GLE Class (W166) Produced 2015-2019

Third time around

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 03:12 AM
  #1  
shotgun_banjo's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 272
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Third time around

Funny how things work but long story short after only owning a GLE 43 coupe in 2 weeks I have to sell it and buy another GLE 43 SUV and pocket almost $12k cash in the process and now I am looking for some answers. The coupe is almost loaded to the gills (find the spec here https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...-platform.html) and had only 13k on the motor when I purchased it. I drove another 1.5k before parting ways with it. I love the car but realized the mistake of buying a coupe quickly. The boot is almost pointless for utility unless you are just putting bags at the back. It was a what the F moment when I went to Ikea knowing some not so big boxes will surely fit, but did not, then the recess on the trunk made it very hard to put in heavy things without potentially damaging the plastic trim and rubber seal on the sill. The car is really good like compared to the 2021 GLE 450 I owned for a year which I never remembered me giggling while driving the 450. Maybe the crack, bang and pop of the 43 AMG exhaust was the blame here and I find the car surprisingly smoother and feels faster vs the mild hybrid setup of the 450. Did I miss the smooth auto stop/start of the 450? NAAAAAH! You want to hear the rumble of the AMG exhaust so why mute it! Well anyway, I decided to hunt for a replacement for the 43. I was even open to going 63 even if it has 60-70k on the motor, Now I know why folks buy a AMG and why they keep buying it. It is like having sex for the first time. After you experience it you just want MORE! Then just like that a 2018 43 appeared to where I bought the coupe with only 24k on the motor and is $12k less from what I paid for the 2019 and I just knew it was a opportunity I should not miss. The 2018 has 3 options missing and it was the Active Curve Assist, Air Balance Package and 22" rims. I can live without the Active Curve and Air Balance and knowing I won't pay $900 per tire on the 22s also helped in the decision. So I made a trade pitch to my dealer two days ago and ask them if I can return the vehicle that I bought since the car only ran 1.5k and swap it with the 2018 telling them they can sell the 2019 for a much higher price and get rid of the older vehicle and I won't negotiate the 2018 price but they need to include the next B service + tranny service next year. They said YES and before you know it the 2019 was sold the next day and will be shipped 4k away to Toronto. I was told they made $3000 more on the sale. Will be picking up the car next week and I am already looking for answers.

1. On the 20" rims what is the widest tire you can have? Yes I know I was complaining with the cost to replace a 22" tire but the cost difference between a 20" and 22" is big.
2. Has anyone have a picture of the spare tire wheel well drain plug fix they did on the recall? If the wheel well does not have any sign of water do they still install it? If water was present do they just dry it out and not change the fuel pump if it is not crapping out?
3. Never had real leather before on all of my MB cars so this is a first (second actually, the 2019 also had real leather). What to use to keep it looking new and to keep that leather smell? On the MB text interior, I got used to this sweet crayola smell but the interior with real leather smells different....smells like old leather and somehow it gives this expensive vibe. Knowing the leather seats needs more TLC and I cannot abuse it like the MB TEX I want to know what you guys are doing to keep it in pristine condition.
4. Preemptive maintenance on the Cam shaft position sensor. I read somewhere that there is a "jumper" fix. Was this fix done on newer cars? Ei +2016 models? If not, please post part numbers and if you know a DYI somewhere in here as I only see the long thread https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...harness-3.html
5. Any advice how not to get a speeding ticket with the 43?

Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Nov 13, 2023 at 03:18 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 07:30 AM
  #2  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,714
Likes: 4,606
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Originally Posted by shotgun_banjo
Funny how things work but long story short after only owning a GLE 43 coupe in 2 weeks I have to sell it and buy another GLE 43 SUV and pocket almost $12k cash in the process and now I am looking for some answers. The coupe is almost loaded to the gills (find the spec here https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...-platform.html) and had only 13k on the motor when I purchased it. I drove another 1.5k before parting ways with it. I love the car but realized the mistake of buying a coupe quickly. The boot is almost pointless for utility unless you are just putting bags at the back. It was a what the F moment when I went to Ikea knowing some not so big boxes will surely fit, but did not, then the recess on the trunk made it very hard to put in heavy things without potentially damaging the plastic trim and rubber seal on the sill. The car is really good like compared to the 2021 GLE 450 I owned for a year which I never remembered me giggling while driving the 450. Maybe the crack, bang and pop of the 43 AMG exhaust was the blame here and I find the car surprisingly smoother and feels faster vs the mild hybrid setup of the 450. Did I miss the smooth auto stop/start of the 450? NAAAAAH! You want to hear the rumble of the AMG exhaust so why mute it! Well anyway, I decided to hunt for a replacement for the 43. I was even open to going 63 even if it has 60-70k on the motor, Now I know why folks buy a AMG and why they keep buying it. It is like having sex for the first time. After you experience it you just want MORE! Then just like that a 2018 43 appeared to where I bought the coupe with only 24k on the motor and is $12k less from what I paid for the 2019 and I just knew it was a opportunity I should not miss. The 2018 has 3 options missing and it was the Active Curve Assist, Air Balance Package and 22" rims. I can live without the Active Curve and Air Balance and knowing I won't pay $900 per tire on the 22s also helped in the decision. So I made a trade pitch to my dealer two days ago and ask them if I can return the vehicle that I bought since the car only ran 1.5k and swap it with the 2018 telling them they can sell the 2019 for a much higher price and get rid of the older vehicle and I won't negotiate the 2018 price but they need to include the next B service + tranny service next year. They said YES and before you know it the 2019 was sold the next day and will be shipped 4k away to Toronto. I was told they made $3000 more on the sale. Will be picking up the car next week and I am already looking for answers.

1. On the 20" rims what is the widest tire you can have? Yes I know I was complaining with the cost to replace a 22" tire but the cost difference between a 20" and 22" is big.
2. Has anyone have a picture of the spare tire wheel well drain plug fix they did on the recall? If the wheel well does not have any sign of water do they still install it? If water was present do they just dry it out and not change the fuel pump if it is not crapping out?
3. Never had real leather before on all of my MB cars so this is a first (second actually, the 2019 also had real leather). What to use to keep it looking new and to keep that leather smell? On the MB text interior, I got used to this sweet crayola smell but the interior with real leather smells different....smells like old leather and somehow it gives this expensive vibe. Knowing the leather seats needs more TLC and I cannot abuse it like the MB TEX I want to know what you guys are doing to keep it in pristine condition.
4. Preemptive maintenance on the Cam shaft position sensor. I read somewhere that there is a "jumper" fix. Was this fix done on newer cars? Ei +2016 models? If not, please post part numbers and if you know a DYI somewhere in here as I only see the long thread https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...harness-3.html
5. Any advice how not to get a speeding ticket with the 43?
Congrats! Let’s see pics.

Agree on the coupe comments. Coupes are useless as daily utilitarian vehicles. Coupes are mainly for those concerned with cosmetics/styling/appearance.

You are in the W166 sweet spot, enjoy!
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 10:29 AM
  #3  
Chefcct's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 87
From: Chicago, U.S.A.
2016 GLE 350 4-Matic
For the leather, I use chemical guys cleaner and conditioner.

https://a.co/d/f57JuiR

Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 11:40 AM
  #4  
shotgun_banjo's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 272
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Originally Posted by chassis
Congrats! Let’s see pics.

Agree on the coupe comments. Coupes are useless as daily utilitarian vehicles. Coupes are mainly for those concerned with cosmetics/styling/appearance.

You are in the W166 sweet spot, enjoy!
Will do when I get the car this weekend. BTW you where all over the place on that cam harness thread. You know the answer to my question about it?
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 11:43 AM
  #5  
shotgun_banjo's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 272
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Originally Posted by Chefcct
For the leather, I use chemical guys cleaner and conditioner.

https://a.co/d/f57JuiR
Does this makes the leather glossy? I do not want a glossy finish.
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 11:55 AM
  #6  
Chefcct's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 87
From: Chicago, U.S.A.
2016 GLE 350 4-Matic
If you let it sit on the seats it will dry glossy, if you wipe it off after a minute it wont dry glossy.
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 12:34 PM
  #7  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,714
Likes: 4,606
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Originally Posted by shotgun_banjo
Will do when I get the car this weekend. BTW you where all over the place on that cam harness thread. You know the answer to my question about it?
Which thread? Please link.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2023 | 12:04 AM
  #8  
shotgun_banjo's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 272
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Originally Posted by chassis
Which thread? Please link.
this one.....https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...harness-3.html
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-4

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:46 PM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE