I'm new to the forum and have a couple of questions. My mom is about to get rid of her 99 M-class, and I have been shopping for cars for her. She really likes her car now, but I read recently that Benz is going to redesign the M-Class sometime soon. Does anybody know when that is going to happen? I have read the redesign is going to happen for the 2004 or 2005 model year, any truth to this? Thanks in advance.

-Brett

 

Ya, that's what they're saying .

 

Supposedly, it's going to be unibody & bigger. More like the Lexus in size. Personally, I think it's a mistake. This 'bigger is always better' mentality is getting out of hand. Pretty soon, a Surburban is going to be a small vehicle. Remember when they were considered ridiculous behemoths? How big of a vehicle do we need to drive up and down the freeway to work?

 

Actually they say the W164 will be out in two different versions, a SWB one that is a tad smaller than the current (W163) ML and the LWB one that is a bit larger than the current ML.

However you also have to take into account that MB will have a huge market offensive into the entire AWD/4WD market soon consisting of the following: W164 small and larger versions, GST (Grand Sport Tourer) - crossover vehicle that is much longer than ML but slightly lower, the future A-Class (which will come to the US with optional 4Matic as well), the possible MLG or G-class replacement, which will be pretty large, the next-gen Smart (which will reportedly have a slightly de-featured 4Matic system), as well as all the 4Matic versions of the other models that MB is introducing.

So MB will soon have a whole slew of 4WD vehicle sizes to choose from.

 

So, if you were going to buy a new luxury SUV in the next 3-6 months, what would you do? If the new ML is going to be completely revamped in a year, then maybe we should buy something different. I wouldn't want to buy a car and then a year later have it look old and outdated. I know this is a Benz forum, so naturally most people will be predisposed to MB, but does anyone have any suggstions for a new luxury SUV? Any thoughts?

 

I guess the answer to your question depends on your needs. If the ML's space and bad weather/off road capability is not necessary, and performance/handling is more important to you than interior room, you could go for the BMW X5 (which BTW is being moderately facelifted around October/November of this year). Another choice with less interior room is the Lexus RX300 (and the new RX330), although it also lacks in the performance and off road/bad weather area as compared to the ML. If you go one step up on the Lexus ladder, the GX470 model could be a choice if you are willing to spend about $45-50k and want an SUV that is more truckish than the ML is and provides about as much interior room. One step up and you reach the LX470/Land Cruiser, which are even bigger than the GX and will provide off road capabilities around the ML's level, although it may also be compared to the Mercedes G-Class due to its ~$70k price range and is much much bulkier than the ML. Also you could look at the Acura MDX, which has about as much room as the ML and although its 4wd doesn't match the ML's system, it is another SUV you could choose. It'll cost a bit, but not too much, more than the ML. Disadvantages would include that, as mentioned, the 4wd/safety features don't match the ML and the Acura brand does not match Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW in brand status. Plus you might end up waiting a bit for the car if you decide to get a certain color. (a friend's MDX took almost a year to arrive due to their choich of black on black as the color)

Naturally, each of the SUVs listed has advantages and disadvantages versus the ML, and, atleast in IMO, the ML stilll represents an impressive balance between space, four-wheel-drive capability, performance, and safety. In terms of safety, the ML is one of the safest, if not the safest, of the SUVs listed above, with ten airbags, ESP, 4-ETS+, BAS, downhill descent control, and more.

If I were you, I would wait until later in the year, just around the time when the '04s start trickling in, then take advantage and work out a nice deal with the dealership (or as some would call it, the stealership). There are some nice strategies to use in car-buying, and buying in the summer, around the time when SUVs are least in demand and when the next model year starts coming in, is one of them. Also you can have the online new car services price quote a vehicle with the options you want, and then you can send out an email to all the local dealerships (so that they directly know that they are in competition with the other dealerships) asking for a quote. They will probably give the best price they can at that point, and after that, you can pick the dealer with the lowest price, and if the online price is less, you can try to have them match the price.

Anyway, in terms of which model you choose, the best advice anyone can give is to go and check out each one and see which one you personally prefer and which one best suits your needs.

 

I just noticed from your first post that your mom currently has a '99 ML. IIRC, they are giving a discount (something like $1000 or $2500) to owners of '98 and '99 MLs towards a new ML. I'm not sure if the discount still exists, but you should find out more about it from the dealer or MB directly.

 

We used to own a 1998 ML320 and we have a coupon (sent via mail from MBUSA) for $1000 off a 2003 OR 2004 ML. I am under the impression that the next generation ML will be introduced for the 2004 model year.

I read that when the A-Class arrives in North America, it will be equipped with 4Matic and marketed as a smaller CST (as in SLK to SL).

 

Some time ago they did used to say that the W164 will come for the MY2004, but if you think about it, that would mean that it will arrive in a few months from now, which is close to impossible. No new spy shots are out, and MB's introduction of the rest of the 4wd 'fleet' is not ready for the '04 model year.

The general consensus now is that the W164 and the rest of the MB 4wd line will come out late next year (2004) as 2005 model year vehicles.

The A-Class will come to the US, along with the next Smart, confirmed by MB reps. Both will get 4Matic, but the Smart will get a slightly less complicated version. A smaller and lower version of the A-Class is also being planned to compete with the Audi version of the VW Golf and the BMW 1-Series, while the normal A-Class will compete with entries such as the possible taller version of the 1-Series and Audi's A2.

 

Also a production version of the NECAR fuel cell project is in the works with the next A-Class. BTW these other cars might also get MB diesels, although not the latest common rail ones as the US government reportedly has some quirky restrictions that won't allow them to come in as of now.

 

Here's a picture of the new M-Class from Autobild.de.

"Mit zwei verschiedenen Radständen kommt 2005 die neue Mercedes-Benz M-Klasse auf den Markt. Außerdem wird mit Luftfederung und SBC-Bremse auch technisch aufgerüstet."

Basically, there will be two wheelbases, along with SBC brakes and an air suspension (thanks altavista).

It looks like the lights will be a similar shape to the current M-Class.

 

Here's a (not too detailed) picture of the new GST from Autobild.de. Note the round headlights (maybe there are two more hiding under the camouflage to get an E-Class effect).

 

The lights on the GST will probably look like those from the Vision GST (the concept vehicle for the GST), as shown below.

 

I like the rubber cover. That will solve my problem with rock chips. I'm also glad it's black. I hope it's standard equipment.

 

LOL!

 

Basically it confirms everything said above.

Models launched in UK june 2005
M Class (standard) 5 seats (off roader SUV)
M Class (LWB) 7 seats (off roader SUV)
R Class (standard) 5 seats (MPV)
R Class (LWB) 7 seats (MPV)

3.0 V6 diesel, 3.7 litre Petrol V6, 5.0 Petrol V8, AMG 469bhp 5.4 V8.

Monocoque chassis

M Class will have airmatic suspension giving 300mm ride hiegt adjustability, 3 diff locks, Electronic Traction control systems.

R Class will have a simpler system with an on road bias and will be a luxury MPV .

 

A little off topic, but from AutoWeek there's a sketch of a concept Lexus crossover to be revealed at the New York Auto Show. Look at the GST picture above...does Lexus have no shame?

 

even the rims are the same except they have more spokes