M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

2006 and 2012 side by side pics

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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 03:45 AM
  #1  
yister's Avatar
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2006 and 2012 side by side pics

I thought w166 crowd might enjoy these as well.
Some pics from Thanksgiving day of my sister's car.







Still haven't put the new grill and led tails yet though. Strange how the 2012 is actually bigger than the old while looks smaller.

Last edited by yister; Nov 25, 2011 at 05:17 AM.
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 08:15 AM
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Thanks for the side by side photo's. Hope you and your family had and enjoyable Thanksgiving. I have an 09 and have been wanting to see a photo comparison for a while. THe only thing I am not sure about is if I like the hidden tail pipes. Otherwise can not wait until I order my 2013. Did you happen to take any interrior photo's of each?

I would be interested in your take of the difference in the two with regard to handeling, power, quaility of fitment, etc.

THhanks again for the pic's.

Mark

Last edited by MAmendola; Nov 25, 2011 at 08:17 AM.
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 10:13 AM
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Are those GL 550 wheels on the 2006? Looks mean!
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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Thank you. As for the comparison, I think it's a split. I like the interior and all the amenities, latest nav=mind blown. But on the exterior, I lean towards the old one which looks more muscular. She got the P2 package with black mtex with silver stitching, which looks unreal. I'm with you for the rear, I like the looks of the exposed exhaust pipes. I really haven't drove it, but she said it has more power overall.

The wheels are the 22" gl550 reps BTW.
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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04 sl 500, 07 ml 320 cdi
am i wrong or the w166 has an higher clearence from the ground? it sit highter?
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 04:49 PM
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Debadged ftw!
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by yister
Thank you. As for the comparison, I think it's a split. I like the interior and all the amenities, latest nav=mind blown. But on the exterior, I lean towards the old one which looks more muscular. She got the P2 package with black mtex with silver stitching, which looks unreal. I'm with you for the rear, I like the looks of the exposed exhaust pipes. I really haven't drove it, but she said it has more power overall.

The wheels are the 22" gl550 reps BTW.
I really like these wheels... Do you know if they will fit the new W166? Where did you get these?
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 06:25 PM
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No, it does not sit higher. Mine is lowered with H&R springs, the w164 would be higher. You find the wheels on ebay from a few vendors, but I'm selling these asap. A bit too much for my 2 kids, already have oe ml63 ready to be mounted. I'm in socal, or I guess I can ship.
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 11:00 PM
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Thanks - nice comparison. I hate the hidden tailpipes on the new one. I will have to do something about that eventually. Yeah, 22s are a bit radical - think I'll stick with 20s, thought the 21" GL AMG wheels are really nice.
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Old Nov 26, 2011 | 03:58 AM
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Originally Posted by yister
No, it does not sit higher. Mine is lowered with H&R springs, the w164 would be higher. You find the wheels on ebay from a few vendors, but I'm selling these asap. A bit too much for my 2 kids, already have oe ml63 ready to be mounted. I'm in socal, or I guess I can ship.
How much would you sell them for. I'm in so cal
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Old Nov 26, 2011 | 05:25 AM
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I'll let it go for $2000 firm, includes tpms as well. The oe ml63 comes with them, so long as they work it's yours. Specs:

alll fours 20x10 et50
tires, Pirelli scorpions 285/35/22
On the car for 2 weeks, see my other post on w164/barely put 200 miles on them.

I didn't cheap out on the tires like the vendors on ebay. They balanced out fine, no vibrations what so ever. If I was single, I would definetly keep them. But I'm not, so priorities changed a bit. When I was looking for the OE ml63s, I just couldn't find a good set of them/non refurb. But 2 weeks after I got the 22 reps, I found a perfect used set with 90% tires of course. The 22's look really, really good.
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Old Nov 28, 2011 | 04:30 AM
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I was just curious. Love the look but for the family hauler want a soft ride. If it was my daily driver I'd do it in a second!
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Old May 14, 2014 | 05:39 PM
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W164 the best SUV muscular and styled
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Old May 14, 2014 | 08:52 PM
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Great photos. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful to see them side by side.

My personal vote between the two is on the old model.
Much more ML.
Less fussy, less chrome, less angles, less lines and did I say less chrome bits?

I was browsing at the dealer last week while my 164 was in for service before catching a flight out of town. I just can't get over the back end of the 166 and its tail lights. And they now all come with chrome in the front and back. Great if you love chrome. Horrible if you don't.

Not to cause a stir with those who love chrome. It looks good on some vehicles. Personally, I just like my vehicles without it. And MB is not giving folks that option.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by icerabbit
Great photos. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful to see them side by side.

My personal vote between the two is on the old model.
Much more ML.
Less fussy, less chrome, less angles, less lines and did I say less chrome bits?

I was browsing at the dealer last week while my 164 was in for service before catching a flight out of town. I just can't get over the back end of the 166 and its tail lights. And they now all come with chrome in the front and back. Great if you love chrome. Horrible if you don't.

Not to cause a stir with those who love chrome. It looks good on some vehicles. Personally, I just like my vehicles without it. And MB is not giving folks that option.
You can wrap the chrome. That's what I'm doing soon
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Old May 16, 2014 | 12:16 AM
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Nice pics, Thanks for sharing!

I must be honest. I never liked the M-Class and then they made the W166 and I just fell head over heels in love. I was originally looking at the GLK because I didn't want something big but the ML I have today was in the showroom and just swept me off my feet. I couldn't get out my checkbook fast enough. I am really in love with her.

I seem to be outnumbered, but I really love all the chrome accents on the new W166 too. To each her own I guess.
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Old May 16, 2014 | 12:32 AM
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I like the back better on the new one, aside from tail pipes, which to me is not a deal breaker. And it looks like they both have about the same amount of chrome on the back. From the side, I think new one is a winner again. IDK, I like the new one a lot. First time I liked Mercedes and considered it as my ride. Maybe people with long MB history just like to reminisce...
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