W163, new owner, couple of questions...

[Jmal]

Hi,

I just bought a 02 ML350 with 90k miles on it. Found this great forum and signed up and hoping to get the most of my new Merc...

I've owned mostly German cars before, couple of Golfs, BMW and before ML I was driving a 525da and a Chevy Trailblazer, so I have experience of big SUVs.

I love the ML, but I feel like the suspension is really soft and bouncy. Compared to my old Chevy, as Americans are usually quite soft & light to drive and gotten used to firm suspension on the 525da, I'm wondering if the suspension, bushings are shot or something like roll bar upgrade would stiffen up the ride.

With the 525da I can drive over the speed bumps 20-25mph and with my Chevy I could do the same with no problems.

With ML I really need to nearly stop before the bump or I feel the bumps in my butt and the ML bounces up and down.

Any comments or experiences are well appreciated.

Also if someone knows a good,helpful and reasonably priced garage for Mercs around Woking/Byfleet area, recommendations are also appreciated.

I probably do the normal servicing at the stealership to keep up with the full history, but some odd jobs/upgrades I'd love to support some local business.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


I'm an ML owner also, and as it happend a ML350 (the inspiration model)

Mine seems fine over bumps but its also on half the millage? maybe the springs are worn?

I tend to find mine rides very smoothly but then I've come from a BMW convertible with 19" alloys. Even my dad who has a E320cdi estate says its a comfy ride.

Have you none standard alloys on it? as that could make it seem worse?


Post some pics when you can, any mods planned?

Thanks

 

[dougal74]

ML (163) is a ladder frame chassis so it pitches, rolls and generally rides/handles less well than the half off-road SUV types like the X5. However, I never found it a problem other than on tight bends when I would back off quite a bit to stop my passengers sliding around. I never found it crashing into bumps and humps and the like though?
A Discovery with ACE rides and corners much better than the ML despite being an older design.

 

[IanA2]

I go straight over bumps....

 

[Jmal]

Thanks for the replies...

Chevy was also with a body on a truck frame, so I'd imagine it should be similar to ML.

I need to have the ML checked, mostly due to couple of things:

- The engine runs fine, but I think the gas pedal needs adjusting. It seems to be quite aggressive when pressing a bit (jumps a bit), but then when pushing more there's occasionally no effect at all. This might be due to how the automatic works and I've also gotten used to my old Chevy with 70bhp more.

- I also think that the brake pedal needs adjusting, as it seems to be quite sensitive from the start.

- Check the suspension due to aforementioned things, maybe it needs new shocks. With my Chevy, Billsteins were a major upgrade to originals, and I think I read somewhere that it would stiffen up the ride with ML too.

- Any ideas about bushings or sway bars (roll bars)? Those were a nice upgrade in the Chevy as well.

It could also be that it takes time to get used to the controls. Surprisingly the power steering is the lightest I ever had, even compared to my Chevy and Americans are notorious for very light steering.

Due to combined effect of rolling and light steering, couple of time I've almost have run into a curb in a roundabout and to me it feels that if I take a corner too tight with too much speed, it would almost flip the car. Does this make any sense or is it just me?

Here's couple of photos:

Inside

In regards to mods, here's what I've thought about:

- W164 black grille, as it just looks better
- tinted taillights (if there's legal versions for the UK)
- see my post about Clean iPod install in Electronics forum
- replace the phone cradle with the one that fits my current phone
- maybe an aftermarket DVD/Navi 2DIN whenever I get a bit extra money.