Owner of a new 08 ML 350 - Pics inside
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2002 BMW 330CI
Owner of a new 08 ML 350 - Pics inside
After many months of looking, test driving, discussing with the wife, and finally deciding to purchase a new 08 ML350 this weekend.
I don't want to bore anyone, but I think our experience was quite unique in finally deciding which vehicle to purchase. Some of you may find this helpful in deciding what you want to buy. Here is our story.
We own a 2-door Acura Integra and a 2-door BMW 330CI and have been using them to drive our 18 months around. As you all know, climbing in and out of a 2-door to put our son in the car seat is hard work, but we've managed it for the past 18 months.
When we found out the wife was pregnant with our second child, the topic of getting a new car suddendly became a nightly discussion. The vehicle concidered were:
08 BMW X5 3.0
08 Acura MDX
08 MB ML350
08 MB GL430
08 Lexus GX470
Our opinion of these vehicles is described below. A huge concern for us was to get a 7 seater or 5 seater. So we came up with a strategy to help us decide how many seats to get. If the sonogram shows another boy, we get a 7 seater because we will try again for a girl and will need a 7 seater for 3 kids. On the other hand, if the sonogram shows that its a girl, a 5 seater it is because we're done.
After 4 months of anticipation and waiting, the day of the sonogram finally came. The sonogram showed that we're expecting a girl. We stuck with our strategy and decided to purchase a 5 seater, although a 7 seater is not a bad option either for two kids and just in case we have another child by accident. But looking at the ML350, we were convinced that its the vehicle we loved from the beginning. In our opinion, it is the best looking SVU on the street. Sporty, suffisticated, stylish, and very slick.
Here is our opinion about other cars and the reason why we turned them down.
BMW X5 3.0: very disappointed with accelleration and interior appearance. We own a 330CI and love everything about the car. Unfortunately, the X5 did not impress us at all.
08 Acura MDX (with Sport&Entertainment package): Our second runner up. Nicely equipped for a reasonable priced. It offered the best options and very nice to drive. Adaquate power and standard 7 seater. The body was just bulky. The only reason why we did not get it was because it was an Acura. We have nothing against Acuras, but the wife feels that the name Acura doesn't offer the feeling of prestige. MB, BMW, Lexus does.
08 MB GL430 : Was too expensive and looked like a box. For some reason, the back reminds me of Frankenstein's head.
08 Lexus GX470: Nice car, but lacks power for a V8. Didn't like the box look either. Although, it also offered nice options.
MB ML350: The perfect car for our family. The only car we looked at that still makes me stare at it all day long without being bored. The car that I drooled over when I see one on the road. Now, I finally own one and can join other MB drivers on the road.
Here are the spec for the ML350:
P2: Premium II
Leather seating surface package
Interior appearance package
External appearance package
iPod Integration Kit
Trailer Hitch
6-disc CD Changer
Running board
Heated front seats
Rear seat entertainment system
Here are some pictures:
I don't want to bore anyone, but I think our experience was quite unique in finally deciding which vehicle to purchase. Some of you may find this helpful in deciding what you want to buy. Here is our story.
We own a 2-door Acura Integra and a 2-door BMW 330CI and have been using them to drive our 18 months around. As you all know, climbing in and out of a 2-door to put our son in the car seat is hard work, but we've managed it for the past 18 months.
When we found out the wife was pregnant with our second child, the topic of getting a new car suddendly became a nightly discussion. The vehicle concidered were:
08 BMW X5 3.0
08 Acura MDX
08 MB ML350
08 MB GL430
08 Lexus GX470
Our opinion of these vehicles is described below. A huge concern for us was to get a 7 seater or 5 seater. So we came up with a strategy to help us decide how many seats to get. If the sonogram shows another boy, we get a 7 seater because we will try again for a girl and will need a 7 seater for 3 kids. On the other hand, if the sonogram shows that its a girl, a 5 seater it is because we're done.
After 4 months of anticipation and waiting, the day of the sonogram finally came. The sonogram showed that we're expecting a girl. We stuck with our strategy and decided to purchase a 5 seater, although a 7 seater is not a bad option either for two kids and just in case we have another child by accident. But looking at the ML350, we were convinced that its the vehicle we loved from the beginning. In our opinion, it is the best looking SVU on the street. Sporty, suffisticated, stylish, and very slick.
Here is our opinion about other cars and the reason why we turned them down.
BMW X5 3.0: very disappointed with accelleration and interior appearance. We own a 330CI and love everything about the car. Unfortunately, the X5 did not impress us at all.
08 Acura MDX (with Sport&Entertainment package): Our second runner up. Nicely equipped for a reasonable priced. It offered the best options and very nice to drive. Adaquate power and standard 7 seater. The body was just bulky. The only reason why we did not get it was because it was an Acura. We have nothing against Acuras, but the wife feels that the name Acura doesn't offer the feeling of prestige. MB, BMW, Lexus does.
08 MB GL430 : Was too expensive and looked like a box. For some reason, the back reminds me of Frankenstein's head.
08 Lexus GX470: Nice car, but lacks power for a V8. Didn't like the box look either. Although, it also offered nice options.
MB ML350: The perfect car for our family. The only car we looked at that still makes me stare at it all day long without being bored. The car that I drooled over when I see one on the road. Now, I finally own one and can join other MB drivers on the road.
Here are the spec for the ML350:
P2: Premium II
Leather seating surface package
Interior appearance package
External appearance package
iPod Integration Kit
Trailer Hitch
6-disc CD Changer
Running board
Heated front seats
Rear seat entertainment system
Here are some pictures:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 2
AlabasterWhiteSL ObsidianBlackML
Congrats on the new car...looks great.
How much of a discount did you get off MSRP (if you dont mind me asking)
...I'm also looking to possibly get the running boards you have (they look great by the way) but my dealer and others around here are charging quite a bit, how much did they run you (parts and installation) ?
How much of a discount did you get off MSRP (if you dont mind me asking)
...I'm also looking to possibly get the running boards you have (they look great by the way) but my dealer and others around here are charging quite a bit, how much did they run you (parts and installation) ?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2002 BMW 330CI
Congrats on the new car...looks great.
How much of a discount did you get off MSRP (if you dont mind me asking)
...I'm also looking to possibly get the running boards you have (they look great by the way) but my dealer and others around here are charging quite a bit, how much did they run you (parts and installation) ?
How much of a discount did you get off MSRP (if you dont mind me asking)
...I'm also looking to possibly get the running boards you have (they look great by the way) but my dealer and others around here are charging quite a bit, how much did they run you (parts and installation) ?
I think I actually got a great deal on this vehicle. Total MSRP for the car was close to 57K, the sales consultant was able to close the deal for 52K.
This one had everything I wanted, the running boards were pre-installed with the package so I'm not sure how much they would charge for parts and installation.
