Gas Powered ML350
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Kalifornia
2012 Blk/Blk ML350 4Matic
Gas Powered ML350
Just wanted to chime in on my newly purchased gas powered ML which I have owned for 2 months now. Wonderful vehicle. I test drove both a gas and diesel and actually preferred the gas version. The gas version seemed to have a touch more throttle response and just felt lighter on its feet. After 5000 miles, been averaging ~20 MPG city 80%/highway 20%. A huge upgrade over the Denali which was lucky to get 13 MPG avg. Low end torque on the DI 3.5L gas motor is very nice and the upper RPM silken rush of power is intoxicating. It does make a little racket while at idle at times, but so did my DI 3.5L Lexus IS 350. It's just a trait of the HP fuel injectors. Also love the way the tranny seems to automatically engine brake going down hills or when coming to a stop. Overall the truck is just a very solid piece of machinery and so far has been a wonderful ownership experience.
Last edited by Scott5000; Dec 22, 2011 at 12:28 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
I did test drive them both too, even though MB says its the same 0-60 it very much seems different. I am a slow driver so speed doesn't matter to me anyway.
Play with your throttle a bit to find the sweet spot. In 80/20 driving I average about 21.5 - 22.5
With more cruising its more 24 - 25 mpg - lets say 40% - 60%
Last weekend I went on the interstate and got 26 avg. over 61 miles. Sweet spot being around 55 - 60 miles per hour I believe.
Its amazing how much get it up it has for passing, its quick and responsive. As soon as the transmission shifts to a lower gear its scooting. The front lifts and I know I better have 2 hands on the wheel. Its not SRT8 or AMG fast, however it will jerk ya around.
The slight ticking is fine, and it is the fuel injectors - its still a lot more quiet running than the BlueTec.
One thing I do wish is that because of the fact the gas verision does not use adhoc, it would have been nice for them to just make that extra tank for gas to improve the range. I think the diesels have a extra 7 gallon tank for AdHoc, so for us it would be like having a 32 gallon tank, thus improving range for me to almost 750 miles on a full tank avg only 23.5 mpg. For highway miles it would get over 800 miles
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
Play with your throttle a bit to find the sweet spot. In 80/20 driving I average about 21.5 - 22.5
With more cruising its more 24 - 25 mpg - lets say 40% - 60%
Last weekend I went on the interstate and got 26 avg. over 61 miles. Sweet spot being around 55 - 60 miles per hour I believe.
Its amazing how much get it up it has for passing, its quick and responsive. As soon as the transmission shifts to a lower gear its scooting. The front lifts and I know I better have 2 hands on the wheel. Its not SRT8 or AMG fast, however it will jerk ya around.
The slight ticking is fine, and it is the fuel injectors - its still a lot more quiet running than the BlueTec.
One thing I do wish is that because of the fact the gas verision does not use adhoc, it would have been nice for them to just make that extra tank for gas to improve the range. I think the diesels have a extra 7 gallon tank for AdHoc, so for us it would be like having a 32 gallon tank, thus improving range for me to almost 750 miles on a full tank avg only 23.5 mpg. For highway miles it would get over 800 miles
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
Last edited by jweezy; Dec 21, 2011 at 08:31 PM.
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,778
Likes: 1,270
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,778
Likes: 1,270
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Extra gas tank?
One thing I do wish is that because of the fact the gas verision does not use adhoc, it would have been nice for them to just make that extra tank for gas to improve the range. I think the diesels have a extra 7 gallon tank for AdHoc, so for us it would be like having a 32 gallon tank, thus improving range for me to almost 750 miles on a full tank avg only 23.5 mpg. For highway miles it would get over 800 miles
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
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Mercedes-Benz ML350
A couple problems with that idea. First, the DEF tank sets on the right side of the muffler, with the tailpipes exiting to the left. The gas version has tailpipes both sides, not to say they couldn't make it work one-sided. Secondly, the tank is in a vulnerable location behind the rear axle - no way MB would position a gas tank there. Nice thought, though; the range on the diesel is a nice feature.
You are very active on the forums and you know a lot about your car. You are able to create a bunch of threads that people find useful and your opinion seems to have facts included with your comments.
For that you get respect. With out you the ML forum would have 3 threads created.
Keep it up buddy.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Kalifornia
2012 Blk/Blk ML350 4Matic
I did test drive them both too, even though MB says its the same 0-60 it very much seems different. I am a slow driver so speed doesn't matter to me anyway.
Play with your throttle a bit to find the sweet spot. In 80/20 driving I average about 21.5 - 22.5
With more cruising its more 24 - 25 mpg - lets say 40% - 60%
Last weekend I went on the interstate and got 26 avg. over 61 miles. Sweet spot being around 55 - 60 miles per hour I believe.
Its amazing how much get it up it has for passing, its quick and responsive. As soon as the transmission shifts to a lower gear its scooting. The front lifts and I know I better have 2 hands on the wheel. Its not SRT8 or AMG fast, however it will jerk ya around.
The slight ticking is fine, and it is the fuel injectors - its still a lot more quiet running than the BlueTec.
One thing I do wish is that because of the fact the gas verision does not use adhoc, it would have been nice for them to just make that extra tank for gas to improve the range. I think the diesels have a extra 7 gallon tank for AdHoc, so for us it would be like having a 32 gallon tank, thus improving range for me to almost 750 miles on a full tank avg only 23.5 mpg. For highway miles it would get over 800 miles
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
Play with your throttle a bit to find the sweet spot. In 80/20 driving I average about 21.5 - 22.5
With more cruising its more 24 - 25 mpg - lets say 40% - 60%
Last weekend I went on the interstate and got 26 avg. over 61 miles. Sweet spot being around 55 - 60 miles per hour I believe.
Its amazing how much get it up it has for passing, its quick and responsive. As soon as the transmission shifts to a lower gear its scooting. The front lifts and I know I better have 2 hands on the wheel. Its not SRT8 or AMG fast, however it will jerk ya around.
The slight ticking is fine, and it is the fuel injectors - its still a lot more quiet running than the BlueTec.
One thing I do wish is that because of the fact the gas verision does not use adhoc, it would have been nice for them to just make that extra tank for gas to improve the range. I think the diesels have a extra 7 gallon tank for AdHoc, so for us it would be like having a 32 gallon tank, thus improving range for me to almost 750 miles on a full tank avg only 23.5 mpg. For highway miles it would get over 800 miles
I guess they wanted the Bluetec to have the range title. It just seems like a waste of space to me, although it would increase the weight - the ML350 gas weighs in around 4800 pounds. (My Charger weighed about 4350)
Also, I thought it was adhoc "uretha" injection...
Last edited by Scott5000; Dec 22, 2011 at 12:21 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
I know we shouldn't be concerned about mpg that much, we are driving SUVs.
I just like to see how far I can go with each tank, its not about saving money or anything. Even if so its not enough to put a dent in the total cost, its more for personal satisfaction.
However, the other way I think about it is this - I go 1.5 weeks with out feeling up at an average of 21 mpg with the whole tank.
We have 24.6 gallons of gas we can hold at one time, knowing that if I can average up to 23 mpg over the life of a tank that would get me 49 more miles with filling up. Thats another day I can go with out going to the gas station.
The longest I have went is 2.5 weeks (only driving to and from work M-F), without filling up.
I just like to see how far I can go with each tank, its not about saving money or anything. Even if so its not enough to put a dent in the total cost, its more for personal satisfaction.
However, the other way I think about it is this - I go 1.5 weeks with out feeling up at an average of 21 mpg with the whole tank.
We have 24.6 gallons of gas we can hold at one time, knowing that if I can average up to 23 mpg over the life of a tank that would get me 49 more miles with filling up. Thats another day I can go with out going to the gas station.
The longest I have went is 2.5 weeks (only driving to and from work M-F), without filling up.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,778
Likes: 1,270
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Fuel tank size
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,778
Likes: 1,270
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
You know what Greg, I have respect for you.
You are very active on the forums and you know a lot about your car. You are able to create a bunch of threads that people find useful and your opinion seems to have facts included with your comments.
For that you get respect. With out you the ML forum would have 3 threads created.
Keep it up buddy.
You are very active on the forums and you know a lot about your car. You are able to create a bunch of threads that people find useful and your opinion seems to have facts included with your comments.
For that you get respect. With out you the ML forum would have 3 threads created.
Keep it up buddy.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Kalifornia
2012 Blk/Blk ML350 4Matic
I know we shouldn't be concerned about mpg that much, we are driving SUVs.
I just like to see how far I can go with each tank, its not about saving money or anything. Even if so its not enough to put a dent in the total cost, its more for personal satisfaction.
However, the other way I think about it is this - I go 1.5 weeks with out feeling up at an average of 21 mpg with the whole tank.
We have 24.6 gallons of gas we can hold at one time, knowing that if I can average up to 23 mpg over the life of a tank that would get me 49 more miles with filling up. Thats another day I can go with out going to the gas station.
The longest I have went is 2.5 weeks (only driving to and from work M-F), without filling up.
I just like to see how far I can go with each tank, its not about saving money or anything. Even if so its not enough to put a dent in the total cost, its more for personal satisfaction.
However, the other way I think about it is this - I go 1.5 weeks with out feeling up at an average of 21 mpg with the whole tank.
We have 24.6 gallons of gas we can hold at one time, knowing that if I can average up to 23 mpg over the life of a tank that would get me 49 more miles with filling up. Thats another day I can go with out going to the gas station.
The longest I have went is 2.5 weeks (only driving to and from work M-F), without filling up.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
Last edited by jweezy; Dec 22, 2011 at 09:50 PM.
