Will there be an ML550?
#5
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I can't wait for this quesiton to be answered with cars in the showrooms showing them as 2007s. I can't see MB using the old 5L V8 another year. I think they'll go with an ML450 until the 2008 model year in which I think the new 5.5L V8 will get direct-injection with around 400hp. Otherwise there is no logical reason for MB to use the outdated 5L V8 in the ML and R for another year when every other MB "500" model will become a "550" for 2007. Doesn't make sense. E550, SL550, S550, CL550, and upcoming CLS550 and CLK550. Doesn't jive for the ML to keep the old V8.
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#6
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SL500 /Porsche 997S/Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Originally Posted by Germancar1
I can't wait for this quesiton to be answered with cars in the showrooms showing them as 2007s. I can't see MB using the old 5L V8 another year. I think they'll go with an ML450 until the 2008 model year in which I think the new 5.5L V8 will get direct-injection with around 400hp. Otherwise there is no logical reason for MB to use the outdated 5L V8 in the ML and R for another year when every other MB "500" model will become a "550" for 2007. Doesn't make sense. E550, SL550, S550, CL550, and upcoming CLS550 and CLK550. Doesn't jive for the ML to keep the old V8.
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Phil
#7
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I hear what you're saying Phil, but it just doesn't make sense to me. I suspect that a revised order guide will be published soon. I've never known Mercedes to use an old engine for over a year after its replacement has come out. The new V8 in the S550 has been in production since August of 2005 and they're going to wait until sometime in 2007 to use in the ML, nah it can't be. However we'll see. If a 2007 ML shows up at a dealer as a ML500 and not a ML450 or ML550 I'll be stunned beyond all belief.
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#8
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
which has more power and better economy than the current 5.0. It is currently available in the GL.
#9
Originally Posted by VAHML350
This also makes sense from a marketing stand point. Why put the 550 in the smaller ML, before it goes into the larger GL? I think it would be kind of silly to have the bigger engine in the smaller SUV before it debuts in the larger one. just my $.02
#10
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The problem with that theory is that the new 5.5L V8 is already present in the new GL500 in Europe. Why MBUSA isn't building a GL550 for our market is another good question.
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#12
I forgot about this thread. Thanks for the responses guys. I do think, the GL's engine will go to the ML before the S's engine is introduced. The GL would get the larger V8 before the ML does. It does suck if they will update the V8's for all cars but the ML.
#14
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SL500 /Porsche 997S/Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Originally Posted by camillian
When are the 2007 ML's due out?
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.
Phil
#15
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I still don't believe the ML500 will keep the old engine when the rest of the MB lineup gets new V8 engines. That order guide will likely be updated soon I think. Really waiting to see how this one will play out.
Hopefully there will be more news next week at the New York auto show.
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Hopefully there will be more news next week at the New York auto show.
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#16
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by PhilS
The order guide lists when the various ML models will be released in the USA. They are:
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.
Phil
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.
Phil
Any more info on this or is this still the best info around?
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#17
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by PhilS
The order guide lists when the various ML models will be released in the USA. They are:
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.
Phil
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.
Phil
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#18
450 vs 500
Considering the EPA mileage ratings and the claimed acceleration times, and taking into account the weight differences between an ML500 and a GL450, I fail to see where the 450 engine has ANY advantage over the old 500. ML450? Who needs it! Now, an ML550 is another matter entirely.
#19
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by rcf8000
Considering the EPA mileage ratings and the claimed acceleration times, and taking into account the weight differences between an ML500 and a GL450, I fail to see where the 450 engine has ANY advantage over the old 500. ML450? Who needs it! Now, an ML550 is another matter entirely.
Mercedes is planning something different for the new V8s when it comes to the R and M, I can feel it. I still say they're going to add direct-injection for 2008 with more hp and less fuel consumption and the revised V8's coming out party will be in the R/M where better fuel econ will make a little more sense - in SUVs. Just my theory. Why else would they create a "550" for everything else from the CLK to the SL and leave out the M/R?
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#20
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Gentlemen, reminder of the V6 320/350 situation
Germancar1, remember that halfway through the MY03, the ML320 became the ML350, but yet the E320 did not become the E350 until 2005. So your year-long theory, while i agree, doesn't hold up. I also don't understand, except for excess stock, why they wouldn't upgrade everything ASAP. But i also don't understand, given that the R, ML, and GL are all off Alabama assembly lines within acres of each other, why we'll be able to get the diesel in only TWO of them, and not the ONE i want!
#21
Originally Posted by carpersn
Germancar1, remember that halfway through the MY03, the ML320 became the ML350, but yet the E320 did not become the E350 until 2005. So your year-long theory, while i agree, doesn't hold up. I also don't understand, except for excess stock, why they wouldn't upgrade everything ASAP. But i also don't understand, given that the R, ML, and GL are all off Alabama assembly lines within acres of each other, why we'll be able to get the diesel in only TWO of them, and not the ONE i want!
This is quoted from an MBUSA press release last month:
"Diesels inherently produce high engine torque, delivering four-cylinder
fuel economy with V8 pulling power. Starting this fall, Mercedes-Benz will
offer a new V6 CDI engine in its popular M-Class sport utility vehicle and
in the six-passenger R-Class sport tourer with the launch of the ML320 and
R320 CDI diesels. A diesel version of the all-new seven-passenger GL-Class
will launch in early 2007."
It looks like there will be a ML320 CDI, R320CDI and GL320 CDI.
#22
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Originally Posted by carpersn
Germancar1, remember that halfway through the MY03, the ML320 became the ML350, but yet the E320 did not become the E350 until 2005. So your year-long theory, while i agree, doesn't hold up. I also don't understand, except for excess stock, why they wouldn't upgrade everything ASAP. But i also don't understand, given that the R, ML, and GL are all off Alabama assembly lines within acres of each other, why we'll be able to get the diesel in only TWO of them, and not the ONE i want!
True I remember that, but this time around its like you said they're all being built at the same plant and the GL already has a new-gen V8 so I don't see what the hold up is. Now they've building vehicles on the same chassis with old and new engines? Maybe there will be a ML/R450/550 sometime next spring, but that seems an awfully long time to wait considering the GL450 is here now...that really would be a year from now.
I keep thinking they're waiting for direct-injection before selling a "550" models ML/GL/R here, just my theory. Otherwise why don't we get the GL500/550 until next year?
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#25
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Wolf, why do you think they haven't decided/announced to update the V8s in the R and ML?
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