Brief review after test drive - new photo views
 

Dealer (Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville) called yesterday to say they had their first models in. Went in with my wife this afternoon (this is to be her daily driver). They had one showroom model, and one demo. Both were pretty minimally equipped 350s with just P01, 19" twin-spoke wheels and rear entertainment prep equipped; $54k and change total. Iridium with black MB-Tex. As some others have said, I think it looks much better in person than the photos I have see. I was not disappointed. I especially like the front 3/4 view, with the front much more aggressive and chiseled than before. The front and hood are higher and squarer, I assume for the Euro pedestrian protection regs, though maybe just to look a little "manlier."

As others have said, the interior is a big upgrade. The base MB-Tex is very nice with the contrasting white stitching. I'd like to see the Dynamica/MB-Tex verson - could be a good alternative to leather. Hidden tailpipes are lame (photo follows); don't like the new mirror shape from inside or outside. I'm holding out for the AMG body kit (January) as I think it is definitely nicer.

The power hatch operation is much smoother and quieter than my current '06. Interior and exterior dimensions seem pretty close, though the carved our areas in the rear are nice for a little more storage, or a golf bag sideways. Rear seats have a few different reclinie angles, and release for folding si a little easier.

The drive was brief, about 5 miles of freeway and 5 miles of rural twisties. The steel sprung version seemed pretty comfie and controlled. Steering is much lighter than W164 with minimal feedback, but the current one doesn't have much feedback either. This car had 19" Dunlop Grandtrek Touring A/S tires. Power seems a little better than the last version and quite spunky for a 6. Transmission shifts are excellent. Not sure if the new paddles for manual shifting are an improvement (left for down, right for up). I think the W164 rocker switches on the back of the wheel work just fine, with the advantage that you and shift up or down on either side.

Anyhow, SA says the Conquest Cash of $2,000 (I currently drive a BMW) is on a month-to-month basis, depending on when you take delivery. He also mentioned he would give me a "loyalty" discount, as this is the third ML I've purchased from them. Then there is the $1,000 MBCA rebate. And my wife may be able to get a further rebate through the company that manages her corporate mileage reimbursement.

So, I still want to drive the diesel (dealer's are all presold for the next 6 weeks) before I make that decision, but I'm 90% sure I'm going with one of them. Will probably still try the X5 just for kicks, though. All-in-all, I'm suitably impressed, and hope for a late February delivery.

http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0105-X2.jpg

http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0106-X2.jpg

I like the front profile:
http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0107-X2.jpg

View under the front:
http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0104-X2.jpg

View under the rear:
http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0101-X2.jpg

Hidden tailpipe:
http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/Merce...10-0103-X2.jpg

Excellent review. That info is very helpful to those of us who haven't had a chance to drive the new M. Thanks for taking the time to write this up.

Thanks for the review, and the very good pics as well.

Placed my order last week for a diesel, early November build. I added the MBtex dash yesterday, after reading about it on this forum. I think it will add a little upscale feel to the interior.

These discounts are kind of funny, aren't they? You get a conquest discount for switching from another brand, and at the same time they're giving you a "loyalty" discount for sticking with MB !

Anyway, I thought the conquest cash was at $1000. I negotiated that into my deal, based on whatever was available at delivery. Maybe I can hope for $2000!

Nice worm's-eye view of the tailpipe. I hope you made the salesman crawl under the car to get the shot.

I wonder if the diesel exhaust will be routed differently. The exhaust gases get quite hot during periodic regeneration of the soot filter. Not certain of the MB approach, but typically extra fuel is added to the exhaust stream to create a kind of afterburner effect that incinerates the particles.

Bluetec Exhaust
 

The Diesel has one pipe out the back on the passenger side. There is an alcove sort of space with an aluminum insulation liner

Greg, Thanks for your review and the photos. Now we know how those exhausts are hidden.

Excellent, Thanks for that review. I ordered my Bluetec a week ago. Black/Auburn Brown leather, P2 Package, Heated Wheel, Brown Satin Wood. Total discount was just over $7,500 off MSRP...

That's a pretty nice discount for a brand new vehicle.

Thanks for the review Greg,

Despite the hidden exhaust tips, does the '12 ML still have two mufflers, one on each side?

[QUOTE=jon2002;4858355]Thanks for the review Greg,

Despite the hidden exhaust tips, does the '12 ML still have two mufflers, one on each side?[/QUO

I am in the minority that likes the rear valance. It looks like a futuristic exhaust. If you really wanted to make it nice, redirect the pipes to go through the chrome rectangular molding to get exhaust gas out.Customization, baby!

Yes, two tailpipes.

Greg - just FYI, the conquest cash does not stack with the fleet discount. Usually the fleet on an ML is 3k and if they have it, Conquest is 1k.

Purchase discounts
 

Thanks, I just figured that out. We are eligible for the fleet, so will not pursue the conquest. Someone else posted getting $2k conquest discount, though. Don't forget, after one year of MBCA membership there is also a $1k rebate available!

The MBCA makes me sick. I have had 5 MB's in the last 3 years and still have not joined. It comes up everytime I go to buy a car, and by the time I think about it, it's too late. I am joining now!

Tjg0024, that is an awesome deal. Would you be kind enough to share with us how you went about that deal. Did you get invoice minus all rebates? Other than conquest what other rebates did you use to get the price down that low?