hlkc

I was in the SF ML rally yesterday and it sure changed the way I feel about the new ML. Make a long stoy short, I like it a lot and it handles lot better than my old ML. Engine lot more smoother, better power, suspension tighter and the interior gears are nicer too. We were somewhat allow to drive the car pretty hard. Me and my friend felt like we were racing in the autocross and I sure step on it throughout the whole course.

But on the other hand, I am not too pleased with the event itself. not a whole lot thing displayed, not a lot of automobile vendors there, they have 2 women make up cosmectic dealers and just few MBs displayed not even full line. The one Lexus host last year, they offer comparsion test drive between vehicles and lunch provided. Btw, not even a bottle hang out to guests yesterday

Thanks,
hlkc

MKW

The trunk seems more shallow , now that the tire is inside in the floor. I think the lack of an E class wagon was on purpose , to avoid comparisons ( seems like the wagon would hold more in the trunk under the cover ) that would lead some to buy neither due to analysis paralysis !

I was at the event , too. What's with all the woman's lifestyle vendors only?
Plus, they only gave out coffee, bottled water , biscotti or cheese curls and these weird choco-cheesecake lolipops that melted in my kid's pockets . In all of these types of events I've done over the years, there's been a very nice buffet of food ! Muy cheapo , esp for an MBZ event .

All those silver MBZ models all look so similar . Boy the CLS is tight in the back - I have to bend my head to avoid hitting the ceiling . Backseat for small adults or kids only .

Wolfgang

from Monster Park

Kar don

hmmmm no "C" prefix before the paint code, 12/04 manufacture date

Wolfgang

Like the R171. They only added it on those model series during the transition to differentiate them to make repairs easier.

Vance should be all nano paint now as far as I know.

abk

I too was at the SF event on Sat. morning...I only went there to decide between the 500 and 350ML. I placed my order to buy a fully loaded 350 about 2 weeks ago, but wanted to drive the 500 since I own a 03 E500 and I love the engine...but the dealer in San Rafael does not have a 500ML to test drive...so I went there for one purpose and I did about 10 test drives and my wife and I both agreed that the 500 engine is worth it...also, we both loved the sport seats with the alcantara..they feel more comfortable and really hold the body with the larger bolsters...the event itself, well, yes, there should have been more food, but I really got into the Dr. Perricone cosmetuticals...as a guy, I have never been exposed to this stuff and it was fun...buy yea, the event overall was fairly light...I went to the new E launch in 02 and it was more everything...but for us, this was fine..we got to compare the two models and I changed my order the same day, a fully loaded 500ML, alpine rain, with the appearance package and the 19" 6 twin spoke wheels which I saw in person at the event and really dug.

Kar don

thanks wolfgang! did not know it was for the transition models only.

Wolfgang

Al, seems like the W164 is a transition model since I found some with the C prefix.

Kar don

hmmm, interesting. That is a March 05 model... Tuscaloosa and Vance must have not been nano back in december 04.

AutoSaurus

Just so there is no confusion. Tuscaloosa and Vance, as far as plants go, are one in the same.

Vance, AL is where the plant is located which is in Tuscaloosa County. However, there is also a City of Tuscaloosa which is just a few miles down the road.

Kar don

I was under the impression that there were now 2 plants? Anyway I saw a Feb 2005 build ML350 and it had no "C" prefix! I also saw a CLS at the dealer which shouldn't be a "transition" model and it had the "C" prefix before the paint code. This is very interesting...

Wolfgang

Interesting. There are now two separate paint shops in the plant in Vance in Tuscaloosa county. One for the W164 line and one for the new W251 line. The very first W164s in December were painted on the new W251 line. The ones now come from the W164 line. Not sure when each started on nano paint. The "C" denotes CeramiClear nano paint. Some MBs have a "K" in front, which also denotes a scratch resistant paint, but from a different paint supplier.

scorchie

I drove that 12/04 build one you have a picture of, Wolfgang.

It may be that the early production models (which are never intended for public consumption) do not have the "C" paint. Hence, the descriptor on the later ones.

No explanation as to why the CLS has it.

Anyhow, too bad the new M-class is smaller in back. I really wanted to carry more cargo than my G-class could hold (like my old M-class could) but it seems that won't be the case. Can't even lie down in back fully extended not at an angle.

I was really bummed that I didn't even get a cap like at nearly every other previous event.

-s-

Wolfgang

@scorchie, did you notice all those dozen+ W164s at the event where black or silver and no other color? Must have been the test paint.

I figure the CLS paint line in Sindelfingen is still in transition unlike the R171 in Bremen which may explain why the CLS has the "C"?

Ditto on the cargo. This box is about 50% larger in volume than one which would fit into the W164.

Nevada Jack

Can you describe the Alpine Rain color in detail? I will be ordering a R Class when available and I am interested in Alpine Rain. How would an Ash interior look with it. I have seen one picture with it on the ML and it looks on the blue/silver side...how blue?

Thanks for any info...

Jack

scorchie

Wolfgang, good points about the paint. But we'll probably never REALLY know... oh well.

At first I thought black and silver were to differentiate between ML500 and ML350 (to make it easier for the people running the test tracks), but it turned out not to be the case as I saw models of each color.

On the cargo, here's the only way I had to get my G-class tires home:



-s-

Kar don

thats funny, my dealer only had black and silver W164s. The new 500 with the appearance package is by far the best looking suv on the road.

LiquidSmile

I just went to the M-Class Road rally Yesterday. Here are my pics. Pretty impressed with the interior. The Suede in the Ml500 was so much better than the leather in the Ml350. The seat warmers also work almost instant. The 500 does not pick up quite as fast as my Ml 55, but it is no slouch. I have a feeling we will be trading in the ML55 for a new AMG Model.

Click on a pic to Make it full Resolution

LiquidSmile

LiquidSmile

rubensans

do you have more exterior photos of the black one?

you say: "Suede in the Ml500 was so much better than the leather in the Ml350"

The suede is the alcantara that comes with the aperance package or its the full leather that comes with the premium package?

Best Regards

LiquidSmile

Sorry, I don't have any more pics of the black one.. I posted all the pics I took. I should have taken more pics of the white and black one.. They also had a champagne color one. I wish I took more pics, but I felt like a tourist taking all those photos, and my GF was thinking I was crazy snapping all the pics I took..


rubensans,
you are correct, the suede is the alacantra inserts that comes with the appearance package... Sooooo nice...

rubensans

I have take the full leather package with air/dynamic seats.

I may reconsider take mbtex/alcantara with sporty seats, no?

Best Regards,

Ruben.

Ormond2004

Did they give out any vouchers toward the purchase of the ML?

I am attending tomorrrow in Orlando, Florida...

abk

Ruebenan and Liquid Smile...after going to the rally in SF, CA, my wife and I both agreed that the alcantra with m-b tex seats are the best BECAUSE it is a SPORT SEAT. The sport seat for us was much more comfortable, it holds your body better and the bolsters on the side are bigger. It took a while to get used to it, especially because it is only with the Appearance Package, so you end up the graphite black trim, instead of the wood...my wife thought it was little to cheap looking and she never really wanted a black interior (and the mb-tex is not leather!), but overall, its the comfort that counts and this seat is dynamite! So we ended up changing our order to the the appearance package with the alcantra interior (it only comes in black), the ML500 with the 19 inch twin six spoke wheels, and every possible option. Its an awesome vehicle and it has even more of the same stuff as my 03 E500...so, Ormund, go the Rally and drive the 500 and compare it to the 350, its only a question of money!