Driving Style?
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 2
From: atlanta
1999 ML430
baby it........occasionally I'll kick it and let it run up to redline in 2nd or 3rd just to hear that V8 music but I usually drive it like there's an egg under the pedal. Definately gets better gas mileage that way !!
BTW......My ML is one of the few that sees a fair amount of offroad use. If you've never taken your ML offroad, I highly recommend it. This is one area where the ML really shines. The north Georgia mountains and western North Carolina have hundreds of miles of USFS roads that are fantastic to drive on. Although you rarely need the low-end gearing, its great to use cause it slows you down so much..pretty much a creeper gear in 1st...also great for steep descents.
Someone recently commented they enjoyed running to redline thru the gears in low range. Wonder if he's had to replace his tranny yet !! Major bucks !!!
BTW......My ML is one of the few that sees a fair amount of offroad use. If you've never taken your ML offroad, I highly recommend it. This is one area where the ML really shines. The north Georgia mountains and western North Carolina have hundreds of miles of USFS roads that are fantastic to drive on. Although you rarely need the low-end gearing, its great to use cause it slows you down so much..pretty much a creeper gear in 1st...also great for steep descents.
Someone recently commented they enjoyed running to redline thru the gears in low range. Wonder if he's had to replace his tranny yet !! Major bucks !!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
School bus
Originally Posted by springerfever
baby it........occasionally I'll kick it and let it run up to redline in 2nd or 3rd just to hear that V8 music but I usually drive it like there's an egg under the pedal. Definately gets better gas mileage that way !!
BTW......My ML is one of the few that sees a fair amount of offroad use. If you've never taken your ML offroad, I highly recommend it. This is one area where the ML really shines. The north Georgia mountains and western North Carolina have hundreds of miles of USFS roads that are fantastic to drive on. Although you rarely need the low-end gearing, its great to use cause it slows you down so much..pretty much a creeper gear in 1st...also great for steep descents.
Someone recently commented they enjoyed running to redline thru the gears in low range. Wonder if he's had to replace his tranny yet !! Major bucks !!!
BTW......My ML is one of the few that sees a fair amount of offroad use. If you've never taken your ML offroad, I highly recommend it. This is one area where the ML really shines. The north Georgia mountains and western North Carolina have hundreds of miles of USFS roads that are fantastic to drive on. Although you rarely need the low-end gearing, its great to use cause it slows you down so much..pretty much a creeper gear in 1st...also great for steep descents.
Someone recently commented they enjoyed running to redline thru the gears in low range. Wonder if he's had to replace his tranny yet !! Major bucks !!!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
Likes: 44
From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Up in Tahoe, I took it off road for just a little taste (it was 2 weeks new at the time) and it felt very stable. I felt really safe climbing down a relatively steep dirt/rock slope.
My wife drives it most of the other time and she's a nerdy slow driver. I like that. I try not to redline it.
My wife drives it most of the other time and she's a nerdy slow driver. I like that. I try not to redline it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: CT and FL
SL500 E320 ML350
Drive it like you want to keep it. These are nice trucks. I traded a Range Rover for my '03 ML350 and recently upgraded to an '05 ML350 Special Edition. I love the thing. The RR was awsome offroad but could not stay out of the shop and got single digit gas milage 
The special Edition has the running boards which make me cautious to go off road. I did not want to get the new 164 unibody ML (too Lexus-like for me). Baby it and enjoy! 
The special Edition has the running boards which make me cautious to go off road. I did not want to get the new 164 unibody ML (too Lexus-like for me). Baby it and enjoy!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 14
I drive it like a stole it. Its a pleasure to hear that V8 at redline. Mercedes like to be driven hard, seems most of the customers that "baby" thier cars have the most problems. These vehicles are designed to run all day long on the autobahn, so a swift kick in the rear aint gonna hurt it a bit!
