They might be same platform, but can't be the same car with 400-500 lb capacity difference.
The extreme model I've seen is sold, so can't find the pictures, but here is what quick search found.
Than it might be that models with heavier engines have stiffer front and that what makes the difference, but those engines don't weight 500 lb.

 

I just noticed between those labels that car with lower GWVR is gasoline model with V6, when the heavier one is I4 diesel.
Maybe they limit the gas vehicle weight, so it can catch up with diesel?

 

The gas will pass it regardless, when the diesel breaks down. (Not if, but when)
Get rid of your tunnel vision and you'll see a lot more buying choices with the gas engines. Seriously, the gas versions require minimal maintenance, unlike the diesels. Are you a retired engineer per chance? They seem to gravitate towards diesels for some unknown reason.

I just checked for you the three 164's in our family. ML350 2wd, ML350 awd, and ML63 awd. They are the same cars, 164 is a 164...but have GVW rating from 75 to 300 lbs. difference. I don't see 500 lbs. on your sample VINs,only about 300 lbs.....

 

When I do have degree in mechanics, it is not automotive -related.
I grew up in Poland, where diesel fuel was 30% cheaper than regural.(so it was in USA 25 years ago)
Filling up very small car was more than daily wages, so diesel economy + lower fuel prices made diesels riding at 1/2 cost of gasoline engine. I could not afford diesel car at the time, so having the choice in USA made my dream come thru.
Times changed since than and every smart European owner of gas engine - converts it to propane as that fuel cost 1/3 what gasoline does.
Diesels always worked for me well and it is fascinating to observe how technology changes.
Even the old Prevost - being top of the line vehicle - was pushing 100 lb/hp.
Not that long ago less than 20 lb/hp was consider sport car.
Now my econobox E250 has that and with eco driving it will make 1200 miles on the tank.
I always smile when I pass those big engines gassers stuck at pumps.
At this point I will keep seeking nice SUV since keeping cash at bank means loosing the money, but seeing ML and GLE as siblings - I will choose any that comes in colors that I want ... and I4 diesel obviously.

 

I guess main question would be, what will you do with your AMG, when you will have to spend more than daily wages to drive 200 miles?
Those times seem to be on horizon. It will be Deja-vu for me, but lot of people in this country will have hard time.

 

people get what they voted for...

 

@kajtek1 The W166 ML and GLE are one and the same. The models and weights reflect powertrain differences. The diesel powertrain is heavier and will have different suspension springs. Google the ML and GLE brochures and notice the differences.

 

I don't know about those weights.
I4 diesel is lighter than V6 gasser and the weight differences are within 100 lb. I understand that V8 models come not only with heavier engines, but also heavier transmissions and differentials, but I did not check those.
Why some models have 500 lb more cargo than others?
MB brochures list curb weight, but not GWVR

 

@kajtek1 Good questions. What information has your research turned up?

 

Air suspension vs. standard springs?

 

Krzysztof, BTW the USA exports several million barrels of TIER 4 FINAL diesel to Europe every day. I say buy your diesel if that's what you want. The fuel mileage difference is a game changer.

 

@kajtek1 I have owned 2 ML SUV's, both 3.0 DIESEL V-6's. A 2010 W164 that we put 96,000 miles on, and a 2014 W166 that we put 104,000 on. The only problem was a DEF heater on the 2010 that was fixed under warranty.
Oh, and rear suspension bits on the '14 at 87,000 miles - warranty, but hardly engine related.

We originally went diesel because the gas 3.5 V6 is really under-powered for a 5,000# vehicle, and the diesel moves the car with authority. Both got 29 - 33 mpg highway and 22-24 in town.
Cost of maintenance is about identical, gas or diesel. Diesels need a fuel filter every 20,000 miles, and the gassers need plugs around 50k. It's a wash. Other services identical. (Our C240 gas needed complete exhaust at 65,000 miles because the catalysts died.)

Also pulled a 6,000# RV, getting mid teens towing. Exceptionally good tow vehicle. Surprising performance with trailer in tow.

Don't be bamboozled by the naysayers. Somebody on some forum in some country must have said they had an engine failure, and it's referred to endlessly, without example, as proof that the diesel is a bad engine. Again, hearsay, no actual proof.

DEF is a good thing, allowing better states of tune, fewer emission bits, and much higher performance. 460 lb-ft of torque was just a dream before DEF. Don't buy one if the E-syste3m has been removed or bypassed.
And I have yet to see proof that M-B violated any e-standards, since the EPA never published Regs, in spite of two US Supreme Court Rulings requiring that they do so. I look for proof from time to time, but all I can find is overzealous lawyers getting fat on class-action suites.

There's no reason not to to buy a diesel, unless you are afraid of them because you don't understand them. Most people who own them (100% of the people I know) love them and have never had an issue.

 

This thread has discussed diesel vs gas , perhaps I can gain value from discussants experience.
I’m enjoying E85 price/mpg vs 91 $/mpg. Anyone’s long term experience would be helpful toward expectations as result of E85.

 

2017 is also first year for AndroidAuto in GLE

https://www.android.com/auto/compati...ility-vehicles

 

The GLE I was bidding on went on the block 3rd time and since the $23k bid did not meet reserve- it will go 4th time.
The high mileage ML in the mean time got sold for $15k.
So anyway, since for me it is more about investing the cash, I started bidding on boats. Their prices went up as well, so we'll see.
Talking about diesels, I drive them for 25 years, even the older models have been underpowered.
IMHO there are 4 reasons why people don't buy diesels.
1. they are adrenaline freaks, who like their AMG to beat everybody at red light and don't care about getting to long-distance destination fast.
2. people who have more money that they can count and buy something exotic
3. people who can't count period.
4. people who have hard time to understand mechanics, so they are scarred about complicated machinery.
ad 1, that is what was presented in some replies here, not too many can understand why Jumbo Jet will beat Mach 3 jet fighter on NY- Paris route. Jet fighter will have to make 2 refueling on the way, when jumbo jet will beat him at final landing.

 

Good luck with the boats. What site do you use to bid for boats?

 

DARN. Boat pricing went sky high as well.
Today I went to local (Las Vegas) MB dealer asking about GLE diesel and short answer was :"forget about it".
When I am finding those vehicles in $25k range, they are 3000 miles away, so not easy to buy, even with us planning to visit our son in Georgia.
But I still keep eye on the market.

 

Better watch out, GLE owners get really mad when you say their W166 GLE is the same as an W166 ML between 2012-2015... Imagine if they found out that the GLE and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are the same platform

 

Unless.... they find their way to Jeep parts dept to find the same parts for 1/3 the price.

 

.....or that the GLA is the same car as the Infiniti QX30!

 

SHHHHHH! Not too loud.

 

has anyone started a list of common parts? lots of other forums do this...

 

FOUND THE CAR
For much less than damaged GLE on Copart site, I found 1 owner GLE at a dealer, At over 100k miles it is not CPO, but they claim to spend over $2000 on preparation jobs, while the carfax shows very good maintenance history.
It is fully loaded, although I don't know if beside keyless go and active lane assistance was more available on 2016 models?
Will fly to pick it up on Monday, so it will take me over a week to get it back home.

 

Confratulations! Gasoline or diesel?

 

Thanks
I would not waste my money on gas engine