Interesting Find
#1
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Interesting Find
There have been frequent complaints about the ML BlueTecs not having a spare. In fact, the run flats and lack of a spare prompted me to purchase another marque.
While looking in the EPC for a part number, I discovered that MB does indeed have a rear mounted external spare tire carrier as a factory option - just, in the infinite marketing wisdom of MBUSA, not available in North America. They really are some totally clueless fools!
See the attached parts diagram from the EPC.
While looking in the EPC for a part number, I discovered that MB does indeed have a rear mounted external spare tire carrier as a factory option - just, in the infinite marketing wisdom of MBUSA, not available in North America. They really are some totally clueless fools!
See the attached parts diagram from the EPC.
#2
So Dutch is there room inside the ML350 Bluetec to put a spare? What do the regular ML350 use as a spare?
This is a company car for me so I had no choice, but I am more concernered about being on a sales call out in the middle of nowhere and a flat without a spare could turn into a 2 day ordeal.
This is a company car for me so I had no choice, but I am more concernered about being on a sales call out in the middle of nowhere and a flat without a spare could turn into a 2 day ordeal.
#3
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The gassers use a mini spare located under the floor of the cargo area. The AdBlue tank occupies that space in a CDI BlueTec. That's why the rear mounted external spare would be such a nice option.
#4
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
#5
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The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
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2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
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#9
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The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
Last edited by DUTCH; 03-25-2010 at 02:48 PM.
#10
Both the Porsche Cayenne (see photos) and the VW Touareg offer it as a factory option; and it looks from the MB EPC like it is a very similar method of implementation.
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
I imagine they could also engineer a simple stand up spare option as well to fit in the cargo area....
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2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
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2010 ML550 (W164)
Interior spare on ML55
I vaguely recall that the W163 ML55 AMG came with a full size spare that stood upright INSIDE the cargo compartment because I remember there being a lot of half-hearted complaints about loss of cargo space.
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2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
This is correct. It was mounted upright on the left side of the cargo area. As I recall it was also installed flat and some sort of an inflation device was included.
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2005 C230 Kompressor
I dont see a complete vehicle, just the body and interior. No chassis or anything else but I will say I dont see any out on the yard.
#17
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It may be like the Porsche Cayenne. The rear mounted full sized spare is supposed to be the least ordered, i.e. rarest, of the factory options.