New ML 320 CDI

[Sanny]

Does anyone out there have any experience of the new ML? I would welcome any feedback/problems. In short the good, bad and ugly would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Garrycox]

Sanny

I've had my ML320 CDI sport for two weeks. I am still getting used to it however so far, very very good. My last car was an E240 which I liked a lot. The handling on the ML is almost as good as the E class. The performance is great both acceleration and stopping. It also looks good and has generated a lot of attention particularly in car parks!

I compared and test drove the X5, Range Rover sport and RR classic. The ML in my opinion was an all round better buy despite my reservations about the dealers and MB's inability to deliver TMC on the Sat Nav (covered on a seperate post).

My only problems so far have been small, CD changer didn't work so a new one was promptly fitted, some marks on the body work all sorted or in progress and being sorted.

Hope this helps

Garry

 

[Sanny]

Thanks Gary.

I delighted to hear that you are enjoying the ML. I have had a nightmare experience with Mercedes and swore never to buy another, however my family have bought cars from the same dealer for 40 years and they organised a buyback on my 2003 E class. However, as a condition of the buyback I have to take a new ML. The deal is fantastic but I still have reservations about quality and the service form my local dealer (not the supplying dealer) still leaves much to be desired.

Happy Driving!

 

[Dieter R]

Hi,

Picked up new ML (320 CDi) yesterday (tuesday) and there's little comparison with 'old' 270 CDi.

That's not to decry my 270 as it 'did what it said on the tin' . However the new car does the same but in true luxury and mechanical style i.e. it's a 'proper' Mercedes .

Engine is a revelation (albeit I've not given it any 'stick' (yet!)) as it's almost 'petrol' smooth . Gear changes are (almost) imperceptable and steering paddles work a treat. Seats are very comfortable and supportive etc. and coupled with airmatic the ride is more akin to that of an E-class.

Love the powered lift gate (gave the dog a shock!).

 

[blassberg]

Engine is fantastic. Do you get 7G-Tronic with that? If so are the paddle shifters available? I find them both great.

I had an ML270 for 4 years - was built in Graz and quality was fine. Where are these built?

 

[Dieter R]

Hi Charlie,

All M-class (and R- and Gl-) are built in Alabama. Over the last few years MB have spent some $600 million dollars 'robotisising' the Plant there to ensure quality etc. etc.

All new ML's come with the 7-Gtronic gearboxes and paddle shifters and they (paddle shifters) work fine. These shifters consist of two rocker switches (back of steering wheel) both of which allow up and down shifts (even when in cruise control mode).

One note of caution is that (some) the early cars (predominantly American owned as not available in Europe till this September) suffered from jerky transmission problems which software updates appear to have cured but....?

Cheers,

 

[blassberg]

suffered from jerky transmission problems which software updates appear to have cured but

Yes I get some jerkiness in S mode - only when slowing right down eg at lights after some fast stuff - can the SW be updated retrospectively?

 

[Dieter R]

Hi Charlie,

It would appear so but for comprehensive (and paranoiod) info relating to transmission problems (USA ML) click here:

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111110

Cheers,

 

[Garrycox]

Hi Charlie,

It would appear so but for comprehensive (and paranoiod) info relating to transmission problems (USA ML) click here:

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111110

Cheers,

I had a quick look at the U.S site. One post was of interest, here's an extract.

" I think ML customers are mostly young adults who have made it somewhat well in life by working hard. I think these people know value for money and brand loyalty. I think they believe that when you plunk down your hard earned $45K, you deserve a problem free ride, and I really mean problem free."

So in the U.S they expect a "problem free ride" for $45k. This is £25.7k approx..... or more than £20k less than I paid for mine.

 

[Rory]

I had a quick look at the U.S site. One post was of interest, here's an extract.

" I think ML customers are mostly young adults who have made it somewhat well in life by working hard. I think these people know value for money and brand loyalty. I think they believe that when you plunk down your hard earned $45K, you deserve a problem free ride, and I really mean problem free."

So in the U.S they expect a "problem free ride" for $45k. This is £25.7k approx..... or more than £20k less than I paid for mine.

With the wonders of the internet you can check out the prices at mercedes.com. Of course they don't have diesels. Bear in mind that there's no tax etc in US prices - their sales tax is around 8% (varies by state), rather than our 17.5% VAT which is already included of course. I don't think there's much difference at the end of the day.

What you do see in the US is very low cost personal lease deals - colleague of mine has an E55 for $800/mth and his wife has Cayenne ($599/mth). Standard college grads car is C230 or BMW 325 (no crappy C180 or 318's in the US!) at around $349/mth! They seem to do this by setting absurdly high residual values - someone must be taking a hit somewhere on these deals.