Icykool

Hi everyone... I wanted to be a ML500 owner badly... but I have one big concern: Will ML-class have 3rd row seat back in the near future??

I really don't want to buy a ML with out 3rd row seat, and no, I don't like the GL nor R... ML has a much better look... Does anyone here has inside news or heard or read anything regarding this on line?

GL is a much bigger and different style (I think it is ugly), the R is a mini van (I don't want to drive a mini van yet)... and ML 1st generation (W163) also didn't have 3rd row seat in the first 2-3 years...

Moreover ML-class's main competitor, 2007 X5, is also adding 3rd row seat, so I really think ML will also have 3rd row seat avaliable in the near future...

Some people say ML will not have 3rd row seat because MB have GL and R, but THIS IS INCORRECT!!!!! GL and ML is not in the same category!!! GL is a LARGE SUV, and ML is a MID-SIZE SUV!!! AND R is in the Mini Van category!!! so it has nothing to go against each other!!! And if you think about other companies, like Toyota... They have Highlander and Rav4, which is very similar to GL and ML case, they both have 3rd row seat!!!

Anyway, doesn't anyone of you would like ML to have 3rd row seat?? I personally think that I won't be using the 3rd row seat, but it is just good to be there when you needed!

Any comments or inside news? and thanks in advance...

sosh

Do not believe so. The new ML was designed without even a footwell for the 3rd seat and its a bit too narrow on the rear interior. If I wanted a usefull 3rd seat in an MB suv I would go for the GL. Even in the old W163 the 3rd seats were pretty much useless.

GregW / Oregon

Agree.

PHYBENZ

No. That is why the GL is being produced. All it really is, is a stretched ML. If you had a 7 passenger ML and also the GL that would make no sense.

Icykool

But did anyone looked at the new X5 with 3rd row seat? I don't believe X5 is so much bigger than the ML...

And wouldn't it be disappointing if BMW's X5 can put in 3rd row seat and the Benz's ML cannot (I am a loyal Benz fan and I hate BMW)?

Again, I really think GL does not = Larger ML... GL was meant to replace the G-class in the beginning... ML is in it's own class... People who likes GL doesn't mean they'll like the ML and vice versa... Like me, I love the ML but hate the GL... and I do know people who loves the GL but not the ML.

Moreover, I have to admit that W163's 3rd row seat design was terrible... but not useless, I was in the 3rd row seat for a 2 hours ride, and it was not too bad, not as comfortable as the front passengers, but served it's purpose... But if they can have a fold flat 3rd row seat for W164 like the GL or X5, it would definitely be a big hit!

sosh

If anything, the BMW I perseive to be smaller and tighter than the ML. If they do infact offer a 3rd row seat it will be close to unusable for anything but an infant.

Icykool

First of all, I understand that when the 3rd row seat is up, there will not be any cargo space... but the 3rd row seat is only for use when we needed to transport more than 5 people... so it doesn't have to be very comfortable nor have big cargo space... we are not talking about a mini van here...

Secondly, if you had looked at the new X5, you would know that it is big enough... and if anyone who had looked at other SUVs that has 3rd row seats, none of them are very comfortable and spacious... again, it's purpose is to be able to carry 2 extra people when needed... so that these 2 people doesn't have to sit on the roof top or lie down in the trunk...

Icykool

First of all, I understand that when the 3rd row seat is up, there will not be any cargo space... but the 3rd row seat is only for use when we needed to transport more than 5 people... so it doesn't have to be very comfortable nor have big cargo space... we are not talking about a mini van here...

Secondly, if you had looked at the new X5, you would know that it is big enough... and if anyone who had looked at other SUVs that has 3rd row seats, none of them are very comfortable and spacious... again, it's purpose is to be able to carry 2 extra people when needed... so that these 2 people doesn't have to sit on the roof top or lie down in the trunk...

carpersn

No way...if that were going to happen, it would've already happened like the new seat configuration in the R. I will eat the Tex off one of the seats if it does

PHYBENZ

The new X5 does have a third row, but the third row will only be able to fit children it is not as big as either the R or GL's third Rows. The GL is a stretched ML. It is on the same platform but stretched. The GL wasn't designed to specifically replace the G because the G hold only 5 people. They were going to drop the G because they felt they would have too many SUV's.

jdm90

I really think you should go for a good test drive in the R or GL. You may be surprised with the R. This is due to it's lower center of gravity and true versatility of 7 passenger.

Icykool

Thank you guys for your advices and feedback...

I understnad that the 3rd row seat will be tight if there will be one... but I just need it so incase if I would need to carry 2 extra passangers for a short period of time, I could...

Anyways, I've heard that the ML in Asia actually does have 3rd row seat, but instead of it being side by side, it is facing each other... is there anyone that can confirm this??

whynot

If a ML has a 3rd row seat it was installed aftermarket. I've never seen a ML with a 3rd row seat.

Wolfgang

But I have,

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/space.html

whynot

I was refering to a W164 with a third row, not a W163

Icykool

ha ha... thank you all you guys for your input...

so I guess no one has any inside news... but with finger crossed... with all these competitors with 3rd row seat in 2007, and my believe of MB taking out the 3rd row seat as a business strategy, I just really hope that the ML will have a 3rd row seat option again in 2008 or 2009 model... I would jump right onto it once I see that option again... but for now, I would just have to live with out the ML...

To be honest, the ML really drives perfect... and looks perfect outside (inside can have better quality and design)... but anyways... no ML for now... and just wish MB will improve all the features on this almost perfect SUV...

Germancar1

There isn't going to be a third row seat for the ML. The designed it NOT to have one this time around. It is either a GL or R if you want to carry more folks.

M