What is going on with MB??
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
The bottom. Too narrow, practically sitting on top of the stiff bolsters unless you sit like a a mannequin in race car mode.
different strokes for different folks willis. My opinion, they suck, and would buy something else.
different strokes for different folks willis. My opinion, they suck, and would buy something else.
Last edited by nc211; Oct 7, 2023 at 04:50 AM.
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'23 GLS450
I like that Mercedes doesn't do that so if you wanted the luxury of a GLE in smaller form factor, the GLC is still luxurious (and seats are not compromised). If weren't for supply chain issues, I'd probably have a '22 GLC right now instead of a '23 X3 (bought nearly a year ago).
Out Of Control!!
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2019 C63CS
I agree the bottom is the hardest part of the X3's seat. When running your hand over the Sensatec, it feels very rubbery and synthetic. BMW really wants you to upgrade to the X5 to get half-way decent seats.
I like that Mercedes doesn't do that so if you wanted the luxury of a GLE in smaller form factor, the GLC is still luxurious (and seats are not compromised). If weren't for supply chain issues, I'd probably have a '22 GLC right now instead of a '23 X3 (bought nearly a year ago).
I like that Mercedes doesn't do that so if you wanted the luxury of a GLE in smaller form factor, the GLC is still luxurious (and seats are not compromised). If weren't for supply chain issues, I'd probably have a '22 GLC right now instead of a '23 X3 (bought nearly a year ago).
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While I'm not a Honda fan, they are on par with Honda, perhaps beat Toyota in the interior materials - but they are a mainstream brand and are nothing special. Not coming from armchair reviewing, unfortunately I had quite a few of them pass through my driveway as my ex was obsessed with the brand. They are not on the same playing field as entry level luxury brands...
Reliability was also a disappointment on every single one of them I was saddled with having to look at in my driveway.
Reliability was also a disappointment on every single one of them I was saddled with having to look at in my driveway.
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Nothing that stands out to me, I believe nappa option made the centre console leather, I forgot what else. Interestingly the S Class appeared to be designed for the higher end options and then downgraded from there for people that didn't pick those packages, things like the Burmester 3D roof speakers already had 'placeholders' making that retrofit very easy. The interiors fl/prefl material wise was roughly the same, NTG upgrade, steering wheel change, dual zone ambient lighting etc changed, someone can correct me if I'm wrong. 9G transmission was the major thing that stood out to me in it, we have s350 diesels here so it helped alleviate the sluggish feeling.
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Interesting TGT comments. Owners of them on Rennlist love them. There is a thread on Urus vs TGT and quite a few posters say the Urus isn't "worth it". Urus is a look-at-me car and for people who want the Lambo badge and cosmetics. The TGT according to owners is a great performance vehicle with more sublety than the Urus. Cayenne across the lineup is a great buy right now for the combination of performance, luxury and reliability.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Except that power levels increase from Audi --> Porsche --> Lambo. So while the underpinnings in MLB evo are the "same", performance, style (materials, appearance, cosmetics) and brand appeal are not. Each consumer has his/her own indifference curve.
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I personally don't hate the EQS as much as others do but I understand the hate in the shape of the vehicle. Although we can argue that the compromises of using an ICE platform for a BEV will be great, very likely the development cost that was saved from sticking with one platform will offset that. I guess MB wanted to "go all out" but "backfired".
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Ok, so we've switched out my BMW X3 loaner for a brand new GLC while we wait for the passenger side seat cover to come in on the GLS. I was happy with the switch as I have always liked the GLC personally, and have considered it as a potential replacement for my aging w212 (and I wouldn't mind an SUV now over a sedan). This one is loaded up with toys, including the heads-up display on the windshield, which is freaky to get used to at first. Gives me a great opportunity to also compare the MBUX differences between the GLS and this new style of an iPad setup in the center stack.
I have to admit. It's pretty nice. I don't get it why when I looked at the other one last week while waiting for the loaner to arrive, but this one seems to feel far better. No squeaks when pressing on the materials. The wood(ish) trim looks more realistic and "Mercedes like". The iPad configuration definitely takes some getting used to over the GLS style. Gone is the track pad and muscle memory to scan through the radio stations. It's not quite as easy to use, but it's so close to your hand that it's not terrible either. Just takes some adjustment. It is light years ahead of that BMW X3 in terms of cabin enjoyment, and the seats are a good bit more comfortable. BMW has MB on the transmission though, no real comparison between the two of them. The BMW glides far easier than the MB does, and doesn't come off a laboring at all, whereas the MB does have a little laboring in how it moves the car, but not bad. I do like the turbo 4 with the 48v on this GLC quite a lot, is easy to drive. It is clear that MB has figured out how to get it to come to a smooth stop as it downshifts. One thing I asked the dealership to check on our GLS is if there is a refreshed software package for the transmission. Hopefully there is and it will act as this GLC is acting. It's my only complaint about our GLS (and not that major, just annoying).
Overall, I like this new GLC. Not sure I like it enough to not buy a used one of the previous style that I really like, but at this rate on the 212, the 2024's will be "classics" by the time I'm ready to buy one anyway.
I have to admit. It's pretty nice. I don't get it why when I looked at the other one last week while waiting for the loaner to arrive, but this one seems to feel far better. No squeaks when pressing on the materials. The wood(ish) trim looks more realistic and "Mercedes like". The iPad configuration definitely takes some getting used to over the GLS style. Gone is the track pad and muscle memory to scan through the radio stations. It's not quite as easy to use, but it's so close to your hand that it's not terrible either. Just takes some adjustment. It is light years ahead of that BMW X3 in terms of cabin enjoyment, and the seats are a good bit more comfortable. BMW has MB on the transmission though, no real comparison between the two of them. The BMW glides far easier than the MB does, and doesn't come off a laboring at all, whereas the MB does have a little laboring in how it moves the car, but not bad. I do like the turbo 4 with the 48v on this GLC quite a lot, is easy to drive. It is clear that MB has figured out how to get it to come to a smooth stop as it downshifts. One thing I asked the dealership to check on our GLS is if there is a refreshed software package for the transmission. Hopefully there is and it will act as this GLC is acting. It's my only complaint about our GLS (and not that major, just annoying).
Overall, I like this new GLC. Not sure I like it enough to not buy a used one of the previous style that I really like, but at this rate on the 212, the 2024's will be "classics" by the time I'm ready to buy one anyway.
Do you have pictures of this loaner? Will love to see it.
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There is more to that story, your comment reminds me of a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Bs98KmnY
Basically longer lasting light bulbs are dimmer and uses more electricity. While the opposite is true for the shorter light span light bulbs. The replacement cost of the light bulb therefore is actually cheaper than the electricity consumed.
He also experimented with supplying more than rated current to the dimmer but longer lasting light bulbs and results were that the longer lasting light bulbs burned much brighter but then failed within minutes.
He talked about the location of where the light bulb installed also affects whether to go with incandescent or LED for example.
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Ya exactly. Thing is audi does audi things right and Porsche does Porsche things right and Lambo does Lambo things right, can't really argue with that.
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GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
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'23 GLS450
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/co...ver-the-worst/
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In the CR list from this year, BMW was #1 and Mazda placed #8. Mercedes didn't fare very well...
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/co...ver-the-worst/
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/co...ver-the-worst/
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'23 GLS450
The upholstery material making a difference that I can definitely relate to. The Sensatec or I guess what we used to call Leatherette feels kinda like sitting on a plastic chair. I had Alcantara in my previous car and while I liked it, it was firm, because it just doesn't stretch very much. I had different leather qualities over the years. Basic leather is often kinda plasticky, but my current seats are Nappa leather. As far as I recall the 330 had leather seats as well and not the perforated Sensatec. When I had a W223 loaner it also had the basic leather, which felt like plastic to me. I was surprised that it didn't come with Nappa leather standard. I'd skip MB Tex or whatever brand fake leather, and upgrade to Nappa leather if it isn't already standard.
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.
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'23 GLS450
Mazda was #2 in 2022 in the same list so they actually dropped 6 rankings this year!
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ds_article.pdf
Very little change for Mercedes from 2022->2023 (it actually got slightly worse).
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ds_article.pdf
Very little change for Mercedes from 2022->2023 (it actually got slightly worse).
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Mazda was #2 in 2022 in the same list so they actually dropped 6 rankings this year!
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ds_article.pdf
Very little change for Mercedes from 2022->2023 (it actually got slightly worse).
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ds_article.pdf
Very little change for Mercedes from 2022->2023 (it actually got slightly worse).
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I have MB-TEX in my GLS and the seat is far more comfortable and softer than the Sensatec in my X3. It's possible to do fake leather right!
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.
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2024 S580
I have MB-TEX in my GLS and the seat is far more comfortable and softer than the Sensatec in my X3. It's possible to do fake leather right!
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.
Note that the X5/X7 has Sensafin, which is a higher grade of fake leather. I was fine w/the Sensafin in an X7 I test drove but ended up getting the GLS.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
There is quite some variability in MB-Tex across models (factories) and years. MB-Tex in my W166 was great. Robust, looked good, easy to clean and comfortable enough. Not leather, I get it, but I knew that when I bought the car. I didn't expect it to be leather and I didn't compare it to leather.
Current model 167 has had some problems with splitting MB-Tex. E-Class over the years has had problems with MB-Tex. There is not one global supplier, nor one global factory, for MB-Tex, so user experience will not be exactly the same.
Going back to the sport seats discussion, in addition to enjoying Porsche (Cayenne) and BMW (X3) sport seats, MB GLE63s W166 sport seats are excellent. Very deeply bolstered and you have to climb over them before you can sit in them. They hold you very securely. And for me, comfortably. I need to try 167 sport seats for a comparison. I think there is a 63 at the local dealer last I drove past.
Current model 167 has had some problems with splitting MB-Tex. E-Class over the years has had problems with MB-Tex. There is not one global supplier, nor one global factory, for MB-Tex, so user experience will not be exactly the same.
Going back to the sport seats discussion, in addition to enjoying Porsche (Cayenne) and BMW (X3) sport seats, MB GLE63s W166 sport seats are excellent. Very deeply bolstered and you have to climb over them before you can sit in them. They hold you very securely. And for me, comfortably. I need to try 167 sport seats for a comparison. I think there is a 63 at the local dealer last I drove past.
Last edited by chassis; Oct 8, 2023 at 10:14 AM.
