bubba1948

I really like my 13 bluetec. I find it fascinating however that mercedes has abandoned its 3 liter in the ml at the same time audi is releasing a 272 hp 3 liter in the q7. France announced that it was reversing it decision to promote diesel and in fact is working to discourage diesel going forward, while BMW is promoting the triple turbo 50d in Europe at 380hp.

I see Dutch is on his way back to a q7, I'm thinking he won't be the only one.

Strafzettel

I agree that MB shouldn't have abandoned the 3l diesel in the US. I'd be curious to drive an X5 diesel if I had to get a new SUV. The new Q7 looks like a station wagon http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/slim...auto-show.html

DUTCH

That's why I've ordered the last year for the current model. Delivery in February.

20swrt

MB did not "abandon" the 3L V6. MB continues providing the V6 only in bigger vehicles like the GL and sprinter trucks. In 1986, I had a 300D 6cyl turbodiesel. The same engine in the 300SD w126. Then in 1987, they used a smaller 2.5 5cyl turbodiesel instead. The I-6 still remained in the 300SD. MB is simply rightsizing the ML with a less powerful engine. If you love the 3L - get the GL instead.

DUTCH

The 3.0 liter V6 diesel ML is also apparently still available in Canada and R-O-W. I guess it didn't need "rightsizing" in those markets. Verrückt!

MannyS430

yes in canada we still get the ML350bt... but we do not get the ML250bt

bubba1948

Apparently Audi, Porsche, Bmw didn't get the right sizing memo.

As for the GL, I owned a 550 that I drove for 5 years. Didn't care for the higher deck height which leads to a higher center of gravity. The Ml is much more buttoned down in the Arizona mountains than the GL. If I need more storage I throw the Thule on.

I think the ML is the right size, just not a fan of the now recalled bluetec 4. Perhaps the 9 speed will help!

Barry45RPM

"Right Sizing" is longhand for CAFE brought to you NOT by the marketplace but by our smarter than everyone that votes for them congress who regulate the free marketplace because they become brilliant en masse when they get to Washington. The poor folks in Canada and the ROW don't have our Brilliant congressmen and women so they have to suffer with better stuff.

Strafzettel

This is the ML forum and I was referring to the ML where the 3.0l V6 isn't available in the US anymore. The GL is too big, too heavy while the ML has just the right size for me. The ML 350 Bluetec has a power/weight ratio that's not amazing but satisfying for me but the same engine in a much heavier GL or the 200HP four cylinder in the ML wouldn't make me happy. I had cars with much less horsepower too 20 years ago but it's 2014 and the ML is available with a 518HP AMG engine, so what has that to do with "rightsizing"?

Waykool plantz

I have rightsized your wallet by taking out a $100 and putting in a $20.

Sounds like lame marketing terminology...to be replaced by "hole in footism"

It must just be me but the "bus" look of the Q7 is difficult on the eyes..and I find the BMW interiors with the 1-10 buttons in a row to be stupid...proving there is no word for "intuitive" in German.

skw

Don't knock those numbered buttons. They can be programmed for direct access to any of the functions you want/use most often. For example, in my BMW, I have #1 set to call my wife, #2 set to adjust the bass, #3 set to the traffic report.

williampagano

Agast! The tree huggers will get us all. My '12 ML350 Blu is my first and I love it. I second the lack of German intuition. I was lobbying for a turbo diesel Hyndai Santa Fe (they build a good car, I have an'07 with 180K on it) The Euro diesel would be great). I guess I'll have to go to Jeep next time if they are still around.

But seriously, what's not to like about diesel...good mileage, nor more expensive than premium gas, etc. Why do they shun a good product????????