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My ordered 2026 GLE 53 Coupe was finally delivered today! One hiccup though, soft close doors ($550) was not added to the build, instead I received black locking lug nuts for $170....thanks Mercedes....
Yes I was bummed, soft close doors would have come in handy when parking in the garage, but the dealership compensated me nicely for my trouble....no hard feelings. So this coming Wednesday or Thursday I actually pickup the vehicle after the PPF and exterior/interior ceramic is applied. The upgraded brakes are nice! Even the rear rotors look "composite" like the fronts, and the 6 pot front calipers are big! Here are some pics....
My ordered 2026 GLE 53 Coupe was finally delivered today! One hiccup though, soft close doors ($550) was not added to the build, instead I received black locking lug nuts for $170....thanks Mercedes....
Yes I was bummed, soft close doors would have come in handy when parking in the garage, but the dealership compensated me nicely for my trouble....no hard feelings. So this coming Wednesday or Thursday I actually pickup the vehicle after the PPF and exterior/interior ceramic is applied. The upgraded brakes are nice! Even the rear rotors look "composite" like the fronts, and the 6 pot front calipers are big! Here are some pics....
Nicely spec'd!
I don't miss my soft close doors at all. My doors close so effortlessly and so precisely that I exert almost no force to close them. Barely more force than my soft close ones.
You'll particularly like the ARC. Did you drive a car with it before you ordered?
What happened on the soft close doors? Did the dealer miss adding it to your build when he submitted it? If there was an issue with supply, which I doubt, it would show up as a credit on the Monroney towards the bottom. I have a GLE on the way as well, and want to make sure I have no surprises. Glad the dealer took care of you on this. Thanks for sharing.
I don't miss my soft close doors at all. My doors close so effortlessly and so precisely that I exert almost no force to close them. Barely more force than my soft close ones.
I've never owned a vehicle with soft close doors, so hopefully I won't miss them either....
You'll particularly like the ARC. Did you drive a car with it before you ordered?
I have not....none of the GLE 53s dealerships had on their lots at the time had ARC when I was test driving. I've read a lot of positive reviews about how ARC improves stability & handling, and since I'm coming from a Macan GTS, I figured I would need it.
Last edited by MASSC450; Nov 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM.
What happened on the soft close doors? Did the dealer miss adding it to your build when he submitted it? If there was an issue with supply, which I doubt, it would show up as a credit on the Monroney towards the bottom. I have a GLE on the way as well, and want to make sure I have no surprises. Glad the dealer took care of you on this. Thanks for sharing.
The dealership said they ordered my vehicle correctly, and I have a copy of the original order we both signed which stated soft close doors....that's all I know. What alerted me was after looking at the window sticker, I noticed the list price was lower than expected.
They did not say anything about any issues surrounding this option, I'm just happy all my other options were on the vehicle. I thought for sure the upgraded brakes or ARC would have been an issue, but gladly they were not.
I've never owned a vehicle with soft close doors, so hopefully I won't miss them either....
I have not....none of the GLE 53s dealerships had on their lots at the time had ARC when I was test driving. I've read a lot of positive reviews about how ARC improves stability & handling, and since I'm coming from a Macan GTS, I figured I would need it.
It took me two months to find an ARC car to drive. In 2020 it was part of a $5k+ package (big Red brakes, Track Pace etc) that no dealer wanted to stock. (I've used every part of that Dynamic Plus package including Track Pace at the local road course.)
My sales rep got permission from an owner who had ordered one but hadn't been delivered yet. Winner winner!
It makes the car drive much smaller. And ride better.
Having come from a Macan myself, and a previous Cayenne, if I hadn't discovered ARC I'd be in a Porsche.
After I owned mine for a bit, I test drove a Cayenne with PDCC (similar active sway bars) with rear steer, on my favorite test drive road, 10 miles up Ute Pass and back (Colorado Springs), 21" tires. The 53 was just better, plus real switches and $25k less.
You are also really going to LOVE the Acoustic comfort package....literally night and day difference you cannot hear any road noise at all (and I am riding on the upgraded 22" rims) enjoy the car
So I've had my GLE 53 coupe for almost a week now, and I have to say I love it! Dealer finished the PPF install (full hood) and interior/exterior ceramic, and luckly it hasn't rain for a while so I've been able to enjoy driving my new vehicle relitively clean so far. Still learning the ropes as this is my first GLE....the seats are very supported (massage not bad either!), I set up my dashcam (and already captured a road rage event between two other vehicles!), as well as the fingerprint indent, and I think I'll stick with "Ocean Blue" for the interior lighting color. Now as for the ride, firm but comfortable....like an performance SUV should feel like, exhaust seems louder than my wife's CLE 53 (that's a good thing!), the upgraded brakes are phenomenal....linaear feel, not too grippy, and ARC seems to be doing its job since when I go into a corner at speed, the vehicle stays perfectly level....not too artifical feeling. The GLE coupe definately drives smaller than it actually is!
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