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Because the 63 has AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, which are active anti-roll bars. They can relax when driving straight allowing the wheels to move more independently which results in a smoother ride and tighten up when cornering. AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL is optional for the 53, but no longer offered in the USA, so the 53 has fixed anti-roll bars that are a compromise between straight line comfort and roll stabilization when cornering. With tall and heavy SUVs, the anti-roll bars have to be fairly stiff to control all that body roll, so they end up either on the harsh side to keep body roll in check, or on the soft side for comfort, but then the body rolls all over in the corners. Active roll stabilization eliminates this compromise.
I may have(probably) had this option on my 2022 GLE53 coupe and it was a great ride. My 2024 63s Coupe is even better. It may be in my head, but with the extra power, the ride is smooth and the SO has yet to complain about my driving and nausea…which I was expecting more of!!!
I think the new ordering guide shows the 53 as having the ARC option but maybe it's outdated info. Has anyone confirmed with a dealer recently?
So... not sure if this is a nomenclature issue, a material issue, or what. But it is confusing, at least to me....
Thee 5/11/24 MY25 DOG says:
- the GLE53 includes as standard equipment "AMG Ride Control +" (489). "AMG Active Ride Control" (465) is available as a $2,800 option.
- the GLE63 includes as standard equipment "AMG Active Ride Control based on AMG Ride Control Plus + (465)"
Perhaps it's me, but I've seen "ARC" thrown around a lot, as well as "Active Ride Control." Seems like ARC could either mean AMG Ride Control or Active Ride Control. And @superswiss posted at #2 above a description of "AMG Active Ride Control." Whatever THAT is, seems like that is what I want to include on my MY25 GLE53 build.
So... not sure if this is a nomenclature issue, a material issue, or what. But it is confusing, at least to me....
Thee 5/11/24 MY25 DOG says:
- the GLE53 includes as standard equipment "AMG Ride Control +" (489). "AMG Active Ride Control" (465) is available as a $2,800 option.
- the GLE63 includes as standard equipment "AMG Active Ride Control based on AMG Ride Control Plus + (465)"
Perhaps it's me, but I've seen "ARC" thrown around a lot, as well as "Active Ride Control." Seems like ARC could either mean AMG Ride Control or Active Ride Control. And @superswiss posted at #2 above a description of "AMG Active Ride Control." Whatever THAT is, seems like that is what I want to include on my MY25 GLE53 build.
ARC = Active Ride Control. As said standard on the 63 and now looks like it's available again on the 53 as an option.
AMG typically( always) has better power, brakes, suspension and styling. These watered down 'AMGs' are sad.
@hyperion667 I've driven a full-up W212 E63 since 2014 and had until very recently shared your perspective. My point of view had been, and largely remains, if there's not a hand-built AMG engine crafted by one technician under the hood, then it's not a "real" AMG. Throw in suspension, brakes, and the argument gets even stronger.
Not sure how common my situation is, but it turns out this almost-AMG checks a lot of boxes for me. I need to replace my wife's '19 X5 DD, and she is not a driving enthusiast. But I also drive it a lot. Net of evaluating all the usual suspects including the SQ7 and the Range Rover Sport, I narrowed the search down to the GLE450 and GLE580. It was then suggested to me that I look closer at the GLE53, as a way to get more power and style over the GLE450, without the downside of the GLE580's hydration needs, the wonders of its V8 notwithstanding. And so I did, and at least in my particular case, the almost-AMG slots in nicely.
Based on my years of experience with the E63, full-up AMGs don't make the best daily drivers. They're not engineered to sit in traffic, ping pong from one stop light to the next, and generally run around town. Even in Comfort drive mode, it takes effort to drive and lacks the manners one -- or at least my wife -- would prefer in a DD. Hence, my enquiries into ARC.
These almost-AMGs attempt to achieve the best of both worlds (power and comfort), and end up compromising on both. I totally get it. But as I can attest, there is at least a small market for these offerings. Car dudes married to non-car dudettes, and vice-versa.
FWIW, BMW does the same thing with its M sub-brand. There are various degrees of M-ness.
ARC = Active Ride Control. As said standard on the 63 and now looks like it's available again on the 53 as an option.
@superswiss Thank you. So, if I spec on a GLE53 build option 465 (AMG Active Ride Control), combined with standard equipment 489 (AMG Ride Control +), that I'd get the system you helpfully described above in #2?
@superswiss Thank you. So, if I spec on a GLE53 build option 465 (AMG Active Ride Control), combined with standard equipment 489 (AMG Ride Control +), that I'd get the system you helpfully described above in #2?
@hyperion667 I've driven a full-up W212 E63 since 2014 and had until very recently shared your perspective. My point of view had been, and largely remains, if there's not a hand-built AMG engine crafted by one technician under the hood, then it's not a "real" AMG. Throw in suspension, brakes, and the argument gets even stronger.
Not sure how common my situation is, but it turns out this almost-AMG checks a lot of boxes for me. I need to replace my wife's '19 X5 DD, and she is not a driving enthusiast. But I also drive it a lot. Net of evaluating all the usual suspects including the SQ7 and the Range Rover Sport, I narrowed the search down to the GLE450 and GLE580. It was then suggested to me that I look closer at the GLE53, as a way to get more power and style over the GLE450, without the downside of the GLE580's hydration needs, the wonders of its V8 notwithstanding. And so I did, and at least in my particular case, the almost-AMG slots in nicely.
Based on my years of experience with the E63, full-up AMGs don't make the best daily drivers. They're not engineered to sit in traffic, ping pong from one stop light to the next, and generally run around town. Even in Comfort drive mode, it takes effort to drive and lacks the manners one -- or at least my wife -- would prefer in a DD. Hence, my enquiries into ARC.
These almost-AMGs attempt to achieve the best of both worlds (power and comfort), and end up compromising on both. I totally get it. But as I can attest, there is at least a small market for these offerings. Car dudes married to non-car dudettes, and vice-versa.
FWIW, BMW does the same thing with its M sub-brand. There are various degrees of M-ness.
I sincerely appreciate your perspective. I know what you mean in regards to DD'ing AMG....been doing that with mine since 2018.
My wife is out of town and I have been driving her Honda Pilot and I gotta say it's nice change lol. I honestly think my next new car will be a Honda, Volvo or maybe even Range Rover.
@hyperion667 I've driven a full-up W212 E63 since 2014 and had until very recently shared your perspective. My point of view had been, and largely remains, if there's not a hand-built AMG engine crafted by one technician under the hood, then it's not a "real" AMG. Throw in suspension, brakes, and the argument gets even stronger.
Not sure how common my situation is, but it turns out this almost-AMG checks a lot of boxes for me. I need to replace my wife's '19 X5 DD, and she is not a driving enthusiast. But I also drive it a lot. Net of evaluating all the usual suspects including the SQ7 and the Range Rover Sport, I narrowed the search down to the GLE450 and GLE580. It was then suggested to me that I look closer at the GLE53, as a way to get more power and style over the GLE450, without the downside of the GLE580's hydration needs, the wonders of its V8 notwithstanding. And so I did, and at least in my particular case, the almost-AMG slots in nicely.
Based on my years of experience with the E63, full-up AMGs don't make the best daily drivers. They're not engineered to sit in traffic, ping pong from one stop light to the next, and generally run around town. Even in Comfort drive mode, it takes effort to drive and lacks the manners one -- or at least my wife -- would prefer in a DD. Hence, my enquiries into ARC.
These almost-AMGs attempt to achieve the best of both worlds (power and comfort), and end up compromising on both. I totally get it. But as I can attest, there is at least a small market for these offerings. Car dudes married to non-car dudettes, and vice-versa.
FWIW, BMW does the same thing with its M sub-brand. There are various degrees of M-ness.
The 43 and 53 models are becoming more AMG than they ever were. The new C 43 and GLC 43 even have a handbuilt engine now, so the lines are getting blurred. Many people are really in your situation. The 43 and 53 models are much more sensible for the folks who spend their days in commuter traffic etc. I've said this many times before, the 63 models are not city or commuter cars. They can be driven smoothly in daily situations, traffic, city etc., but it takes work and occasionally they buck. They are much more at home on the open road and at higher speeds.
I'm not sure I'd have a 63 AMG if my typical driving involved the daily grunt. I only drive around 4-5k miles annually, don't commute and rarely find myself in stop&go traffic. I have the luxury and freedom not to drive when it's busy. Most of my daily errands are walking distance for me, so I typically don't drive on weekdays at all, and for quick errands around town that require to drive I often take my wife's normal hatchback. It's just easier for that kind of driving and the small size makes it much easier to find parking. I did European Delivery with mine and in the tight inner European cities with their tight parking structures the AMG felt a bit like an elephant in the porcelain store. Usually when I travel to Europe I rent something like a VW Golf. Just way easier and less headache to get around. I also usually get one with a manual transmission to have some fun.
Wilda,
4WS= Four Wheel Steering.
The only drawback to it, is it binds and lurches in a tight turn when the tires are cold. It’s very disconcerting, as if something is breaking.
I've said this many times before, the 63 models are not city or commuter cars. They can be driven smoothly in daily situations, traffic, city etc., but it takes work and occasionally they buck. They are much more at home on the open road and at higher speeds.
Kind of true for the E63, but the GLE63 has a torque converter rather than the MCT. It doesn't buck, it's buttery smooth in all gears, although gear shifts aren't as fast.
Kind of true for the E63, but the GLE63 has a torque converter rather than the MCT. It doesn't buck, it's buttery smooth in all gears, although gear shifts aren't as fast.
That is true. The GLE 63, GLS 63 and G63 have the TCT transmission. The TCT has its share of complaints, though if you look around here. It isn't smooth for everybody. Lots of complaints about it even in the 43 and 53 models. AMG did tune it and the torque converter locks up relatively early to give it more of a responsive feel, but that can lead to rough shifts at times.
Last edited by superswiss; 06-25-2024 at 04:44 PM.
Wilda,
4WS= Four Wheel Steering.
The only drawback to it, is it binds and lurches in a tight turn when the tires are cold. It’s very disconcerting, as if something is breaking.
Thanks. I thought it meant that. I think 4WS may only be on the GT, S, and E at the moment. No 4WS on GLE yet.
Pardon if I'm having a non-senior senior moment... what's the relationship between Airmatic and AMG Active Ride Control (ARC)?
Best I can tell, Airmatic Package (DC8) is standard on the GLE 580, and is a $1,710 option of the GLE 450. ARC (465) is standard on the GLE63, and is a $2,800 option on the GLE53. But I don't see Airmatic anywhere in the MY25 AMG GLE SUV DOG. Does that mean that ARC and Airmatic do not / can not coexist?
Part of my confusion lies in that my W212 E63 has Airmatic.
I'm assuming two things:
1. ARC only makes sense in the context of an SUV, versus a sedan.
2. ARC and Airmatic largely attempt to accomplish the same goals and that one OR the other makes sense, but not both together.
Thanks in advance for any explanations/clarifications.
Airmatic is air suspension. It's standard on the 53 and 63. ARC is an option that can be added on the 53 and standard on the 63.
Honestly, should just go to a dealer and test drive the 450, 580, 53, and 63. Paper specs and tech mumbojumbo isn't going to tell you what kind of ride and power you prefer. I chose the 63, but if I wanted to save money I would have gone with the 580. I deliberately chose the smaller 21" wheels because I wanted a softer ride and the 22" wheel didn't appeal to me on a SUV.
The 53 was too raucous, though I test drove it on 22" wheels. Also almost all the ones on dealer lots only come with the pitiful standard brakes. My GLC43 came standard with better brakes. And by the time desired options get added --- ARC, soft close doors, acoustic comfort, rear climate controls, Napa leather, powered rear seats, HUD, etc --- the price differential for the 63 engine gets easier to swallow.
The 580 is in limited supply so I didn't really look.
Pardon if I'm having a non-senior senior moment... what's the relationship between Airmatic and AMG Active Ride Control (ARC)?.
Airmatic as explained above is an air suspension. It describes the springs. Airmatic has air springs as opposed to coil springs. ARC is active roll stabilization. It describes the anti-roll bars. They address two different aspects of a suspension. The main components of a suspension are the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Each of them can be passive or active. Airmatic makes the springs active. It can inflate and deflate airbags to change the spring rate. Coil springs on the other hand have a fixed or progressive spring rate. Adaptive damping makes the dampers active, so that the suspension can adjust the damping based on road conditions and driving style. Lastly, ARC makes the anti-roll bars active, so in a straight line the anti-roll bars can detach to allow the wheels to move independently over bumps and during cornering they can tightly couple to make the car corner flat. It's all about having the cake and eating it, too. Comfort and handling are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to suspensions, so making all parts of a suspension active allows it to be comfortable or firm/sporty depending on the driver's preference and situation instead of having one compromised setup from the factory that may or may not work for the roads and the kind of driving one does.
AMG Ride Control is AMG's name for adaptive damping BTW. So a car that just has AMG Ride Control, has fixed/progressive coil springs and fixed anti-roll bars, but adaptive dampers. Add Airmatic to that then you have active/adaptive springs and dampers, but fixed anti-roll bars. Add ARC and you have active/adaptive springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.
Last edited by superswiss; 06-26-2024 at 01:34 PM.
@taphil@superswiss Thank you both for the very helpful explanations. I love and am grateful for the details. They align with my understanding of the suspension and handling aspects of Airmatic and of ARC.
What threw me for a loop, is that nowhere in the MY25 DOG can I find ANY mention of Airmatic, either as a standard feature or as an option. As the May 7, 2024 version of the DOG is the initial one and is the one from which I am working, perhaps the silence with respect to Airmatic will be addressed in the next iteration of the DOG.
Will definitely not rely merely on specs. Nothing can substitute for proper test drives with properly-inflated tires. I just wanted to have all my ducks lined up prior to that level of engagement with the process. And you're correct... could be a challenge finding a 580.
@taphil@superswiss Thank you both for the very helpful explanations. I love and am grateful for the details. They align with my understanding of the suspension and handling aspects of Airmatic and of ARC.
What threw me for a loop, is that nowhere in the MY25 DOG can I find ANY mention of Airmatic, either as a standard feature or as an option. As the May 7, 2024 version of the DOG is the initial one and is the one from which I am working, perhaps the silence with respect to Airmatic will be addressed in the next iteration of the DOG.
Will definitely not rely merely on specs. Nothing can substitute for proper test drives with properly-inflated tires. I just wanted to have all my ducks lined up prior to that level of engagement with the process. And you're correct... could be a challenge finding a 580.
The DOG is not really useful for technical specs. Car manufacturers used to print brochures for each model that contained the features and specs. These days, the web has largely replaced the brochures. You can find more details about the specs and features on mbusa.com. Here's what it says about the standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension. They keep changing what they call things. AMG RIDE CONTROL+ is now the latest system and implies AIRMATIC.
05-22-2024, 11:59 PM
As the May 7, 2024 version of the DOG is the initial one and is the one from which I am working, perhaps the silence with respect to Airmatic will be addressed in the next iteration of the DOG.
