2022 Mercedes GLE400d
Discussion
Cheers Wills! 
I did really like the ZF8/40d engine combo in the F13 640d we had as well.
I think the problem we have, is that this is the 9th BMW we've had now, so they get a bit too familiar if you know what I mean? They do always drive well in my experience though in fairness.
I am looking forward to getting to know it a bit more though, plus I've always liked the X5, and this will be the second one after the X5 4.8iS that I had years back.
I know that you've always really liked the 7 series with a similar engine/gearbox combo too.
I did really like the ZF8/40d engine combo in the F13 640d we had as well.
I think the problem we have, is that this is the 9th BMW we've had now, so they get a bit too familiar if you know what I mean? They do always drive well in my experience though in fairness.
I am looking forward to getting to know it a bit more though, plus I've always liked the X5, and this will be the second one after the X5 4.8iS that I had years back.
I know that you've always really liked the 7 series with a similar engine/gearbox combo too.
Different engine in that X5 to the 640d as that had the F30 335d engine Lee, I've had both the 40d that's in your X5 and 30d (B57) both miles ahead of the old N57 in the 640d/35d.
If you push the trim on the dash and centre console you'll be delighted to feel that it doesn't flex or creak as it isn't hollow unlike the Merc, my 350d should be going in the summer God willing and I can't wait!
Wills2 said:
If you push the trim on the dash and centre console you'll be delighted to feel that it doesn't flex or creak as it isn't hollow unlike the Merc, my 350d should be going in the summer God willing and I can't wait!
I'm sorry to hear that you're not getting on with the Merc bud, and I didn't actually mind the 350d engine/9 speed auto combo that we had in the 2017 GLC350d in fairness. I guess you'll be going back to beemer then?
RayDonovan said:
Love to know the cost per mile for running that!
Tyres and fuel would be an interesting number as you say! Plus it also had 5 main dealer services in less than 3 years too! It was in really decent fettle as well when you consider it had done 81.5k miles, and it still cleaned up nice. It was also still on the original front discs(I only put new front pads in), and the rear discs and pads were still the ones on it from the factory as well. I'll miss it I reckon.
cerb4.5lee said:
RayDonovan said:
Love to know the cost per mile for running that!
Tyres and fuel would be an interesting number as you say! Plus it also had 5 main dealer services in less than 3 years too! It was in really decent fettle as well when you consider it had done 81.5k miles, and it still cleaned up nice. It was also still on the original front discs(I only put new front pads in), and the rear discs and pads were still the ones on it from the factory as well. I'll miss it I reckon.
I did 110k in a Skoda a few years back over the course of 3 years and it still had original discs, pads and rear tyres. Obviously not a comparable vehicle but a decent effort..
Many congrats on the new X5 OP. I hope it serves you well and is less tyre hungry than its predecessor.
Could I also add a very respectful request for a bit more of a post ownership running costs summary? I think you are something of an endangered species - buying high end new/nearly new cars and (the rare bit) actually putting decent mileages on them. Even if you don’t want to get into purchase costs and depreciation, getting an understanding of costs per mile for servicing, tyres and fuel would be really informative.
Could I also add a very respectful request for a bit more of a post ownership running costs summary? I think you are something of an endangered species - buying high end new/nearly new cars and (the rare bit) actually putting decent mileages on them. Even if you don’t want to get into purchase costs and depreciation, getting an understanding of costs per mile for servicing, tyres and fuel would be really informative.
cerb4.5lee said:
We've just swapped this after 3 weeks short of owning it 3 years and 81.5k miles. I'm going to miss it to be honest, even though it actually wasn't the easiest thing we've ever had to own.
It has been swapped with a 4 month old/2200miles X5 40d. My first impressions are that I actually prefer the looks/interior/engine in the GLE, but the X5 does drive better overall though. Plus I'm glad that the X5 doesn't have the same annoying skipping over potholes across it's rearend like the GLE had.
I'm no fan of SUVs but I think the X5 looks slightly less panzer-like than the GLE. And if it drives better that's bonus!It has been swapped with a 4 month old/2200miles X5 40d. My first impressions are that I actually prefer the looks/interior/engine in the GLE, but the X5 does drive better overall though. Plus I'm glad that the X5 doesn't have the same annoying skipping over potholes across it's rearend like the GLE had.
Nice. After my dads E53 3.0i went boom at 270k I’m thinking about getting them into a couple of year old X5. Probably a 45e. He doesn’t do many miles now, and wants a Porsche in a couple of years when he retires so this should be a good option. Look forward to see how you get on. I borrowed a 40d and was impressed.
JakeT said:
Nice. After my dads E53 3.0i went boom at 270k I’m thinking about getting them into a couple of year old X5. Probably a 45e. He doesn’t do many miles now, and wants a Porsche in a couple of years when he retires so this should be a good option. Look forward to see how you get on. I borrowed a 40d and was impressed.
We're both currently a bit torn about the X5 to be completely honest, and as it stands neither of us actually like it that much in comparison to the GLE in fairness. My missus moaned straight away about how rough the 40d engine sounded/felt in the BMW in comparison to the 400d engine in the Merc for example. Plus we're both quite nonplussed about the interior in the X5 as well(even though it is a very high specced car too).
This isn't coming from an ungrateful point of view don't get me wrong, but we're both honest people who call out what we see though. I've said that we need to give the X5 a bit more time to be fair, but as it stands, it hasn't got off to a great start though sadly.
Im wondering how you managed to buy it if neither of you like it that much? Not being awkward, just genuinely interested! Is it a case of no other car within budget would do the job? I guess unless you go Porsche, or Range Rover there's not much else like the X5 and GLE. Hope it grows on you a bit more. The BMW engines are generally more gruff im my experience than the equivalent Mercedes. Cheers
Willber said:
Im wondering how you managed to buy it if neither of you like it that much? Not being awkward, just genuinely interested! Is it a case of no other car within budget would do the job? I guess unless you go Porsche, or Range Rover there's not much else like the X5 and GLE. Hope it grows on you a bit more. The BMW engines are generally more gruff im my experience than the equivalent Mercedes. Cheers
Thanks. 
It is exactly that as you say. Neither of us are that interested in the Porsche Cayenne, and we love Range Rover, but aren't brave enough for one of those because of the reliability. If the GLE had been more reliable, then we'd be in another one of those for sure. So the X5 is just the "safe" pick really in fairness.
The other problem arguably is that we've already done the X5 thing with the old X5 4.8iS as well, plus we've had a 640d too. So everything is all a bit too similar I think?
I'm hoping it grows on my missus a bit more for definite, because she is the main user of it when all is said and done. So it doesn't matter about the way I feel about it really.
cerb4.5lee said:
We're both currently a bit torn about the X5 to be completely honest, and as it stands neither of us actually like it that much in comparison to the GLE in fairness.
My missus moaned straight away about how rough the 40d engine sounded/felt in the BMW in comparison to the 400d engine in the Merc for example. Plus we're both quite nonplussed about the interior in the X5 as well(even though it is a very high specced car too).
This isn't coming from an ungrateful point of view don't get me wrong, but we're both honest people who call out what we see though. I've said that we need to give the X5 a bit more time to be fair, but as it stands, it hasn't got off to a great start though sadly.
That’s fair, I can understand that. I know my dad wouldn’t entertain a merc, he’s had BMWs since 1994.My missus moaned straight away about how rough the 40d engine sounded/felt in the BMW in comparison to the 400d engine in the Merc for example. Plus we're both quite nonplussed about the interior in the X5 as well(even though it is a very high specced car too).
This isn't coming from an ungrateful point of view don't get me wrong, but we're both honest people who call out what we see though. I've said that we need to give the X5 a bit more time to be fair, but as it stands, it hasn't got off to a great start though sadly.
But I’m glad to hear your thoughts, and you’d rather be honest than “it’s nice” while the resent builds. I had the same with an E46 330d. It lasted a month and 3,000 miles before I sold it.
Out of curiosity, what made you want to move the merc on? Bar the hideous appetite for rear tyres.
JakeT said:
Out of curiosity, what made you want to move the merc on? Bar the hideous appetite for rear tyres.
We just didn't have a lot of luck with it really. We had 2 different people crash into the rearend of it, plus with had issues with it going into limp mode, and Merc never got to the bottom of it. It also took 4 visits to the dealer to fix with windscreen cameras, plus it had a faulty rear diff that needed replacing, and it also had to go back into the dealer for a collapsed rear wheel bearing for example too. Whereas I've had the M4 for 4 years and that has only gone to the dealer for servicing in comparison, so our confidence with Merc's reliability isn't great really. So our hand was forced in many ways to go back to BMW to be fair. However in an ideal world, we'd be in a new or nearly new GLE450d now for sure though, because we both prefer the looks/interior/engine in the GLE over the X5 for definite.
I got rid of my E Class because I became tired of the false error messages it was sending me. The car could be parked outside the house and I would get a message to say that the battery is almost flat - it wasn't, or the car is unlocked - it wasn't. This became tiresome after a while and when I got a puncture and had to wait for a new tyre - no spare wheel, of course, that was the last straw.
Great thread please keep up the good work. Excellent to get real owner feedback. We have a big SUV on the fleet but our use case is very different to yours. Currently it’s an ML420CDi that is due for replacement and both your old GLE and the X5 are on the shopping list. We only do about 6K miles a year in the SUV, generally long trips and towing duties. We also buy at a couple of years old and then run them for the long term, in the case of the ML we have had it for nearly 15 years. Incidentally it’s only on its 4th set of tyres from new at 107K miles and they are maybe half worn, another vote here for the OE Pirelli Scorpions.
The ML is slowly throwing the typical random electronic fault at us. The built in obsolescence of modern cars. Nothing that actually stops the show but Mrs BigM is getting spooked by it so it’s unfortunately time to change. Shame because it’s a really lovely bus and quite compact by modern standards.
The question is what to buy this time? It’s a very tricky one. Almost certainly it will be petrol not diesel, probably a hybrid of some sort, either MHEV or PHEV. It could be the last one of these I ever buy if it lasts as long as the ML.
I must admit I have a hankering for a Maserati Levante Trofeo but the parlous state of Maserati, crap warranty and the possibility of enormous borkage are putting me off. A DBX would fit the bill as well but I suspect a cheap one of these will be a money pit. Probably end up with a petrol Defender which seems to be almost the default choice round our way.
The ML is slowly throwing the typical random electronic fault at us. The built in obsolescence of modern cars. Nothing that actually stops the show but Mrs BigM is getting spooked by it so it’s unfortunately time to change. Shame because it’s a really lovely bus and quite compact by modern standards.
The question is what to buy this time? It’s a very tricky one. Almost certainly it will be petrol not diesel, probably a hybrid of some sort, either MHEV or PHEV. It could be the last one of these I ever buy if it lasts as long as the ML.
I must admit I have a hankering for a Maserati Levante Trofeo but the parlous state of Maserati, crap warranty and the possibility of enormous borkage are putting me off. A DBX would fit the bill as well but I suspect a cheap one of these will be a money pit. Probably end up with a petrol Defender which seems to be almost the default choice round our way.
Will be curious to see how you get on with the X5, hopefully it wins you over.
As others have said it’s been very interesting following your GLE as you’ve racked up the miles.
My 2019 520d is overdue change, and by some margin it’s been the best car I’ve had. Not one fault in 60k, only routing servicing. Only had a pair of rear tyres, brakes and front tyres are original.
I should have bought 530d originally, and that’s what I would go with no, but unfortunately it no longer exists. Therefore its pushing me into an X5, 30d or 40d. As a BMW man for 20+ years I can’t see myself going to Merc, and like you Land Rover reliability concerns me.
Not thrilled by the new X5 interior with the huge screen but probably need to accept it is the way of the world. Your feedback as the miles pile on will be welcome and may influence my decision.
As others have said it’s been very interesting following your GLE as you’ve racked up the miles.
My 2019 520d is overdue change, and by some margin it’s been the best car I’ve had. Not one fault in 60k, only routing servicing. Only had a pair of rear tyres, brakes and front tyres are original.
I should have bought 530d originally, and that’s what I would go with no, but unfortunately it no longer exists. Therefore its pushing me into an X5, 30d or 40d. As a BMW man for 20+ years I can’t see myself going to Merc, and like you Land Rover reliability concerns me.
Not thrilled by the new X5 interior with the huge screen but probably need to accept it is the way of the world. Your feedback as the miles pile on will be welcome and may influence my decision.
“ I bet it is ace in something like the E400d with that being a much lighter car I reckon.”
It is Lee. Recently changed my M4 for an E400d estate, and initial impression is very positive.
Which MB dealer did you use? I’m roughly halfway between Peterborough and Kings Lynn
The old and the new! No colourless cars here!
It is Lee. Recently changed my M4 for an E400d estate, and initial impression is very positive.
Which MB dealer did you use? I’m roughly halfway between Peterborough and Kings Lynn
The old and the new! No colourless cars here!
matt21 said:
Will be curious to see how you get on with the X5, hopefully it wins you over.
As others have said it’s been very interesting following your GLE as you’ve racked up the miles.
My 2019 520d is overdue change, and by some margin it’s been the best car I’ve had. Not one fault in 60k, only routing servicing. Only had a pair of rear tyres, brakes and front tyres are original.
I should have bought 530d originally, and that’s what I would go with no, but unfortunately it no longer exists. Therefore its pushing me into an X5, 30d or 40d. As a BMW man for 20+ years I can’t see myself going to Merc, and like you Land Rover reliability concerns me.
Not thrilled by the new X5 interior with the huge screen but probably need to accept it is the way of the world. Your feedback as the miles pile on will be welcome and may influence my decision.
We've spent most of the day in it today, and my missus seems a bit more happy with it now. She only went around the block in it yesterday, so it was still on a cold engine, so that didn't help with the gruffness of it really. However the Merc's engine was always smooth whether it was cold or warm though in comparison. As others have said it’s been very interesting following your GLE as you’ve racked up the miles.
My 2019 520d is overdue change, and by some margin it’s been the best car I’ve had. Not one fault in 60k, only routing servicing. Only had a pair of rear tyres, brakes and front tyres are original.
I should have bought 530d originally, and that’s what I would go with no, but unfortunately it no longer exists. Therefore its pushing me into an X5, 30d or 40d. As a BMW man for 20+ years I can’t see myself going to Merc, and like you Land Rover reliability concerns me.
Not thrilled by the new X5 interior with the huge screen but probably need to accept it is the way of the world. Your feedback as the miles pile on will be welcome and may influence my decision.
The ride/body control has really impressed us today in the X5 too, and it rides the potholes so well in comparison to the GLE. The GLE used to rock from side to side and up and down a fair bit on the air suspension, whereas you can hardly tell that the X5 has air suspension in comparison(in a good way). Plus the X5 doesn't skip across it's rearend like the GLE did either.
The mod cons in the X5 are lovely as well, and stuff like heated arm rests are a nice touch I reckon. Plus the augmented sat nav is quite fancy too.
The looks of the X5 won't ever win us over in comparison to the GLE, and it just lacks a wow factor for us, but as something to drive and live with, I think the X5 will do ok though.
I filled it up today with fuel, and it showed 721 miles on the range, so it will do the long distance stuff well I think too.
I'll keep the thread updated on how we get on with it.
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Sunday 9th March 16:42
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