ColoML550

I know the AMG has the exhaust out the back and the badge and the bigger motor (yea, yea). But if you took the badge off (AMG not included) the 550 and 350 how can you tell the difference between the two?

I think my 550 is a "sleeper" next to a WRX or a Camaro SS. I can't wait to find out.

another_geek

ML550 comes with the sport package with a different front bumper and body-color side panels while the sport package is optional on the ML350

ML63 has front and rear bumpers that are not available on any of the lower models, even as options.

schorert1

<<<@!1!@>>>

here's a video from MB that explains it:

ColoML550

That's some funny stuff! I see your point.

Streamliner

To me, it is always such a shame when MB decides that just because someone wants the bigger engine, they MUST want all of their AMG body panels, ridiculous wheels & tires and all that other "boy racer" crap they put on the ML550. I would have loved a 550 V8 in my 2014 ML, but I wanted mine to have the standard, normal look of the "truck" that it is. When it was available, the ML550 should have been available as a regular version, with the Sports Package available as an OPTION. Luxury is all about choices, but over the past few years, MB has taken many of our choices away, which is NOT very luxurious.

jtorrebl

The v8 has always had the sport body panels. It's never had regular body panels. Your choice was never taken away if it's never been there. Even in the older body styles. Re: wheels you can get the smaller more off-road friendly wheels as standard with an option for larger wheels.

Streamliner

You are missing the point: I WANT the choice and there is no good reason why I shouldn't have it. The "Sports" package styling, for all the boy racers out there, should be an option on any and all MB cars they wish to offer it on. The plain vanilla, conservative styling should be available for those of us who want it, regardless if the model is a 4, 6, 8 or 12 cylinder vehicle. In any case, traditional styling should be the norm, with the sports styling optional.

jtorrebl

That's true there is no choice

PeterUbers

ntwillie1

@Streamliner - There is a choice. Don't buy it if you don't like it.

There is also another choice, trade your nicer AMG rims w a member that has the regular ones. I'm sure many people would be happy to make that trade.

Subatomic Power

Echo the opinions on choice. I really like the power in the AMG, but I liked the designo leather in the 550 so much more than the limited designo package in the AMG....that I ordered two 550's with the designo leather package instead. The AMG is a "racer" with a lot of the luxury stuff removed and less choice on colours in Canada. Not really what I wanted. Would have been better to have the choice of all the luxury options for the AMG.

another_geek

I'm curious what luxury features are not available on the ML63 in canada? That's not the case here in the US.

Subatomic Power

The Designo leather in the ML550 is way nicer than the one in the AMG. The ML550 gets the nice triangular quilted leather and the AMG get a more "plain" perforated leather. I've sat in both and the 550 Designo is WAY more comfortable. I believe that the 6 option towing package is also more limited in the AMG for some reason.

ColoML550

From Car and Driver -

"The ML550 might not make 500-plus hp and it might not gurgle on overrun and when shifting like the ML63 AMG, but it’s a 400-plus-hp SUV that does sub-five-second 0-to-60 times. It’s more than comfortable picking up the groceries and hauling the kids to band practice and is far easier to wield than luxury utes such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX570. At tens of thousands of dollars less than its ultra-high-performance AMG counterpart, the ML550 occupies, yes, a sweet spot directly between bang and buck in the mid-size-luxury-SUV market."

another_geek

I feel the opposite of you. I hate quilted patterns - I would have not purchased the ML63 if it had quilted leather. I also have the tow package and as far as I know, it is the same as the lower models.

juice91si

Come to Canada, the ML550, and 350 look identical.


There is a sport package available on the 350, which adds airmatic and 20 inch wheels, and is std on the 550. the body is the same, and the wheels are the same (if the 350 has the sport package).

juice91si

Whst luxury features were removed other than the heated steering wheel?

Subatomic Power

Call me a spoiled princess, but the lack of a heated steering wheel is a deal breaker for me. I agree about the ML550. It's just hard to spend $108k on a vehicle without really being able to see one all configured even close to your preferences. And I ordered two of them like that!

jtorrebl

Why are you ordering 2 of these?

Subatomic Power

I have always been disgusted with friends/colleagues of mine who drive nice cars like the ML550 or AMG63.....and their poor wives end up driving some crappy old minivan. The wives often don't care, because they are not in any way "car people".....but it still bugs me to think that my wife is in a lower end car than me. I have always tried to buck that trend and to ensure that I do the opposite. So I got one in Palladium Silver, loaded with the AMG appearance package for me - and the same one in Diamond White for my wife. I wish that they would arrive at the same time, but we had to each take a separate production slot. Where we live in Calgary, you literally have to "get in line" to buy an ML 550. The dealers only get limited production slots and they have roughly at least 2-3 clients that want each production slot. There are only two Mercedes dealers in our city of 1.5M people where the economy has been red hot for 20+ years due to the highly productive oil industry.

Interestingly, I saw the new CLA class (new SUV-ish vehicle) and I loved it. I am thinking of getting one for my 18 yo daughter who is in University. She is currently in a Chevy Cruz RS, and I am very impressed with the Cruz. But the CLA looks great and I think that it would probably function very well in the nasty winter weather that we get in Calgary.

juice91si

You Mean GLA. The B250 is coming out with 4matic as well in January, should be about 4000 less than the GLA. PM me what you ordered, maybe I can help you out on your ML550!

Subatomic Power

That is very nice of you to offer! I really appreciate it. But I feel like I have an agreement with the sales consultant I dealt with, and I would not want to subject him to uncertainty on his sales efforts towards me. He's a good guy and he's been very helpful at the Hyatt Auto Gallery in Calgary.

juice91si

No worries, I just looked at your order and I can't help out anyway. You got a nice one, she'll love it.

ColoML550

This weekend while out to dinner I parked next to a 350. It was a bit hard to tell the difference. The 550 has a bit larger front "air intakes" and I do have the intelligent light system which this 350 did not. I noticed the lower bodywork was not painted on the 350. The rear bumper looks about identical. As for the side panels I could not tell any difference. I was going to snap a few pics but when I walked back the owner was driving off.

jtorrebl

I guess I meant why 2 of the same car. Get a 911 or s6 for the wife. Mix it up a little, life is short. If you need 2 trucks, why not a Range Rover try something different. They have super cheap leases. Also with the refresh coming in a few months, this car will be old fast. I'll sell you mine. Had it for 10 months and would get a new car in heartbeat. 20 months is about my cut off.