Noob - My bad
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
BMW 325i
Noob - My bad
Hey,
I hate to ask this, but i dont see any stickies to answer my Questions.
I am considering buying a GLE or GLC. Ill probably end up with either a GLE, X3 or X5. Im in it for the power and the room.
I currently own an old bmw 325i that is in pieces because mice. _-_
I haven't began my search too grand-fully yet, but in short im looking for the short hand of "beware". I've come across the 1k alternator. And - like Bmw .... i dont scare away from a car because of the prices, even if i cant afford them. But this will be my daily driver sinc my actually daily drive is in pieces. I do believe in the "get a good car and take care of it" mentality. SO - here we are.
Scare me away from this grandious endevour. - Or tell me how great it is and the cool mods i can do to make it my second happy place.
once again, sorry for being a basic b'.
Sub
I hate to ask this, but i dont see any stickies to answer my Questions.
I am considering buying a GLE or GLC. Ill probably end up with either a GLE, X3 or X5. Im in it for the power and the room.
I currently own an old bmw 325i that is in pieces because mice. _-_
I haven't began my search too grand-fully yet, but in short im looking for the short hand of "beware". I've come across the 1k alternator. And - like Bmw .... i dont scare away from a car because of the prices, even if i cant afford them. But this will be my daily driver sinc my actually daily drive is in pieces. I do believe in the "get a good car and take care of it" mentality. SO - here we are.
Scare me away from this grandious endevour. - Or tell me how great it is and the cool mods i can do to make it my second happy place.
once again, sorry for being a basic b'.
Sub
Banned
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 90
Likes: 39
From: UNITED STATES
No worries. For power and room, skip the GLC. It’s smaller. GLE or X5 are the real choices.
Biggest beware on the Mercedes: electrical gremlins and that alternator bill is real. On the BMW: cooling system and oil leaks. Both will cost you if neglected.
If you want mods and a happy place, X5 has more aftermarket support. GLE is nicer inside but feels more detached.
Daily driver? Get a solid example with history. Either will treat you right if you stay on top of it.
Biggest beware on the Mercedes: electrical gremlins and that alternator bill is real. On the BMW: cooling system and oil leaks. Both will cost you if neglected.
If you want mods and a happy place, X5 has more aftermarket support. GLE is nicer inside but feels more detached.
Daily driver? Get a solid example with history. Either will treat you right if you stay on top of it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 235
Likes: 93
From: Mitchell, SD, U.S.
2016 GLE 300d 4-Matic
I'd drive the X5 and GLE before making a decision. Before I bought my GLE, my choices were narrowed down to the X5 and the GLE, both of which I drove.
I found the BMW had quite a bit more road noise than the GLE, and the controls (shifter, etc.) were more cluttered and less intuitive on the BMW than those on the GLE. I'm very happy with my choice - have about 80000 miles on my 2016 GLE300d now and it's been practically perfect in every way.
I found the BMW had quite a bit more road noise than the GLE, and the controls (shifter, etc.) were more cluttered and less intuitive on the BMW than those on the GLE. I'm very happy with my choice - have about 80000 miles on my 2016 GLE300d now and it's been practically perfect in every way.
Last edited by John Ha; Jun 11, 2026 at 06:23 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 87
From: Chicago, U.S.A.
2016 GLE 350 4-Matic
Sub, my 2016 gle 350
has 130,000 miles on it…
No, I did not drive a BMW or even consider a BMW so I guess my review will be very one-sided
My coil Springs broke and the air conditioning control panel has a small glitch where it’ll go two temperatures instead of one temperature.. Valve cover gaskets were covered under my hundred thousand mile warranty at 92,000 miles
And that’s about it
I keep up on my maintenance regularly.
One thing I would recommend on acMercedes is this…
Only buy one with the LED lights. I have them and love them. People that do not have the LED lights absolutely hate, hate, HATE the driving experience at night.
Good luck with your search
has 130,000 miles on it…
No, I did not drive a BMW or even consider a BMW so I guess my review will be very one-sided
My coil Springs broke and the air conditioning control panel has a small glitch where it’ll go two temperatures instead of one temperature.. Valve cover gaskets were covered under my hundred thousand mile warranty at 92,000 miles
And that’s about it
I keep up on my maintenance regularly.
One thing I would recommend on acMercedes is this…
Only buy one with the LED lights. I have them and love them. People that do not have the LED lights absolutely hate, hate, HATE the driving experience at night.
Good luck with your search
Last edited by Chefcct; Jun 12, 2026 at 07:21 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 138
From: Washington D.C. area
16 GLE400 4matic
I have owned plenty of Benz. My nephew and my sibling owns BMW's. I hate working on BMWs. Benz are straight forward. The only BMW I will ever consider is owning is a E30 M3.
If you want something to modified in a Benz you need to look at the Force Induction. You also need to do your research first on the Benz, year,, motor, etc. to see which one is more reliable then the others. Any Germen vehicles you need to stay on top of the miaintence and repairs. They can be very reliable vehicles.
If you want something to modified in a Benz you need to look at the Force Induction. You also need to do your research first on the Benz, year,, motor, etc. to see which one is more reliable then the others. Any Germen vehicles you need to stay on top of the miaintence and repairs. They can be very reliable vehicles.
Last edited by amusa; Today at 05:15 AM.
