nabzy

Dealer just got word from the mercedes big wigs that the 320 will be replaced by the ML 350 in about 3 months time...car will have about 35 more hp

amb9800

That's odd - you say it will happen by the year's end. Does that mean that it will switch mid-model year. So you could have an '03 320 or an '03 350?

nabzy

i have the ML 350 option sheet and color matrix, hope to post soon

Robert ...RAB

The new ML350 will have 229 HP and 258 lb ft of torque as compared to the ML320 at 215 and 240, respectively.

Look for a '03 M-Class "Inspiration" Edition for the ML350 and ML500 starting November production.

Obsidian Black will be back later in the year, too, replacing the low demand Orion Blue. ...RAB

shkeller55

Robert - don't you mean 215 HP for the ML320? I think you just transposed the digits (I catch myself doing that all the time). I'm sure my '98 is rated at 215 HP but I'm not sure about later years.

Robert ...RAB

Thanks, I made the correction. I've a good excuse:

I spent a few hours Sunday at the NeoWerkes.com European Tuner Challenge and practically fryed my brain. My M-B showed 112 in the parking lot so I decided to go home and have ice cream with my wife. She was surprised I came home early until I told her I think I was the oldest guy there. ...RAB

nabzy

in what goes into this "inspiration model"

ml320

Robert,

can you please check your numbers? The ML 350 should have 240 hp and 258 lb-ft compared to the ML 320 with 215 hp and 229 lb-ft.

Wolfgang
1999 ML 320

Robert ...RAB

I checked the official notification from MBUSA and my figures are correct as they have publiched them. These figures are SAE. ...RAB

ml320

Robert,

thank you! Compared to the predecessor the ML 350 then gains only 14 hp but 29 lb-ft whereas the S 350 gains 20 hp and 26 lb-ft. It appears the ML as off-roader focusses more on torque than power. Good news.

Wolfgang

ml320

Robert,

it now turns out those numbers from MBUSA were in error as we suspected. Here are the correct numbers:

<a href="http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/071002_ML350_and_SE_Release.pdf"> ML 350 and ML 55 AMG released (pdf)</a>

The ML 350 thus has 240 SAE hp and 258 lb-ft, gaining 25 SAE hp and 29 lb-ft! Onwards and upwards!

Wolfgang

Robert ...RAB

Dyslexia is a common symptom of being over-worked and in too much of a hurry to proof read. I read the numbers from the same *.pdf document twice and still got them wrong. I need a vacation.

Ich danke Ihnen, ...RAB

ml320

You are welcome. And thanks for the FJ loyalty coupon I received today. Pondering the options now.

Wolfgang

otoupalik

Here is the official word from MB:

MB .pdf on ML

Thanks

Brad

MKW

And the ML 350 V6 is 3.7L . So why not call it ML370 ? ( Or S 370, E 370 , etc. for that matter ). Marketing departments ...

Robert ...RAB

FYI,

I would say, "You're Welcome" except I don't reside at FJ anymore. I'm now the Fleet Manager at Long Beach M-B. ...RAB