Advice Needed: ML350 or ML500

[dreamtripper]

Hi All, I currently have a 911 Turbo and an older (1998) ML320. Love the ML, but it's getting to 120K miles and was thinking of switching. Question is should I get the ML350 or 500. Gas mileage is somewhat important but not a big deal unless there's a huge difference in the 2. Options wise I'd like to have xenons, navigation and satellite radio. Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort? What would you do? I'd ideally like to spend low 20s which is what I understand the ML350s are going for in auction. Is it worth the extra $5-8K to get the ML500. I understand these are going for mid to upper 20s in auction. Thanks in advance for your replies.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[AR.Shah]

get the 350, you´ll have trouble getting rid of the 500 later on..

[dreamtripper]

Thanks, any reason why it will be more difficult to get rid off?

[red00lght]

I drove the 350 for a month and then purchased my 500. I liked the added power and it just felt so much nicer driving it. I'm sure it was the badge playing head games.
The gas mileage was only 2-3 mpg different between the two so I wouldn't worry about that as a major factor.

[DJ GAINS BOND]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Thanks, any reason why it will be more difficult to get rid off?

maybe gas mileage when gas does go up, no one will want a v8

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Hi All,

I currently have a 911 Turbo and an older (1998) ML320. Love the ML, but it's getting to 120K miles and was thinking of switching.

Question is should I get the ML350 or 500. Gas mileage is somewhat important but not a big deal unless there's a huge difference in the 2. Options wise I'd like to have xenons, navigation and satellite radio. Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort?

What would you do? I'd ideally like to spend low 20s which is what I understand the ML350s are going for in auction. Is it worth the extra $5-8K to get the ML500. I understand these are going for mid to upper 20s in auction.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Get the 320 Bluetec, far better fuel economy and resale, nothing else comes close. Not to mention it will drive like the 500 with all of the torque.

[AR.Shah]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

Get the 320 Bluetec, far better fuel economy and resale, nothing else comes close. Not to mention it will drive like the 500 with all of the torque.

I agree The ML500 would be a great choice if you're not concerned about the future value and enviroment

[roadrutz]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

Get the 320 Bluetec, far better fuel economy and resale, nothing else comes close. Not to mention it will drive like the 500 with all of the torque.

Drive like the 500? You have to be joking! Diesels have a lot of torque but it happens over such a small rpm range that the benefits are grossly overrated. Diesels certainly have their place and their fans, but they are slugs (except perhaps the new BMW 335d which, by all accounts, is actually fun to drive).

And where does the OP get hold of a BlueTec ML priced "in the low 20s" or even the "mid to upper 20s" which is the budget he said he was looking at?

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort?

Find one that already has what you want.

Retrofit is possible but it's prohibitively expensive.

Trailer hitch, for example, is a $500 option but it's $2K to get one retrofitted at a dealer.

For grownup HID lighting, the only option is completely different headlight units. Sticking HID burners into units designed for Halogen bulbs is illegal and the light isn't any good in any event.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

Get the 320 Bluetec, far better fuel economy and resale, nothing else comes close. Not to mention it will drive like the 500 with all of the torque.

He's not going to get one in the $20ks--he's talking pre-owned.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Hi All,

I currently have a 911 Turbo and an older (1998) ML320. Love the ML, but it's getting to 120K miles and was thinking of switching.

Question is should I get the ML350 or 500. Gas mileage is somewhat important but not a big deal unless there's a huge difference in the 2. Options wise I'd like to have xenons, navigation and satellite radio. Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort?

What would you do? I'd ideally like to spend low 20s which is what I understand the ML350s are going for in auction. Is it worth the extra $5-8K to get the ML500. I understand these are going for mid to upper 20s in auction.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

IMO, the 350 is well-matched to this vehicle with the 7-speed, and the V8 is nice, but probably not worth the extra $. Shouldn't be too hard to find one with the options you want. Retrofitting is quite expensive to do right.

[Paul44]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Hi All,

I currently have a 911 Turbo and an older (1998) ML320. Love the ML, but it's getting to 120K miles and was thinking of switching.

Question is should I get the ML350 or 500. Gas mileage is somewhat important but not a big deal unless there's a huge difference in the 2. Options wise I'd like to have xenons, navigation and satellite radio. Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort?

What would you do? I'd ideally like to spend low 20s which is what I understand the ML350s are going for in auction. Is it worth the extra $5-8K to get the ML500. I understand these are going for mid to upper 20s in auction.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

I say go with the 350, its not as slow as you think, I agree that the 500 has much more horsepower but the gas spending to me is not worth it. I do agree with the above posts stating that the 500 would be harder to sell because there are many people that would rather have the V6 simply for gas and economy reasons.Hope this helps.

[paulybagadonuts]

From what I understand the mileage difference between the 350 and 500 is negligible.

I would suggest you test drive your options and pick the one you like best.

Not sure what you're going to find in the low $20s but good luck with whatever you decide.

[vinceching]

Originally Posted by dreamtripper

Hi All,

I currently have a 911 Turbo and an older (1998) ML320. Love the ML, but it's getting to 120K miles and was thinking of switching.

Question is should I get the ML350 or 500. Gas mileage is somewhat important but not a big deal unless there's a huge difference in the 2. Options wise I'd like to have xenons, navigation and satellite radio. Side question - if an ML doesn't come with xenons, nav or xm/sirius is it possible to retrofit without much effort?

What would you do? I'd ideally like to spend low 20s which is what I understand the ML350s are going for in auction. Is it worth the extra $5-8K to get the ML500. I understand these are going for mid to upper 20s in auction.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

as the others have said, the gas mileage is only 2-3 mpg different.

i have a 500 and get 350's as loaners everytime i go for service.

the 350 feels really underpowered for the ml body while its fine for the c and e class.

resale value is also not going to make much difference. you are still going to be selling a suv that eats up gas and buyers aren't really going to care if its a 350, or 500.. its still a suv.

if the buyers are looking to save on gas and want a suv, they will get a rx400 or a highlander hybrid.

just get what you want, and make sure you get a ml with air suspension. day and night difference from air vs standard steel springs.