Thinking on Changing 2006 ML
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Thinking on Changing 2006 ML
Hi guys, this might be a silly question, so sorry. I have a 2006 ML, I got it as a gift 3 months ago however my car does not have Airmatic and I will like a cushier ride. Would changing the car be a huge loss $$$...it was a purchase not a lease...would that be worth it. I mean, the ride of my ML is not that bad, I think it drives like a car but so many people here say Airmatic is a must, that I would like to have it...does it feel like driving on a cloud?..would it be worth it or should I just live without it? 
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2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by Kar don
u should test drive it first before getting hung up on it. It really doesnt make it ride that much smoother.
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From: Toronto, Canada
06 ML350 Black/Black Appearance Package/ 06 SC430 Pearl White/White 19" Amistad, Tein CS coilovers
I bought an ML350 black/black with appearance package about a month ago. The only option I have besides the appearance package is the HK stereo. Unfortuneatly there was no other black/black with the appearance package around anywhere in Canada and I wanted this combination.
Although the vehicle I test drove had the airmatic suspension and mine doesn't. I don't think the difference is that substancial for everyday driving. So I wouldn't let it bother you.
Although the vehicle I test drove had the airmatic suspension and mine doesn't. I don't think the difference is that substancial for everyday driving. So I wouldn't let it bother you.
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Hi I just came from testing an 2006 ML 350 w/ Airmatic...it was a good recommendation...thank you guys. Airmatic makes the steering wheel a little bit softer than in the regular ML. However, I've gotten used to my steering wheel. My question and concern was the ride and while Airmatic makes the car a bit lighter on its feet, it does nor eliminate all the bumps on the road as I expected...I mean, you're still able to feel them...so I do not really know if it's worth changing it.
The regular ML drives soft but like any SUV you can feel some bumps and roads, especially on the back...the ML with Airmatic is still similar but it makes some bumps a bit less bumpy if you know what I mean. For some reason Mercedes has most ML's without Airmatic...there was only one hidden somewhere (it took a while to find) that I was able to drive, but I believe most people order them and wait for it...especially if you are set on a specific color. Moreover, if you find Airmatic you actually have to pay for a fully outfitted ML with every single option which makes the car much more expensive (you might as well get a ML 500)...the one I drove had everything except the color I like...I believe finding Silver/Black or Black/Black is not that easy.
Regarding the change, the dealer offer to pay $42,500 for my 3 month ML with 1700 miles, which cost me more than $11,000 more (actually more because my husband paid for an extended warranty)...so I do not know if Airmatic is worth that loss. What do you think?
The regular ML drives soft but like any SUV you can feel some bumps and roads, especially on the back...the ML with Airmatic is still similar but it makes some bumps a bit less bumpy if you know what I mean. For some reason Mercedes has most ML's without Airmatic...there was only one hidden somewhere (it took a while to find) that I was able to drive, but I believe most people order them and wait for it...especially if you are set on a specific color. Moreover, if you find Airmatic you actually have to pay for a fully outfitted ML with every single option which makes the car much more expensive (you might as well get a ML 500)...the one I drove had everything except the color I like...I believe finding Silver/Black or Black/Black is not that easy.
Regarding the change, the dealer offer to pay $42,500 for my 3 month ML with 1700 miles, which cost me more than $11,000 more (actually more because my husband paid for an extended warranty)...so I do not know if Airmatic is worth that loss. What do you think?
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From: So Cal OC
'06 ML 500, '06 Prius, '05 Lotus Elise
I think you've answered your own question when you mentioned how it's not that much different. After a month of driving the airmatic, there's a good chance you'll wonder what the big fuss is all about.
You can get a refund on your ext. warranty, almost 100%. Especially if you get another ext. warranty with the new car.
So you and everyone understand where I'm coming from, I am significantly biased towards sports cars -- I drive a Boxster. I find The First Lady's airmatic isolates the road a little too much for me.
My advice, see if you can arrange a blind test drive and see if you can notice a difference.
You can get a refund on your ext. warranty, almost 100%. Especially if you get another ext. warranty with the new car.
So you and everyone understand where I'm coming from, I am significantly biased towards sports cars -- I drive a Boxster. I find The First Lady's airmatic isolates the road a little too much for me.
My advice, see if you can arrange a blind test drive and see if you can notice a difference.
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Thank you for your opinions...I really appreciate them. However, I do not know if it's worth it to change my car...I will be taking a huge loss but then again I will like a more cushy ride. By any chance anyone knows about something that can be done so the suspension is softer...some after market thing...I mean, it might just be me...this is my first SUV therefore I do not know if feeling the road is normal on these cars or not. The ML with regular suspension I believe drives like a sport car...it hugs the road...however, with Airmatic that hugging is less noticeable...I really don't know what to do?
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Hi there, I also have a non-airmatic ML, but it's the old '05 version (airmatic wasn't even an option I think). First let me sya that our city is full of bumps and big dents, and the ML is really bumpy, especially in the back seat. Also everyday, when I get off the highway on a circular ramp, I feel like I'm gonna flip. I have thought about it many times and the next vehicle I drive will definitely have airmatic or maybe even ABC (don't know if I should switch up to 06 ML). I think you should definitely get Airmatic if you fell as strongly about it as I do, maybe you can search around and sell the car to a private buyer for a better price, then get another one with airmatic. I've been looking around and I can sell my car for about 13,000 canadian (11,000 USD) lower than the price I paid for. Which is not bad considering I've driven it for 16 months now.
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by kevine310
Hi there, I also have a non-airmatic ML, but it's the old '05 version (airmatic wasn't even an option I think). First let me sya that our city is full of bumps and big dents, and the ML is really bumpy, especially in the back seat. Also everyday, when I get off the highway on a circular ramp, I feel like I'm gonna flip. I have thought about it many times and the next vehicle I drive will definitely have airmatic or maybe even ABC (don't know if I should switch up to 06 ML). I think you should definitely get Airmatic if you fell as strongly about it as I do, maybe you can search around and sell the car to a private buyer for a better price, then get another one with airmatic. I've been looking around and I can sell my car for about 13,000 canadian (11,000 USD) lower than the price I paid for. Which is not bad considering I've driven it for 16 months now.
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Originally Posted by sosh
You are not comparing apples and apples. The W163 ride is terrible compared to the W164 with or without airmatic. I had 2 of them. In fact there is nothing about the W164 that is not better than your vehicle. Also you mention "ABC", I have never geard of it. Are you certain that you are not mistaken about this??
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Hi guys...thanks for your opinions...yes, I've heard about ABC and I believe is more advanced than the Airmatic and only available in a few cars...I have never driven the old ML's but for what everyone says they drive very different. The new ML drives like a car...similar to a sports car...is not bad...however is not as smooth as a Lexus sedan which is what I was comparing it to...then again...this is an SUV and not a car. Regarding suspension...if Bose and he's new suspension system becomes a reality...it going to blow everything else away...that thing is awesome.
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2006 ML350
I just bought an ML350 after trying nearly every car on the market. I drove the ML with Airmatic and I also drove the Lexus GS. There is absolutely no comparison. The Lexus was like driving a marshmallow. The ML even with the Airmatic was nowhere near as soft and mushy. Now if soft and mushy is what you are after then you might want to reconsider the whole SUV thing and go get yourself that Lexus. I chose the regular ML without the Airmatic. I will agree, there is a difference but I found the standard ride to be very acceptable.
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You're right...I also drove the GX 470 and while I cannot really remember exactly how mushy and soft it was I do remember that it drove like a Lexus...I really do not know what the heck they do to make their cars so soft, mushy, and comfortable..I agree with you, Airmatic or not, the Lexus is softer...my husband was dying to get it over the ML...I was the one who did not liked the square look of it, although it is a pretty car. The ML without Airmatic drives well...it is only a very different experience for me since I am used to a Lexus ES 330...I really never driven SUV's...I drove an RX 330 for a little while but that's not really an SUV if you know what I mean. I guess I'm gonna have to get used to the feel of the sport car thing. I also drove the Airmatic through the same roads I drive everyday and while slightly softer...you can feel the road almost as much...I am starting to think it is an SUV thing...I mean, the thing is like 6,000 lbs...thanks for your post.
Last edited by Fiorucci; Apr 17, 2006 at 09:40 PM.
