SpeedLimits?

The car is going to be for my little sister. So far I have looked at one pretty clean silver 2002 ML 320. But I recently came across a 2004 ML 350 Inspiration Edition, what the heck is "Inspiration Edition"? I have not heard of anything like this unless it is along the same lines as Designo. Also what are some common problems on ML's that your average car buff might not look for at first glance when car shopping?


Thanks for the help guys.

Darkmann

Go with the 04 ML350. The Inspiration edition is juat another special package that was "limited" in production, specially trimmed and bolstered seats, chrome gage rings, ML500 size tires, special rims, etc, etc. All cosmetic. The 350 has some more horses than the 320, but not that significant. As far as problems, you'll have your share. The 04 may be less but don't count on it. Just nake sure to have the truck checked in and out, obtain service records and read them thoroughly, make sure all recalls (there were a few) and service campaigns have been taken care of. Other than that, they're really great trucks. You'll not get Lexus quality, but you'll have a TRUCK to smile
about.

I forgot to mention that at the top of these posts, there a The list of things to watch out for on a 163. Look through that list to have an idea of the kinds of issues owners have had. Don't let this list scare you. These problems don't occur with every vehicle and most of us will complain about everything and anything.

BiTurboV12 AMG

I would get the 02 Ml320 over the 350 just for the old tested and true 3.2 liter v6. mercedes only used the 350 engine for a short time and its not even a true 3.5 liters its 3.7.(before you try and flame about how they dont use the 3.7 liter engine in US cars anymore the ML350 engine is NOT the same as the SLK350) i wouldnt spend alot on a ML so i would get the older one since all the car is going to do is go down in value. and with the $3.00 a gallon gas prices no SUV's will hold value well. i think your sister will be happy with the 02 ML320 i wouldnt go below the 02 year since they dont have the updated look and alot of the new gear the 02 years had but from 02-04 nothing major happend expt they took out the 3.2liter v6 and replaced it with the 3.7liter(possibly for money saving? is this the same 3.7 liter V6 the jeep uses?)

ml350

I would say go for the 04 ml350 if you want less problems and minors one only,

the later model didn't have any recalls,

the earlier models had recalls on them,

the recall was from 98-01,

the 02-05 didn't have any recalls,

if you want a true v6 then go with the 02 ml320,

that all i have to say,

advans

get the ML350 inspiration...although I test drove it and ended up buying the ML500 inspiration. My friends ML320 is powerless compared to the ML350...trust me...and besides...the ML350i comes with the ML500 wheels larger wheels, stable car...the interior on the inspiration is more attractive...they used a limited edition leather and is all specially designed...Inspiration package comes with a ML55 grill...its worth it

BiTurboV12 AMG

saying the Ml 320 is powerless compared to the 350 is a joke. what are we talking 20hp? both are going to be slow compared to a ML500. and for the 02 years i think the ML320 got a power boost along with different gearing so the power/accleratioin difference between the 350 and 320 are minimal.

advans

I dont agree... I tested out the 02 ML320 and thought about getting that. I then herd that in 03, a 3.7 ML350 would replace it..I waited, tried that out, and it IS better than the 320, infact its better than the x5 3.0 Its not much of a increase in HP, but the ML320 is slow. I got a great deal on the ML500 so I ended up with that.

deltadude388

The overall feel of the ML350 is much better than the ML320, with the Inspriation Package, yes it's all cosmetic but it sure feels much more like a luxury car vs. the regular ML. The body is significantly "tighten" up with the 03 model onwards. There's an extra 500CC in capacity between the the 3.2 and 3.7l, you will feel it. I would spring the 350. there is a reason why MB put it there.

Darkmann

I agree that the 350 feels tighter. It's a later year truck and MB has always made minor improvements between years, even though these are not widely publicized. For example, I drove a 03 320 that had soft padding material inside the door pockets. I loved the idea. My 02 320 didn't have that. The handling feel of the Inspiration model is all due to the larger tires. I have driven them both as well as the 500 and a 01 55. The xtra power of the 350 is meaningless to me (and probably to this poster's sister). Over a 2hr trip on I95 a couple of memorial day weekends ago, my 02 320 kept up just fine with a 350. That said, I recommend the 320 is VERY sluggish and I again would go for the 350 Insp. model - it's just a better all around truck, and more attractive.

advans

no offense to all with the ML320s, Its just that when you drive a ML350, you feel a little more "expensive" than the ML320s...In the US, a full sized SUV powered by a 3.2 V6 is a joke... so is the X5 3.0, but no one complains! lol

The ML350 Inspiration looks exactly like a ML500, if you rip of the 3 and added a 0 in the end, people would not find out that its a 350. they'll have to drive it.

ML320 is sluggish to the Lexus RX300, which is sluggish to the BMW X5 3.0 which is sluggish to the ML350 (3.7 version)

When the ML320 first came out, everyone complained that Mercedes came out with a weak truck!

BiTurboV12 AMG

ML 320s arnt slow anyone want to drag race a 320 vs a 350 i bet you wont even pull more than a few feet. just to compare the speed of an ML320 to other cars real life experience before you call us 320s slow. ML320 vs BMW 325 convertible dead even till 60 then bmw slowly pulls away. ML320 vs mustang convertible(older V6) dead even till 80 then ML pulls away. ML320 vs honda civic 2 door ML pulls away like no other. ML vs mazda 6 dead even to 50. and to say that owning a ML350 makes you seem richer than a 320 is a joke you can talk about that when you own a 500, some people just like the smaller engines for better economy vs americans always wanting bigger. i think the only reason why mercedes used the 3.7 liter jeep engine was to save money. funny how the still use the old 3.2 liter in their cars but they dont use the 3.7 liter anymore.

this 320 vs 350 war seems like the same thing that the C230 vs C240 people are talking about how can a 1.8liter supercharged I4 be faster than a 2.x liter V6?

deltadude388

[QUOTE= i think the only reason why mercedes used the 3.7 liter jeep engine was to save money. funny how the still use the old 3.2 liter in their cars but they dont use the 3.7 liter anymore.

QUOTE]
No offence intended, you gotta be pretty darn naive to think the MB 3.7 is the same engine as the Jeep 3.7 V6
MB pros on the board here, feel free to chime in on this.....

BiTurboV12 AMG

isnt it odd that mercedes used the 3.7 liter jeep engine for only a few years in 1 car model? why would mercedes spend the money to develop a 3.7 liter engine to only use for a few years and in 1 model of car? it is much cheaper to barrow a motor design from the chrysler group that is all ready been designed and built. so far on my research all the specs look to be about the same expt for HP rating which can be changed with a simple reprograming of the computer or possible different intakes. go out and about and prove me wrong or if you can come up with a theory/answer why mercedes spent money/time making a 3.7 liter engine for 1 model and only used it for a few years share it with us.

deltadude388

DUDE! you gotta be pretty ****ing dumb to think the Jeep 3.7 is the same as the MB 3.7. Excuse my language. They are not even off the same block! Yr reseach is so flawed. No disrespect to Jeep but DaimlerCyrsyler is not going to put a lesser motor/components into the MB product line, the other way around yes.(Chrysler 300M has many MB components from previous gen E Class. Just so you know the 2006 S Class S350 is also the same motor as the ML350's 3.7 motor.
Here go read up on the Jeep's motor!!
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/37.html

BiTurboV12 AMG

grow up and dont call people ****ing dumb. this topic is over until you can learn to act in a civilized manor. you win the on S class issue,the reason they put it in the old s class was to get rid of the old s class and make room for the new ones.

deltadude388

Go rub off what's stamped on yr forehead! You brought upon yrself!
life is less than civilzed these days, deal with it!

BiTurboV12 AMG

You must be a democrat always right and everyone one else is wrong, and quick to start playing the name game when your wrong.

deltadude388

It's worse than I thought, yr dumbness tatooed on yr forehead, ! I don't even vote for crying out loud and if I did, Arnold is my hero! There are times I am right and other times I am wrong but this time I am right and you are wrong, on all counts! Just admit you are wrong and move on sucka!!

ViKTORiOUS

The only thing I hate about the ML is the freakin rattling in the rear cargo area, every bump rattles the hell out of my truck and its so annoying. Even my girl's Xterra is quiter, not to mention my Toyota Corolla rental car. I will never buy another W163 again. The interior quality of that truck is so low.