[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by M3GymNut

I'll take the X5, but those kidney grills are just too much in my opinion. Don't know if they'll ever grown on me.

I figure they just need to be blacked out. Hide those ugly nostrils as best you can.

[motex]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I figure they just need to be blacked out. Hide those ugly nostrils as best you can.

yep

[akhter]

Originally Posted by motex

yep

I guess I am going the opposite way. I have already planned my first mod which will be swapping in the m50i grill intake surrounds and fake vents.

The only thing I am not sure of is whether to paint the current ones a matt silver to match the lights and other silver bits and pieces or to get oem m50i ones. On the videos the m50i parts are a bit bronzy and sticks out compared to the lights and exhaust. Need to see the x3m40i in person to decide. The oem kidney grills also tend to be pricey.

I may just do the intake surround and side vents as they will probably be reasonably priced and keep the oem grill which matches the headlights better.

[positiveions]

The interior of the GLE looks like a Star Trek ship.

[-c-]

It's funny but the GLE straight on rear view tail lights almost look Audi inspired with that triangular section and the X5 tail lights kind of looks like some Mercedes product inspired !

Chasing ones tail !

[paliknight]

Anyone else see the X5 headlights flipped and straightened out then placed on the GLE?

Also, rear end looks like an Acura MDX.

Interior looks great though.

[bavaria22]

Originally Posted by akhter

I guess I am going the opposite way. I have already planned my first mod which will be swapping in the m50i grill intake surrounds and fake vents.

The only thing I am not sure of is whether to paint the current ones a matt silver to match the lights and other silver bits and pieces or to get oem m50i ones. On the videos the m50i parts are a bit bronzy and sticks out compared to the lights and exhaust. Need to see the x3m40i in person to decide. The oem kidney grills also tend to be pricey.

I may just do the intake surround and side vents as they will probably be reasonably priced and keep the oem grill which matches the headlights better.

You may also consider doing the outside mirrors in cerium gray.... or swap them for the X5M mirrors?

[akhter]

Originally Posted by bavaria22

You may also consider doing the outside mirrors in cerium gray.... or swap them for the X5M mirrors?

I dont like swaping real M parts. Feels like cheating.

[bavaria22]

True. But if it is not available (yet)... I would have had a good look at the 50i but only a 50d is offered.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Influence

Don't forget about the GLE63 and GLE63S. Though they will probably end up competing with the as yet to be announced X5M and possibly X5M Competition models.

Absolutely. I had intentionally left the X5 M out of the discussion, but I agree they will be designed to compete with the GLE63 on performance and price. And yes, since we've already learned that BMW will add an X3/X4 M Competition model to match Mercedes' base/S tiers, an X5/X6 M Competition model is practically a lock as well.

The GLE53 should always remain cheaper than the X5 M50 because of one key factor - V8 engine versus Inline 6. Look at current GLE43 pricing too. Slightly more than X5 35i but less than 50i. Odds are that will stay the same.

Quite possibly. Mercedes has announced no less than four AMG *53 models for the US over the last few months - the CLS53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, and E53 Sedan - but has yet to reveal pricing for any of them. However, based on prices revealed in other regions, it appears that they intend to push these models even further up market compared to where *43 models currently sit. I would expect the GLE53 and GLE53 Coupe to follow similarly. How everything ultimately stacks up relatively in terms of price remains to be seen.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by akhter

I feel exactly the opposite

Exterior Benz (both front and back)
Interior x5 (no contest!)

The grain on the leather is like jumbo Dakota grain and the seats are 90s fat and those disco lights like a cheap bowling alley!

This is what I think too!

[Influence]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Absolutely. I had intentionally left the X5 M out of the discussion, but I agree they will be designed to compete with the GLE63 on performance and price. And yes, since we've already learned that BMW will add an X3/X4 M Competition model to match Mercedes' base/S tiers, an X5/X6 M Competition model is practically a lock as well.



Quite possibly. Mercedes has announced no less than four AMG *53 models for the US over the last few months - the CLS53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, and E53 Sedan - but has yet to reveal pricing for any of them. However, based on prices revealed in other regions, it appears that they intend to push these models even further up market compared to where *43 models currently sit. I would expect the GLE53 and GLE53 Coupe to follow similarly. How everything ultimately stacks up relatively in terms of price remains to be seen.

Very good point. I think pricing will follow the 0-60 numbers. G05 40i is already quoted at 5.3 (real life will possibly be quicker), 50i at 4.6. Did I see that they put a 5.6 number on the GLE450 already? Sounds reasonable to me as we don't know the weight/gearing yet on the new GLE. Let's say the GLE53 comes in somewhere between 4.8 and 5.2 seconds. I think it will be priced by that, so let's say 5-6K less than a 50i, but probably about 5K more than a well equipped (78K) 40i. I'm betting on 82-85K nicely optioned (the fancy air suspension, premium package 3, 21 or 22" wheels, upgraded ventilated seats, mid-range leather (not Designo). Slightly more than
the GLE43 (the one I was looking to order was about 81K - and it was optioned up pretty highly), but not too much more. There is just too much competition in this sector now to price much higher than that, plus MB would tick off existing customers who return their leased GLE43s only to find out a GLE53 is going to cost them $200 more per month.

Again, the lack of the V8 limits how high they can price this compared to the X5 50i, and that is before the M50i comes out next year, which is most likely closer to when we'll see the GLE53.

Again, all conjecture on my part but time will tell.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Influence

Very good point. I think pricing will follow the 0-60 numbers.

Believe it or not, when the E43 came out, it was priced above the F10 550i. However, that's flipped now since the G30 M550i has replaced the F10 550i. And admittedly, that's a data point which is limited in its applicability anyway, since those are sedans and we are talking SUVs here. To wit, the X6 50i is indeed priced quite a bit higher than the GLE43 Coupe.

Again, the lack of the V8 limits how high they can price this compared to the X5 50i, and that is before the M50i comes out next year, which is most likely closer to when we'll see the GLE53.

Even still, I will be watching closely as E53 sedan pricing is announced. I am not convinced it will undercut the M550i price, but even if not, the future GLE53 may still very well undercut the future X5 M50i price. As you say - those two will likely hit the market at around the same time. Still, even if we optimistically spot Mercedes say, $5000 less in MSRP, will it actually make up for the 100hp deficit (429hp I6 vs. 530hp V8)? That's for the individual to decide, but I know where I'd put my $$$ if it were me deciding between these two.

(Oh, and yes, I am assuming the Mercedes I6 doesn't get a power bump next year, which may prove to be incorrect)

[derritterauskanada]

Originally Posted by tonymac1

Those Gle taillights look so Kia-ish.....

Mercedes has done such a terrible job with tail lights recently. They haven't been able to have a consistent rear tail light design since the late 2000's. Nothing says Mercedes on the design of the rear on Mercedes today besides the fake exhaust tips sadly.

I can't say that I like Mercedes design at all since the W213 & W205 have come out.

[tonymac1]

Originally Posted by derritterauskanada

Mercedes has done such a terrible job with tail lights recently. They haven't been able to have a consistent rear tail light design since the late 2000's. Nothing says Mercedes on the design of the rear on Mercedes today besides the fake exhaust tips sadly.

I can't say that I like Mercedes design at all since the W213 & W205 have come out.

They desperately need a new designer... all they're selling right now are the "luxurious interiors"

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by tonymac1

They desperately need a new designer... all they're selling right now are the "luxurious interiors"

Idk I think most Mercs look fine. This is a big improvement over every previous generation ML/GLE.

Their interiors look flashy in photos but when you sit in them you'll notice cheaper plastics than competitors plus that nasty ass MB-Tex which 95% of dealer inventory is equipped with. Only S-class and AMG models have legit interiors.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by derritterauskanada

Mercedes has done such a terrible job with tail lights recently. They haven't been able to have a consistent rear tail light design since the late 2000's. Nothing says Mercedes on the design of the rear on Mercedes today besides the fake exhaust tips sadly.

I can't say that I like Mercedes design at all since the W213 & W205 have come out.

I disagree but only because this rear end is instantly recognizable as a Mercedes because it has such ugly tail lights. Those are really some of the least attractive tails on any SUV and they're just as hideous on the new CLS.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by akhter

Are you sure gle has enough air vents? I think it needs some more.

Gle looks nice from outside as do almost all new Benz. I just don't like their disco interiors.

That's an incredible amount of air vents!

...and the essential flat bottomed race wheel in a >2 tonne SUV

[burnsniper]

I just went through a luxury SUV decision process with my wife and we ended up with a Lexus 570 2-row. After a Lexus rebate and some good negotiation, you can get one for less than equivalent equipped 6 cylinder models discussed in this thread. Plus you end up with a full size suv (vs mid sized) with excellent full leather and wood interior, 383hp/403 lb-ft v8, supreme reliability, real off-road and towing ability, hydraulic adjustable and adaptable suspension, and a huge infotainment screen; Downsides are the gas mileage (though not much different from AMG/M versions), infotainment quirks, and it's obviously not as fast or sporty as some options (it's the heaviest passenger vehicle sold in the USA Today).

[mnx5er]

Like what the Merc did by taking more chances. Really like the rear and interior minus the Porsche like console handles.

The F15 interior is behind the times and the G05 is better but still lives in the same design paradigm. Also really like the Q7 interior.

[cwulffy]

X5. Easiest decision ever. Benz' look too feminine and the interior looks like a panic attack

[ProperBimmer]

Not a fan of bmw suvs at all now after owning a few....Benz in the either version is money. Hell I'd do a Volvo XC 90 over another BMW suv From X4 and up