breastroker

I am looking at buying a ML. Pretty obvious from the forum the 2002 and later are better, plus I can easily get one with around 50,000 miles.

I really don't care about gas mileage, my 99 S600 get 10 around town but 20 on the highway.

What I am looking for are the luxuries like better seats that MB usually puts in their more expensive cars.

So can anyone list the extras I might get by getting a ML 500 compared to the ML320?

Question, do the third row seats come out easily?

Thanks

Darkmann

You got my opinion on this on another forum. I still think that your best bet is the 350 Inspiration or final edition. You get both worlds between the 500's looks/ergonomics and almost the 320's MPG/retail value!!! The drawback is that you just don't get the WOT grin the 500 offers,...., but who cares with 300HP CRX's and FX whatevers on the road now????

breastroker

I am looking at the 2002-2003 MLs as there are priced better than the 04/05s

I did notice many with the Inspiration edition. What makes an Inspiration?

Found quite a few with 50,000 miles to 70,000. There is a major service at 60,000 ??

kfriceman

I can't speak for any of the "special edition models" but the interiors seats, "leather", plastics, etc. on these trucks are cheap, cheap, cheap........at least on the 01 variants. My old 01 Jetta interior was light years ahead of the ML's in quality. Now with that said, I like everyhting else with the truck and my recommendation is get the V8, the MPG difference is nominal and 430 and 500's come with more standard equipment and price difference between an equally equipped 350 is not worth calculating.

fkong777

why dont you just look for a ML55. It will be easier to sell. and all the luxury items.

Stiggs

Go with the V8. Just feels better.

ApproachingZero

+1.

We test drove a 320 and i thought it needed more guts. Now when i need to slam it, i have V8 power on tap. I guess it is a better sense of security.

Darkmann

The Inspiration models were a specially equipped set - the 350s had basically all the regular 500 creature comforts except for the V8 + specially designed/stiched leather seats. Follow this post for more on the Inspiration models: https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w163/227992-inspiration-edition.html. Other than the V8, I don't recall what the 500 Inspirations had that the Insp. 350 didn't, and frankly, I still don't really understood the point of the 500 Inspiration. The final editions were basically Inspirations with ML55 hood.

No, there's really no 60K service. The 02+ MLs function via a service monitoring system. The system prescribes required service based on a set of factors including time between oil changes, driving habits and oil quality. Typicall service occures about every 12-15K. So, when you get one, the time to service will depend on how the previous owner drove and serviced the truck. However, make sure to ask for vehicle service history before puttin money down because besides regular service, there have been some TSB items for the various years of MLs produced. I still say if power is your thing, get a 55 if you can find one. But you'll pay dearly for gas. The 500 is optimum. However, the Inspiration/SE 350 is the best of both worlds.