TxBenzIn

I'm looking to build this: 2015 ML350 Dakota Brown

What options should I give more consideration to? We are already at the top of our budget, but for the right things we could extend.

Dakota Brown
20 in 5 Spoke wheels
lighting package
auburn brown/black leather
Open pore brown ash trim
Wood/leather steering wheel
Premium package
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
H/k sound system
Keyless go
4Matic
Lane tracking package

Considering rear side airbags and heated/cooled cup holders.

What options do you like/not use/reccomend?

fabbrisd1

With total $250 SPC option charge on top:

U09 MB-Tex wrapped dashboard/upper front door panels $450
875 heated washer reservoir for MUCH improved windshield cleaning 365(bugs) $150
242 power passenger seat memory/lumbar $365
550 trailer hitch for MUCH increased rear collision protection $575

If it was me - for TX drop heated rear seats to free up some dollars if you need to - above add-on's are 365/24-7 benefits.

If it was me - another unepxected "great" option 876 ambient ligting and lighted door sills... you have a awesome interior, it feels "great" getting into at night.

Order sport pedals as dealer add-on items... like $85 ... great interior add-on

TxBenzIn

Thanks for your input!

On the lot was one very similar to our build but it had a trailer hitch. We don't tow anything so that was the main reason for placing an order, to remove the hitch I never considered the safety aspect of it though.

What is U09? Never heard of that. I'll google it.

Is there a standard interior ambient lighting package? We have an E350 that looks great at night, but I though the ambient package was more o let you change the color and the car has some ambient lighting standard?

We are in a colder climate often during the winter, so the rear heated seats was the other reason we went with a build.

I'll discuss these with the dealership as well, thanks again!

Barry45RPM

Ambient lighting is leds under the wood trim (3 colors to choose from at any time) and light up door sills. Frivolous... but a nice touch that should provide entertainment for years.

TxBenzIn

Yeah our E350 has it, minus the door sills so I'd miss it if I didn't order it. hopefully it will get added to my build.

sheepdog

One other thing that you might consider (even though it will cost more) is ordering an ML400. Even though the initial cost comparision with the ML350 looks significant, given the options you are considering it is not as large as it may seem. ML400 has 4Matic, premium pkg, leather, ambient lighting and keyless go,lane tracking, and harmon kardon included. According to the EPA, about 10% better gas mileage. In a 400 your build would come to about $68,625 before any discounts. Just a thought given the options you are choosing and you would get an engine with about 10% more horsepower. Personally I would also add the Parking Assist Pkg with the surround view camera. Good Luck

Wolfman

I like the aluminum running boards. Visually enhances the car. Also, the idea of the ML400 is one worth considering. Sounds like a great deal once you option out a 350.

Our ML350 was over $60k without leather interior/wood steering wheel. I like the blind spot assist but the basic lane tracking functionality is basically garbage compared to the active lane tracking ability (driver assistance package).

TxBenzIn

I know, if you've seen one, you've seen them all, but this one I get to see daily

SmokinReefer

And change the door pins..... be sure to get the new ones flush mounted

I second the wrapped dash. That was a recommendation I got on here and the look is worth way more than cost. I love it

Strafzettel

I would not get it without airmatic! The ride is so much more comfortable with airmatic and with a push of a button the car turns into a sporty car with stiffer steering and suspension. Should you get lots of snow, you can raise the car with a push of a button by 6 centimeters.

PopDisplay

I would not go with the brown ash wood trim:

We went to the dealer to inspect the OPBA trim and wood steering wheel.

I found both highly objectionable.

The wood is so heavily grained that it formed a distraction.
The steering wheel is so slick that it could be problematic during normal driving maneuvers. Beyond the slick wood, the wheel has no "nubs" on the rear surface to improve grip.



The trim above the glove box was significantly more grained than any of the door trim.





If you like your MB looking like the side of an oak coffin or a Louisville Slugger baseball bat, their Open Pore Brown Ash is just what your doctor ordered.

rtw_travel

I'd second the trailer hitch.


It is (relatively) cheap as a factory option, yet very expensive to install afterwards. You might find you use it for a hitch mounted bike rack or ski rack too.


One of the attractions of the ML is the super towing capacity of > 7000lbs. We just bought a 2012, and our main criteria was that it must have a hitch. When you go to sell in a few years, you may not increase the resale value by having it, but you should certainly increase the number of people who'd be interested in buying it.

greasykid

1 have ash wood but not on steering wheel.
many compliments

2 take steering wheel $ & instead get heated wheel. Have it & rear seat heating.Great combo.

3 also recommend 360 degree parking feature. Works both night & day.

4 Like your color choice. Mine is Cinnebar red/black. Glad to get away from black/white/silver etc.

5 I also considered M400 but could not wait 2-3 months

6 I ended up w/250 diesel & love it. Smooth & strong enough for me,plus great fuel mileage. I must stress that fuel mileage had NOTHING to do with my choice. A plus,saved $1,000.

7 You can save a bundle by getting TEX rather than leather & it will last forever-plus nobody knows the difference. I have had both.

rtw_travel

That's a good point. My recollection is that only the leather steering wheel has the heated steering wheel option - which is very nice if you are in winter temperatures.

hutch300

I love the heated wheel... more than I could imagine. The ash is beautiful, had it on my last ml.

I would NOT want leather. The alternative looks great and is way more durable.