[nzzzzz0832]

Guys what do you think?

Based on the numbers, GLE has 77km range vs BMW 64km; GLE is capable of DC fast charge, which is nice to have but not really necessary considering both vehicles are more likely to be plugged in nightly.

Packages: both will come with air suspension, don't really care about the appearance package, but on the assisted driving side, GLE seems is a little bit more advanced. Not sure why MB doesn't have an upgraded sound system but exclude the B&W option, 50e is still sitting at 108xxx vs 98xxx, Vancouver, BC.

Then, BMW has 3yrs maint included, and mainly, V6 vs I4 is a big difference.

Anyways, share your thoughts

[TurtleBoy]

You are on a BMW forum, what do you think the consensus will be.

Just the engine alone will likely keep the MB from being recommended by anyone. Then there is the looks, driving, technology etc. that the X5 has over it.

[nzzzzz0832]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

You are on a BMW forum, what do you think the consensus will be.

Just the engine alone will likely keep the MB from being recommended by anyone. Then there is the looks, driving, technology etc. that the X5 has over it.

haha i bet, still wanted to see how people would compare the two. Engine is def the big diff.

[TexAg91]

Owned a 2020 GLE350 4Matic. Looked and test drove the 450e. Traded it in on the X5 50e. Reliability and quality was subpar on the GLE — initial quality was excellent on the X5, we’ll see on the reliability. So far, no issues.

[FastMarkA]

I will give it to MB that at least the GLE 450e is somewhat competitive against the 50e.

But at the end of the day, if you can get a 50e to work right and now throw CELs on every journey, I believe it's the better car.

[eelnoraa]

BMW forum response, so take it as grain of salt.

You know we like X5. So no need for me to give tell you how good it is. We did look into GLE, the interior space is larger. So as a family SUV, it is a big advantage. Back in 22, I didn't think the PHEV is available. I picked 45e because I wanted to try PHEV, plus 45e get $7500, which played a part in the decision. Looking at current 450e, I like the 48 mile electric range. I don't like 2.0L Turbo 4.

I keep thinking SUB buyer is for practicality, so do you need the extra space of GLE?

[davchr]

Until last December I had never owned or even driven a BMW or MBZ. Jaguar, Porsche, and Lexus, were my typical cars. I really wanted a TX, until I drove it and hated the whinny 4 cylinder motor. I looked at the MBZ GLE 450e and loved it. I then looked at Consumer Reports, saw the reliability rating, and fell out of love fast. CR rated the X5 #1 in the mid size luxury SUV category so I drove one, liked it, ordered a 50i, changed 50i to 40e order because of 50i problems, and picked up the 40e a week ago.

We usually keep our cars for 4-5 years and put 125K to 150K miles on them. Reliability beyond the warranty period is a big deal for me so the MBZ was out. If I only kept cars to the end of the warranty I would have probably bought the MBZ.


PS - both the GLE and X5 have turbo I6 motors. Neither has a V6 or I4.

[eelnoraa]

Are you sure? GLE 450e has 2.0L turbo I4, right?

[BlkGS]

I wouldn't touch a 50e right now. Too many powertrain issues with no fix in sight. I don't care how much "more advanced" something is if it doesn't work right.

[eluded]

Is the GLE450e plagued with CEL issues? If not, I would go with the GLE450e.

[TexAg91]

Originally Posted by davchr

Until last December I had never owned or even driven a BMW or MBZ. Jaguar, Porsche, and Lexus, were my typical cars. I really wanted a TX, until I drove it and hated the whinny 4 cylinder motor. I looked at the MBZ GLE 450e and loved it. I then looked at Consumer Reports, saw the reliability rating, and fell out of love fast. CR rated the X5 #1 in the mid size luxury SUV category so I drove one, liked it, ordered a 50i, changed 50i to 40e order because of 50i problems, and picked up the 40e a week ago.

We usually keep our cars for 4-5 years and put 125K to 150K miles on them. Reliability beyond the warranty period is a big deal for me so the MBZ was out. If I only kept cars to the end of the warranty I would have probably bought the MBZ.


PS - both the GLE and X5 have turbo I6 motors. Neither has a V6 or I4.

Yes/No

The GLE 450 (Mild hybrid), which competes with the X5 40i, has a turbo I6

The GLE 450e (plug in hybrid), which competes with the X5 50e, has a turbo I4 — a slightly detuned version of the engine in the GLE 350.

Did you get the X5 40i (mild hybrid) or X5 50e (plugin Hybrid)? Both have turbo I6’s.

[LDT]

Give me a good old ICE any day of the week! And I'd rate them BMW, Porsche,
Lexus, Genesis, MB in that order.

[bono]

I have no doubts that 50e is a capable tow vehicle. However, for some reason 450e with 4 cylinders has 7,700 lbs towing capacity, vs. 6,000 lbs for BMW. Shame on you BMW.

[Di3s3l_Power]

Originally Posted by bono

I have no doubts that 50e is a capable tow vehicle. However, for some reason 450e with 4 cylinders has 7,700 lbs towing capacity, vs. 6,000 lbs for BMW. Shame on you BMW.

Is not so much about the tow weight is all about tongue weight and payload

The 50e can pull more than 450e. Bigger more cylinders and better engine

I have a feeling the 450e might over heat on long high altitude passes while the 50e will go effortless

I pulled my airstream 22FB 4600 lbs up the Monarch pass at over 11k feet with plenty of power

[taek]

Originally Posted by eluded

Is the GLE450e plagued with CEL issues? If not, I would go with the GLE450e.

The GLE has a huge number of problerms. This gen GLE is on a new platform and it's been a disaster. Complaints about the GLE have been frequent on the MB forums.

Consumers Reports has given the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE the shockingly low overall score of just 43 out of 100. If it was a math exam, the GLE would have failed epically.

Why such a low score? The problem appears to be the predicted reliability. This score is determined by looking at the reliability of past models. Based on reliability problems older GLE owners encountered, the predicted reliability score for the 2021 GLE is a depressing one out of five.

The 2020 GLE had problems with the electrical system, the in-car electronics, some minor engine issues, and the power equipment. Reported problems with the 2018 version include climate system malfunctions and some minor engine issues.

“The controls present a real roadblock, and were unanimously scorned by the staff for being unintuitive and distracting to use,” Consumers Reports wrote. “Many functions are buried deep in multi-level menus; for example, it takes a vexing six steps to adjust the lumbar support on the front seats.”

If the OP wants a Benz, I would get anything but a GLE.

[bono]

Believe me, I know a bit about towing. I've been towing 7,500 lbs trailer for over 50,00 miles with X5 35d. BMW is well known for ignoring tow crowd in the US, i.e. downgrading tow capacities for the US market. But 50e 6,000 lbs tow capacity vs. 7,700 lbs for 450e is a joke.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Di3s3l_Power

Is not so much about the tow weight is all about tongue weight and payload

The 50e can pull more than 450e. Bigger more cylinders and better engine

I have a feeling the 450e might over heat on long high altitude passes while the 50e will go effortless

I pulled my airstream 22FB 4600 lbs up the Monarch pass at over 11k feet with plenty of power

Tow ratings are standardized under an SAE standard now. There is no more guesswork, the Merc won't overheat towing it's rated load in any conditions considered part of the testing. The Merc will tow more than the X5.

Reality is, even base models of stuff now produce enough power to pull crazy heavy loads. People were towing major commercial grade load with sub 200hp and 300tq for decades. Power isn't an issue anymore, stability, thermal management, frame stiffness, tire load, and drivetrain robustness.

[bono]

SAE is a voluntary standard. BMW is testing vehicles for towing under the TUV standard. Agreed that power is not an issue with these vehicles. I know how capable vehicle X5 is (33 ft, 7500 lbs trailer). Therefore, it is a joke that 50e is rated for 6,000 lbs and 450e for 7,700 lbs.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by bono

SAE is a voluntary standard. BMW is testing vehicles for towing under the TUV standard. Agreed that power is not an issue with these vehicles. I know how capable vehicle X5 is (33 ft, 7500 lbs trailer). Therefore, it is a joke that 50e is rated for 6,000 lbs and 450e for 7,700 lbs.

Given that the M60i pulls 7200lbs, I suspect it's an inherent weakness of the PHEV setup. Possibly rear axle loading due to the batteries?

[bono]

Isn't 450e PHEV as well? I assume MB has the batteries in similar location as X5.

X7 M60i is another example of BMW ignoring US towing crowd - in Europe it has 7,700 lbs towing capacity.

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Given that the M60i pulls 7200lbs, I suspect it's an inherent weakness of the PHEV setup. Possibly rear axle loading due to the batteries?

[davchr]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Are you sure? GLE 450e has 2.0L turbo I4, right?

You are correct. The 450e has a turbo I4 motor. Dealers did not have any 450e's for test drives so I drove the GLE 450, that has the I6. I intended to drive and buy the 450e until I read CR's evaluation and dropped MBZ from consideration.

[davchr]

Originally Posted by TexAg91

Yes/No

The GLE 450 (Mild hybrid), which competes with the X5 40i, has a turbo I6

The GLE 450e (plug in hybrid), which competes with the X5 50e, has a turbo I4 — a slightly detuned version of the engine in the GLE 350.

Did you get the X5 40i (mild hybrid) or X5 50e (plugin Hybrid)? Both have turbo I6’s.

You are correct on the I4 for the GLE 450e. I only drove the GLE 450 with the I6 as the 450e's were not available for test driving. I remembered the I6 motor.

I changed my X5 50e order to a 40i order for several reasons:
1. Uncertainty about the reliability. Since introduction BMW has had significant problems with this PHEV. After a year they have not been solved.
2. My scheduled production date disappeared and went to unknown. We are taking a big road trip across country this summer and I wanted to drive the car for awhile before taking it on a 10,000+ mile trip. Without any idea of the delivery date and reliability I changed the order to the 40i.
3. Our main reason for the PHEV was to avoid going to gas stations when we are in town. Not a significant reason for a PHEV. I don't care that electricity is $.50/gallon cheaper than gasoline.
4. I get a spare tire with the 40i! We go to some out of the way places where I have FUBAR'd too many tires. At some point no spare would be a problem for me.