Interesting Find
Thread Starter
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
Interesting Find
There have been frequent complaints about the ML BlueTecs not having a spare. In fact, the run flats and lack of a spare prompted me to purchase another marque.
While looking in the EPC for a part number, I discovered that MB does indeed have a rear mounted external spare tire carrier as a factory option - just, in the infinite marketing wisdom of MBUSA, not available in North America. They really are some totally clueless fools!
See the attached parts diagram from the EPC.
While looking in the EPC for a part number, I discovered that MB does indeed have a rear mounted external spare tire carrier as a factory option - just, in the infinite marketing wisdom of MBUSA, not available in North America. They really are some totally clueless fools!
See the attached parts diagram from the EPC.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
So Dutch is there room inside the ML350 Bluetec to put a spare? What do the regular ML350 use as a spare?
This is a company car for me so I had no choice, but I am more concernered about being on a sales call out in the middle of nowhere and a flat without a spare could turn into a 2 day ordeal.
This is a company car for me so I had no choice, but I am more concernered about being on a sales call out in the middle of nowhere and a flat without a spare could turn into a 2 day ordeal.
Thread Starter
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
The gassers use a mini spare located under the floor of the cargo area. The AdBlue tank occupies that space in a CDI BlueTec. That's why the rear mounted external spare would be such a nice option.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
1963 220Sb
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 13
From: Md, Fla.
2021 GLC 300 4Matic
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
MBs
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
MBs
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
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
The external spare is not offered in the US because the US does not allow such a mounting apparently because in the event of rear ending it would potentially smash the rear window. That's why on on both the W164 and W163 that option has not been available. Don't ask me why the G can have it though.
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
Last edited by DUTCH; Mar 25, 2010 at 02:48 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Both the Porsche Cayenne (see photos) and the VW Touareg offer it as a factory option; and it looks from the MB EPC like it is a very similar method of implementation.
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
I think it's quite plain and simple - MBUSA has their collective Marketing heads firmly planted in an area where the sun never shines!
I imagine they could also engineer a simple stand up spare option as well to fit in the cargo area....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: USA
2010 ML550 (W164)
Interior spare on ML55
I vaguely recall that the W163 ML55 AMG came with a full size spare that stood upright INSIDE the cargo compartment because I remember there being a lot of half-hearted complaints about loss of cargo space.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
This is correct. It was mounted upright on the left side of the cargo area. As I recall it was also installed flat and some sort of an inflation device was included.
Thread Starter
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
Thread Starter
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
It may be like the Porsche Cayenne. The rear mounted full sized spare is supposed to be the least ordered, i.e. rarest, of the factory options.
