S4toML

waiting delivery of my 03 ML 350 Inspiration Edition. Anyone else from the eastcoast waiting for theirs?

yobusdis

They have an ML350 now... did they retire the ML320?

SlowestS4

wow, you must have a kid coming soon to go from an s4 to ml350

Kar don

yup, ML320 is replaced with ML350. Early 2003 models were still ML320 but now they are going to replace it with the 350. The ML350 has a 3.7 liter V6, with 232 horsepower.

ScottG

Took delivery of a new (7 miles) 2003 ML350 Inspiration Edition on December 2, 2002 (they went on sale December 1, a Sunday). First one sold in Kansas City. Black exterior, Inspiration Package, Sunroof Package, Bose AudioPilot Sound System w/CD Changer, Integrated Motorola V60 Digital Phone, Extended Warranty (I drive 20,000 miles per year). On November 29, 2002, I test drove a new 2003 ML320 that the dealer had priced $5,000 below sticker, but it had no "get up and go," and seemed to wallow in the turns. If I had not told the salesman that I was not interested in any vehicle that performed like that one, he probably would not have told me that the new ML350 was coming out in two days. They had six Inspiration Editions on their back lot, still shrink-wrapped, and the salesman said they could not be sold until December 1, 2002. I told him to have one ready to drive on Monday morning, December 2. I got to the dealership at 7:30 a.m., drove the black ML350 Inspiration Edition, immediately noticed a huge difference in the way it performed over the ML320, returned to the dealership and told the salesman to write it up.

I traded my 1997 E320 sedan to get more room for the new twins and the two-year-old, and the stuff that travels with them. The M-Class is a fantastic vehicle! I understand from other postings and reviews on many Web sites that earlier M-Class vehicles had lots of problems, but they seem to be worked out now. The Inspiration Edition is a great value. You get ML500 wheels and tires (wider and lower profile than standard ML350), and the AMG interior (higher grade leather, sport seats, black burl walnut wood trim, but not the white-faced gauges), plus Luxury Package M1. Incidentally, the 2003 M-Class brochure states that Inspiration Editions are to have a unique dark poplar wood trim, but mine has the black burl walnut trim designated in the brochure for the AMG only. The quality of the interior is first-class. No squeaks or rattles. Bose sound system is wonderful. Acceleration and braking are same as, or better than, the 1997 E-Class.

Let me recommend the integrated Motorola V60 digital phone on the M-Class. I had the integrated phone on my E-Class, but the current model is much-improved. You can remove the handset and clip it to your belt as a portable phone, and when you attach it to the console mount, it downloads phone numbers entered in the handset to the dash unit. Also, dialing on the dash unit is simple, instead of having to reach into the cradle in the center console as in 1997. Volume adjustment is through the music system control, also a big improvement over 1997.

As far as handling, I know that the BMW X5 gets the press as more sports-sedan-like, but know this: I have driven the same 17-mile (each way) route to and from my office since 1988. I know every nuance of the roadway -- the sweeping left-hander I can take at 80 mph, when to downshift when I have to slow down for dips (BMW drivers) in the road, etc. -- and this ML350 can be driven in exactly the same manner as the E320 (after the 1,000-mile break-in period -- READ YOUR OWNERS' MANUAL). Granted, the M-Class is not as smooth-riding as the E-Class (it is stiffer but still well-controlled) but the extra horsepower (window sticker says 232 - owners' manual says 241) and torque (window sticker says 254 - owners' manual says 259) of the 3.7 liter motor make up for the 900-pound gain in vehicle weight.

By the way, does anyone know why they are calling MBs with the 3.7 liter 350s instead of 370s?

Congratulations on your ML350 Inspiration Edition purchase. You will love it. And to anyone who doesn't want to wait, Aristocrat Motor Co. in Kansas City had five of them left in stock after I bought mine.

hez365

I have a 2001 A6 2.7T and a 2002 ML500. I think the ML is built like a Chrysler (great engine though, see the ML Lawsuit thread).

I consider my Audi to be the best car I have ever owned (Better than the '99 E320 which my wife totaled). Audi makes great cars. Best ergonomics and fun to drive.

V12BIGBODY

your getting ripped off SUCKA i got mine already and can't wait till i sell it -------no more new benz's for me i'm going back to the old school 88 560 sel sorry buddy!!! HAVE A GREAT TIME PAYING FOR YOUR PIECE OF CRAP!!!!

SlowestS4

gonna pay, especially when they bend you over when you trade it in...SOOO, whose da SUCKA? FOOL!

jswedberg

I see what got some trash talkers on the boards ...

ScottG, gald to hear you are happy. We are very happy with our ML320, and I plan to trade it next year on an ML500, or perhaps the new MB SUV planned for 2004-2005

We have had essentially zero problems with the vehicle. One recurring squeek near the windshield that comes and goes. Good mileage for such a big vehicle.

We looked at RX300, M5, LandCruiser, etc. Just like the three bears - too small, too big, etc. MB was just right and is my wife's favorite car (she thinks my C32 has "too much power" - can you have too much?)

I didn't realize the Inspiration Edition had the bigger tires! That's neat, and would make me get it. The seats are nice - the rest was not particularly interesting to me.

ScottG

I am happy to report that my 2003 ML350 Inspiration Edition has weathered its first major snow storm with flying colors. Traction was adequate with the 275/55VR17 Dunlop SP Sport 5000 tires. Just keep in mind that you've got 5,000 pounds of vehicle to stop or turn, and drive accordingly. At 2834 miles and 6 weeks old, it is as tight as a drum, with no known problems. Overall gas mileage is about 15 miles per gallon, and the FSS says I will need service at 7800 miles, which I suspect means that I am operating the engine at moderate levels. I carefully followed the engine restrictions during the 1000 mile break-in period (see owners manual), and I hope this will pay dividends in longer and more trouble-free engine life. I continue to be happy with this vehicle as a replacement for my 1997 E320 sedan, which couldn't carry our family of five with all the trimmings needed to transport two infants and a two-year-old. With the AMG/Inspiration Edition interior, I gained in interior quality, enjoy much more cargo space and greater safety with 4WD, stability control and brake assist, all of which were not on my E-Class. By the way, I understand that only 900 Inspiration Edition models (ML55 AMG's sport seats, leather and front grill, and ML500 wheels and tires) are being made this year (to put that into perspective, they are making 1,000 Maybachs), so hurry to your M-B dealer to test drive one.

I wish every M-Class owner could experience to joys of ownership that I have experienced. Apparently, Mercedes-Benz makes at least one really good M-Class every once-in-a-while.

V12BIGBODY

you suck buddy ur a geek this is most lickly ur best car u ever had. so u don't have much else to compare it with. keep up the great service with changing the oil every 10k. it'll last for ever (yea right) the interior sucks too. it's all gone to plastic. thankfully for me since i bought at least 8 new cars from my dealer there getting me into a very hot SL 600. as for the ML it's just for people like you, people who don't really know what a mercedes once was. for me i'll stick with both my 600's now and the G class wagon. what else could one man need. !!!!!



G 500
S 600
SL 600
260 E
250C

ScottG

Dear V12BIGBODY:

Step aside, son. Your mom wants to use her computer.

V12BIGBODY

sure buddy u live in kansas and drive just 1 benz and a chevy. please quit while your ahead. enjoy your new chrysler mini van with at least $500.00 monthly payments. (sucka) oh by the way have you ever felt the power of the big 600. i doubt it!!! enjoy your 3.5 liter 6 cylinder :p

ScottG

Dear V12BIGBODY, a/k/a Ebonics Boy,

Until you arrived, I never knew someone who was angry because someone else liked their Mercedes-Benz (No. 4 for me - 1972 350SL, 1987 420SEL, 1997 E320 and 2003 ML350 - all purchased new). You definitely suffer from a classic case of "Cylinder Envy."

PS: The ML350 has a 3.7 liter V6. If you are going to insult someone, get your facts right.

MSH

Ebonics or prime example of outcome based education?

Hey, V12BIGBUTT! Lessee if I can speeeek in a manner yukin uderstan.

Y not take u sour grapes n steek it up u big butt? Wuz u so spoiled wen u wuz liddle, that yo mamma ferget 2 teach u manners?

Its hard speaking in the illiterate dip**** vocabulary you seem so fluent in so here it is in plain English, vulgaritys intact.

Why don't you grow the **** up! You didn't like your ML? So ****ing what! Why don't you go post somewhere where someone really gives a ****??

Moron!

Kar don

V12BigBody, there is no reason to bash other people's cars just because you didn't like yours. Cease the name calling and bashing. This thread is closed.