I'm considering the baby AMG (2018 GLE 43 AMG)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I'm considering the baby AMG (2018 GLE 43 AMG)
Total cross post with the GLE forum... Kick me in the slats if that's not OK.
Can anybody say why or why not? I'm currently in a 2013 ML350 Bluetec and REALLY like having 455 foot pounds of torque at my disposal. The ML is quiet, fast, comfortable, and has about 72K miles on it. The '18 GLE 43 AMG matches it except for a heated steering wheel, and I haven't driven it yet to see how quiet, fast, and comfortable it is but I expect it will at least equal what I already have. It has 33K miles on it and would likely cost me an extra $25K after trading. The question is will 385 horses and 384 torques be quicker than 269hp and 455 ft. lbs.?
I know there's a lot of questions about the diesel reliability, but I'm comfortable dealing with the issues if they arise (couldn't be a Benz owner if I wasn't also a tool owner, including a decent computer). I also am of the impression that the twin turbo V6 is a pretty solid engine with a good track record. The rest of the car is about the same between the years.
Kinda comes down to whether I want to dish out $25K for a car that's 5 years newer and 40K miles younger. Having AMG badges is more of an ego kick than anything else, unless it is truly quicker than the diesel. Gotta admit the exhaust crackle is nice on that twin turbo V6. 25mpg is nice on the diesel, but gasoline is cheaper than diesel and would likely be cheaper to fuel the AMG vs the diesel.
Thoughts? Pros/Cons?
Can anybody say why or why not? I'm currently in a 2013 ML350 Bluetec and REALLY like having 455 foot pounds of torque at my disposal. The ML is quiet, fast, comfortable, and has about 72K miles on it. The '18 GLE 43 AMG matches it except for a heated steering wheel, and I haven't driven it yet to see how quiet, fast, and comfortable it is but I expect it will at least equal what I already have. It has 33K miles on it and would likely cost me an extra $25K after trading. The question is will 385 horses and 384 torques be quicker than 269hp and 455 ft. lbs.?
I know there's a lot of questions about the diesel reliability, but I'm comfortable dealing with the issues if they arise (couldn't be a Benz owner if I wasn't also a tool owner, including a decent computer). I also am of the impression that the twin turbo V6 is a pretty solid engine with a good track record. The rest of the car is about the same between the years.
Kinda comes down to whether I want to dish out $25K for a car that's 5 years newer and 40K miles younger. Having AMG badges is more of an ego kick than anything else, unless it is truly quicker than the diesel. Gotta admit the exhaust crackle is nice on that twin turbo V6. 25mpg is nice on the diesel, but gasoline is cheaper than diesel and would likely be cheaper to fuel the AMG vs the diesel.
Thoughts? Pros/Cons?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I'll go ahead and say the diesel isn't in fact slow, but it is certainly not nearly as quick as my '05 E320 CDI was.
That said, I'm looking forward to trying on the 43.
That said, I'm looking forward to trying on the 43.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,471
Likes: 6,342
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
If you use the diesel ML as the reference for the "quiet, fast, comfortable" comparison, the GLE43 is less quiet and (considerably) less comfortable, but it is faster. It has a harsher drive and it's louder than the diesel as it is designed to be more "sporty". It can be outright vulgar if you enable the exhaust mode that farts, pops and bangs every time you lift off the throttle, but aside from that it's a decent car if you don't intend to tow anything with it and you're OK with the harsher ride. Fuel consumption would obviously be higher also, but that's par for the course.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Given what I'm hearing in both threads, I think I'm better off sticking with what I have. I do tow the camper with it several times each summer, and that torque really Shines on the highway. SWMBO appreciates how quiet it is, and it does not sound like the AMG would check that box.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 811
From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Exactly. I had to move one of my race cars yesterday afternoon from one out-of-town shop to another - a good six hour drive all in (hour and a half to/from each shop, and three hours between them towing a 6,000 lb trailer). The diesel tows that load without any drama doing 130 km/h, and as you said, it then comfortably and quietly cruises with a ride that's almost as good as an S-class. The GLE43 won't do that... it will neither pull that load without effort nor will the ride be nearly as smooth. Borrowed one and been there earlier this year... it struggles going uphill with that same trailer and load, it used up twice as much fuel in the process as my diesel ML does on the same trip, and the ride is crashy in comparison.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 170
Likes: 61
From: Toronto, ON
86 190E 2.3, 2014 ML350 Bluetec
If your interested in squeezing more power or reducing lag on the bluetec, I've been running two devices that have completely transformed the truck IMO:
1st is the tune box, the extra boost really wakes the engine up and since its tied into the boost pressure sensor (and fuel rail sensor) it also engages boost faster to reduce lag. It also has adjustable modes so it can be turned off or turned down. I've been running this flawlessly for probably around 4 years. And yes it works with the AEM no issues.
https://tdi-tuning.com/en-us/car/mer...uning-box-chip
The real lag reducer is this: https://www.sprintboostercanada.com/...ter-select-v3/
It essentially takes the built-in delay out of the throttle body to give you a faster pedal reaction. Same story, you can adjust the level of throttle reaction that you need.
both of these in conjunction seriously transform the bluetec into behaving more like a N/A gas than a lagging turbo diesel. Highly recommend
1st is the tune box, the extra boost really wakes the engine up and since its tied into the boost pressure sensor (and fuel rail sensor) it also engages boost faster to reduce lag. It also has adjustable modes so it can be turned off or turned down. I've been running this flawlessly for probably around 4 years. And yes it works with the AEM no issues.
https://tdi-tuning.com/en-us/car/mer...uning-box-chip
The real lag reducer is this: https://www.sprintboostercanada.com/...ter-select-v3/
It essentially takes the built-in delay out of the throttle body to give you a faster pedal reaction. Same story, you can adjust the level of throttle reaction that you need.
both of these in conjunction seriously transform the bluetec into behaving more like a N/A gas than a lagging turbo diesel. Highly recommend
Last edited by mike919; Nov 14, 2023 at 01:20 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
