MB Model Designation Mystery
06-13-2002, 02:33 PM
#1
MB Model Designation Mystery
Some I do but some I don't understand at all. We have the E Class and the vehicles are clearlr E-xyz; makes perfect sense. But what's with the M class - actually, I call it the "ML" class. I have never seen a M320, 430 or even an M500. The M55 makes sense. What the heck is the "L" for - this goes also for all those other models with "L" designations that don't figure in the "Class" description. Someone explain to me please. Thanks.
It's almost "Laughable".
It's almost "Laughable".
06-13-2002, 06:19 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Darkmann, there is no M55 only ML55. I read the "L" is the initial for 'leight' or something like that meaning light. So it means 'light truck'. Leight (light) is also for the CL & SL. The 'K' from CLK, SLK is 'kurz' or something German like that - which is German for short.
06-13-2002, 06:54 PM
#3
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'00 C280W, Obsidian Black/Charcoal
Re: MB Model Designation Mystery
L = Leichtmetall i.e. light weight metal materials.
K = Kompakt as in Compact.
...RAB
K = Kompakt as in Compact.
...RAB
Originally posted by Darkmann
What the heck is the "L" for - this goes also for all those other models with "L" designations that don't figure in the "Class" description. Someone explain to me please. Thanks.
It's almost "Laughable".
What the heck is the "L" for - this goes also for all those other models with "L" designations that don't figure in the "Class" description. Someone explain to me please. Thanks.
It's almost "Laughable".
Last edited by Robert ...RAB; 06-13-2002 at 06:58 PM.
06-13-2002, 09:37 PM
#4
Thanks E55KEV for the correction - and here I thought the AMG model was designated correctly!!!
The "L"ight is most likely before the options are packed on. The ML (320 & 500) are listed at "light" 6005lb. Wow, no weight watchers here!!! the "K"ompact, I agree with. They really are compact, even the S500 is compact.
BTW, Kev, George@Pohanka was good to me again - I'm picking up my ML320 tomorrow, with just the right options, and he gave me a real deal.
The "L"ight is most likely before the options are packed on. The ML (320 & 500) are listed at "light" 6005lb. Wow, no weight watchers here!!! the "K"ompact, I agree with. They really are compact, even the S500 is compact.
BTW, Kev, George@Pohanka was good to me again - I'm picking up my ML320 tomorrow, with just the right options, and he gave me a real deal.
06-13-2002, 09:51 PM
#5
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2000 E55
Re: MB Model Designation Mystery
The letter "L" in MB usually means "light" as RAB stated above. However, in the M-class, it is something different as I read from somewhere that, the "L" was only added later onto the M-class due to fact that the "M" letter was already registered by MB's archive rival, BMW's M(otor sport) division. After BMW protested, MB then added the "L" to differentiate the two. (Like we gonna confuse a MB truck with a BMW M3, or M5
) So in the back it shows "ML", but it is still called the M-class.
) So in the back it shows "ML", but it is still called the M-class.
06-13-2002, 10:31 PM
#6
Super Moderator
Keep in mind that Mercedes calls the ML their "light Truck" and always puts in their lititure something like "ML line sold at participating Light Truck dealers".
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06-14-2002, 08:25 AM
#8
I really think the current 500/600 line (W220, that is, post '98 model) is "light" compared with the Caddy or even the 500 (W140, I believe, stopped in '98) of several years ago - you know, that mammoth monster. The new S class is sleek and "thin". From the rear, it looks almost smaller than the E-Class. That's what I think.
Last edited by Darkmann; 06-14-2002 at 08:27 AM.
06-14-2002, 10:23 AM
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C-Class
bjAMG is right, mercedes wanted to call their ofroader M-Class but they get in trouble with BMW who has licensed the letter "M" for ther semi-sportive-models
