The Family Wagon - ML350CDI

[Alex225]

So with our CLS350 CDI going (eventually) it is making way for this, It is a 2011 350 CDI Sport, has 231bhp and 400lbs-ft of torque. For a big old beast it gets moving and seems to average 34/35mpg. Plus despite being shorter than the CLS it is significantly more spacious. It's got 84k on the clock, a very comprehensive history and the condition won us over completely. Being a Sport model it has a few trim touches, 20" wheels and slightly firmer suspension. Plus it's spec'd with 'leather' and alcantara.

It was clean when we got it but it can never be too clean so a standard wash and then a once over with some Dodo Juice Lime Prime, just a nice easy way to get a decent shine until it's machined in the new year.

Now this may be divisive but I really fancied trying this. It's the Car Gods 54 Holy Water. I know it's Tetrosyl based stuff but seems like a comprehensive range and I couldn't resist. Let's see how well it lasts and if it beads or sheets. Certainly feels lovely and slick.

So here's the car....

Rather partial to Chemical Guys Inner Clean for the plastics and Dr Leather spray for the 'leather'.

The mats look worse in the photos than in real life. I'm tempted to replace them but they're original and ridiculously hard wearing. Plus they'll see all weathers so may keep them in for now.

Say what you like about Artico and these fake leathers, they wear incredibly well. My old E320 had it and the ML does.

Another set of over engineered cup holders that light up, which I quite like! haha

Couldn't resist giving the engine a quick once over.

So there we have it. Our new work horse and family car and very pleased with it so far. We'll likely own it for a good few years, put 8-9k a year on it and carry the family around.

It's taller but shorter than my S! haha

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Looks lovely, and in great condition. I have a soft spot for silver W164 MLs

 

[Alex225]

It was the condition that won us over. The mileage is very close to the CLS we'll be selling but actually I'd go so far as to say it's better condition. If you halved the mileage you'd be hard pushed to criticize the wear and tear on it.

I'm jumping the gun on this little update as we've not got the V5 through yet but as soon as it arrives, my other half's plate will be on. Lexi is the name of my youngest hence the plate. Also fitted some simple Mercedes frames as makes swapping the plates so much easier.

Much better...

Don't worry it's not going on the road until the plates are formally assigned to the car but we're not going anywhere at the moment anyway! haha

I think it looks tidy, just waiting on some centre caps to arrive and fit later this week.

 

[W1ghty]

That does look like a very tidy ML . You do some very impressive car cleaning buddy . Thanks for taking the time to take the pics so we can all enjoy the hard work you have put in

 

[Alex225]

That does look like a very tidy ML . You do some very impressive car cleaning buddy . Thanks for taking the time to take the pics so we can all enjoy the hard work you have put in

I will be honest, with this car it wasn't a huge effort to get it tidy. I'm assuming it had been fully valeted but the lack of wear is impressive. Just means a handful of decent products and a days elbow grease and job done haha.

 

[Alex225]

Another change on the ML today. I like working from home as I can pop out in my lunch break and do stuff haha

The centre caps were knackered. The wheels aren't perfect but overall they're pretty good considering their age and I believe it's the original finish but the centre caps were a let down. So are the bolts but one thing at a time!

Using my ingenious and copied from Google technique I grabbed the Gorilla tape and applied with a tab..

Let it adhere for a minute then give it a yank.

I opted for a simple Mercedes logo this time round. The blue/silver logo it had were a bit lost on the 20" wheels so felt this was a less fussy option.

New ones fitted in nicely and much tighter than the old ones.

I was under the impression these were maybe cheap non-OEM caps but they are original. I suppose 9 years of road salt and whatever else will do it.

 

[Will]

Looks much better Alex

Out of interest, how do you know old laurel wreath caps were genuine? There some good fakes out there, with the correct part numbers copied and used in the ‘fake’ moulds

The only thing I’d note is a lot of them come without the metal clip to hold them in place securely - wasn’t sure if that was missing (couldn’t see that in the pic?)

The wheel bolts would probably clean up nicely with some autosol and a dusting of silver hammerite on the heads of the lock bolts to tidy them up

 

[Alex225]

It's a good point, I mean I'm assuming they were genuine, had the part numbers and stamps etc. Could be fake I suppose. They certainly looked crap haha

Yeah that would work very well on them. Something to aim for in the new year.

 

[Abb]

Re the bolts, have you ever considered using the caps to cover them? I know it sounds a bit tacky, I bought some for less than a tenner to give them a go, and they are spot on. Instant subtle transformation, blends in nicely and zero elbow grease required.

 

[Alex225]

Re the bolts, have you ever considered using the caps to cover them? I know it sounds a bit tacky, I bought some for less than a tenner to give them a go, and they are spot on. Instant subtle transformation, blends in nicely and zero elbow grease required.

That's not a bad shout at all actually. I had some black silicone caps on a car a few years back which looked very tidy, not tacky at all really. Just neat and tidy.

 

[Lenny63]

What a beauty of a jeep ! I've always loved these, one for the list down the line

Health to drive sir

 

[W1ghty]

That's not a bad shout at all actually. I had some black silicone caps on a car a few years back which looked very tidy, not tacky at all really. Just neat and tidy.

Have you got a link to the number plate holders , they look very neat

 

[SmartAmg]

2 lovely Silver Mercs, Alex, excellent!!

 

[Alex225]

Have you got a link to the number plate holders , they look very neat

Sure thing, I used these on my S Class and they make fitting the plates so much easier without having to faff about with sticky pads. Plus I think they look good : eBay Link

Hope that worked.

 

[Alex225]

Had a bit of a result tonight, was clearing out a drawer and found an old iPod Nano. I stopped using it years back because the power button started playing up but on a dock it would go on and off through the 30 pin connection. Well usefully the ML came with a selection of OEM leads..

Previously I'd used the USB stick which is fine but obviously just a big pile of folders. I loaded this and so much better.

All playlists I'd set up and organised way better.

Now I know this is not much of a revelation for those of you using Spotify or Apple Car Play but I am old school, I buy CDs and I rip them to MP3 and use as needed. I just like something tangible and I'm a massive music nerd. It's the simple things eh!

Also means the other half can fill the changer with her questionable taste in music and I'll keep this tucked away for when I'm driving.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Had a bit of a result tonight, was clearing out a drawer and found an old iPod Nano. I stopped using it years back because the power button started playing up but on a dock it would go on and off through the 30 pin connection. Well usefully the ML came with a selection of OEM leads..

Previously I'd used the USB stick which is fine but obviously just a big pile of folders. I loaded this and so much better.

All playlists I'd set up and organised way better.

Now I know this is not much of a revelation for those of you using Spotify or Apple Car Play but I am old school, I buy CDs and I rip them to MP3 and use as needed. I just like something tangible and I'm a massive music nerd. It's the simple things eh!

Also means the other half can fill the changer with her questionable taste in music and I'll keep this tucked away for when I'm driving.

I had completely forgotten about the Nano. With the passage of time they seem even more incredible, to squeeze so much on to something so small.

 

[Alex225]

The Nano was such a great bit of kit especially that particular design. Prior to lockdown I was commuting by bus/train into the city so having music with me was essential. I stuck with the iPods right up until about 2017 when I moved to wireless earphones and realised they zapped the battery much quicker. Plus I was carrying 256gb around on my phone at the time so just paired off that and my last Nano was made redundant.

I still have the last generation of Nano as well which was the only one to have a lightning connect. I just like how your play lists and everything come through so bit of an advantage over just a USB stick.

 

[Alex225]

Gave the ML a little upgrade today. Annoyingly it didn't come with Xenons but much like with my S Class, I decided to change the headlight bulbs. Was very pleased with these last time so some Osram Nightbreaker Lasers ready for winter. Highly recommended if anyone is on the hunt for some new bulbs.

 

[91dm]

That's a lovely jeep, looks great in silver with the chrome!

 

[MadMerx]

Nice super clean ML. I have a similar one on the drive apart from mine is a little older.