M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

05 Mercedes Benz ML350 Special Edition

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Old Sep 19, 2006 | 12:57 AM
  #1  
beau_pamer's Avatar
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From: Atlanta, GA
2005 Mercedes ML 350
05 Mercedes Benz ML350 Special Edition

This is my benz. What do you think?
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 01:06 PM
  #2  
Saprissa's Avatar
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
nice,
but can't see any pictures.

We're thinking of getting a CPO 2005 ML350 Special Edition
- 24,000 miles
- Desert Silver
- $35k
- original warranty + 12mo / 100k


should I do it ???
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 03:16 PM
  #3  
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...
Originally Posted by Saprissa
nice,
but can't see any pictures.

We're thinking of getting a CPO 2005 ML350 Special Edition
- 24,000 miles
- Desert Silver
- $35k
- original warranty + 12mo / 100k


should I do it ???
That's the same car we have, it's not very bad but make sure you watch out for the following on a test drive:
brake pad level
any rattle/creaks
sticky throttle

The Ml has very little road feedback and generally speaking, throttle response is slow although power is not bad. Braking is a little scary under emergency situations (press as hard as you can and it still feels like you're pressing on the wrong pedal). The suspension is good for most conditions, but the back gets a little bumpy; however, when going fast and swtiching lanes, it gets pretty scary (feels like you're about to spin the car). Realize that the Ml is an essentially body-on-frame TRUCK, not a luxury sedan.

If you're getting it just because you love the car (some do, I don't), it's not a bad buy. But if you're buying simply because it's a "Mercedes", your money could be better spent elsewhere. If I could turn back time, I would've gone for something else.
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 06:50 PM
  #4  
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C55 ///AMG, 535xi
Originally Posted by Saprissa
nice,
but can't see any pictures.

We're thinking of getting a CPO 2005 ML350 Special Edition
- 24,000 miles
- Desert Silver
- $35k
- original warranty + 12mo / 100k


should I do it ???
for what tho? carlos dont do it!!! no offense to my fellow ML-Class owners, but this car was made crappy. well atleast mine was made crappy.
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:22 PM
  #5  
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bone stock E55 AMG
if it's gonna be additional car, then get it carlos...
i bought mine cpo with 29k mi for 29k.
i enjoy it more than w203... i guess mainly cuz it's bigger car...
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:30 PM
  #6  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by advans
for what tho? carlos dont do it!!! no offense to my fellow ML-Class owners, but this car was made crappy. well atleast mine was made crappy.
SUV as a family car, of course. I won't be able to bring in the G-Class from Costa Rica for a while, and if I do, it has to be in parts, not as a whole car.

Are you saying the 2005 ML350 Special Edition was made crappy
or all MLs in general were made crappy.

Because I've heard horror stories of 1998-2002 MLs, but 2003+ MLs improved considerably, and by the end of the W163 run (2005) all the kinks had been worked out. Everyone recommends the 2004 & 2005 model MLs.

I don't like the look of the W164 (2006+) MLs at all.


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:34 PM
  #7  
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bone stock E55 AMG
u r right carlos...
04 and 05 MLs are the most trouble-free years of w163...
i like the features 06+ MLs have but not the looks (except AMG)... they are more Lexus-like and does not have more HD/mean look w163s have...
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:34 PM
  #8  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by mj50
if it's gonna be additional car, then get it carlos...
i bought mine cpo with 29k mi for 29k.
i enjoy it more than w203... i guess mainly cuz it's bigger car...
i just keep adding to my MB collection.... good grief, when will it end !
Just more stuff for Steve to work on I guess... I can already start thinking about Parktronic, COMAND w/ TV Tuner, Folding Mirrors, iPod integration, DVD displays, etc.....

29k/29k sounds like a great deal.

Do MB dealers haggle on CPO price tags ??? I think the $34k price tag is a little high, basing that on the fact that they also have 2006 (W164) CPOs on the lot. I was thinking more along the lines of $30K for this 2005 SE.

Still gonna use the W203 SS and the CL203 SC
and also getting an A210 EVO this summer.


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:35 PM
  #9  
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bone stock E55 AMG
only downside is that it is b*tch to mod these cars...
ask steve and he'll know...
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:37 PM
  #10  
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bone stock E55 AMG
u have to swap out bumpers for PTS...
folding mirrors cost much more than w203 folding mirrors...

wth is A210 EVO?
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:42 PM
  #11  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by mj50
u have to swap out bumpers for PTS...
folding mirrors cost much more than w203 folding mirrors...
yeah, pains in the butt, that I'll have to consider as time goes by.
Gonna play the Lotto this weekend I guess !

Originally Posted by mj50
wth is A210 EVO?
check out this thread with pics:
https://mbworld.org/forums/class-w168-w169/157506-210-evolution-amg.html


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:46 PM
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bone stock E55 AMG
oh dang... A-Class!
is it coming to US?
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:46 PM
  #13  
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bone stock E55 AMG
how much is that costing u?
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:52 PM
  #14  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by mj50
oh dang... A-Class!
is it coming to US?
Nope... MBUSA nixed the A & B class programs, along with the C-Coupe.
I'm getting it through a special order,
with delivery later this summer.

The A210 EVO was only out for a couple of years,
so it's used but with low KM.
Prices range between 8k - 12k EUROS, depending on # of options.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 11:57 PM
  #15  
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bone stock E55 AMG
i know A-class is not available in US...
what'll be landed cost? similar to importing SMART?
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 12:03 AM
  #16  
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by mj50
i know A-class is not available in US...
what'll be landed cost? similar to importing SMART?
Yeah, just about the same.
Should know more in a few weeks.
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 12:59 AM
  #17  
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I saw 2 smart on the street driving together today. Look neat
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 02:31 AM
  #18  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Need to get as many ML's and SMARTS to attend the ROSE BOWL meet on May 12th... start spreading the word !



Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Apr 11, 2007 | 06:30 PM
  #19  
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bone stock E55 AMG
missed the last rose bowl meet...
will be there this time...
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 02:44 AM
  #20  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Thomas,
got a 2005 ML350 Special Edition
in Alabaster White. 14,000 miles for $34k.
Extended MB Warranty through December 2011.

Previous owner was a Real Estate Agent who only used the car to ferry potential buyers around. Extremely well taken care of. Brand new condition. Even the floor mats were still in the bag.
Includes NAV DVD, folding mirrors, LOJACK, and tons of options.
Included front bug deflector, sunroof wind deflector, that cow-killer chrome grill guard up front, running boards, full window tint, roof rack, etc.. etc...

Only wish-list item it didn't have was PARKTRONIC.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 11:04 AM
  #21  
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ML
Originally Posted by kevine310
...
The Ml has very little road feedback and generally speaking, throttle response is slow although power is not bad. Braking is a little scary under emergency situations (press as hard as you can and it still feels like you're pressing on the wrong pedal). The suspension is good for most conditions, but the back gets a little bumpy; however, when going fast and swtiching lanes, it gets pretty scary (feels like you're about to spin the car). Realize that the Ml is an essentially body-on-frame TRUCK, not a luxury sedan.
.....
What in the world are you talking about? Your ML must have some very serious problems or your drving habit needs some adjustments. Lane change at 90mph is as smooth as at 55 on all MLs I have driven. Now if you tailgate and perform lane changes like an emergency maneouver, then you will have problems with any road going vehicle. I agree that throttle response is slow, but that's only for the 320/350. Braking under any condition is NOT SCARY!!!!! The ML has one of the best braking of most of the vehicles out there. I have had to perform some very hard emergency braking on these trucks and the stopping power is awesome. My guess is that you don't quite understand how BAS and ABS work to bring you to a stop very very quickly and safely. I think you're just wrong, period!!!!
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 12:31 PM
  #22  
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bone stock E55 AMG
congrats carlos...
at least u got folding mirrors...
post pics...
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Old Jun 17, 2007 | 01:04 PM
  #23  
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From: San Carlos (SF Peninsula) CA
'03 ML500, '07 E350 Sport (wife's)
Congrats. Sounds like you got a great deal. Paid 28K in december of 06 for an 03 ML500 loaded (but also no parktronic). Had 37K mi. Enjoy. As for the post about handling and braking, my experience is that it's not like our new E350, but it is worlds better than the Volvo XC90 we traded in. That was touted as having car-like handling and a luxury car ride. The ML tops that by a large margin. Have fun!
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 10:44 AM
  #24  
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ML320
Congrats on the purchase -- white version is very sharp! I agree with Darkmann: these vehicles are tremendous in emergency situations, and handle extremely well given their size and weight. Road feedback is also far superior to most competing vehicles.
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Old Jul 19, 2007 | 01:16 AM
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2005 ML350, 2006 SLK 350
Originally Posted by Saprissa
nice,
but can't see any pictures.

We're thinking of getting a CPO 2005 ML350 Special Edition
- 24,000 miles
- Desert Silver
- $35k
- original warranty + 12mo / 100k


should I do it ???
I have a 2005 ML350 Special Edition Pewter Grey, I bought new. I have driven 63,000+ miles in the hills/mountains in Northern California. No signifcant problems, only routine maintenance. I change my own oil and filters and have the dealer perform inspections and other maintenance which saves me about $180.00 per service. I have replaced the front brake pads twice and the front brake rotors and rear brake pads and rotors at 60K miles. (The rear rotors were OK I just wanted to have all new brake components since the brake pedal travel seemed to be getting excessive to me. Cost was $408.00). Braking and handeling has never been an issue, even in "panic" situations, like deer, wild turkey and other crazy drivers on mountain roads. When I drive on freeways 85-90 mph feels as smooth as 55. This vehicle handles very well in snow with Toyo Proxis ST tires (I like them a lot) however in heavy snow I have had to stop frequently to clean off the snow that builds up under the wiper arms. NAV and Sattelite radio work fine, power seats, seat heaters, 3rd row seats, power windows, fit & finish all good. No rattles. I can't complain about this vehicle. Good luck with yours!
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