shopping for used GLE, is DISTRONIC reliability a concern
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honda odyssey
shopping for used GLE, is DISTRONIC reliability a concern
Hi friends, I'm shopping for a used 2017/2018 GLE350. I've heard that the mechanical parts of the car are solid. However, I'm currently considering a 2018 GLE350 with the Premium3 package, which boasts numerous fancy electronic/tech/Distronic features such as lane keep, ACC, auto brake, auto park, and more.
1. Are these parts prone to break down as they age? Will failures in these sensors/electronics end up costing me a fortune? Or should I wait for another car with fewer of these fancy features, which might be more reliable?
2. If these DISTRONIC features were to malfunction and I either can't afford or choose not to invest in the repairs, can the car still be driven normally, like a basic GLE350? (Personally, I'm not a big fan of these high-tech features.)
Thank you for your suggestions!
1. Are these parts prone to break down as they age? Will failures in these sensors/electronics end up costing me a fortune? Or should I wait for another car with fewer of these fancy features, which might be more reliable?
2. If these DISTRONIC features were to malfunction and I either can't afford or choose not to invest in the repairs, can the car still be driven normally, like a basic GLE350? (Personally, I'm not a big fan of these high-tech features.)
Thank you for your suggestions!
Last edited by flashkai; May 23, 2023 at 09:06 PM.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Get the fully loaded one. You won't regret it. The features have been very reliable. Everything still works as it should on my GL63 and it is almost 10 years old with more than 100k miles. The Distronic on the 2018 is much nicer since it will actually steer the car and keep in the middle of the lane.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Agree. Reliability isn't a concern with these features. Desirability, on the other hand, is a concern. At least for me it is.
I don't like ACC (Distronic) or active lane keeping. On MB cars the braking system is used for active lane keep and gobbles brake pads. On Porsche it "only" uses the steering system and I still don't like it on my Cayenne. ACC/Distronic is similarly annoying because it never fails that someone changes lanes into my lane and drops my speed.
I have used ACC on MB, Honda, VW and Porsche vehicles and like none of them.
When I am hammering on the gas at 5000-6000rpm at "elevated" speed in the Cayenne and the lane keep system tugs on the wheel it is undesired to say the least.
Don't like these systems one little bit.
I don't like ACC (Distronic) or active lane keeping. On MB cars the braking system is used for active lane keep and gobbles brake pads. On Porsche it "only" uses the steering system and I still don't like it on my Cayenne. ACC/Distronic is similarly annoying because it never fails that someone changes lanes into my lane and drops my speed.
I have used ACC on MB, Honda, VW and Porsche vehicles and like none of them.
When I am hammering on the gas at 5000-6000rpm at "elevated" speed in the Cayenne and the lane keep system tugs on the wheel it is undesired to say the least.
Don't like these systems one little bit.
Last edited by chassis; May 23, 2023 at 08:57 PM.
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2019 C63CS
Contrary to perhaps popular believes, electronics are highly reliable. The thing to understand about electronics is that the failure rate follows the so-called bathtub curve. The initial failure rate is decreasing due to early failures, the middle of it is constant due to random failures and the last part is increasing due to wear-out failures. Most electronics fail early in their lifecycle due to defects, or late once they reach the end of their expected life. Throughout the middle part the failure rate is low and random.
Last edited by superswiss; May 23, 2023 at 09:15 PM.
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2016 GLE 500 e
I have never heard anyone telling that these features would have been broken, so, not saying they will never break, but they should be very reliable at least. So definitely get one with the Driving Assistance Plus package. I don't like the Active Lane Keeping Assist so I have it disabled — I could see myself keeping it active maybe if I would be going on a very long drive alone but in general it's too intrusive. Steering Pilot I do like and I have it on, although it act up a little bit occasionally but nothing too serious.
Last edited by Stinkfist0; May 24, 2023 at 03:13 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Chicago, U.S.A.
2016 GLE 350 4-Matic
Flashkai,
I’m at 100 k miles on my 2016 GLE 350 which is totally loaded with electronics and have had Zero electrical problems.
I LOVE all the features!
These vehicles are a little hard to find loaded up. The LED lights are a must have as the regular lights people HATE!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m at 100 k miles on my 2016 GLE 350 which is totally loaded with electronics and have had Zero electrical problems.
I LOVE all the features!
These vehicles are a little hard to find loaded up. The LED lights are a must have as the regular lights people HATE!!!!!!!!!!!
Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 233
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From: Mitchell, SD, U.S.
2016 GLE 300d 4-Matic
I don't have the driver assistance package with the active lane keeping and "smart" cruise but do have the auto parking feature on my 2016. I rarely try to use but when I want to use it I can almost never get it to work. I think it has to do with the sensors ... or something.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Get the fully loaded one. You won't regret it. The features have been very reliable. Everything still works as it should on my GL63 and it is almost 10 years old with more than 100k miles. The Distronic on the 2018 is much nicer since it will actually steer the car and keep in the middle of the lane.
Years ago we order new ML320. At the time MB USA was trying "no negotiation hassle" policy, so all ML were selling for fixed price, but options were extra.
So back in 1998 new ML320 was $32,000 (do I remember it right?). We declined $5000 package who would give us leather seats, $3000 package for sunroof, $4000 trim package.
So after paying small deposit, MB USA made us waiting full 12 months for delivering basic "naked" vehicle.
That turned out to be the best automotive deal of my life as the car spend 13 years with the family with about $300 worth of failed parts.
Make it 25 bucks a year on for the repairs.
can you beat that?
I have/had auto park on my vehicles for 7 years. Used it once and that was more for showing off than for real need.
Lane keeping still can't deal with direct sun and poor road maintenance.
I like blind spot warning, but that is about only gadget I would spend money on.
Last edited by kajtek1; May 27, 2023 at 05:23 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
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From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
Sure, if money is no object and you have 20 grands that burns your pocket.
Years ago we order new ML320. At the time MB USA was trying "no negotiation hassle" policy, so all ML were selling for fixed price, but options were extra.
So back in 1998 new ML320 was $32,000 (do I remember it right?). We declined $5000 package who would give us leather seats, $3000 package for sunroof, $4000 trim package.
So after paying small deposit, MB USA made us waiting full 12 months for delivering basic "naked" vehicle.
That turned out to be the best automotive deal of my life as the car spend 13 years with the family with about $300 worth of failed parts.
Make it 25 bucks a year on for the repairs.
can you beat that?
I have/had auto park on my vehicles for 7 years. Used it once and that was more for showing off than for real need.
Lane keeping still can't deal with direct sun and poor road maintenance.
I like blind spot warning, but that is about only gadget I would spend money on.
Years ago we order new ML320. At the time MB USA was trying "no negotiation hassle" policy, so all ML were selling for fixed price, but options were extra.
So back in 1998 new ML320 was $32,000 (do I remember it right?). We declined $5000 package who would give us leather seats, $3000 package for sunroof, $4000 trim package.
So after paying small deposit, MB USA made us waiting full 12 months for delivering basic "naked" vehicle.
That turned out to be the best automotive deal of my life as the car spend 13 years with the family with about $300 worth of failed parts.
Make it 25 bucks a year on for the repairs.
can you beat that?
I have/had auto park on my vehicles for 7 years. Used it once and that was more for showing off than for real need.
Lane keeping still can't deal with direct sun and poor road maintenance.
I like blind spot warning, but that is about only gadget I would spend money on.
it's hit or miss with lots of brands/ models but I think the new GLE (V167) are much worse
Last edited by whitewagon; May 27, 2023 at 11:03 AM.
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Posts: 23
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From: Toronto
GLE 400
I am here in Canada and I bought my GLE 400 2018 last year with 28k on the odometer. It came fully loaded. I use the distronic during rush hours and it is a very useful feature.
After three months the control switch located in the steering column failed and that caused the distronic to malfunction. Given that the GLE was under warranty it was repaired at no cost. The price for that part alone is $700.
I still believe these features are great with the exception of the auto park which I do not use.
After three months the control switch located in the steering column failed and that caused the distronic to malfunction. Given that the GLE was under warranty it was repaired at no cost. The price for that part alone is $700.
I still believe these features are great with the exception of the auto park which I do not use.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I loved Parktronic when I had the W166. It takes some time to get used to it. After you understand what it can and can't do, and the circumstances in which it functions best, it' a great system.
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