After repair, steering still inferior to W163
01-30-2009, 10:44 PM
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ML320 (W163)
After repair, steering still inferior to W163
My local dealer went over our W164 with a fine toothed comb and found 2 things related to the loose and wandering steering.
First, they replaced a defective front shock. Second they did a full alignment. The tramlining and left/right wandering is 90% better, but the overall linearity and on-center stability is still inferior to our 130kmile W163. The loaner C300 I had (with 40 series summer tires) had less less tramlining and better on center stability.
The W163 still feels and drives like a more stable and more 'solid' vehicle. Also, I get better steering feedback and can manage snowy/ice/fast curves better in the W163 because I can feel what the front and rear end are doing. teh W164 is less communicative.
Yes, we love the new creature comforts and amenities of the W164. We're glad we got it. But, we will miss the w163 when it goes to a new owner.
Maybe the next time around, we'll try a Cayenne.
John
First, they replaced a defective front shock. Second they did a full alignment. The tramlining and left/right wandering is 90% better, but the overall linearity and on-center stability is still inferior to our 130kmile W163. The loaner C300 I had (with 40 series summer tires) had less less tramlining and better on center stability.
The W163 still feels and drives like a more stable and more 'solid' vehicle. Also, I get better steering feedback and can manage snowy/ice/fast curves better in the W163 because I can feel what the front and rear end are doing. teh W164 is less communicative.
Yes, we love the new creature comforts and amenities of the W164. We're glad we got it. But, we will miss the w163 when it goes to a new owner.
Maybe the next time around, we'll try a Cayenne.
John
01-31-2009, 08:32 PM
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2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Having had 2 W163's and now a W164 I totally disagree with you. I find the W164 steering to be more precise and having a better road feel than the W163. The ride is also far superior.
01-31-2009, 09:22 PM
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2007 ML 500
02-01-2009, 09:23 AM
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Agree as well, I've had three W163's, and my W164 steering is far superior to the body on frame W163's. Still not nearly as good as BMW, but a big improvement over my W163's.
02-02-2009, 06:21 PM
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ML320 (W163)
Okay, so something is still broken on our W164
We must have gotten the bad mercedes mechanic last week. After the alignment, the steering wheel points off center to the left ... so the mechanic is clearly not very meticulous. Maybe he missed a worn out tie rod or something else that would cause the vague/loose steering in our W164.
As far as the ride goes, our W163 is not quite as smooth and refined, but it's better controlled than the W164 on larger bumps and frost heaves. I guess it reflects a tailoring of the W164 to how 99.9% of ML's are driven.
John
As far as the ride goes, our W163 is not quite as smooth and refined, but it's better controlled than the W164 on larger bumps and frost heaves. I guess it reflects a tailoring of the W164 to how 99.9% of ML's are driven.
John
