Road Trip w/ ML430
#1
Road Trip w/ ML430
Well I am a new member, I am 19 years old, and mech engineer major at the university of rochester. My family has an E320 and an ML430. I drive an 02 vw GTI 1.8t w/ goodies, and my project truck is a 76 Blazer.
Anyway, the past spring break me and friend decided to drive to Colorado, and meet my friend at his cabin. My dad offered his ML for the drive, so after purchasing a roof rack, floor mats, and the maps for the navi, we were off. Overall I loved the car, on the highway it had decent power, it could hit 130 mph(ssshh), and could comfortably cruise at 100-110. What really impressed me was the offroad ability of the ML. I figured it was about as useless as most SUV's these days. however the esp worked well in the snow and on climbs, my only complaint was traction in the mud. Even after I turned esp off, it would still kick in and take away the wheel spin i needed to clean the tires some. Nonetheless here are some pictures of the trip from Dallas to South Fork Colorado.
-Phill Schuepbach
Anyway, the past spring break me and friend decided to drive to Colorado, and meet my friend at his cabin. My dad offered his ML for the drive, so after purchasing a roof rack, floor mats, and the maps for the navi, we were off. Overall I loved the car, on the highway it had decent power, it could hit 130 mph(ssshh), and could comfortably cruise at 100-110. What really impressed me was the offroad ability of the ML. I figured it was about as useless as most SUV's these days. however the esp worked well in the snow and on climbs, my only complaint was traction in the mud. Even after I turned esp off, it would still kick in and take away the wheel spin i needed to clean the tires some. Nonetheless here are some pictures of the trip from Dallas to South Fork Colorado.
-Phill Schuepbach
#4
Originally posted by azinn
Great photos Phill.............. good thing you've got a V1.
Great photos Phill.............. good thing you've got a V1.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Hope your dad doesn't see the speedo picture....
Haven't had our ML430 above above about 85MPH, as for my 911TT that's another matter altogether...
Great pitcures - good to see an ML being used as it was designed to be !
Great pitcures - good to see an ML being used as it was designed to be !
#6
very nice
I thought that the earlier ML's were limited to 120...and would cut the engine out once you reach that? There's a little light in the cluster "LIM" i'm assuming which is limit...but sweet. Fastest I've gone is 100 in the ML.
Very nice! I haven't had a chance to take this thing off road...closest thing to offroad conditions? NEW ENGLAND WINTERS. that's all i gotta say :p
Oh yeah, welcome aboard!
I thought that the earlier ML's were limited to 120...and would cut the engine out once you reach that? There's a little light in the cluster "LIM" i'm assuming which is limit...but sweet. Fastest I've gone is 100 in the ML.
Very nice! I haven't had a chance to take this thing off road...closest thing to offroad conditions? NEW ENGLAND WINTERS. that's all i gotta say :p
Oh yeah, welcome aboard!
#7
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 32
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
I have hit 110 mph in my 00 320
Was a breeze...the car handled so well...unbelivable...my second car is a Nissan Maxima...but its when you hit the 100+ mph...the difference in handling between a Nissan and a Mercedes is quite noticable...the Nissan dirve feel lacks the firmness & confidence of being able to cruise at that speed compared to the Merc.
Last edited by mihir_d; 03-17-2004 at 12:58 AM.