Not impressed
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
Not impressed
A MB delaer gave my friend a 2004 ML350 for trial for the weekend.
I was really surprised of how bad the interior is. It's full of cheap plastic and small buttons at the dash and the rear seats do not look integrated at all. It does not have the FFS (computer which displays the mileage, temp, etc) and it uses the old key (not the infared one). I guess my main problem with the ML350 is the interior does not look like a car of 60K+ CAN.
One more thing is it's underpowered probably because of it's a 5000 LB car. So, I assume the ML500 is better.
I was really surprised of how bad the interior is. It's full of cheap plastic and small buttons at the dash and the rear seats do not look integrated at all. It does not have the FFS (computer which displays the mileage, temp, etc) and it uses the old key (not the infared one). I guess my main problem with the ML350 is the interior does not look like a car of 60K+ CAN.
One more thing is it's underpowered probably because of it's a 5000 LB car. So, I assume the ML500 is better.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Loaners are usually base models...
The trip/mileage computer that you are talking about is an option on the ML...doesn't come standard on the vehicle...loanders are usually like that...without any of fancy options on them..
I had a 03 ML as a loaner a couple of weeks back when my 00 ML was in the shop.
I too felt the newer ML's interior was made of cheaper material compared to my 00's...but I guess that's how it is...as we advance in the model years, manufacturers give more features for almost the same price...and in lieu of that...they have to cut costs elsewhere...
As for it being under powered, I would differ on that...my 00 ML is a 320 and I have never felt it being under powered..
I had a 03 ML as a loaner a couple of weeks back when my 00 ML was in the shop.
I too felt the newer ML's interior was made of cheaper material compared to my 00's...but I guess that's how it is...as we advance in the model years, manufacturers give more features for almost the same price...and in lieu of that...they have to cut costs elsewhere...
As for it being under powered, I would differ on that...my 00 ML is a 320 and I have never felt it being under powered..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
I dunno...I kinda disagree on the interior part. I was in a 03 ML and the interior felt better built than the earlier ML's...like our 430 interior is definately more plasticky than the 03 ML. but that's me...
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Having owned my ML430 since 11/99 and driven many dealer loaners while having over $16,000.00 worth of warranty work done, the six bangers (ML320 & ML350) seem underpowered and sound like their under a lot of strain while driving to me. Guess I'm spoiled. Just my 2 cents worth. 
Last edited by azinn; Mar 15, 2004 at 12:20 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
The new ML's are plasticy inside???? Have you tried the 1999 ML? Mine is full of plastic, how much more plasticy can they get? I figured the newer one would be alot better interior wise.
Oh yeah...go with the V8.....of course the V6 is underpowered!
Oh yeah...go with the V8.....of course the V6 is underpowered!
