New ML320 CDI or E320 CDI Sport???

[Dieter]

Hi John,

I stand corrected . The American cars are petrol (diesel to come next year). However comments re: build quality/driving experiences/problems etc. are all relevant to this thread .

Cheers,

 

[mb4me]

Hey Dieter,

I just noticed your sig. Do you have a W164 on order? If so, when did you order and when are you expected delivery?

 

[DC_insider]

Will be going to the dealer tomorrow or thursday. I cant see any discount being offered but hope to get a good deal (as close as selling private) on the E class and get stuff like mats and other accessories free...

I doubt that any discount will be offered on the ML320CDi but you should be able to get a discount on the E320CDi.

 

[glojo]

Hi John,

I stand corrected . The American cars are petrol (diesel to come next year). However comments re: build quality/driving experiences/problems etc. are all relevant to this thread .

Cheers,

I have read nothing but good reviews of the new ML and I'm sure that new owners will be very pleased with what they buy.

I am simply perplexed by trying to compare two completely different style of vehicle?

The new 320CDI is a 3ltr engine that has been given more oompphh to get the performance figures and I wonder how hard it will have to work pushing the ML along. Just imagine having the new V8 diesel in this excellent 4 x 4!! That would put the X5 in it's place

Regards,
John

 

[prprandall51]

These are comments from Americains who own and have driven the car . not from people who have just read about it.

There are a few minor problems (but as usual they (americains) are doing the troubleshooting ).

Hi Dieter, presumably you know there are few problems because you have driven it, rather than just read about it?

Best regards
Philip

 

[glojo]

Hi Dieter, presumably you know there are few problems because you have driven it, rather than just read about it?

Best regards
Philip

Whooops!!!
Good morning Philip,
Dieter is a good bloke who is very protective towards his excellent vehicle. I think it fair to say there are problems with every car that has ever been produced. Usually the nore complex they are, the more teething problems we see.

I can remember the major recall for Rolls Royce when they had problems with cars quite literally catching fire!!

We are all simply trying to help a member choose between an E-class saloon or the new ML???

The decision has been made and I for one am really looking forward to lots of pictures of this exciting new vehicle.

Regards,
John

 

[Dieter]

Hi Philip,

Touche(accent).

I haven't seen one in the metal yet let alone driven it . However comments from people (even americans) who have driven it are obviously relevant .

Bearing in mind that MB related 'posters' are generally quite protective (of MB cars) I think their comments give a good idea of what the new ML (is) will be like i.e. much better than the 'old' one so in my book that's pretty 'darn' good. I have put my money where my mouth/pen is

Thanks for your words of support John but my main concern regarding 4 x 4 protectionism is from 'eco-bandwagonists' who can't see the woods for the (lack of) trees

Ultimately we choose our vehicles for a variety of personal reasons and long may that continue :bannana:

Cheers,

 

[prprandall51]

Hi Dieter,

I would be happy to bet substantial amounts of money on the new ML being a corker.

I see you have already placed your order and I fully anticipate that, because you know what you are getting (by virtue of you owning one already) you will be chuffed to bits. And, as a Land Rover owner, I will be quite envious of it (especially if it's as good off-road as the Range Rover - and if it's better I am going to have to go and hide somewhere ).

By the way, from a technical consideration (semi active, variable rate springs and dampers), I fully expect Airmatic to be the making of the new ML so I think you have chosen particularly well, there. I do believe that steel springs are a massive compromise on a 4x4 that is destined for tarmac use only (witness the harsh ride of the X5 Sport or the sloppy ride of more softly sprung competitors).

My particular puzzlement and my self belief in my ability to offer valid comment to MB4ME is regarding his E-Class vs. ML-Class choice. You don't need to drive the new ML to advise someone that the new ML may not be for them if you accept that their reference point is an E-Class. Had MB4ME thrown in the question of whether the new ML was better or worse than (say) the current Range Rover, I would have absolutely no comment to make since, as you say, you need to drive the new ML to develop an opinion on that.

Anyway, the good news is that it is highly unlikely that anyone is going to be disappointed by the new ML. I for one will be down the showroom twiddling the wheel and prodding the buttons to check it out.

See you soon - maybe on a thread concerning the causes of the New Orleans flooding! Just joking!

Philip

 

[IanA2]

Wow! I take my hat off to you Fuzzer, your a braver man than me If my wife says the 211 has more room than the old ML then I meekly say, "Yes dear"

I must confess when I looked inside the ML I was disappointed.

In what area do you find the ML to have more space?

We totally agree with your observations about the 210 being bigger, but crazily enough the 211 on pure measurements should win. I still have the internal measurements and they do not match up to what my eyes show me.

I think I have the internal measurements of the ML somewhere so when I feel a bit better I might have a close look at them.

Bye for now,
John

My wife elected for the ML instead of the E320 estate which I favoured. It seems, according to SWMBO, the ML has more usable space! Yes dear.

Seriously, I have to say I am more impressed than I thought I would be with the ML. It's comfy, pretty responsive, and given the fact that we live in the middle of a field is slightly more practical than the SL (which I adore!)

 

[mb4me]

Hey guys,

Quick update. Seen as though the ML wouldnt arrive before March I thought id wait for a test drive before ordering one. SO test drive booked for Monday and hopefully something will be sorted next week. Went and checked the ML out today and gotta say I love it. Interior quality better than my current E class (w211)

One thing thats baffled me that in the ML brochure it says with the SE or Sport package you get electric seats at the front (without memory) and you get heated seats standard too. Now that ive been given the price list, full electric seats are optinal (£660) and heated seats are optional (£320). Thats pathetic! Wasnt pleased at all!

Thanks! Will keep you updated!

 

[Dieter]

Hi MB4Me,

Reason heated seats were taken off options list is (Dealer speak) is cos Sports model comes with Alcantara seats and, therefore would not be an option that many/most would take up.

Had a short test drive of a 350 Sport (with airmatic) today. It does give a much more 'car-like' drive . I can't wait to get mine :bannana: but as it's due at Dealer's around 14/12/05 I'll probably wait till 01/06.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Cheers,

 

[mb4me]

Test drove the ML350 today. Looks awesome (Had the AMG package ) and rives very nice too. This one had the Airmatic though so was as comfortable if not more comfortable than our E class. Was very impressed to say the least!

Anyway, specced up and now I wanna choose between 3 very different options. Can you lot shed light as to which would be most useful and help on resale?

1) Airmatic - only considering it if the standard suspension isnt good enough
2) Bi-xenons - Now there charging over 1k for this b,coz it comes with the cornering light feature. I love Bi-xenons and considering them b,coz they make the car look much better but will come at a price!
3) Tel. prep - Use the phone quite a bit but currently just use loudspeaker. Think I can settle with loudspeaker but integrated phone would be nice and much easier than the way I currently make and take calls.

Once again thanks in advance for ur input...

 

[marcos]

I've got all three features you mention above on my E and wouldn't be without any of them. The Bi-Xenons are a bit pricey though.

 

[glojo]

Anyway, specced up and now I wanna choose between 3 very different options. Can you lot shed light as to which would be most useful and help on resale?.

You have asked two questions which I suppose have two answers!!

Help on resale??
Would the three options help when it comes to reselling the vehicle? Undoubtedly. BUT.......... Would you get back the full amount you actually paid for the options?????

Now what ones would I recommend?
Similar answer to Marcos apart from the suspension. We did not want a firm suspension that would let us know the condition of our local roads. We will never drive our car in a high performance manner around country lanes!!! We had a demonstrator with airmatic suspension and only used it once to sample the difference in ride COMFORT! I am certainly NOT criticising the suspension, nor the many thousands of folks that have opted to have it. We are a family that likes a nice, comfortable, relaxing journey so we opted to have the comfort suspension, and have been very pleased with the ride of the vehicle.

Now the new M-class might be completely different and need a firm type suspension for your style of driving? My advice therefore would be to try both and then make a personal decision.

The other two 'options' are to me a 'must have' but what a great pity they have linked the headlights into another more expensive gadget. We actually have active headlights, but it is difficult to notice as bi-xeons are quite literally brilliant (sorry about that)

Have you had the chance to test the 320CDI yet?
Good luck with your decision,
John

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

According to my Dealer the first tranche of cars were all petrol (they got 5) so there are very few, if any, diesels about yet.

I agree with you about Xenons . I'm not particularly bothered whether they 'wobble' about or not but I opted for them in the end (cos I wanted Xenons ).

I opted for airmatic as you have option of both sport and comfort settings and the feedback from American users is positive. Only drawback is expense down the line when out of warranty (resale?). Certainly in my short test drive a trip round a roundabout in 'sport' mode was good fun.

One should always drive within the limits of your/cars ability (even in Sport mode ).

No comment on phone option. Just makes the car even more expensive.

Overall my option list amounted to an extra 22% on the price of the car . Is this typical (general question)?

Cheers,

 

[marcos]

Dieter,

Just out of interest how much discount did you recieve?

I'm test driving the M350 and ML320CDI tomorrow and reckon I might place an order if discounts permit

 

[prprandall51]

It may be worth checking the web. If there is a discount to be had, you should get it there.
I bought my car from Drive The Deal - the order gets fulfilled by Mercedes Benz of Coventry, who were very nice to deal with. I got a great discount on my E class - markedly better than any deale rI spoke to (I checked out about 10 dealers for the best price).

Philip

PS: Don't think there is too much to go wrong in Airmatic. The pump is likely to be the most failure-prone item. BMW equivalent is £450, the one in the boot of my MB looks virtually the same.

 

[glojo]

Dieter,

Just out of interest how much discount did you recieve?

I'm test driving the M350 and ML320CDI tomorrow and reckon I might place an order if discounts permit

I think the only way to get any idea of the M-class true price is if both of you did not have ANY part exchange. I could give you a very attractive £3000 discount on a new M-class, but you would NOT be very happy with the price I would give for your current car? It might be £3000 less than you were expecting!

Discounts get confusing when you have an attractive car to part exchange when compared with a car the dealer is not interested in.

I was under the impression that dealers can sell as many 320CDI's as they can get?

John

 

[Dieter]

Hi Marcos,

No discount whatsoever . Paying 'book' price . Function of early 'adopter' and (relatively) rare car (no sightings of 320CDi yet?).

Could get a few quid off via web purchase but I'm getting a reasonable p/ex for my old ML so I'm (relatively) happy . As usual, as John points out, it's the price to change that's most relevant .

Has your Dealer actually got the 320 CDi?

Point to bear in mind is americans are paying slightly more than $ to pound equivalent so 'us Brits is screwed again' .

I hope you're right Philip



Cheers,

 

[akmal17]

Correct me if im wrong someone but if you want telephone its not just the telphone wiring preparation that you need. You will also need to get a telephone cradle @ £131. Just thought id let you know