Hard Choice
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
Hard Choice
Guys
I have a 2007 ML350 on order since the first week of October and should be accepting delivery this week. It was a hard decision to pick out a model at first and to be honest with you I am still losing sleep over this. I am curious as to what you choice, thoughts, reasoning, and opinions would be between the ML350 and CLS550. I would like some serious replys and insight on this. I never knew this would bother me as much as it is. Lastly do you guys think I made the right choice by getting P2 instead of P3. My sales rep said that the dealership doesnt really deliver them at all really with P3. He went on to state that if i was ordering a car he would recommend it but not for a suv. It was not a matter of the them trying to put me into something on the lot or something they could get in from another dealer. The ML was goin to be a factory build either way. I didnt have the luxory of being able to test drive them both ways. Is the difference so major that I should not accept my ML and have it reordered with the P3.
I have a 2007 ML350 on order since the first week of October and should be accepting delivery this week. It was a hard decision to pick out a model at first and to be honest with you I am still losing sleep over this. I am curious as to what you choice, thoughts, reasoning, and opinions would be between the ML350 and CLS550. I would like some serious replys and insight on this. I never knew this would bother me as much as it is. Lastly do you guys think I made the right choice by getting P2 instead of P3. My sales rep said that the dealership doesnt really deliver them at all really with P3. He went on to state that if i was ordering a car he would recommend it but not for a suv. It was not a matter of the them trying to put me into something on the lot or something they could get in from another dealer. The ML was goin to be a factory build either way. I didnt have the luxory of being able to test drive them both ways. Is the difference so major that I should not accept my ML and have it reordered with the P3.
Last edited by btshep; Dec 30, 2006 at 12:06 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
Guys
I have a 2007 ML350 on order since the first week of October and should be accepting delivery this week. It was a hard decision to pick out a model at first and to be honest with you I am still losing sleep over this. I am curious as to what you choice, thoughts, reasoning, and opinions would be between the ML350 and CLS550. I would like some serious replys and insight on this. I never knew this would bother me as much as it is. Lastly do you guys think I made the right choice by getting P2 instead of P3. My sales rep said that the dealership doesnt really deliver them at all really with P3. He went on to state that if i was ordering a car he would recommend it but not for a suv. It was not a matter of the them trying to put me into something on the lot or something they could get in from another dealer. The ML was goin to be a factory build either way. I didnt have the luxory of being able to test drive them both ways. Is the difference so major that I should not accept my ML and have it reordered with the P3.
I have a 2007 ML350 on order since the first week of October and should be accepting delivery this week. It was a hard decision to pick out a model at first and to be honest with you I am still losing sleep over this. I am curious as to what you choice, thoughts, reasoning, and opinions would be between the ML350 and CLS550. I would like some serious replys and insight on this. I never knew this would bother me as much as it is. Lastly do you guys think I made the right choice by getting P2 instead of P3. My sales rep said that the dealership doesnt really deliver them at all really with P3. He went on to state that if i was ordering a car he would recommend it but not for a suv. It was not a matter of the them trying to put me into something on the lot or something they could get in from another dealer. The ML was goin to be a factory build either way. I didnt have the luxory of being able to test drive them both ways. Is the difference so major that I should not accept my ML and have it reordered with the P3.
Last edited by DUTCH; Dec 30, 2006 at 06:57 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
only reason i didnt got with the 320 is there is no place remotely near me that has the correct diesel so that was out due to convenience issues. when i look at the cls it reminds me of a mid life crisis type car bein in my 20s i dont know if i am ready for something like that that leaves me torn between P2 and P3 airmatic or no airmatic. for those that have driven both is the difference noticeable
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I have the same situation with diesel fuel as I would have to drive 20 min just to refuel. Airmatic is well worth the cost, go for it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 32
From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
if i go for the airmatic i would have to have the car reordered as the one with the P2 is due to be delivered to the dealer this week or next. if the airmatic makes for a drastic difference i would have to reorder it and have a new one built for the second time
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
sales rep told me i really didnt need the airmatic in an suv and went with his advice and order it to be built with p2 not p3 and i dont know if i should be regretting that choice or not
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 35
From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
I just passed 1000 miles, so I'm starting to step on it a bit more. When that Garrett turbo kicks in, it definitely pushes you back in your seat. I feel quite certain that it would outrun my G500 both off the line and in a running start; and 26-28 mpg on the highway beats 14-15 mpg every time.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Do whatever it takes to get Airmatic. Could be the difference of your liking the car or not!! Your sales person took the easy way out to earn a quick commission!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
how do u figure it to be an easy way out? that would make sense i think if he was putting me into something on the lot but thats not the case i dont understand what you mean by that. i was buying that day back in october when i ordered it. This is the 10th car we will be buyin of this particular sales man. I firmly belive that a quick commission was not involved. It had to be a factory order based on the color and options i wanted so it was up to me as to how it was spec'ed. He told me his opinion on it and i followed his recommendation at the time. his honest opinion was that the airmatic was not worth getting on the ml although he recommended it on the sedans that have it as an option
Last edited by btshep; Dec 31, 2006 at 05:20 PM.
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
I think this guy has made up his mind. No sense arguing any further. Now we see one more reason that there are lots of different options. . . . . . . . . kind of like opinions.
Last edited by DUTCH; Dec 31, 2006 at 06:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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From: North Jersey
2020 GLE 580 | 2020 Ram 1500 Limited
i am not arguing. just very very very unsure. just trying to pick peoples brains. I wish i had the chance to test drive both ways but i never did. i am thinking of maybe doing that this week and refusing to accept delivery on the ml that was built for me until i do. it might be the only way to put my indecisiveness to rest.
Does anybody know for sure if the new upgraded exterior package does not any longer come with the smoked tail lights ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
dutch,
i am not arguing. just very very very unsure. just trying to pick peoples brains. I wish i had the chance to test drive both ways but i never did. i am thinking of maybe doing that this week and refusing to accept delivery on the ml that was built for me until i do. it might be the only way to put my indecisiveness to rest.
Does anybody know for sure if the new upgraded exterior package does not any longer come with the smoked tail lights ?
i am not arguing. just very very very unsure. just trying to pick peoples brains. I wish i had the chance to test drive both ways but i never did. i am thinking of maybe doing that this week and refusing to accept delivery on the ml that was built for me until i do. it might be the only way to put my indecisiveness to rest.
Does anybody know for sure if the new upgraded exterior package does not any longer come with the smoked tail lights ?
I ordered Airmatic based on the comments and opinions here and on other forums. I am super glad I got it! It's way more than adequate!!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 67
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From: Edmonton, AB
2010 R8 V10, 2013 Cayenne GTS, 2014 GLK 250
I can empathize with...
...you jerseytuffguy. I am currently about to leave an '04 M3 and order a ML320. I wish that I could have tried out a vehicle with an airmatic suspension before ordering. There is one on the dealer's lot here, but they will not let that one out for test driving.
I have yet to do my homework on the airmatic, but here in Canada, the ADS shocks are only available with airmatic, so its a bit of a no brainer.
As Dutch said, though, I would really look into the ULSD and go for the ML320. I test drove the ML 350 when I first came to a Benz dealer. Going to a ML 320 was a completely new experience with all the available torque.
I have yet to do my homework on the airmatic, but here in Canada, the ADS shocks are only available with airmatic, so its a bit of a no brainer.
As Dutch said, though, I would really look into the ULSD and go for the ML320. I test drove the ML 350 when I first came to a Benz dealer. Going to a ML 320 was a completely new experience with all the available torque.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
how do u figure it to be an easy way out? that would make sense i think if he was putting me into something on the lot but thats not the case i dont understand what you mean by that. i was buying that day back in october when i ordered it. This is the 10th car we will be buyin of this particular sales man. I firmly belive that a quick commission was not involved. It had to be a factory order based on the color and options i wanted so it was up to me as to how it was spec'ed. He told me his opinion on it and i followed his recommendation at the time. his honest opinion was that the airmatic was not worth getting on the ml although he recommended it on the sedans that have it as an option
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 437
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From: Northern Virginia
FWIW, my wife and I did some test driving this weekend. We drove a 320 with airmatic and a 350 without.
We thought the airmatic suspension was substantially better in both comfort and handling. And we didn't see any tradeoff.
I don't understand the logic of recommending an air suspension for a sedan and not an SUV. Certainly on the Touareg and Cayenne the air suspensions are a big improvement over the steel springs. From the test drives, it seems the same is true for the ML.
Just my $0.02, but I know how tough it would be to have to re-order and wait all over again. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way, you still have a great vehicle coming.
We thought the airmatic suspension was substantially better in both comfort and handling. And we didn't see any tradeoff.
I don't understand the logic of recommending an air suspension for a sedan and not an SUV. Certainly on the Touareg and Cayenne the air suspensions are a big improvement over the steel springs. From the test drives, it seems the same is true for the ML.
Just my $0.02, but I know how tough it would be to have to re-order and wait all over again. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way, you still have a great vehicle coming.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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2007 ML320 CDI
I have never had airmatic in a vehicle, and don't miss it at all. I chose not to get it after reading as many owners with mechanical airmatic problems, as there are owners who swear by it. Search the main forum for airmatic problems, as some of the owners of MLs have not had their cars out of warranty and had to face the various problems, yet, when they have to pay for them. Adding more features to a vehicle that has unknown reliability may not be a wise idea, especially if you are interested in transportation and not bragging about features.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I have never had airmatic in a vehicle, and don't miss it at all. I chose not to get it after reading as many owners with mechanical airmatic problems, as there are owners who swear by it. Search the main forum for airmatic problems, as some of the owners of MLs have not had their cars out of warranty and had to face the various problems, yet, when they have to pay for them. Adding more features to a vehicle that has unknown reliability may not be a wise idea, especially if you are interested in transportation and not bragging about features.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2006
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2007 ML320 CDI
A simple search of "airmatic problems" yielded 183 threads for various MB vehicles, not just ML 164s. Not many are actual problems, of course, but many hardly seem trivial to me, and certainly would be foolish to not take into consideration if you are adding airmatic. The various problems have been continuing for years if you check the date of the threads. I certainly would have not written, knowing that I was most likely going to get slammed by the airmatic fanatics, if I did not believe the posters with airmatic problems, but giving advise is what a forum is about. Wasting precious time having repairs to a vehicle concerns me much more than the cost of a vehicle, but some of these threads also talk about some pretty expensive "maintenance". Here's some postings by owners with much more experience on the subject than me, but there are plenty more that can be found on other sites, also:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Northern Virginia
I think it's just a personal choice and depends on your priorities. I'm by no means an Airmatic fanatic. I've never owned an airmatic mercedes, and in fact I ordered my new car with ABC, not airmatic.
But, like I said having driven the ML with and without airmatic, I personally would pay the extra up front and if necessary deal with the maintenance hassle, because I think for me the ride and handling was that much better.
But as someone else said, that's why we have options. In fact I wish we had more such choices in the US bound cars. Different people have different priorities.
But, like I said having driven the ML with and without airmatic, I personally would pay the extra up front and if necessary deal with the maintenance hassle, because I think for me the ride and handling was that much better.
But as someone else said, that's why we have options. In fact I wish we had more such choices in the US bound cars. Different people have different priorities.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
A simple search of "airmatic problems" yielded 183 threads for various MB vehicles, not just ML 164s. Not many are actual problems, of course, but many hardly seem trivial to me, and certainly would be foolish to not take into consideration if you are adding airmatic. The various problems have been continuing for years if you check the date of the threads. I certainly would have not written, knowing that I was most likely going to get slammed by the airmatic fanatics, if I did not believe the posters with airmatic problems, but giving advise is what a forum is about. Wasting precious time having repairs to a vehicle concerns me much more than the cost of a vehicle, but some of these threads also talk about some pretty expensive "maintenance". Here's some postings by owners with much more experience on the subject than me, but there are plenty more that can be found on other sites, also:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...matic+problems
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371
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From: NJ
ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
I have the airmatic and love it. Without it it seems to ride on what would be my comfort mode. My bro-in-law does not have it and it deffinately feels bouncy.
