jonb123

I have just ordered a custom 2021 GLE53 SUV, with an end-of-July expected delivery date. One of the (few) options I did NOT select was the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which would have added $5,200 to the build (plus at least another $1,000 for upgraded wheels, which are required if you select this package). The only thing in this package I really care about is the AMG Active Ride Control w/ Roll Stabilization. I can't find much information about the AMG Active Ride Control w/ Roll Stabilization, especially on a GLE53. But before they start building my order, I am wondering if I should add it, and if I'm going to regret it if I don't. Can anyone provide any info about it? Do you have it on your GLE53? If so, do you like it? If not, do you wish you did?

Thanks.

CedricS

get it before its too late imo... its a heavy and large vehicle so its gonna "roll" more already.. get that factor as low as possible

Twilighthan

I drove a 2017 GLE without ACS Active Curve System, and it was bouncy as any SUV would be. The I waited for my GLE63S with ACS and it was well worth it. It allows me to drive on a race track and take the curves without leaning.

any roll stabilization in a high AMG is worth it if you plan on driving it like an AMG.

Bill Baird

Twilighthan is correct about the handling but both of our AMG's went through rear brakes way too fast. Imagine replacing rear brakes at 15,300 miles for $1431 on a GLE63? Ouch!

threeMBs

Is $1,431 a sum of several rear brakes (pads only? including rotors? how many times?) changes over 15,300 miles or a single replacement at 15,300? If later, what did it include exactly, because it makes no sense for a single replacement to be anywhere close to it?

Neurobit

I don't have this on mine but to be honest, the vehicle is so good already that I can't imagine spending that kind of dough unless you track it. Even in Comfort mode these things corner like they're on rails. Put it in Sport or Sport+ and they are glued to the road.

If I were ordering a GLS, than that would be a different story, but on the GLE53 (again in my opinion), it's not needed.

Cheers,

Bill Baird

It included rear brake pads, rear rotors, and rear wear sensors. I turned off as much of the stuff as I could as they told me it's common for the rear brakes to wear fast because they are electric. One thing I noticed is I've seen the boat sail on my dash which is supposed to warn you that you are getting wind from the side of the car and it's keeping the car in the lane by modulating the rear brakes. I wonder if that's having some effect? Also, when you start it, the rear brakes are on so that for sure helped wear the brakes on both my and my wife's cars.

The same happened to my wife's C43 but at 29K miles. On my wife's car, they replaced the pads and wear sensors. It was $472 at my favorite independent dealer, Star European in Yorkville, IL.

threeMBs

Somehow V167 OP's question has turned into W166 discussion, but yes with everything turned off, rear brake pads do not last more than 16K miles (otherwise only 8K miles). Rotors should last double (about 32K with everything turned off, or 16K otherwise). Fronts pads also last about 16K miles while rotors also requiring replacement with the second set of pads.

FYI: Original MB rear pads(about$200) and rear rotors(about $200 each), all can be purchased for about $600 max from online-Mercedes dealers (yes actual MB dealers who also sell on-line). Wear sensor (there's only one for the rear is about $15 or less). I buy all my original MB parts online and my MB dealer installs rear pads and rotors for under $250 labor only. Total with installation was under $900 on my '15 ML63PP (parts are identical and so is the installation to 16-19 GLE63/63S). The last time I brought in Brembo OEM replacement rear rotors ($200 for a pair) with MB original rear pads and a sensor to my dealer. Total with installation was under $700. Charging $1400 to install rear pads and rotors on W166 ML/GLE 63s is a daytime robbery in plain sight.

Bill Baird

AutohausAZ

rotors - $199.99/each

wear sensors - $12.99/ea

brake pads - $253

labor for Mercedes dealer - $249/hour

The dealer charges more for the parts. For example, "A" service and a new key was $1K. Believe me when I tell you they were the cheaper of two local Mercedes dealers. Way cheaper.

threeMBs

3 hours labor charge? Run from them.

Bill Baird

three MB's, OEM rotors are $800 a set. When you visit the dealer, they don't install eBay or Amazon.com rotors from China. Besides, the dealer has good Papa Nicolas coffee.

Do you have any idea what it costs to run a Mercedes dealer with 24 service stalls and hundreds of cars in stock? A lot of money. Besides, you are charged book hours whether they do it faster or longer.

threeMBs

Excuse me but I think you've missed/ignored what I wrote: "Original MB rear pads(about$200) and rear rotors(about $200 each), all can be purchased for about $600 max from online-Mercedes dealers (yes actual MB dealers who also sell on-line). Wear sensor (there's only one for the rear is about $15 or less). I buy all my original MB parts online and my MB dealer installs rear pads and rotors for under $250 labor only."

Where did I say "China". I said "Origin MB":

Pads: https://newparts.com/product/genuine...enz/0074208620
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25486373748...0AAOSwzbxadhnN Miami, FL MB dealership
Rotors: https://newparts.com/product/genuine...enz/1664230512
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25500357262...cAAOSwPkBadmR7
(last time, they installed these: https://newparts.com/product/brembo/09B71011 Germany is not China, right)

Labor:



Need more proof?

Bill Baird

Actually, many of Brembo's brake components are made in Nanjing, China which also means somebody in China is copying Brembo brake components. It's the Chinese way and that's why the link you have sells rotors for half-price of OEM's.

I visited the Brembo factory at Nanjing in 2009. I lived and worked in Shanghai for two years so I feel I am qualified to tell you the quality standards are not the same as in Italy. Also, you would be appalled by the number of fake products marketed on the internet. Products marked as genuine are most likely copies and it's hard to figure out which ones are real. Think about all of the South Americans who became deathly ill or died from copied cough syrup/toothpaste or families who lost pets by the thousands in the USA to "copied" pet snacks.

I am surprised your dealer installed your brake parts. That's a heck of a liability IMHO. I'll pay extra knowing I have Mercedes standing behind me.

https://www.brembo.com/en/company/ne...ognizing-fakes

threeMBs

China of today is light years away from China of 2009 (just see how many US "investors" are trying to get in front of each other to "give" them money in US IPOs). Tesla, Apple, most solar panels on most American's roofs...but that is a different conversation that I do not want to dive into.

Dealer installed rotors because they verified the product is legit (they are installing only MB OEM, Zimmerman and Brembo if supplied by a customer). Dealer installed pads, because they are original MB pads. I provided a link where MB dealer in South Miami (MB of Coral Gables) sells the same rear OEM rotors for $400 that your local friendly dealer charged you $800 for. Your friendly dealer also charged you triple for installation as can be seen by the invoice I provided (they might have charged me a bit more had I not done brake flush, but $125 labor is also probably much less that your dealer charges). My dealer is not "cheap" - their parts markup is probably not much less than the one you're using, hence I provide my own parts and will continue to as long as they're willing to install them without overcharging me for installation.