AR.Shah

Puckrup> Congrats with your new ML! Btw when did you order your ML? Just trying to get an idea of how long it takes from ordering a new ML till it actually arrives.

Regards
Shah

puckrup

I ordered the car mid April 2006. It was a cancelled customer order matching the exact spec I was after and the dealer was offering a 5% discount. Had I spec'd up my own ML the first available build slot was August with delivery projected late October, probably a November delivery.

I complained to MBUK about the huge lead times but all they could offer up was to contact individual dealerships to see if they had any available build slots left, I had just missed the June build and apparently the factory closes in July so August was the best on offer.

I then had a broker scour the country for cancelled orders to see what came up, minimum spec was ML320 Sport, Comand, Parktronic, Telephone Prep, Bi Xenon, Privacy - any other option was a bonus.

UK has different specifications/options to US, ML320SE and ML320 Sport seem to be the favoured options above the base model. US spec "Premium" package. Is this the same where you are?

AR.Shah

Wow you're so lucky to get this car so fast! We have exactly the same options here as in Germany => we don't have a "SE"-version as in the UK, we have an "interior package" version and a "sports package" version. All other options must be ordered separately. However I think this going to change soon, as the options have been modified in Germany.

Are there others in this forum from Europe who can tell how long the lead time was from ordering till they actually received their ML?

puckrup

Can you tell me what the Diesel filter option is? Doesn't seem to be available in UK.

I have also posted a question on the Diesel forum to see what procedures are required to run in the ML. Having never owned a diesel IN MY LIFE I am intrigued.

Yours

Former Petrol Head!

AR.Shah

When I placed my order, the diesel particle filter was not standard here in Denmark. This filter absorbs the diesel particles from the exhaust-system, making diesel cars much cleaner than other engines. Co2 levels are also far less than conventional petrol engines.
Today this filter comes standard on all MB diesel cars. Diesel is the future.

mtmnet

Hey GMBALL,

Nice looking ML320 CDI! Can you post a couple pictures.

How many miles to the gallon do you get? Is it as quite as a gasoline engine?

Thanks,
Mike
PS. Diesels seem to be catching on over here in the US finally. Hopefull MB will get it approved for California soon..

GMBALL

Sure, I will post some in picture thread. I overally get 9-10 liter per 100km on the highway and 12-13 liters in the city. Thats pretty good for an SUV! The engine is very very quite, you can barely hear an engine from the outside, you can hear it from the inside, but still very quite. The ride is smooth and fast if you want too....

AR.Shah

Good news! Finally it happened! Received a mail from the dealer, that the car has arrived. Went to see the car and was stunned, the car was absolutely fabulous and shining. Everything seemed just like I had imagined and even better. Now I have to wait for all the paperwork to be done, duties, registration etc etc. I’m so happy and looking forward to driving the car

mtmnet

Congradulations! Post some pictures when you get it..

GMBALL

OMG! Finally!
I am dying to see the pics, take some photos of her while she is new and shining.

mtmnet

Is the diesel engine just as quiet compared to a gasoline engine inside the SUV....or slightly louder?

I still picture the diesel engines as being very loud...but it looks like technology has changed that..

Thanks,
Mike

GMBALL

The engine is quiter than a gasoline engine. I am not sure though. But 320CDI engine is soooo quite.

TNblkc230wz

Hopefully we will get the new 3.0 liter diesel by December. They will probably wait for US delivery when the full clean diesel is available. It was suppose to be Sept, but it was delay 90 days with an interum 22 PPM standard. The full 15 PPM takes effect in December. The current standard is 500 PPM

AR.Shah

Car arrived on 31st of May and the papers are still not ready.. this is so tiring

puckrup

Do not despair - it is well worth the wait. Here is mine being delivered 2 weeks ago. Only complaint is that I had to spend 10 days in Cairo on business, only managed to put 50 miles on clock before being dropped off at airport. I now have another 100 pleasureable miles inder my belt - it is all and more than I had wished for.........

AR.Shah

Car looks awsome!! Thanks Im looking so much forward to get the car..

TNblkc230wz

That's 23.5 to 26.1 MPG on the freeway and 18.1 to 19.6 in town. Pretty good

puckrup

I have averaged 26 mpg around country lanes so far. Old petrol ML320 struggled to to 16 mpg. Fuel consumption should improve once 1000 miles under belt. I will then consider the Brabus chip!

TNblkc230wz

Is that imperial or US gallons? If you not sure, how many liters to your gallon?

AR.Shah

Picked up the car form the dealer today First impression: Its a BIG car, its wider and much taller than my e-class. I am slowly getting used to the driving position and it feels great. Took some quick photos with the mobilephone, here they are:

guhvies

Finally! Hurrah! Congrats! That must have been the longest wait. I sure felt your pain. Make sure you enjoy it. The US still has to wait till mid October.

puckrup

Fantastic - I suppose this draws your thread to a natural conclusion - I hope not, interested to hear how you get on with your ML. I now have 460 miles on the clock, desparate to get 1000 miles to see what it goes like!

Question - how easy did you find closing the hood? My one does not close very easily, requires a very firm push to close properly. Also - what version of Comand DVD was supplied? I got V4.0 - currently "discussing" with MB Customer Services.......

puckrup

Looks like different tyres from mine, UK seems to have a different spec. Will check what make came as standard.....

TNblkc230wz

AR, Is it possible to post a couple pics of the sport seats?

AR.Shah

Thanks guys! The car feels great and I am almost getting used to the driving position. I can't explain why but the car feels so powerful that don't even feel the urge to drive fast.. Just been cruising arround running erinds that I would normally never do, so far I've managed to put 400KM on it and really enjoying my new toy to the fullest

Tyres are Michelin and yes I also got it with the 4.0 Command DVD. I have notified the dealer about this and he says that it's a mistake and that I will get me the new version soon. A friend of mine has told me that with the new version the Command unit will be updated and I'll be able to play DVD-films on it. Lets see if this happens. Btw the car did not have a cargo compartment net/cover, I have also complained about this, whats wrong with MB? If you buy a Kia, you get it free. I hope they will give it to me without making any fuss. I'll post some proper pictures of the sports seats soon.

Take care