Got a loan ML320CDI Sport today...

[Steve A]

Brett i agree with your point about sticking to the spped limits. I have the 420 and you just want to cruise around and enjoy the ride. It almost seems churlish to drive fast. lol

They are maga cars, we really love ours.

 

[Brett]

Brett i agree with your point about sticking to the spped limits. I have the 420 and you just want to cruise around and enjoy the ride. It almost seems churlish to drive fast. lol

They are maga cars, we really love ours.

Steve, what is your "real life" fuel consumption on the 420? I love the engine but I am guessing it probably comes in at 20mpg in real world driving? Having done 65 miles in all sorts of roads and conditions today, I am now pretty impressed with the range of power available from the 320 engine. I LOVED the 420 test drive but the niggles around fuel consumption have lingered, even though I have no empirical data to base that view on.

The main reason for this being a concern, by the way, is that I can see my annual mileage going from 6-8k per year to 12-15k if I had an ML rather than the CLK. There are loads of trips that we take the Touran because we need the space for bikes and luggage. If we had the ML, I can see the Touran becoming largely redundant...except, of course that it does 44mpg...

 

[hawk20]

Steve, what is your "real life" fuel consumption on the 420? I love the engine but I am guessing it probably comes in at 20mpg in real world driving? Having done 65 miles in all sorts of roads and conditions today, I am now pretty impressed with the range of power available from the 320 engine. I LOVED the 420 test drive but the niggles around fuel consumption have lingered, even though I have no empirical data to base that view on.

The main reason for this being a concern, by the way, is that I can see my annual mileage going from 6-8k per year to 12-15k if I had an ML rather than the CLK. There are loads of trips that we take the Touran because we need the space for bikes and luggage. If we had the ML, I can see the Touran becoming largely redundant...except, of course that it does 44mpg...

I had an ML320cdi for a long trial and got 28/9 mpg on a run fairly easily. Then had an ML420 and found 24 mpg the best I could do. Found the ML fine in the real world for parking etc etc. Found the GL too big and cumbersome and the ML did all that was needed.

 

[wobbly]

Steve, what is your "real life" fuel consumption on the 420? I love the engine but I am guessing it probably comes in at 20mpg in real world driving? Having done 65 miles in all sorts of roads and conditions today, I am now pretty impressed with the range of power available from the 320 engine. I LOVED the 420 test drive but the niggles around fuel consumption have lingered, even though I have no empirical data to base that view on.

The main reason for this being a concern, by the way, is that I can see my annual mileage going from 6-8k per year to 12-15k if I had an ML rather than the CLK. There are loads of trips that we take the Touran because we need the space for bikes and luggage. If we had the ML, I can see the Touran becoming largely redundant...except, of course that it does 44mpg...

My ML 320 has averaged 27.6 mpg over 6500 miles, as I live inside the M25, alot of my driving at a snails pace. On a recent 240 mile motorway trip I saw figures of 32.8 mpg, not to bad I thought.

 

[fredfloggle]

To be honest, it is not an easy decision to make what with the image that has been cultivated for them as planet destroyers. All good and well, but I'd love the greenies to come and live through a typical rural Scottish winter and then see what they have to say. I agree that for an urban environment, there are better modes of transport, but I am not in an urban environment all that often. "Sorry I can't come to work because I can't get out of my driveway" only washes for so long.

That said, the driver that covered your car in mud showed a level of ignorance and/or arrogance that is not acceptable. That said, he could just as easily have been driving a white van...

It's complete rubbish - how can an ML diesel with a full complement of passengers possibly compare to a 55AMG being doddered around London by only the driver?

 

[Steve A]

Steve, what is your "real life" fuel consumption on the 420? I love the engine but I am guessing it probably comes in at 20mpg in real world driving? Having done 65 miles in all sorts of roads and conditions today, I am now pretty impressed with the range of power available from the 320 engine. I LOVED the 420 test drive but the niggles around fuel consumption have lingered, even though I have no empirical data to base that view on.

The main reason for this being a concern, by the way, is that I can see my annual mileage going from 6-8k per year to 12-15k if I had an ML rather than the CLK. There are loads of trips that we take the Touran because we need the space for bikes and luggage. If we had the ML, I can see the Touran becoming largely redundant...except, of course that it does 44mpg...

The ML is used primarilry by the Mrs. So mostly town driving. I use her at the weekend to cart the family around. The overall mpg is 22 which i think is excellent for a 4.0 V8d.

When we do mostly motorway the average goes up to 27mpg.

thi is only just shy of the 320 an in my opinion is worth it for the experience.

 

[glojo]

The ML is used primarilry by the Mrs. So mostly town driving. I use her at the weekend to cart the family around. The overall mpg is 22 which i think is excellent for a 4.0 V8d.

When we do mostly motorway the average goes up to 27mpg.

thi is only just shy of the 320 an in my opinion is worth it for the experience.

For those that enjoy 'sporty' driving, then the 420 V8 is a very memorable experience, but it certainly enjoys a drink

This engine made the GL fly and I should imagine it would be a blast in its smaller brother.

John

 

[Alfie]

It's complete rubbish - how can an ML diesel with a full complement of passengers possibly compare to a 55AMG being doddered around London by only the driver?

Quite well I think. They will have similar torque figures

 

[A210AMG]

If you get the ML

is that instaed of the CLK55 and then if your not using the VW sell that also.

So one car to insure tax and run will stiill be better than two even if the VW gets 44mpg

 

[wobbly]

I sat in a CLS and thought that to be a swine to see front and back compared to an ML higher up.

You are correct, last year when I was selling my W163, I wanted a CLS.

I managed to get a test drive for a weekend in a CLS350, but soon realised it was not for me, with its low roof line, and long bonnet and boot, I found parking a nightmare.

I still think the CLS is stunning to look at, but not to live with.

 

[Brett]

If you get the ML

is that instaed of the CLK55 and then if your not using the VW sell that also.

So one car to insure tax and run will stiill be better than two even if the VW gets 44mpg

Unfortunately not - it is a replacement for my CLK. I am away with work quite often, and living in the sticks there is no public transport option. So we need two cars. My current thinking is get the ML to replace the CLK, and trade the Touran in on something small and fun later this year.

 

[Steve A]

Unfortunately not - it is a replacement for my CLK. I am away with work quite often, and living in the sticks there is no public transport option. So we need two cars. My current thinking is get the ML to replace the CLK, and trade the Touran in on something small and fun later this year.

just to add the ML420 has 306 bhp and 700nm torque

it FEELS monstorous when accelarating, quite unnatural for such a tall vehicle....i love it.

 

[raymont]

It’s not just the performance which impresses, it’s fast enough to surprise quite a few people, but the manner in which it delivers the performance. A responsive gearbox which seamlessly and swiftly selects the right gear when acceleration is required coupled with the smooth effortless feel of the power delivery.

Fuel consumption for my GL is about 21mpg across a mixture of short and congested local journeys and a couple of fully laden quickish - cruising at 100 to 110 - journeys to southern Germany and back. Still, I didn’t buy for its fuel consumption.

Also surprisingly agile for the type of car it is, especially with the suspension set to ‘sport’ mode.

 

[Brett]

Got the CLS today. What a fantastic car! Current thinking is replace the CLK with a CLS and later next year, replace the Touran with a small 4x4.

I also took the opportunity to test drive a X3 with the 3.0sd engine. What a manic car that is in terms of performance, but very compromised as a workhorse. Seats don't fold flat, don't remove, luggage space isn't particularly large or well proportioned. Thankfully, the missus agreed that it was not the right car - she'd rather have a RAV as it is more practical.

So if I can get the right deal, may well be in a CLS before the month is out.

 

[whitenemesis]

Love the look of the CLS. How practical is it as a four seater? Boot space?

 

[Brett]

Love the look of the CLS. How practical is it as a four seater? Boot space?

Well given that we are both reasonably short, rear space is not too compromised when we're in it. Getting in and out of the rear takes a little getting used to. You need to remember to lean forward as you get in or you get a bang on the head. The boot space is deep front to back, but relatively shallow compared with other Mercs, but not as bad as an XJ.

We go away as a family reasonably often and usually use the Touran because the CLK is no good for carrying bikes etc. You can get roof bars for the CLS which means you can carry a roof box or bikes. Overall, if you can live with a four seater, should be ok.

It is big though, although in terms of placing the car on the road, it is not an issue. As long as you have parking sensors, it is fine. I wouldn't want to drive one without sensors though - you can't see the front or the rear from the driving seat!

 

[glojo]

So if I can get the right deal, may well be in a CLS before the month is out.

Hrrmmphhh!!! And there was me thinking you were a man of taste that knew a decent car when they saw one!

Good luck with the CLS and credit to you and your wife for at least trying different types of vehicle.

Regards
John

 

[whitenemesis]

Hrrmmphhh!!! And there was me thinking you were a man of taste that knew a decent car when they saw one!

Good luck with the CLS and credit to you and your wife for at least trying different types of vehicle.

Regards
John

Ouch!

John, what's amiss with the CLS? I think it has beautiful lines..

 

[glojo]

Ouch!

John, what's amiss with the CLS? I think it has beautiful lines..

I also think it has beautiful lines, but if I wanted a coupe, then I would buy a CL as I think that is the flagship coupe in the Mercedes range. If I wanted a four door saloon, then I would get a kosher, proper four door vehicle, be it the E, or the S.

I think the CLS looks very nice, I think it has great lines and I totally respect those that have bought this car. Mercedes-Benz describe it as a four door coupe, but I much prefer their two door model. This is all about personal taste and NO ONE needs to ever justify why they like any type of car. I m joking when I criticise folks for owning any type of vehicle. I would NEVER be silly enough to say 'Oi, your wrong to buy a Y-class', or any other model Mercedes. Each to their own and I look forward to seeing Brett's new machine.

Regards
John

 

[whitenemesis]

I also think it has beautiful lines, but if I wanted a coupe, then I would buy a CL as I think that is the flagship coupe in the Mercedes range. If I wanted a four door saloon, then I would get a kosher, proper four door vehicle, be it the E, or the S.

I think the CLS looks very nice, I think it has great lines and I totally respect those that have bought this car. Mercedes-Benz describe it as a four door coupe, but I much prefer their two door model. This is all about personal taste and NO ONE needs to ever justify why they like any type of car. I m joking when I criticise folks for owning any type of vehicle. I would NEVER be silly enough to say 'Oi, your wrong to buy a Y-class', or any other model Mercedes. Each to their own and I look forward to seeing Brett's new machine.

Regards
John

Agree, John. Personal choice is paramount. Each to his/her own.

Await the pictures.