird

You'll enjoy it. I took mine from Illinois to the western border of North Dakota twice when our daughter moved back home. I thought the seats weren't best, certainly not as good as my GLE63. My GLE43 was Selenite Gray and it was cursed. I almost took the bumper cover off it downtown on a post sticking up and then tried to remove it again on the side of the garage. I never had a single problem with it and I'm one of these picky people that wants everything perfect. Congrads!

tkelley.EClass

Nice! MSRP is 82k which is nice. Has the real leather box checked and a bunch of other goodies, cant wait.

whitewagon

We love our GLE 43. it's a great blend of comfort and power when you want it. Ours has active curve, P3, carbon fiber, etc... almost everything except no designo leather. For under $500 add a Dinan tune and pedal box for quicker response and enough power to have fun

tkelley.EClass

Nice! Sounds like you got one of the uber rare ones. I had to settle for a moderately equipped one as my wife is due in May and this will be our baby hauler, there was no time for the option hunt which can take months as we all know. We got what was most important to us so thats good. I did really want the active curve but life goes on. Traded in a 14' E350 for this guy.

Question, how does the Dinan tune work? I had one on my old X5 50i and it was great. However, it was one that installed under the hood.

whitewagon

it's a simple plug in under the hood. Two connectors right in front of engine. Wireless app to control. Easy to change or remove.

tkelley.EClass

Awesome, is comfort mode still nice and smooth, non-aggressive? Or does it make it behave different? I would love a little juice in sport/sport+ mode. However, my biggest concern is maintaining that smooth easy drive in comfort mode.

whitewagon

yes, you can leave it as is or up the boost. AFAIK, it increases boost across all modes... you still select comfort, sport, sport+ with the knob and then this will enhance each mode.

tkelley.EClass

GLE43 is here! Picked it up in the morning and immediately drove 150 miles. Wow! What a sweet little rig! It was very fun, quiet (in comfort), and AGILE. I'm really impressed with what the sport suspension can do. Going around big highway bends at 80mph was effortless with zero body roll. It doesn't feel like there is anything behind you. The 9g transmission also did exactly what I wanted it to the whole drive with no fuss or rough shifting. For individual mode, I like sport suspension (sport+ is too rough, comfort is too soft), sport steering, and comfort "engine/power". That's for general driving, I threw it into Sport+ a bunch to go faster and have fun. It's no rocket ship especially compared to my S560 but my wife has a lead foot anyway so this is for the best. It gets up and go's just fine. Is the interior a bit dated? Yes. But that's cool. I'll trade that for all the pros. Gonna be a great baby hauler!