Looking at a 2015 ML350 2WD - Any Issues?

[flowrider]

Not CDI ,3.5 Litre V6 petrol.

In that case go the extra two and a bit litres and get an ML63, I bet the fuel consumption wont be much different.

 

[Alan Badia]

I would imagine the handling would be completely different from the usual.

Probably as lot easier to hang the back end out and impress the hoodies at the local shopping Mall roundabout. Less fuel consumption too, and less noise, less weight and less tyre wear.

I'm sold! what a shame they're so rare that no-one's heard of them.

Only two snags I can see:-

1. Very difficult to sell-on because everyone wants 4WD.
2. The 3.5 petrol engine had a history of balancer shaft failures that frightened off buyers to this day.

Probably worth getting some sort of servicing evidence that the balancer shafts have been fixed, and present it at the time of resale.

Hmm. I wasn't aware of the "balancer shaft failure" on the 2015 3.5 liter gas engine. Thought that was a problem with years 2010 and older.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Oh! V6 petrol, very nice and unusual

 

[kid-jensen]

Sorry, wasn't trying to scare you, my point is that the balancer shaft issues are so notorious that most used-car buyers are wary of that particular engine, even though (according to this article) it should all be sorted-out by now.

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-benz-for-balance-shaft-issue-by-vin-m272273/

Must say, if there was a RWD option when I was looking, I would definitely have gone for it. It could certainly do with less understeer.

But then again, all cars could!

 

[Alan Badia]

The 2015 doesn't require a balancer shaft, I found out.

 

[Alan Badia]

Here are a few photos of my new ML350. Factory AMG 20" 5-spoke black alloy wheels. AMG Sport Exterior package.

 

[CJD]

Nice car, it wouldn't bother me not having AWD, especially in your situation, something less to go wrong, and should be a bit easier on the tyres.
Whats the spec like, and are you pleased with it?

 

[Wighty]

Dammit , you've got me looking at ML's now on Autotrader ! Nice car pics by the way , let us now how you get on with it .

 

[McDonald]

It looks like a great car, and perfect for a cycling enthusiast with all that space in the back. Enjoy it.

 

[flowrider]

Here are a few photos of my new ML350. Factory AMG 20" 5-spoke black alloy wheels. AMG Sport Exterior package.
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Its just dawned on me, your not in the UK. That's why we were confused about a 3.5l petrol 2wd ML.

 

[Alan Badia]

Nice car, it wouldn't bother me not having AWD, especially in your situation, something less to go wrong, and should be a bit easier on the tyres.
Whats the spec like, and are you pleased with it?

I'm happy with the specs is came with. It has the AMG Exterior Sport package, AMG Interior Sports package, AMG bodystyling, aluminum running boards, COMAND DVD (without navigation, didn't want it any way), Lighting Package: Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve, Multi-color Ambient Lighting with Illuminated Door Sills, Power Tilt/sliding Panorama Sunroof, Burl Walnut Wood Trim, Aluminum gas/brake pedals and interior trim. Looks really sharp inside.

 

[Alan Badia]

Some interior pics.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Steering wheels on the wrong side !

 

[Alan Badia]

Steering wheels on the wrong side !

LOL...

 

[M80]

I would be interested to know what improved consumption you get over the 4x4.
Nice mo mo.

 

[Alan Badia]

I would be interested to know what improved consumption you get over the 4x4.
Nice mo mo.

I've been getting 26 MPG highway (drive at 75mph, normally), 22 MPG city.
I keep a lot of equipment/stuff inside, so hauling some extra weight most of the time.
I don't know how that compares to 4x4. Anyone?

 

[M80]

I found driving Larisa's Gr Cherokee like I drove my C320 CDI returned terrible consumption. It's like driving a barn door at the wind.
I dropped the cruising speed to closer to 60. I found the journies weren't much longer if any and the drive was much more relaxed. The consumption used to be 20mpg if lucky, nowadays above 30 is a reasonable expectation. On a good run of course.