Recently started looking at the GLS and the GLE. In looking at the features I came across a video showing Trailer Maneuvering Assist but it looks like that is not a US market option. Anyone have any ideas on if that may come to our market? I actually liked its features compared to other systems.

Also I was trying to figure out how well either can do in snow. My road tends to not get plowed at times. I had had an E class wagon and it did slip on my steep driveway many times when going down it. The Audi quattro system did better on that. But I saw videos where there was not just an offroad drive select setting but the person was specifying sand, trail, etc. So what packages get you offroad drive select option and even the ability to specify sand, trail, slippery. And do you find the features helpful?

Thanks.

 

Mercedes 4MATIC and 4ETS are among the best systems on the road for managing wheel slip. The GLS off road package has a two speed transfer case which isn’t a solution to the problem you described, slipping down a steep incline.

Downhill slipping is an ABS task, not a traction task. There is a practical limit of tire contact patch weight, friction (ice) and grade. All vehicles will slip downhill if the combination those factors adds up the wrong way. It’s a mu * N thing.

4ETS and ABS will help with the slippery downhill situation. There is no 100% certainty that a given vehicle will succeed in all conditions. When in doubt, salt, plowing and weight in the vehicle (salt or sand bags) improve the odds a bit. As will getting two tires off the slippy driving surface and onto the shoulder with gravel, soil, sticks, etc.

 

The GLS 4matic plus is ridiculously good in any slippery stuff. If there is any weakness in any particular situation it will be solely due to tires that are not up to the particular task at hand. Aside from differential lockers, it will do anything a G wagen will do.

 

Do you mean any GLS trim level is capable and without the offroad package? Or no you are referencing any GLS with the offroad package?

Thanks!

 

As far as traction they are all superb. The offroad package provides low gear and and an inch more clearance. And skid plates....

 

All ML/GL/GLE/GLS 4MATIC systems are excellent in the base/standard version or in the off roading engineering version. These have separate "hang-on" traditional transfer cases, unlike the smaller SUV and passenger car 4MATIC system where the transfer case is integrated with the transmission housing.

 

Trailering and off-roading are two entirely different focuses, with little to no overlap. The inclusion of the off-road specific options will have no bearing on the vehicles innate tow ability. And visa versa. The GLS is a remarkably good tow vehicle, standard, right out of the box. So is a GLE, but the GLS will have an edge by being larger, with bigger brakes, engine, etc. Off road - I do wish my GLS had the factory off-road package. BUT... and this is a big but... it's a big beast. While the addition of a low range transfer case would be welcome (at least in my mind), the reality is that it simply isn't the vehicle that can take full advantage of it. It's like low range in a Chevy Suburban. Makes a nice, serious-intent statement, but the rig is too big to take full advantage of it on tight trails. I've owned Jeep Wranglers, taken them into places that were pretty challenging. No way would I consider the GLS getting in those places! No one vehicle can do it all! Not a slam on the GLS by any means, but to paraphrase a quote by Clint Eastwood in one of his movies... "ya got to know your limitations!"

 

Steep terrain is a use case for a two speed t/case and it doesn't need to be "tight". Trailhead roads in Colorado are an example. Slickrock driving in Arizona and Utah are other examples. Not tight at all but very steep. The off-road engineering package transfer case also includes a clutch to lock the t/case which further improves traction and capability.

MB 4MATIC systems are truly underappreciated in my view, because they are extremely capable in the base version, and near Jeep-class with the off-road engineering package.

 

All true.
Again no one in their right mind buys a GLS to take on the Rubicon.

 

Agree they are 2 different packages. I specifically was trying to verify that Tow Maneuvering Assist package I saw in one UK review (where you direct it at an angle and the GLS/GLE will do the steering and you just do the gas and brake) was not an option in the US. And nice to know how they are as tow vehicles.

And then the other question about the offroad package was not if they would be really great off road vehicles meant to get in all of the places. But it was more about another review I saw the person had options to say it was on Sand, Trail, Slippery. I was curious if that was a feature that came with AIRMATIC or if that was only a feature if you had the OffRoad package. So I'm unclear what drive select settings are on standard suspension (if say GLE does not have air suspension), with air suspension, and then how those options change if you get the off-road package or the E Active Body Control package.

Basically I saw another review (this time US based but it was an AMG) where the guy was driving on packed snow roads and he was using the different settings of Sand, Trail, etc. Inventory is not that great for me to look at in person at this time so I'm trying to figure out what you get stock and what packages add what features.

It is great to hear how people feel their vehicles handle the conditions, towing, etc so thanks for the information.

I did have a 2011 ML350 and it also would slide on my driveway. I get the previous point of load the rear to help and yes you need to shovel, salt, etc. My problems were more when I was already out at work and kids at school and was coming home to the bad conditions. Maybe the 3rd row weight on the Audi Q7 helped as I would go down the steep driveway slope or the hills in my community fine without sliding in the Q7. So I'm thinking that 3rd row weight in the back did help. And yes I was crawling slowly trying to leave space for braking or going slow at certain downhill curves, etc.

But if anyone knows what drive select settings you get with and without air suspension and what then gives you the option to specify you are driving on Sand, Trail, etc. I think that would help me decide what features/packages I wanted to order.

I do think that Trailer Maneuvering Assist package that will help steer maybe is not available in the US at this time. I just liked that feature I saw since I do not tow frequent enough to always be efficient at it.

 

We own a GL350 and owned a Subaru Forester. There was over 8 years of overlap while owning both. In my experience, the AWD in Subaru is far superior to 4Matic. It was noticeably more stable in heavy snow and rain. Even my wife (who is not into cars at all) noticed it and she would drive the Subaru whenever there was a snowstorm. As a Subaru owner, I believe Audi's Quatro is the second best AWD system right after Subaru's (I'm sure the Audi owners disagree!). So, I am not surprised that your Q7 would not slide on your driveway. Subaru and Audi manufactured the first mass produced AWD cars in mid 1970's. AWD is their expertise. Now 4Matic is no slouch either. Its just that Subaru and Audi are better in that department (I can say Mercedes is better in everything else. Safety, its probably a tie as Subarus are very safe too).

Towing on the other hand, GL/GLS is in a different class. In my experience, GL is very stable, pulls strongly, has fantastic brakes, and good cooling system. Its heavy and has a relatively long wheelbase, both good for towing. I'd rate it as the best unibody tow vehicle in the market today. I also believe that for heavy (and regular) towing, a lowly half ton pickup is more practical that GL/GLS.

 

So in a previous model thread I was able to find this information of the Dynamic Select options:

"Please don't forget with GLS Dynamic Select - Your will Have Sport, Comfort, Slippery, and Indiv setting - and yes, for NE Slippery will come in handy."

But maybe 2020 forward they got rid of the Slippery setting and now have Offroad but only if you have a certain model (AMG) or certain package maybe only then can you customize what offroad setting you are in?

Basically I've now found 2 GLS AMG videos that mention sand and trail offroad setting but I do not think a stock GLS450 has ability to set if the offroad mode is sand, trail, etc. One video, 2020 GLS AMG63 Snow/Ice review, actually shows the Sand, Trail, etc but it was while he was driving vs an overview of the settings. Originally I was assuming it was some sort of off road package or something. So does anyone know if the off road package also gives you the ability to specify the offroad mode?

I am having a harder time finding the GLE information and not as many things are available on the GLE. I am torn between the GLE and the GLS. I only use the 3rd row actually for my larger dog to have a dedicated seat when we go on family road trips and the 2nd dog is smaller and easier to find her a safe spot.

 

Explained here. Read all of the relevant pages in detail, several times if necessary to achieve understanding.

https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...E%20SUV_OM.pdf

 

Thanks for the link and I did re-read it. They at times will tag some features to a package but the manual also states "Depending on the engine and equipment, the vehicle has different drive programs.". That is why I was hoping if someone owned some of the non-AMG engines and they may be able to comment. There is still a gray area for me to know for sure on certain things.

Again I have to find inventory to personally check out the different engines still myself even if they do not have certain features added. So I was trying to maybe clarify it better if I can't find both engines.

Thanks for all the information so far.

 

I have a 21 GLS450. Fairly standard. OK... call it the poverty model. It does not have a "slippery" setting in the Dynamic Select. What I have, and believe is standard on the 450's in the U.S. now, is Sport, Eco, Comfort, Individual, and Off Road. I do NOT have the "off road" option package (I.E., low range transfer case). Not sure many 450's hit the U.S. with it. I am unsure if putting my 450 it into off road really expands more terrain options in some on-screen sub-menu as I'm still figuring it out. I'm pretty sure it doesn't. Aside from messing with the shift points and suspension height I don't think it really activates any special superpowers - more of a subjective feel thing (though in off-road there is a downhill control and I believe the ABS and stability control allow for a bit more latitude at low speeds). At the end of the day, it's no Jeep Grand Cherokee with a bunch of discreet off road modes that can be messed with. But in all honesty, the 4-Matic system is really sophisticated and does a fantastic job of sorting stuff out on it's own. The options for dynamic select do seem to be changing for the U.S. market. From what I understand the e-active suspension is gone as an option for the 450, but available on the upper models. Same with the two speed transfer case and related real off-road goodies. I suspect the AMG's are pretty loaded up and would likely have all this stuff standard. I also find the manuals pretty confusing... they include everything, stuff MY car doesn't have, and have resorted to reading the manual with the build sheet along side so I can figure out "oh, I've got that" or "nope, not on mine".

 

Read pages 182-187, with special emphasis on page 184. I think some of the posters on this thread have not read the operator's manual.

Traction control in the most general sense is accomplished by throttle position map adjustment, which modifies power and torque delivered to the transmission. Transmission gear selection map is modified to deliver torque to suit the driving conditions. The braking system uses ESP/ABS/4ETS to stop wheel spin, if throttle and gear selection results in torque that exceeds the traction available at the wheel. These functions are contained within the base 4MATIC system and do not require the off road package. Mercedes delivers a highly capable 4MATIC system. The off road package is even higher capability, approaching 4Runner and Jeep levels of performance.

Vehicle attitude (steep incline or side-to-side tilt) is detected automatically via suspension height sensors and LED headlamp positions are adjusted to compensate.

 

All GLS's have an "offroad" setting, the "offroad package" simply has an extra setting "offroad+" which raises the vehicle even further and, of course, it offers a low range gear set and "skid plates" Interestingly the Eactive suspension also has skid plates.. The offroad package is in fact even better than most dedicated "offroad" vehicles though I'm I'm not aware of many people that will drive their 120K car in anything that would closely match that capability. Its like the G wagen you don't see anyone risking their "manufakture" 5000 dollar plus paint job climbing the Rubicon trail even if their 4wd system is the most capable one this side of an Army Oshkosh JLTV
This Is the U.S. Army's Official Humvee Replacement (roadandtrack.com)

 

@c4004matic I think we both agree the GLS 4MATIC has excellent off road capability, even more so with the off road package with two speed transfer case and lockable differentials.

Google “G-Wagen Black Bear Pass”. Lots of Gs are used in aggressive driving situations. I’m from the eastern US where off roading means narrow lanes with paint-scratching tree branches in the driving path. Out west (CO, UT, AZ) this has not been my experience with wide open driving routes, for the most part, although far steeper, rockier and more difficult than the beautiful green and dark, muddy routes in the east (MI, PA, VA, NC).

 

Ive seen videos where it it out where even without the off road setting (off) it outperforms vehicles like the highlander! Its not necessarily because of more heavy duty hardware its due to the advanced electronic logic of the 4matic plus system which can proportion torque and braking almost instantaneously to where its most needed. Again, the capabilities of the system are far superior to what anyone will ever use it for. Real offroading entails being fully aware that along the way things will invariable break, get bent, scuffed scratched, or destroyed, etc. No one in their right mind (except oil sheiks and people no concept of a budget) would put an SUV of this price to such use. If you're pulling a horse trailer over a dirt road or pulling a boat out of a slippery ramp, you're way more more than covered
BTW I dont think that the trailer parking control is available in the US. I haven't trailered anything yet so Im not entirely sure on that.

 

One more thing that was well thought out, Even the 22in continentals have enough sidewall (bulge) to protect the rims from scuffing despite being a 40 aspect tire. The rims are thus protected even in light offroading.

 

That's correct. You don't see G-wagons off-roading, not because they are not highly capable, but for practical reasons (taking a $160k luxury SUV off road is not practical for most). MB could sell a barebones G-wagon for $40k and would sell many (and people would take them off-road) but that dilutes the image of MB as a luxury vehicle so that would not happen. There is also the issue of support. I've been planning a camping trip out West for a while (We tow a camper with GL 350). Certain states out west do not have any MB dealerships (Wyoming, North Dakota, etc). The questions is what to do if your MB breaks while you are there? Alternatively, you can find a mechanic that works on a domestic pickup almost anywhere in this country.

 

occasionally, you do! =P

 

Press events dont count!🤣
Neither do old ones more than 10yrs old!

 

Calling @Limey Hooligan

 

that guy actually drives the crap out of all/most of his cars, press events or otherwise. also, that previous body G-squared will cost every bit as much as, if not more than, a brand new G63...assuming you can find one for sale.