sidkhattar

I recently bought 2010 ML 350 (4 Matic). I don't know if it's a genuine problem but when i start driving I have to really press hard on the gas pedal to have the car move. If there is a up slope my car just slows down and It just don't pick up the speed at all. Does anyone faced the same problem, or is it normal with this truck? Any help would be appreciated.

Sid

Cal

We noticed the same thing on the ML350 as well. I believe this is standard. The torque on the V6 engine is lacking a bit, especially when mated to the almost 5000lb ML body. Same goes with the R350. We're still trying to get used to this, especially coming from a GL450 which has the V8.

Don't worry about it...The flip side to this is that you will get decent gas mileage compared to the ML550.

gsrjc

Sorta hard to understand how hard you are talking about pressing the gas pedal. I've had a 2006 and now 2010 ML350 and I don't have to press hard on the gas to get the car moving. Are you comparing the ML350 to the acceleration of a sedan? I can say that will be totally different.

sidkhattar

Thanks Cal; i guess you are right I'll at least get decent mileage

sidkhattar

Yes; I use to drive an Accord V6. i believe you are right; I'm used to sedan and it'll take a while to get used it....Thanks for replying.

gsrjc

if you think the car is sluggish, just take it to the dealer and have test it out for you to make sure it's okay.

aggst1

That explains your concern then. The ML weighs about 5000 pounds and the accord V6 about 3500 lbs. In addition to the weight difference between the two vehicles there is a difference in automotive engineering philosophy. The accord like most Japanese cars is light and responds to the slightest movement of the gas / brake pedals. German cars on the other hand (VW, Audi, MB, BMW) are usually heavier and the throttle is not as jumpy.


In a couple of hundred miles you will not remember the difference. Since the car is new, you need to follow the brake-in procedure listed in your manual and avoid harsh acellerations for a few thousand miles. From my experience with a C32 AMG I used to own a few years back, the car accelerates much better/faster after the break in period.

Doctodd33

i also just leased a new ML350 and it feels like a slug, but did feel a bit better after 1000 miles or the engine loosening up. Are there any performance upgrades that will help? Any weight savings? Mileage isnt that great.......around 18-20mpg. My s550 did around 25mpg highway.

Cal

Coming from an S550, the ML350 will feel like a slug. There are some things you can remove to save weight (ie, spare tire and kit), but I wouldn't recommend it. There are also some tunes for the 3.5, but I don't think they're worth the money for what it gains.

BTW, I just averaged 23mpg on the highway going to work (50 mile trip) on the ML350 2WD. Not bad coming from a GL450 (I averaged 19-20mpg on the highway).

Doctodd33

i had two X5's before and both were better drives....might give this to my wife

C-rod

V6, 5000lb SUV, its what it is.............l think for the weight of the vehicle, its not bad...lt certainly feels quicker than my 06 ML350.......

BJJ/MuayThai

I feel like my 09 ML350 is not accelerating especially going up hills. It has under 11,000 miles....is this normal you think....I push the accelerator hard and it won't go down any further. Just noticed it today. Went for the 10,000 mile service a month ago. Sometimes it felt sluggish before but not like today? It was raining....does lock up on slick roads as a form of additional traction control?

CDNROCKIES

The X5 of course handles better....but as far as the OP issue....the X5 is actually worse.

The turbo lag on the X5 is much worse than on the ML....although once it kicks in.....it's WAY faster than the MB.

gsrjc

what turbo lag are you talking about? Neither of these cars are turboed.

CDNROCKIES

Thought we were talking about the ML350 Bluetec.

Both the MB and BMW diesels are turbo charged.

gsrjc

ohhh, i did not know what. Thanks. do you know if they accelerate differently?

Electric Lizard

The 2010 ML350 comes standard with "Hill-Start Assist". Here is this feature's description:
To help prevent unwanted vehicle roll (backwards or forwards) when taking off from a stop on an incline of 5 degrees or more, Hill-Start Assist automatically maintains brake pressure for approximately one second after the driver releases the brake pedal. The system is automatically deactivated when the vehicle is level, the gear selector is in Park or Neutral, or the parking brake is set.

anthropod

Test drove the ML-350 Gas & Diesel Saturday (2010)
Also Test drove the BMW X5 35D Diesel.

Here are my impressions:
the ML-350 Diesel seems to accelerate faster off the line than the gas. I think the 400Lbs of torque helps.

The X5 is a little slower right at first (I assume turbo lag) and then kicks in. I didn't feel as much lag in the ML-350. Shortly there after the X5 seems to take off and I am positive it is faster than the ML-350 overall. It also handles a little more sporty. That said, the X5 ride is more like my 2005 Nissan Frontier truck. (Of course the handling is better) The ML-350 is more like a Luxury car feel.

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. The ML-350 Bluetec is a fine ride. If I was going on a road trip and owned both vehicles I would take the ML-350 Bluetec over the X5 35D.

My wife is getting a 2010 ML-350 Bluetec Wednesday, I kind of wanted her to get the BMW X5 35D. But..She had some very good reasons why she liked the ML-350 better.

dude04

At first my ML350 BLUTEC also seemed sluggish however after about 2000 KM it came to life. I spoke to my service adviser and he stated that transmission adopted to my driving style which is why I feel that my truck is more responsive. Not sure if there is any truth to it but thought I’d share.

CDNROCKIES

Bang on assessment.

There is significantly more turbo lag in the X5, but it also much, much faster than the ML.

The ride quality is also accurately depicted. The X5 is rougher, but both it and the ML are both noticeably better minus the run flats.

As you suggested, my wife loves her ML, while I prefer my X5.

Ruaraidh

I think the OP's point is that the ML has a very soft pedal progression and a reasonably firm pedal spring. This means to make meaningful headway you have to push the pedal a long way ie the pedal travel to demanded torque relationship is too weak.

I thought this was an off road compromise but they could have had a softer alternative pedal map for the offroad button..... I'd ask the Dealer if there is an alternative calibration available that can be flashed to "firm" up the pedal response.

I thought it was an unacceptably soft response as well but it improved noticeably as the engine loosened up over the first 2k miles or so. It's still not great (7.5k) but better than it was before.

This is a 2009 ML320CDI.

Cheers,

Ruaraidh