M Class in Snow?

[Alex]

To be honest hawk20 I cannot see why MB did not make the off road pack standard and add the basic cost to the list price.

Because 9 out of 10 owners don't take their ML off road. I used to take my first ML for a little mud here and there and even was stuck and recovered a few times but now I'm into keeping it all clean and sporty.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

To be honest hawk20 I cannot see why MB did not make the off road pack standard and add the basic cost to the list price.

The sport wheels look the biz but for the use the car is needed a set of smaller alloys, with winter off road tyres and you'll have a formidable car.

Simply because the ML's competitors didn't bother with the off-road equipment and were selling strongly. Fitting this stuff introduces extra cost and extra weight, which makes the car less competitive when stacked up against it's natural rivals - so excluding the off-road equipment from standard specification was an easy decision.

Before the first generation X5, it was the thing to do to have low-range box, ladder frame chassis, etc as it's what gave the car true off-road go-anywhere capability. The X5 changed that, and the rest of the competition took the same approach, making the W163 a bit of a dinosaur in the eyes of many. Land Rover and Land Cruiser have managed to remain closer to their original brief as they don't trade on sportiness for image.

The comparisons made by the motoring press meant that the ML has had to change to keep up, as they place emphasis on handling primarily, but also ride, and an old-school go-anywhere ML just can't compete.

 

[sasha]

Just took an ML63 to Switzerland and conquered windy mountainous roads covered with up to 10 inches of snow on them.

The ML63 doesn't have the option of the off road package (locking diffs etc.) and I have full Continental M+S winter tyres with snowflake designation.

The car performed perfectly, including going up and down a very steep incline covered in 6 inches of snow.

I have snow chains too, but didn't come close to feeling I needed them.

 

[Dippy1952]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Have taken the plunge and ordered an ML 350CDI Grand Edition. Nothing available with the off road pro pack but did get Air Matic. Got loads of goodies though so hope all will be fine for the snow. Guess a spare set of wheels with winter tyres will help?

 

[Smiley]

Honestly you only needed a good set of winter tyres on the e class. Until you have tried them you would not believe the difference they make.