A life in the day of......ML320CDi Sport

[dunker]

Well here begins the MB journey.
I will look at updating these posts on a regular basis to keep you updated as I dip my toe in the sea of Mercedes-Benz ownership.
A Background.
Being a self confessed PHer I have enjoyed over the years being at the wheels of many sports based cars from the exotic to the street based.
My current ride until yeasterday was the Nissan 350Z.
What a fantastic and reliable car she was. Well behaved in the wet and a naughty little minx on the track.
Current situation.
Fun had, I felt it was time to part ex to something that would give the whole family some enjoyment. Hence the opting for the ML320. Sure I would have loved to have gone for the ML500....but don't fancy dragging a petrol pump around with me!!

So.....

Day 1
An ominous beginning to life as an MBer sees me setting off to take delivery of my 320, only to find out she will spend her first day as mine in the workshops having a glow plug replaced. Hopefully she will be as well behaved as she looks. (Photos to follow very shortly!)
That said, it did give me the chance to have a day with a C180 estate...sorry....have become an MB slut alrteady!

 

[trapperjohn]

Welcome to ML ownership. I dont have one myself but look forward to the updates.

 

[Mactech]

Yeah! That's an ML of a welcome
I have had both a glow plug and the COMAND replaced under warranty, but other than that it's been fine.
It is possibly the 'tightest' 2 year old car I have driven. Completly free of any rattles or noises.
And I include my prevoius S Class in that.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

 

[A210AMG]

Hello and welcome


I like mine and mines the previous shape ML350.


Post some pics when you can

 

[dunker]

Well the ML is now home and has so far lived up to my expectations.....

just dreading having to work through the user manuals now!!

 

[JasM]

Glad to hear it.

Post some pics when you can.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Despite the problems, think of the benefits: snow falling and you still have the ability to climb gradients!!

 

[NewMB]

still have the ability to climb gradients!!

You sure about that?!

2010 Mercedes ML Prototype Unsuccessfully Attempts to Rescue S-Class Coupe from Snow Bank

 

[dunker]

Day 2
So, first commute and what do I get but miles of traffic!!
First impressions of driving in heavy traffic are those of comfort and great vision. Sure the rear view over my right shoulder has a slight blind spot due to the large center pillar, but still a great platform.

Engine didn't seem to like sitting in trafic for a period straight from cold but soon warmed up as I stretched her legs on the dual carriageway. Did mean that the fuel consumption was not much better than the Zed!

Impressions from my work colleagues wree good with the exception of the demographic that despises the reputation set by so called "Knightsbridge Tractors!"
Everyone wanted to sit in the drivers seat and play with the airmatic, maybe in wait for it to lower more than the last time!

So I await the comments from my boss who has a shiney new Navarro, which I am sure will be derogatory in some way......envy is a terrible thing!!

 

[dunker]

A quick piccie taken this afternoon at work!!

http://image80.webshots.com/80/8/33/15/2386833150101691603fsXDkX_fs.jpg

 

[Charles Morgan]

Very nice. Will you use it offroad at all?

 

[dunker]

Knowing me...?? Nope.....I love detailing my cars and get mad when it gets dirty. If I wanted to off road then I guess I would have got an old L200 or similar.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I used to love getting my Rangie covered in mud and parking it in Chelsea. The mud would cover the stickers telling me I was killing the planet stuck on by local greens...

 

[st4]

I used to love getting my Rangie covered in mud and parking it in Chelsea. The mud would cover the stickers telling me I was killing the planet planted by local greens...

Or that you have carved up some country side where trees once were

 

[dokalj]

With the airmatic, can you adjust the height of the vehicle? i.e. to get over a speed bump?

 

[Mactech]

With the airmatic, can you adjust the height of the vehicle? i.e. to get over a speed bump?

Oh yes! But what size of speed bumps have you got near you
In my opinion 'Herr Matic' is one of the best German partners that the ML can have. It makes the car for me

 

[dunker]

It has the option of Sport and Comfort modes. Stiffening and softening the ride accordingly, and yes...there is a button that will elevate the car by aprox 6 inches for increased clearance.

Although if you need to use it for speed humps...then they are some pretty mean speed humps.

 

[dokalj]

Yeah, They are Mean Speed Humps! Can you lower your car then at the push of a button? Or does it just go up.

Nice ML, what year is yours?

If only this could be fitted to the ML163.

 

[dunker]

It's a Sep 07 car. The system takes aprox 90 seconds to fully raise, so not your street humping hydraulic systems you see on TV...

 

[dokalj]

OKay, can it go lower than the factory setting? Any other tricks your ML can do?