Use your ML as everyday driver?
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
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2015 ML 350, 2016 E350 4matic
Use your ML as everyday driver?
I recently bought a new 2015 ML350 4 matic, I use it as a daily driver, my commute about 40 miles a day. Do you guys think i should drive that much on this beautiful car or keeping in garage and drive my old 2008 Prius? 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,140
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2023 GLK250, 1987 560SL
You've been to my neighbourhood
My recommendation:
Drive it. Enjoy it. Aim to hit your warranty's mileage and time limit simultaneously, that way you'll get the most number of items covered under warranty. The resale value drops like a stone. So, unless you're trying to sell it in less than a year and hope to get a low mileage premium, forget about resale value.
If you want to save on fuel expense; drive the Prius.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 19
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From: Delmarva
2010 C300 Sport 4MATIC 2011 ML350 4MATIC
Drive it! They're engineered to be driven. You paid for it, enjoy it! I drive mine 82 miles one way. Now I'm working 48 hour shifts, so it's not as much as you might think. I used to drive my truck that far and my legs were tired afterward. Driving this ML I still feel good after that 1.5 hour drive. It's our trip taker as well. We love it.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 47
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From: Toronto, Canada
2010 ML350 bluetec
You bought a new 2015 ML350, I am going to presume you can properly afford it and are not eating kraft dinner every day in order to afford it, so drive it all the time and sell the prius!!! ;-)
Plus what is your life worth? Would you rather be in the ML350 or the prius in an accident? Driving the ML350 is like life insurance. I don't care what the crash tests for the prius show, a) size matters and b) with proliferation of high vehicles (Trucks/SUVs/Crossovers), bumper of the prius will not match up in front/rear collision or worse in a side collision door impact beams will be useless when the other vehicle is essentially coming through your window.
Plus what is your life worth? Would you rather be in the ML350 or the prius in an accident? Driving the ML350 is like life insurance. I don't care what the crash tests for the prius show, a) size matters and b) with proliferation of high vehicles (Trucks/SUVs/Crossovers), bumper of the prius will not match up in front/rear collision or worse in a side collision door impact beams will be useless when the other vehicle is essentially coming through your window.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
2008 ML 320 CDI
I have owned expensive automobiles for the past 3 decades. My 2008 ML 320 CDI is the last one. Used to do European delivery with Beemers, did it three times all the biggest 5 series. This 2008 was my old man car, wanted something to look over the other shorter vehicles and it has been a nice reliable vehicle. But, while I am not poor, paying over a grand at almost every service after the "free" service period is ridiculous.
I decided to go to an independent shop for the 100K service and just got the car back today. They changed the engine oil, a few filters, changed the wipers, changed the brake hydraulic fluid and that's about it. $1,300. They wanted to replace the brake discs as they were too thin, turn off a check engine light with a new mass air sensor for an additional $2,500 or so. Car drives fine with good diesel mileage so I told them I could care less about the check engine light. I don't think I saved much compared to the dealer.
I don't drive the ML daily as I used to as I bought a hybrid Hyundai a few months ago for commuting to and from DC. I took it for the first service, not free, and I was presented with a $56 bill. I was stunned. They changed the oil, changed a cabin filter and did some other crap for $56. Unbelievable.
So, my suggestion is drive it until the "free" service ends, then sell it.
I decided to go to an independent shop for the 100K service and just got the car back today. They changed the engine oil, a few filters, changed the wipers, changed the brake hydraulic fluid and that's about it. $1,300. They wanted to replace the brake discs as they were too thin, turn off a check engine light with a new mass air sensor for an additional $2,500 or so. Car drives fine with good diesel mileage so I told them I could care less about the check engine light. I don't think I saved much compared to the dealer.
I don't drive the ML daily as I used to as I bought a hybrid Hyundai a few months ago for commuting to and from DC. I took it for the first service, not free, and I was presented with a $56 bill. I was stunned. They changed the oil, changed a cabin filter and did some other crap for $56. Unbelievable.
So, my suggestion is drive it until the "free" service ends, then sell it.
